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Disney characters

Disney's theme parks are pretty extraordinary places as it is. Enormous fibreglass castles, giant mock hotels with drop towers within them and sprawling faux mountains are all par for the course. But that hasn't stopped a number of myths and urban legends building up around them over the years. Often, these myths are stated as fact, rather than fiction. So we thought it would be fun to take a look at 10 of the most enduring Disney urban legends to see if there is reallyany truth to them.

10. The army discharge

Walt Disney

Image: D23

The legend: It is said that the first three theme parks at Walt Disney World all opened on October 1, because that was the date that Walt Disney was dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Army for drawing cartoons on Army trucks. Walt is said to have been so proud of this event that his successors felt the date should be used for future park debuts. The truth: This one is total garbage. For starters, Walt Disney was never actually inthe U.S. Army. When the US joined the fighting in the First World War, he was too young to enlist. Instead, he joined the American Ambulance Corps of the Red Cross, lying about his age in the process. He left the service in October 1919, but not on the first of the month. On top of this, while the Magic Kingdom and Epcot officially opened on October 1 in 1971 and 1982 respectively, Disney-MGM Studios actually opened on May 1, 1989.

9. Andy's Coming

Toy Story characters

Image © Disney

The legend: If you yell "Andy's coming!" at Toy Story characters in Disney theme parks, they will stop what they are doing and lie flat on the ground. The truth: The Orlando Sentinel tested this one out, and was informed by a Walt Disney World spokeswoman that yelling the phrase won't lead to the comedic sight of the characters flopping to the floor. However, that doesn't mean that it has neverhappened. Videos posted online suggest that it has, but that Disney has stamped out the practice for safety reasons.

8. Headless characters

Mickey Mouse

Image © Disney

The legend: Disney was sued by visitors who claimed that their children had seen headless characters backstage, causing them severe distress. The truth:The reality of these cases is a little less bizarre. In fact, at least two lawsuits have cited headless characters, but there were many other factors involved too. One case involved security staff falsely accusing a family of shoplifting, and dragging them backstage. Another saw a former Mouseketeer brought backstage after being held up at gunpoint in Disneyland's parking lot. Both distressing events, regardless of the presence of beheaded characters.

7. The ghost

Pirates of the Caribbean

Image © Disney

The legend: During the construction of Pirates of the Caribbean at the Magic Kingdom, a welder named George was killed (either by electrocution or a falling beam). He haunts the attraction to this day. The truth:Cast Members still warn new employees about the ghost. But in reality, there was no George.

6. The Contemporary

Disney's Contemporary Resort

The legend: The rooms at Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort were designed so that they could be removed at any time, allowing a new one to be slotted into place. However, the steel frame settled, trapping the original rooms in the structure. The truth: Yesterland has helpfully debunked this one. The United States Steel Corporation, which built the Contemporary, did use it as a proving ground for modular construction techniques. Finished rooms (with utilities such as plumbing already installed) were slotted into the steel frame, having been manufactured on an assembly line. However, there was never any mention of the rooms being replacable.

 
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We were there in MK Kingdom 1994 when the accident happened The whole park 'froze' on high alert. Rumors started right away that an employee fell And died!

What about the story of the boy dying of a heart attack on mission to mars?

Yes-that really happened. I was there that day. But I think he had a heart condition.

Ha! Disney cremated my butt. That's what they want you to think!

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