After entering the Disney World Resort and absorb all its glory, you may notice an interesting fact - there are no mosquitoes there. Disney World is located in Florida, which is a very humid place with lots of swamps, so it's the perfect place for hordes of mosquitoes. So why are they absent from the famous amusement park? Let us explain to you the shocking reason why mosquitoes are not welcome here.
Even so, they decided to continue, as Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which opened in 1955, was a success. So although the area attracted a lot of annoying insects, they didn't let that stop them from opening such an attraction. Research carried out in 1950 showed that only 5% of the people who visited the West Coast dreamland traveled beyond the Mississippi River, even though 75% of Americans lived there.
Disney therefore wanted to exploit the potential of the eastern US market. He chose a location in the town of Bay Lake, Florida, which is also close to Orlando e Kissimmee. It was in this area that the filmmaker decided to build a breathtaking amusement park - which is also known as the happiest place on earth.
Now it was time for Disney to get down to work and start drawing up his plan. He was very excited, but wanted to keep everything a secret, so the whole process was called "Florida Project". Disney knew that it would be much more than just an amusement park and came up with several attractions, for example the Epcot Theme Park at Disney World.
Epcot is short for "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow". It was conceived as a modern community that would almost represent a backdrop for some new developments in city life. Disney elaborated on this whole idea, but after his death in 1966, the project was abandoned. Alternatively, Disney World became very similar to Disneyland, which was not necessarily Disney's initial plan.
Unfortunately, Disney didn't get to see the end result of his great project. The first part of the park was the Magic Kingdom, and it wasn't available to visitors until 1971. Epcot opened 11 years later, followed by Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom in 1989 and 1998. Although the park was not faithful to Disney's initial ideas, it is still a great success and is more successful than any other resort in the world.
Well, about 52 million people visit Disney World every yearAnd none of them regret it! In 2014, the resort's four parks were among the eight most visited theme parks in the world. Unsurprisingly, The Magic Kingdom park manages to stay comfortably in first place, as approximately 21 million enthusiastic people decide to visit it every year.
You might think that the only visitors to this theme park are the guests, but you're so wrong. Disney World is "home" to 74,000 "cast members" as its employees are called. So the theme park is America's biggest employer. However, they wouldn't be the happiest employees if their bosses didn't hand out more than $1.2 billion in salaries and another $1.4 billion in extra benefits.
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Disney World certainly attracts a large number of visitors, which requires some measures. These people need a place to stay, so there are 34 hotels or resorts located close to attractions.
So you can imagine that a place that is both a theme park and a hotel has to be huge. And it is - there are 25,000 acres of land, which is the size of San Francisco and twice the size of Manhattan. Although only 50% of the park is used now, Disney wanted to preserve this precious piece of land, a third of the land is protected for conservation.
The next concern is transportation, as this huge complex requires a thoroughly developed transportation system. Therefore, getting around the amusement park is very easy and convenient for every visitor. In other words, the resort contains around 400 buses and that number of vehicles is more remarkable than the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.
All we can say is that they've really thought about every detail. For example, you're never too far from a garbage can, in fact, you can see one just 30 paces away. Supposedly, Disney used to visit the parks and pay attention to people and their garbage, after about 30 steps they would throw it on the ground. Every detail was important to him.
And the attention to detail doesn't even stop at the bottom of the park. The Magic Kingdom is actually located in a network of tunnels. This path was given the name of the underground city by the online publication Thrillist. However, it is actually located at ground level. Florida is at sea level, so the tunnels couldn't be hidden. The engineers therefore decided to build the park on top.
These tunnels are better known as "Disney Utilidor System". Its main purpose is to be the "shelter" for the cast. They can change clothes casually or take breaks there. This was Disney's initial idea, as he didn't want the characters to go through other sections to get to their workplace.
Another important element of the complete Disney experience is scent. Disney uses "Smellitizers" special devices placed in every corner of the park. They spread a pleasant aroma depending on where you are. For example, the main street smells of cookies and vanilla and on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, you can smell the fresh sea air.
