Odd Questions - probably for CM's to answer

[Buttercup]

These are probably strange questions, but it's what I ponder at 3:00am when I'm up feeding the new baby!

1. At night time after the parks close, how do they "close up" certain rides? I'm sure it's easy for some rides (eg. Haunted Mansion or POTC) -- they just close the doors and lock 'em up. But what about rides that have larger entrances? Like IASM, or Snow White? I'm guessing there are hidden fold-away doors similar to how stores in a shopping mall close up? Just curious. I'm assuming they have to close up the rides to keep critters out at night, right?

2. In the morning when the CM's go to start up the rides, how do they turn on? Like, is there a key similar to how you start a car? Or just a big huge switch for each ride that they flip on and away it goes? Or maybe a bunch of different switches they have to turn on. I always wondered that.

Anyway, like I said, these are the ridiculous things I think about in the middle of the night!:mickey:

[Main Street Jim]

Really depends on the attraction ;)

SpaceShip Earth: I know it has "garage doors" at the entrance. We were the last ones on it several times and had the CMs pull the door down *right* behind us ;)

Steam trains: get parked in the roundhouse behind the Magic Kingdom, same building/shop as the Monorails. We have to shut down (close) all the valves and the steam before leaving.

Speedway: all the cars get parked in Gasoline Alley, behind the wall.

Splash: has several "zones" that have to be activated in a certain sequence before pressing the "Ride Open" button. I'm sure this is the same at all of the big E-tickets like Thunder, Space, and Everest.

Most attractions are a "push-button" operation, with the exception of the Speedway and the Steam Trains. On a ride like, say, Tea Cups, there is probably only one button to press or key to turn on.

Also keep in mind that a lot of attractions have overnight maintenance or like monthly/annual PMs (preventive maintenance) that is done by the Maintenance crew after y'all are gone. Even though us lowly CMs have pronounced the attraction closed for the night (we have to call it in and report it to managers as such), Maintenance will come in right behind us and turn it all back on again...

[tinklover]

I always wanted to know these things as well and thank you Main Street Jim for answering.:thumbsup:

[Buttercup]

So cool, Jim! Thanks!

[Main Street Jim]

In response to the Fantasyland attractions, they're all open like normal all the time. I think PhilHar is the only one that really has any doors on the exterior to close up. CBJ is the same (all of your theater attractions). Pirates...not sure if their doors actually close or not, or just there for decoration. Jungle Cruise...I think the boats get parked either at the loading dock or in the Maintenance bays, which is really just behind Main Street.

[Buttercup]

Really? The Fantasyland ones are open all the time? I wonder if they find armadillos or mice or something scurrying around in the rides some days??? I would imagine birds would try and build nests in there?
As for POTC, I remember when the ride was down for a refurb, the big heavy wooden doors of the entrance were closed (we peeked in!) so yeah, I imagine they can actually close at night.

Here's another stupid question for you Jim...
Do Cast Members have to walk through every ride at night, or walk around the park checking to see if all the guests have left and nobody is trying to stay in the park overnight? (I imagine they would be seen by the overnight maintenance crews at some point throughout the night though)

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . keep in mind that a lot of attractions have overnight maintenance or like monthly/annual PMs (preventive maintenance) that is done by the Maintenance crew after y'all are gone . . .

1) Jim is trying to be kind and politically correct.
2) Actually, the rides are closed and buttoned-up by 1-hr after close.
3) CM's have families and go home as soon as they can.
4) The elves, dwarfs, fairies and "small world dolls" do maintenance.
5) After all, you don't think we let "people" play all day, do you.
6) They have to earn their keep.

NOTE: You should see how well Cindy can swing a hammer. And that Grumpy sure wields a mean monkey wrench. But, we won't mention how much of mess Capt Hook makes when he finally decides to come to work - you might say he is all thumbs.

[Main Street Jim]

Do Cast Members have to walk through every ride at night, or walk around the park checking to see if all the guests have left and nobody is trying to stay in the park overnight? Well, not a "walkthrough", but a closing CM will usually do a ride-through after the last guest enters, making sure that the attraction is clear of guests. That will then get reported as part of the closing procedures. As for the entire park being clear, again, every attraction, shop, and restaurant will call themselves "clear of guests", and then Security will check things like restrooms, hidden alleys, etc. to report to the on-duty managers.

[florida girl]

Has anyone ever heard of someone trying to "spend the night" in a park? I would imagine with so many CM there all night they would get caught, but I'm sure there is someone out there that has tried it.

[ncscgirl2005]

1) Jim is trying to be kind and politically correct.
2) Actually, the rides are closed and buttoned-up by 1-hr after close.
3) CM's have families and go home as soon as they can.
4) The elves, dwarfs, fairies and "small world dolls" do maintenance.
5) After all, you don't think we let "people" play all day, do you.
6) They have to earn their keep.

