2. Ducks getting amorous on the Jungle Cruise

Donald and Daisy Duck are one of Disney's most enduringly popular couples. But although you'll occasionally see them smooching, you'll never see them getting up to any other antics.

The real-world ducks at Disney's theme parks are not quite so polite. Former Jungle Cruise Skipper Amy recalls: "The memorable part is how often the ducks put on a rather inappropriate display that leaves the adults in the queue struggling to explain to their children just what exactly is going on. In reality, these things happen in nature all the time. They're animals. That's what they do. But seeing two ducks going at it on top of a Jungle Cruise boat at Walt Disney World tends to make some folks grumpy!"

1. Cats and snakes devouring mice

Mickey Mouse is the undisputed boss at Disney's theme parks. But any real-life mice that sneak in hoping to grab a free meal from the trash are likely to be disappointed to find that he offers them no protection. Indeed, their lives are more reminiscent of an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon than one of Disney's animated shorts.

At Disneyland, the company actively encourages feral cats to emerge at night and devour any stray rodents. Over at Walt Disney World, slithery snakes perform a similar function.