Tuesday Trivia

On what Magic Kingdom attraction will you hear an announcement for Mr. Tom Morrow?

This attraction often has no line and is a great way to kick up your heels after a long day at the Magic Kingdom. In fact you can enjoy the Carousel of Progress and this ride and spend some time relaxing.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority Entrance

 

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority provides a ride through, where else, Tomorrowland. The tour is 10 minutes long and takes you through Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, Mickey’s Star Traders and there are great early models of Epcot and Space Mountain.

Early Models of Epcot on the TTA.

The ride was originally called the WEDWAY People mover and opened to the public on July 1st of 1975. With no engine this is an environmentally-safe attraction. It is propelled magnetically along the raised tracks through Tomorrowland.

So who is this Mr. Tom Morrow? Well let me tell you. Originally while TTA passed by the Carousel of Progress the line went “Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow, your party from Saturn has arrived. Please give them a ring.” This was removed for a short time and due to popular demand, Mr. Tom Morrow was added back into the narration in June 2010. He has changed locations and is now mentioned while passing through Space Mountain. It goes “Paging Mr. Morrow. Mr. Tom Morrow. Please contact Mr. Johnson in the Control Tower to confirm your flight to the moon.”

Next time you take a spin on the TTA take note of the iconic Mr. Tom Morrow.

 

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Tuesday Trivia

Eleanor Audley is the voice of Madame Leota in the Haunted Mansion ride.

The lady in the crystal ball — Disney’s Haunted Mansion

However, this was not her only role within Disney.

1950 – Cinderella as the voice of Lady Tremaine

The horrific Lady Tremaine

1959 – Sleeping Beauty as the voice of Maleficent

The Evil Maleficent

Is it just me or do two historic Disney villains look a little like Ms. Eleanor?

Eleanor Audley

Tuesday Trivia

What is Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom made out of?

As you approach the Magic Kingdom from the Seven Seas Lagoon you will see Cinderella’s Castle. This iconic image draws visitors to the hub of the park, where they can then enter into the different lands.

In July of 1971, after 18 months of construction Cinderella’s Castle was completed. Cinderella’s Castle is 100 feet taller than Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland, reaching a height of 190 feet.

The castle appears to be made of white and grey stones; however no bricks were used in the construction. The structure is actually constructed using 600 tons of steel framing and concrete. The exterior walls of the castle are fiberglass. And the roof is shingled in plastic. The castle was designed to withstand 100 mph hurricane force winds.

The castle is surrounded by a moat, which contains approximately 3.37 million gallons of water. The drawbridge cannot be raised, unlike the Sleeping Beauty counterpart.

Do you have a favorite Disney castle?

Tuesday Trivia

Did you know:

The Journey into Imagination pavilion opened on October 1, 1982 with the Magic Journeys film. The Journey Into Imagination ride did not open until March 5, 1983. The pavilion closed in 1998 for renovation and was renamed “Imagination!”. The ride later closed once again and reopened in June of 2002 as Journey Into Imagination with Figment.

The Voice of Figment – David Goelz & Bill Barty

Bill Barty was the voice of the original Figment from Journey Into Imagination. He was considered to be one of the most recognized and talented “little people”. Throughout his 70 year career, he appeared on radio, on Broadway, and in TV and movies. His movie credits include The Rescuers Down Under (119), Willow (1988) and Alice in Wonderland (1933) to just name a view. The current voice of Figment is David Goelz who is best known for his work on the Muppets as Gonzo.

Tuesday Trivia

The Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom is the largest single attraction ever created by Disney. At over 100 acres in size, the entire Magic Kingdom can fit inside this one attraction.

Fun Safari Facts:

• The rocks in the lion area are climate-controlled to encourage the lions to sit in view of the safari vehicles.
• The safari vehicles are modified GM trucks and go a maximum of 10mph.
• Imagineers matched concrete with the surrounding soil, rolled tires through it and tossed stones, dirt and twigs into it to created an appropriately bumpy experience duplicating a remote African road.