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10. Kingdom Kutters

Disney famously enforces the "Disney Look"- a strict set of guidelines for Cast Member appearance. Although it has been relaxed over the years, Disney is still keen for its employees to match its clean-cut image. To help them achieve this, it runs its own hair salon, known as Kingdom Kutters and located down in the utilidors.

9. Underground cafeterias

The above-ground dining outlets for visitors to the Magic Kingdom are, of course, heavily-themed restaurants that typically benefit from plenty of natural light. Cast Members, though, can eat at one of two subterranean cafes - one underneath Fantasyland, and another underneath Adventureland.

8. The Automated Vacuum Collection System (AVAC)

 

The Magic Kingdom's garbage disposal system is legendary. Developed in Sweden, AVAC uses compressed air to propel garbage at 60 miles per hour to a central collection point behind Splash Mountain where it is processed (and much of it recycled). There are access points located all over the park, which can be used to "suck" trash into the tubes. The tubes themselves are 20 inches in diameter, with the vacuum being created by a system of motors and exhausts.

7. Break rooms

Cast Members onlyWhen Cast Members want to take a break or visit a restroom, they need to head down one of the many stairwells into the utilidors. They can also store their belongings in underground locker rooms.

6. Food and other supplies

Burger

Food and other goods are delivered into the park via the utilidors, where they are received, processed and stored until they are needed. That means that delivery trucks don't need to roll through the park, and Cast Members don't need to parade around pulling trolleys full of goods.

5. Kitchens

Disney Kitchen Next time you tuck into a meal at the Magic Kingdom, spare a thought for the Cast Members that toiled away in underground food preparation kitchens to get it to you. You can learn more about what happens in Walt Disney World's kitchens by reading our recent interview with a former cook at the resort.

4. Security

Disney likes to keep security relatively low-key, with Cast Members in plain clothes hanging out in its stores to spot shoplifters. Little wonder, then, that it hides away security offices beneath the Magic Kingdom, at the front of Main Street, USA.

3. Color-coded walls

Learning their way around the utilidors can be something of a challenge for Cast Members when they first start their jobs. To help them, Disney has color-coded the walls of the tunnels to help them get their bearings.

2. Utilities

Utilidor

Source

Plumbing, power lines, networking cables and other utilities are housed in the utilidors - making them easily accessible if any maintenance or repairs need to be performed.

1. Tour groups

 

The utilidors are generally off-limits to guests, and most visitors to the Magic Kingdom don't even know that they are there. But it is possible to explore them as part of an organised tour. The Keys to the Kingdom tour, which includes visits to several other backstage areas, features a trip down into the utilidors. Want to check out what's underneath the Magic Kingdom? You'll need to call (407) WDW-TOUR to make a reservation. Expect to pay nearly $80 per person, with discounts for Annual Passholders.

What have we missed?

We know that many current and former Cast Members are among Theme Park Tourist's readers. What else is tucked away down in the utilidors that we have missed?

 
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Comments

In reply to by Jim (not verified)

I took the keys to the kingdom tour which took us into the utilidoors. We went through the gate that the parades pass through to get out into the park and were able to enter the utilidoors that were to the left. If I remember correctly we took the elevator down we went along the hallway we weren't able to go into any of the rooms – we just walked through the hallways. I do remember seeing a huge bulletin board I guess you'd call it a framed something that had all of the pins on it. it was really cool. I don't remember smelling in landfills.

The glow cage located in adventureland stores all the glow products used to brighten the parades at night, oh and don't forget about the hundreds if not thousands of squeeze breeze bottles being filled and stocked everyday by the cast members who are part of the glow team, so next time you see a glow person playing with toys onstage remember that there's plenty of work that goes into this operation to ensure that everyone gets their light up toys and fan misters just in time for the night spectaculars at Magic Kingdom.

Do not forget to mention the cold drips of "water" that randomly fell on you or the funky smells by the rabbit hole in Fantasyland. Oh, and that the floor was sticky sometimes...

I worked there around 92 93 and the armored trucks did drive all the way in the tunnel and would come about once an hour. Lot more cash flow back in the 90s.

I loved being there!!! I was"friends" with Cinderella,Chip n Dale, and the mice..the training and warm up rooms are there also

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