NOTE: You should see how well Cindy can swing a hammer. And that Grumpy sure wields a mean monkey wrench. But, we won't mention how much of mess Capt Hook makes when he finally decides to come to work - you might say he is all thumbs.

I knew those "Small World Dolls" were real! :thumbsup: Thanks for the confirmation!

[wedway76]

I knew those "Small World Dolls" were real! :thumbsup: Thanks for the confirmation!

That would make a great Horror Move! The Small World kids try to take over the world and find out that it’s bigger than they thought.


Has anyone ever heard of someone trying to "spend the night" in a park? I would imagine with so many CM there all night they would get caught, but I'm sure there is someone out there that has tried it.

Great question! Once my DS and I were at the top of Swiss Family at about 2AM during EMH and those hammocks looked VERY inviting. It did cross my mind.

[ncscgirl2005]

That would make a great Horror Move! The Small World kids try to take over the world and find out that it’s bigger than they thought.


I like it! :thedolls:

[katzctkpt]

Great question. I too sometimes wondered how they locked everything up. And wonder how many have been escorted out of the park for trying to stay all night?

[IloveJack]

I've wondered the same thing. There are so many nooks and crannies... it seems that it would be so easy to hide and stay all night. But then again, I would think you'd have to hide all night, with as many people as are still in the park, and what would be the fun in that?

[Main Street Jim]

I will tell you this: we do NOT "kick people out" of the park, from what my Security buddies tell me ;) They'll just patiently wait until you leave on your own and follow you out ;)

An interesting note: when you come under the train station tunnels next time you enter the park, look to the right and left of those tunnel entrances. Yes, there *are* gates that close right under the train staion ;)

[DisFan01]

THIS IS SOOOOOO COOL!

I've heard that they really have bright landscaping lights or something that they turn on all over the park when everybody is gone (to mow, trim plants, ect...). Is this true???

:cloud9:

[celebrationasheley]

I worked for Main Street Bakery and when I opened at 3:00/3:30 am the night crew were still there fininshing up cleaning the streets and windows... I always heard rap music playing on the main street. I guess with the Dreams giveaway they don't play such music anymore...
When closing the rides, sometimes they would allow a group of CMs to ride ... went on Space mountain a few times, and was allowed to watch the imagineers test sequences of fireworks for wishes.

[DisFan01]

Wow...that's really cool. Either that, or I'm just plain wierd. I really like that kind of stuff.

For instance:

on EE: I try to sit in the back to look at the track flip to go backwards...

on SM: I'm more interested in looking at the disco ball things doing the stars than I am enjoying the ride...

on Pooh: I only ride it because I like the spot lights in the Owl's house, and other nice effects...

on Nemo: I try to figure out how they project the fish on the screens instead of enjoying the ride...

on HM: I'm more interested at looking at the projectors for the busts and Leota than the ride...

These are just a few. :secret:

Jim, or anyone else, do you want to share more secrets for us (or just me...) ;)

Thanks! :mickey:

PS: Please tell me seriously if I am wierd, or if that stuff is cool to you too... :blush:

[TheRustyScupper]

I've heard that they really have bright landscaping lights or something that they turn on all over the park when everybody is gone (to mow, trim plants, ect...). Is this true?


I didn't want to let out ALL the secrets, but, we are this far into the discussion.

1) Brighter lights are lit
. . . as we all know, dwarfs have night-blindness
. . . they can't work without additional lighting
. . . remember all those lanterns from the Snow White movie?
2) Sweeping and hedges are done by IASW dolls
. . . they can bend for-and-back for brooms
. . . they can bend side-to-side for hedge trimming
. . . they cannot do sand-the-floor or wash-the-car
. . . they also need low duties since they are height-challenged
3) High maintenance and light-bulb changes are done by fairies
. . . fairies can squeeze into tight areas in ride machinery
. . . they can get to bulb heights without ladders
. . . no, we won't ask "how many fairies does it take to change a bulb?"
4) Lampposts and railings are cleaned by princesses
. . . because everyone knows they don't do windows
5) Elves do all painting, except green and yellow
. . . they are color blind

Hope this helps for you to understand how maintenance and cleaning is done during the Midnight Shift, so things are ready for guests the next morning.

[#1donaldfan]

I have to say that I have truly enjoyed this post. Jim has given me much in way of understanding the MK more. This will help me when I begin my post retirement career at Disney. 9.5yrs and counting.....I can't wait!!

[vamaggie]

This is a great thread!! My DS10 saw me reading it and I ended up reading some of the responses out loud. My DD4 is now TOTALLY convinced that elves, faires and dwarfs do all the work!! Made me smile this early am!!:mickey:

[bleukarma]

Wow...that's really cool. Either that, or I'm just plain wierd. I really like that kind of stuff.

