3. In unlit spaces

Darkness is one of the simplest and most effective tools that Imagineering has at its disposal. Unlit areas can hold any number of hidden features that you’ll never see when the ride is operating properly. Nearly all dark rides have some features you can’t see because they’re tucked away in the dark. On Dinosaur, this includes a complete maintenance desk tucked just behind the jungle scene to the right when you first transition into the prehistoric world.

You won’t see it under ordinary circumstances, but if maintenance were to leave a desk light on (as they did one unfortunate day), you’ll find a work area that looks wildly out of place. You may also spot areas like this if you’re evacuated from an attraction. During evacuations, the lights are turned on for safety, and you’ll see plenty of areas where the illusion falls away to reveal a far more realistic world.

4. In the scenery

Though Disney works hard to create a world that will seem believable, adult visitors are perfectly aware of the mechanisms and machinery that are at work behind the scenes. Many of these features create small hidey holes where Cast Members can crouch undetected. The Wicked Witch of the West materializes in the Great Movie Ride by popping up from a concealed hiding spot just below while smoke obscures her arrival. Though her place of concealment isn’t large, it is just big enough for a Cast Member or two to crouch in, sitting just beside her before she makes her entrance.

The top of the temple in the Jungle Cruise is easily accessible by Cast Members who can crouch unseen in the foliage. A similar spot is hidden behind the dancing natives. In Pirates of the Caribbean, there’s a completely functional spot just past the drunken pirate lounging with the pigs where Cast Members have to access a console used to take boats off the river.

Every attraction has its own nooks and cubbies. Most are used for maintenance purposes. Some conceal managers who need a place to observe the ride. You’re unlikely to see them if you don’t know where to look, and even then, darkness usually plays a key role in keeping them concealed.

Keep in mind that very few spots are undetectable in the parks. While this may seem unsettling, it’s really a smart feature that helps keep rides functioning properly and all the park’s guests safe during their time in Walt Disney World.