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Some Disney History You May Not To Know

Posted on July 06, 2023 by | profile photo Lori Webb | Leave a Comment

Disney has captivated the hearts of people worldwide for almost a century, still have you ever tried to dig up some Disney history you may not to know? Disney has inevitably molded popular culture, from its films to its theme parks. Even though you may claim to know a lot about Disney, many people are still unaware of certain startling and intriguing facts about it.

Discovering these secrets will help you take your next Disney trip to a whole new level of curiosity and excitement. Whether you're a diehard Disney fan or just a casual visitor, you’ll mark it as one of your best trips to Disney. So, in this blog post, we will delve into some Disney history you may not know and discover the fascinating stories behind them.


Disney History: Opening up the Secrets


Although most of the Disney iconic stories are on the tips of fans, yet there are many more to unveil. Here is some Disney history you may not to know and fun facts as well.


Walt Disney's First Studio Was a Garage

Walt Disney's initial studio was a garage in Los Angeles before he built Disneyland, and created Mickey Mouse, or any of the lovely characters we are familiar with today. The Disney Brothers Studio, later known as Walt Disney Studios, was founded in 1923 by Walt and his brother Roy. Their first animated series, Alice Comedies, which had a live-action girl named Alice interacting with cartoon creatures, was also created in this garage.


The Secret of the Hatbox Ghost

The mystery of the Hatbox Ghost is among the most fascinating in Disney history. The Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland included the Hatbox Ghost when it first launched in 1969. At the time of its opening, the Hatbox Ghost was supposed to be the ride's climax, but it was taken out soon after the ride's launch. Many rumors arise after its sudden disappearance. Even some people started to doubt the presence of Hatbox Ghost. But in 2015, the Hatbox Ghost was eventually added back to the attraction, satisfying fans and enhancing the scary setting of the Haunted Mansion.


The Lost Oswald Cartoons

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit existed before Mickey Mouse emerged as Disney's most recognizable character. Walt Disney created Oswald in 1927, and Universal Studios produced several animated shorts in which he appeared. However, Disney lost the rights to Oswald in 1928 when Universal took over the character. As a result, Mickey Mouse was made, but many of the Oswald cartoons were either misplaced or destroyed. But in 2006, Disney reclaimed the rights to Oswald, and since then, several of the disappeared cartoons have been restored.


The First Disney Princess

One of the most common yet intriguing questions about Disney history you may not to know is who is the first Disney princess? Although Snow White is frequently regarded as Disney's first princess, this isn't true. The honor goes to Persephone, the main character of a 1929 Walt Disney short animated picture. Although the movie, The Goddess of Spring, did not do well at the box office, however, it served as the inspiration for Snow White and the other Disney princesses that came after.


The Abandoned Water Park, River Country

Did you know that Disney had an abandoned water park? River Country was Disney's first water park, which was opened in 1976 and closed in 2001. It was located next to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and was themed as a rustic swimming hole. After closing, River Country was left to decay, and visitors can still catch a glimpse of the abandoned water park from the boat rides on Bay Lake.

The Infamous "Disneyland Memorial Orgy"

In 1967, during the Summer of Love, an underground newspaper called The Realist published a controversial poster titled "Disneyland Memorial Orgy." The poster depicted Disney characters engaging in various activities, causing a public outcry. Disney tried to stop the poster's distribution, However, it only made it more popular. The "Disneyland Memorial Orgy" poster is now a collector's item and a reminder of the counterculture of the late 1960s.


Walt Disney's Secret Apartment

A little window that is constantly lit, is located over the firehouse on Main Street, USA at Disneyland. The specialty of that window is, the secret apartment Walt Disney used while working at the park is visible through this window. Walt Disney's hidden residence was a little one-room apartment from which he could observe the park's guests. The best part is, visitors may view the room exactly how Walt Disney left it because it is now a museum display. This secret apartment is considered one of the most mysterious Disney history you may not to know.


Conclusion


Disney's history is full of fascinating stories and hidden facts that add to the magic of the Disney experience. Hence digging deeper into some Disney history you may not to know changes your Disney experience and make it more enjoyable. So, the next time you visit a Disney park, keep your eyes open for these hidden gems and secret histories that make Disney so unique.


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Written by

Lori Webb

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As a former Disney Vacation Club cast member, Lori has assisted thousands of families over the years as they joined the Vacation Club. As co-owner of DVC Sales, Lori continues to spend her time helping both buyers and sellers of DVC memberships. "Living in Orlando has given our family the opportunity to visit the parks often. Now that our sons are older, we find that owning our membership at Vero Beach is the perfect fit for our family and a great escape less than 2 hours from home!"

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