As well as smelling wonderful, Disney World must be wonderful too. One way to make sure everything is perfect is to plant around three million flowering shrubs in the park every year. The gardeners have a lot of work to do because they have to take care of 13,000 roses, 200 topiaries and two million flowers.
Disney has gone to great lengths to make the park immaculate. Therefore, there are some things that are not allowed here. For example, Disney has decided to ban all parks from selling chewing gum. The reason won't come as a shock - it did this so that the park and everyone's shoes would be clean. So if you love chewing gum, we advise you to bring your own pack and be discreet.
It's quite clear that the Disney team has done everything in its power to ensure that visits to this park are a magical experience for everyone. However, you haven't seen it all yet, as there is one more brilliant idea designed to ensure that the Disney World theme park remains one of a kind. mosquito-free place.
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Disney has managed to almost completely eliminate mosquitoes, which is all the more remarkable when you recognize that the theme park was built on a former swamp. Many southerners could testify that these annoying insects are a headache and an unavoidable element in a humid place like this. However, Disney made sure that these bloodsuckers wouldn't ruin the fun for its guests in the future.
Thus, the first step towards banishing mosquitoes began with an important meeting between Major General William "Joe" Potter and Walt Disney at the New York World's Fair in 1964. William Potter was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a specialist engineer. In addition, before meeting Disney, he was the governor of the Panama Canal Zone.
From 1903 to 1979, the Panama Canal Zone was an unincorporated region of the United States. It was a hotspot for malaria, a mosquito-borne disease. However, before building the Panama Canal, those responsible had to keep the pathogen under control. It was at this point that Potter began to acquire knowledge about insect control.
After Disney learned that Potter had enough knowledge as an engineer that he could help him with mosquito prevention, he immediately decided to hire him. After Potter agreed to his new job, he decided to put all his efforts into trying to get rid of the insects for the "Florida Project", which would later become Disney World
So Disney World is "lucky" because there are no annoying insects that can bother enthusiastic visitors. Obviously, it's impossible to get rid of all the mosquitoes in the area, but there is a way to minimize their number. Disney employees have many methods that keep them in control, and they are all very effective.
Let's look at an example - instead of killing adult mosquitoes, the team tries to make the park look like an impossible place to lay eggs, which keeps the mosquitoes away. By doing this, they keep the number of mosquitoes low at all times and ensure that they don't fly around all day.
Another effective measure is to ensure that no standing water. Insects are tempted by water, which is the best place to lay their eggs. However, if there is no water, there is no potential place for mosquitoes to breed. This technique was a way of minimizing the number of larvae that would be present in the park and, of course, it is very successful.
Now, this sounds like an easy and clever plan - get rid of all the standing water. However, remember that the park was built in a swamp. So Potter immediately started concentrating on creating a huge drainage system, which would change this muddy, swampy land and turn it into something suitable for future transformation and construction.
The initial drainage pipes that were installed by Potter are now known as "Joe's ditches" and are still widely used. As you might guess, they have the main function of keeping the water flowing through the park at all times and ensuring that it never reaches a dead end.
"Guests don't usually notice, but the water is constantly flowing... Whenever you pass a body of water, there's usually a fountain in the middle of it, or they're doing something to keep it flowing." This was a statement given to Reader's Digest Magazine by Christopher Lucas about the new drainage system.
This plan was so successful that, to this day, whenever they plan new works, Disney buys additional land near the park to accommodate the drainage channels. However, this isn't the only measure incorporated to prevent water droplets from accumulating - here are a few more.
Every detail has been taken into account
The entire park has been designed so that water doesn't accumulate on the surface of the structures. Disney expert Lucas said: "All the buildings are built in such a way that the water flows right through [them] ... With all the storms, if the water gets trapped in the buildings ... it would form a pool and then the mosquitoes would hatch eggs, and you'd have thousands of mosquitoes. "
So Disney has done this by making sure that the water droplets simply "would slip" out of the building. Lucas states the following: "They made all the buildings curved or designed so that there was no place for water to collect and sit there ... The architecture is really attractive to the eye, but it also serves a purpose: it makes it less mosquito-friendly. "
Here at Disney, the still water is the archenemy in relation to Disney's grand plan to fight all flying mosquitoes. Consequently, even the plants are important, as each one plays a role in eliminating unpleasant insects. Especially since only specific types of plants are planted in the resort, so that people are safe from insects.
