For decades, Walt Disney’s extensive tunnel system allowed makeup workers to travel around the Magic Kingdom without being detected by visitors.
Disney’s Magic Kingdom while under construction in Florida, USA. Photo: Twitter The images and sounds at Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida are familiar to millions of people around the world. From iconic rides to a cast of makeup welcoming kids across different theme areas, it all creates a seamless illusion of a magical world. Mr. Walter Disney (1901-1966) shuddered at the thought of a child discovering “Mickey Mouse” was taking a nap, which shook children’s confidence in his creations. Therefore, Disney decided to build a system of underground tunnels to hide the daily lives of the employees and actors from the eyes of the visitors. Since 1971, the 9-acre tunnel complex under the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida (USA) has allowed makeup actors to move from one part of the park to another without being affected. visitors discovered. The secret maze connects the changing rooms, the dining room, the rehearsal area and even the ATM. Over the years, people have sought to link dark stories to Disney tunnels, such as rumors of kidnapped children, the child trafficking line. But the real story of Walt Disney’s tunnels is even more intriguing. 
Walter Disney’s Magic Kingdom project during construction. The tunnel … is not underground Before Disney’s so-called “Project Florida” turned into the Magic Kingdom as we know it today, a Disneyland Amusement Park was built in 1955 in Anaheim, California. There, Mr. Disney realized that the Western cowboy theme was not suitable for the futuristic world of “Tomorrowland”. So he decided to launch a new project with a more consistent theme. According to the stories, while walking in his Anaheim park, Disney discovered a cast of cowboy costumes walking through the Tomorrowland. The odd thing was that was unacceptable, Disney wanted the magic of his Kingdom to run seamlessly. In fact, the Magic Kingdom tunnels are not underground. Disney conquered Florida’s swampy terrain with another solution: He built the staffing system on the ground, then simply covered it with the Magic Park itself at the next stage of construction. according to the. Walter Disney turned to retired US Army Major General William E. Joe Potter to solve the problem. William spent 38 years in the Army Corps of Engineers and served as governor of the Panama Canal region. He met Disney while helping to build the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. 
General William Potter made Walter Disney’s dream come true. Photo: Wikimedia Commons After buying about 25,000 acres of land in Florida in 1965, Disney asked William Potter for help. The former army general has been the construction leader of the project since 1967, he even carried a gun here to scare away snakes. The tunneling system that Potter built for Disney is really ingenious. Initially he built tunnels, then built the rest of the park onto the roof. By adding a deft slope, visitors don’t even realize they’ve climbed another 5 meters when entering the Magic Kingdom, compared to the tunnels below. The workers had to dig 7 million cubic meters of soil in coastal lagoons to fill the tunnel system after completion. The system finally opened up on October 1, 1971. 
Tunnel while being built on the ground The heart of “kingdom” When the Magic Kingdom was fully operational, the cast were carefully instructed on the layout and access to the tunnels. The tunnel network connects all of the park’s themed areas on a circular route from Adventureland and Fantasyland to Liberty Square and Tomorrowland … Disney employees, from electricians, actors, deliveries to maintenance teams, travel discreetly throughout the Kingdom. The tunnel even has an automatic garbage disposal system with vacuum assist (AVAC) installed along the ceiling, eliminating the need for garbage trucks. Pneumatic tubes would push the trash from the furthest position of the Magic Kingdom to a central treatment station at a speed of 90km / h. The tunnel also includes “Mouseketeria”, where staff have lunch, makeup stations and the “Kingdom Kutters” salon, as well as a system of changing rooms and practice spaces. The central operating room that controls all the animation and the park’s lights is also on the ground floor. One can compare the tunnels built by General Potter as the heart “pumping blood” to all activities in the Magic Kingdom. Actors’ movements, garbage collection, park operations, dressing up, lunch, rest – it all happened there. 
The Disney actors’ backstage activities all took place under the tunnel. Photo: Pinterest The tunnel system has been in operation since 1971 and has not changed much functionally since then. Today, although the tunnel still works as a way to preserve the “miracles” in the Magic Kingdom, Disney Park has lifted the curtain for curious people. Visitors who purchase tickets to the “Key to the Kingdom” can explore the tunnels on their own and see Disney’s underground world with their own eyes.
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