Sheading some light on the Utilidors!

Here at Spilling the Mad Hatter's Tea, I will strive to not only learn new secrets myself but hopefully educate you all too in the interesting world that is Disney! For my first post, I wanted to start with a little secret that ... well isn't much of a secret but is still pretty interesting to learn about more in detail!

Today's little secret is about the Utilidors!

(SPOILER ALERT: Discussion on Disney Magic will be going on CONTINUE READING AT YOUR OWN RISK)

So it is a little known fact that Disney's Magic Kingdom is built on the second level of the park... so, what's below it? and why was the Magic Kingdom built on the second level?

A basic history of the utilidors, short for utility corridors, they are a part of Disney's "backstage" (behind-the-scenes) area. They allow Disney employees "cast members" to perform park support operations, such as trash removal, and for costumed characters to quickly reach their destinations on the surface out of the sight of guests to avoid ruining the illusion that is being created. These tunnels were first built for the Magic Kingdom. Smaller utilidor systems are built under the central section of Epcot's Future World, primarily beneath Spaceship Earth and Innoventions, and formerly at Pleasure Island. Disneyland, in California, also has a small utilidor system running throughout Tomorrowland. 

According to modern legend, Walt Disney was bothered by the sight of a cowboy walking through California Disneyland's Tomorrowland en route to his post in Frontierland. He felt that such a sight was jarring, and detracted from the guest experience. Since the California Disneyland was small, such a tunnel system could not be feasibly implemented. When the new Florida Disney park was being planned, engineers designed utilidors to keep park operations out of guests' sight.

Now a bit about the Magic Kingdom Utilidor system:

The largest system of utilidors is beneath Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, but they are not a basement. The largest system of utilidors is beneath Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, but they are not a basement. Most of these tunnels were actually built at ground level, and the Magic Kingdom was built above that. 

The utilidors are built on 9 acres, and the floor plan is a circle with a path down the middle; the tunnel walls are color-coded to make it simple for cast members to determine their location. The utilidors can be accessed from the main tunnel entrance located behind Fantasyland, or through unmarked doors throughout the Magic Kingdom. 

Cast members navigate the tunnels on foot or in battery-powered vehicles that resemble golf carts. Gasoline-powered vehicles are not allowed in the utilidors, with the exception of armored cash pickup trucks and, in extreme emergencies, ambulances. 

Guests are not allowed in the utilidors unless they join the Keys to the Kingdom tour. 

Some other features that the Utilidor holds include:

Waste removal: The Magic Kingdom uses an automated vacuum collection (AVAC) system for waste removal. (Fun fact the trash eventually ends up behind Splash Mountain for a bit before being compressed and removed off Disney property.

Electrical operations: The park's computer system, the Digital Animation Control Systems (DACS), is operated and monitored from control rooms in the utilidors. This system monitors everything in the park, from sound systems to attractions, Audio-Animatronic figures to parades, fire prevention and security systems to cash registers.

Deliveries and storage warehouses: Deliveries are received, processed, and stored at the utilidors until use. This is so that guests do not see delivery trucks

Foodservice: The park's cooking and prep kitchens are housed in the utilidors.

Costuming: For years, the park's costuming department (for cast members and Audio-Animatronic figures) was located in the utilidors.  In 2005, Disney replaced this facility with a larger location in the cast member parking lot. The only costuming operations that remain in the utilidors today are for costumed characters.

Cast member services: Separate locker rooms for men and women are located in the utilidors, as well as cast member cafeterias. There is also a check cashing service, an employee hair salon called "Kingdom Kutters," rehearsal rooms, and administrative offices.

Emergency services: Two medical carts are housed in the utilidors and are deployed whenever there is a medical emergency in the Magic Kingdom.

Thanks for reading my first blog post! if you have any follow up questions about the utilidor don't be shy! Leave a comment and I'll get back to you as soon as I can! If you have any Disney questions feel free to comment those too! If you have a topic you think I should touch upon then leave that down in the comments too! 

Walt's Frozen Head signing off for now!

M-I-C... See you real soon K-E-Y Why? because we like you
M-O-U-S-E