Most importantly, all water in pools or fountains is cleared of any vegetation, such as lilies, which can attract and also hide potential mosquito eggs.
Lucas told Reader's Digest: "They also fill these places with little fish, goldfish and a type of fish called a mosquito fish, which eats the larvae."
Disney has really gone to great lengths to prevent puddles from forming in the park. In addition, they use sprays to combat insects, but Walt Disney wanted the sprays not to contain harmful pesticides. Lucas said: "[He] didn't want to spoil the environment in any way, so they couldn't use pesticides ... It would be easy to just spray the whole thing, but he wanted it to be something natural."
As they had to respect Walt Disney's request, the team used a garlic spray specifically for pests. Apparently, no insect likes this strong, pungent smell, so they spread this unusual scent all over the amusement park. Lucas told Reader's Digest: "The amount they use is so small that humans can't smell it, but mosquitoes are very susceptible to it."
Maybe the garlic sprays shocked him, but this detail may shock you even more; they have chickens who are here to fight the mosquitoes. They are kept safely in the park and live their normal lives. However, their blood is often checked to see if they are susceptible to pathogens carried by mosquitoes.
Zike and West Nile are some of the mosquito-borne diseases. Chickens are not very likely to contract these viruses, but their blood tests show whether they have been exposed to the pathogens. They can then determine where the affected chicken was and decide which area needs more attention when it comes to fighting insects.
Potter's efforts are, as already mentioned, still visible today in terms of insect prevention. Even so, the Disney team continues to improve the Mosquito Surveillance Program. Another measure they have decided to take is to test the mosquitoes that manage to enter Disney World and thus try to understand how to deal with them in the future.
Most importantly, Potter's impact will never be forgotten. After the engineer died in 1988, the former president of Walt Disney Attractions, Dick Dunis, said the following - which you can find on the official Disney Fan Club website:
"Joe was a man Walt Disney liked very much. Without Joe Potter, there would be no [Disney World] today. "
In 1997, Potter was proclaimed a Disney legend.
Another Disney tribute to him is that one of the ferries at Seven Seas Lagoon is now called General Joe Potter.
However, people who decide to visit this place probably have no idea of the efforts Potter made to prevent them from being bitten by the annoying mosquitoes. However, the next time you visit, make sure there are no chickens walking alongside you.
All this mosquito prevention project is just one of the many secrets visitors don't know about. From strange water bubbles to a series of untamed cats, we're bringing you 18 other discoveries that will change everything you know about Disney World.
Next time you visit this theme park, pay attention to the surroundings. You'll certainly start to notice the ears of the Mickey Mouse everywhere. The reason for this is that the park's designers decided to leave this universal mark in every crevice you see, from the restaurants to the rides. Steven Barett, a famous blogger, decided to spend all his free time looking for all of them.
In the 1950s, Disney wanted to start building a fascinating new element in Sleeping Beauty's castle. So when the Imagineers went to take a peek inside, they saw that it was overrun by wild cats. The cats managed to stay there, but with one task - to curb the problem of the mice, who weren't as adorable as Mickey. Now, 200 cats consider DisneyLand their home.
With more than two and a half million items, Disney certainly has the largest closet in the world. All these items are stored in racks 13 kilometers long. So if you ever thought you had too many clothes, remember that the Mickey Mouse has over 290 costumes. However, seeing all those beautiful and intricate costumes in person is definitely part of the Disney experience.
The Utilidors (Underground tunnels) represent the backstage of Disney World. They help cast members move around without ruining the Disney illusion. They are also very useful for removing garbage. Garbage is transported through a series of tubes with pressurized air. Moving at high speed, the garbage is removed quickly. Disney's underground world is as impressive as the park itself.
If you've ever been to Disney, you've probably met a guy called Chris, from Orlando. It's more common than you might think. It turns out that if a member of staff forgets their badge, it's the only one they can use. Chris from Orlando certainly does. We wonder how he feels about the fact that everyone has to impersonate him at some point.
Have you ever wondered why the water at Disney World is almost all green?
