Heather T.

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

We’ve never really understood one aspect of Expedition Everest. After the incredibly detailed queue and the impeccably scaled mountain itself, what’s the deal with the temple area on the lift hill? It feels radically out of scale and oddly placed. Are we missing something?

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

Many guests are aware that the area in World Showcase between China and Germany was meant to be the Equatorial Africa pavilion. But did you know that Disney actually built parts of it? The lights, rocks, bridge, and concrete “sand” beach are all original from 1982!

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

What originally was home to EPCOT’s mainframe computers became a polar-themed Coke experience. Then a lightly-themed Coke emporium, and is now an un-themed Coke merch shop in a new location. Is it the slow de-theming of Disney parks or is it simply the modernization of them?

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

The infamous Garden Wing of the Contemporary Resort. It’s the redheaded stepchild of Disney hotels, and there used to be two of them! Are you even staying at the Contemporary if you are here? Or is it somehow better?

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

DisneyQuest Chicago may have opened in 2000 and lasted less than two years, but it was peak 90s! The grand opening event even had Buzz Lightyear flying around with a real jet pack! It was wild! Who else misses the insane Disney of that era?

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

Remember when checking into a Disney hotel meant receiving a folder jammed with all sorts of stuff? Maps, schedules, stationery, and more. Today you’re on your own; of course, you’ve always got your phone! We may be crazy, but all that stuff somehow made the stay feel special.

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

You might think it’s just AI, but back in 1987, EPCOT Center had something called the Daredevil Circus Spectacular! It was a wild, space-themed circus right in the middle of Future World. Can you believe it? Elephants, trapeze artists, motorcycles, and it was all real!

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

The Autopia used to give away free souvenir driver’s licenses for decades before switching to $10 fancy versions. We wonder if guests even care about little giveaways anymore? Disneyland still has a few, but they’re increasingly rare.

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

Remember fumbling around in your wallet for a piece of paper before boarding a Disney bus?! For decades, resort guests were issued ID cards to be shown before riding monorails, boats, or even buses. It’s really nothing new! Of course, only nuts saved them! (We saved them.)

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

It’s hard to believe that the Adventurers Club at Pleasure Island has been closed for nearly 18 years. An entire generation has been denied the pleasure of sipping from a monkey’s head!

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

Do you know what this is or what’s on the back? If you do, count yourself a Pleasure Island OG! Surprisingly few have survived, and now they are sought-after collectibles.

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

Can anyone tell us why the Winnie the Pooh movie from 2011 has the Horned King from the failed flop, The Black Cauldron, hidden in the trees? OK, yes, we know it’s actually a reference to the “Backson”, but we can’t help imagining the strangest crossover film in Disney history!

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

Disney used to hand out complementary tickets to shareholders who attended its annual meetings. They were good at either Walt Disney World or Disneyland and never expired. If you owned even one share, you got in free! Can you even imagine something like this happening today?!

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

The koi pond in the Japan Pavilion is a favorite of ours in World Showcase. Have you explored the gardens around it? They’re a big reason why Japan might low-key be EPCOT’s best pavilion.

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

How in the world is this still a thing?! Disney’s Electrical Water Pageant
is old, anachronistic, low-tech, and many might call it boring! And we LOVE it! It’s a rare connection to the early days of Walt Disney World and full of its original charm and whimsy!

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

A magical Disney pass used to exist that few guests knew about. The Gold Key card granted UNLIMITED access to all parks, recreation (boats, horses, golf, EVERYTHING), snacks, and meals. In the early days, there were no limits! Can you imagine what this would cost today?!

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

Contrary to urban legend, Kathleen Turner did not narrate the pre-show to The Living Seas; it was actress Hope Alexander-Willis. But anyone who ever saw it has two words seared into memory: THE DELUGE! Do you remember just how intense it was?!

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

Disney really had a thing for sea serpents at one point! Sadly, only two of these have survived at Walt Disney World, and, of course, they are the two most boring ones. How many have you seen? Bonus points for all four!

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

Tokyo DisneySea’s Soaring: Fantastic Flight has added details missing from other versions of Soarin’. For example, the ride vehicles have “wood” and “leather” akin to period-correct fantastical flying machines. Small touches, but they have a big impact. But do guests notice?

[Parkeology @Parkeology]

The Mulan parade at Disney-MGM Studios was a big deal! It featured massive floats and dozens of performers. The movie was animated at the park, a big hit, and the film and parade premiered the same day. So why does no one talk about or even seem to remember it today?