No, it's not because it's dirty. There are two main reasons why the water is dyed that color. Firstly, it makes it harder to see the tracks that run under the water, which makes the boat trip more enjoyable. Secondly, it helps to hide the garbage that ends up in the water over time.
If you've ever seen "Fantasmic!"You know that the main attraction is the huge dragon that sets the river on fire. Although it looks impressive, this part of the show was lethal for the ducks in the early days of the show. Nowadays, a simple trick is used to save the ducks' lives. A few minutes before the act, the water begins to bubble to scare the ducks.
Disney has a code for everything. These codes vary from the simplest to the most complex. For example, if an attraction has broken down, you'll hear Code 101. When the attractions open again, you'll hear Code 102. There's also a Code V, which you may have used during your hangover. The strangest is "White powder alert", which is used when people try to scatter the ashes of their loved ones on Space Mountain.
The names you've seen in some of the windows of the buildings on Main Street aren't completely random. They are Disney's way of paying tribute to those who took part in the creation of Disney World. Sometimes there's even a hint as to what the person's job was. How does someone get their name on a Main Street building? This is reserved only for the best retired employees.
Can you imagine seeing all the Disney characters walking around Disney World and having fun, just after they've all gone home? That's the life of the cast members. After spending all day in warm clothes, they have the chance to relax with their colleagues, who are also dressed in their own costumes. Sounds like a childhood dream to us!
As a cast member, part of wearing costumes involves wearing specific underwear, which is provided by Disney. Until 2001, this meant that you had to rely on your colleague to wash them properly every night. In 2001, however, workers started complaining about lice in the costumes. Fortunately, the unions won the workers' right and now they can take their underwear home and wash it there.
For the cast of Disney World, it's essential to always stay in character and be polite. We imagine that this is very difficult to do when visitors are extremely rude. Fortunately, the cast members have found a fun way around it. For example, they came up with the phrase "Have a magical day at Disney"which is his way of telling rude visitors to fuck off.
Well, that's true for the employees, at least. In 2008, a group of employees in full Disney costume protested outside the park. Their main complaints were pay and working conditions. Although 32 Disney characters were arrested that day, the protest did nothing to help maintain Disney's image as the happiest place on earth.
With so many visitors every year, it's inevitable that all sorts of things end up in Disney's Lost and Found. Some strange items include a glass eye and a prosthetic legboth successfully claimed. To put things into perspective, every day, around 210 pairs of sunglasses end up there. We imagine you'd have a hard time finding your date.
About 285,000 pounds of clothes are washed daily at all Disney World resorts. In addition, around 30,000 pieces of clothing are dry-cleaned daily. Although this may seem excessive, you should consider the number of employees at these resorts. In Florida, there are more than 70,000 employees at Disney.
To reach Disney's daily laundry loads, you'd have to do laundry every day for 52 years.
Cinderella's Castle looks breathtaking, but there's more to it than meets the eye. This iconic castle wasn't made of stone. The impressive building is made of fiberglass. This makes it a little more durable. What's more, it's unlikely that people will be able to tear off a piece of Cinderella's house for a unique souvenir.
Although it may seem like it, Disney's reputation is not entirely clean. A number of misconduct lawsuits have been filed against some Disney characters. In 2011, a woman accused Donald Duck of groping and made jokes about it. She later won the settlement, and Disney's reputation was further tarnished.
To work for Mickey, you need to be ready to make some changes to your appearance. There is a manual, the Disney Look Book, which sets out a series of rules for employees. Some of these rules include not having tattoos or piercings, meeting Disney's style demands for your prescription glasses, having facial hair or nails of a certain length, etc.
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Now that you know a little more about Disney's secrets and how it protected itself from mosquitoes. We can help you understand the behavior of the real estate market and consider investing in vacation homes in Orlando. To take advantage of all the tips we've brought you and to go even deeper, you can talk directly to our relationship agents. They are always happy to talk to you to answer any questions you may have about investing in Florida.
In this article we cover Disney's secrets for keeping mosquitoes away from the parks in Orlando. If you want to read more content like what we've covered in this article, just stay tuned here on our blog.
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