For instance:

on EE: I try to sit in the back to look at the track flip to go backwards...

on SM: I'm more interested in looking at the disco ball things doing the stars than I am enjoying the ride...

on Pooh: I only ride it because I like the spot lights in the Owl's house, and other nice effects...

on Nemo: I try to figure out how they project the fish on the screens instead of enjoying the ride...

on HM: I'm more interested at looking at the projectors for the busts and Leota than the ride...

These are just a few. :secret:

Jim, or anyone else, do you want to share more secrets for us (or just me...) ;)

Thanks! :mickey:

PS: Please tell me seriously if I am wierd, or if that stuff is cool to you too... :blush:

You're not weird. I've only rode Nemo once and I feel like I've never rode it because I was too busy trying to figure out how they got the fish on the wall to enjoy the ride!

[Diznee4Me]

Wow! I have really enjoyed this topic. I love the behind the scenes information. Thanks guys! :thumbsup:

[Here we go again...]

Great topic!

I have watched many Disney specials on how they get MK ready for Christmas. It is amazing to see just how bright that park can get, brighter than daytime.

I guess they give the dolls some time of at Christmas so they can be with their families. ;)

Where is Teay? She should be filling us in on Animal Kingdom!

[RoosMomKanga]

. . . no, we won't ask "how many fairies does it take to change a bulb?"

...just Tink?:tink::idea:

[Goes4FastPass]

.5) Elves do all painting, except green and yellow
. . . they are color blind...

You left off 6) Scrooge McDuck counts the money and balances all of the credit card charges.

[Imagineer1981]

On Space Mountain, it was after the last guest enters the building, the CM outside put up the chains and blocked the entrances. Then we'd shut down one side if its not already down. Then once the last guest leaves the building, all the trains are cycled down, 4 are stored, and then all the lights go on. CMs walk the entire track for lost articles, label and tag them and once everyone is clear of the track, the CMs in the control tower power everything off and we leave.

Starting the attraction was much more time consuming, as SM is an older ride and you had to walk the entire track and reset each brake station...pain in the bum

[DisFan01]

You're not weird. I've only rode Nemo once and I feel like I've never rode it because I was too busy trying to figure out how they got the fish on the wall to enjoy the ride!

Thanks...at least I'm not the only one! :blush:


On Space Mountain, it was after the last guest enters the building, the CM outside put up the chains and blocked the entrances. Then we'd shut down one side if its not already down. Then once the last guest leaves the building, all the trains are cycled down, 4 are stored, and then all the lights go on. CMs walk the entire track for lost articles, label and tag them and once everyone is clear of the track, the CMs in the control tower power everything off and we leave.

Starting the attraction was much more time consuming, as SM is an older ride and you had to walk the entire track and reset each brake station...pain in the bum

That's very interesting... :thumbsup:

Let's keep this thread up! Maybe someone else (or Main Street Jim) will give us more Behind the Scenes info! :cloud9:

[Tink#64]

:haha: OMG! "Rusty" you are hysterical! :funny:

I was howling reading about the cleanup! That's almost scary! :thedolls:

This is a great thread! Some very interesting info here! I'll have to check back later 2 see if anymore is forthcoming! :cool:

[sorarail]

This is a fun thread.
We took a behind the scenes horticulture tour of Epcot one time.
There, Chip & Dale lead crews in changing the plants in huge flower beds over night. The plants will be one kind one day, and the next, the bed might be planted in something entirely different. It's MAGIC:magic:

[beksy]

Great thread! I feel kind of sorry for the dolls, though. They dance all day and clean all night? Maybe they take turns? :confused: Seriously, thanks for answers to some of the things I've wondered about and others that I've never considered! :thumbsup:

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I feel kind of sorry for the dolls, though. They dance all day and clean all night? Maybe they take turns? . . .

1) Do not feel sorry for them.
. . . they are not "dancing" all day
. . . to them, it is play
. . . if you play all day, then you work at night
. . . everyone pulls their weight
. . . although Goofy is sometimes found sleeping during duty
2) Sometimes they take turns
. . . usually, it is due to an injury
. . . from all the twisting, they get carpal waist
. . . not debilitating
. . . sometimes, it can get worse
. . . they can get splinters
. . . fortunately, there is worker comp
. . . they get rehab, which includes a good coat of Pledge

[brogan54]

really enjoyed this thread everyone thanks again:number1:

[laughingplace<3]

very fun:mickey:

I have a question, though:

Once in World Showcases, we had been eating dinner waaaaaay after the park closed. We were walking towards future world, and over the loudspeakers a voice came on saying good night, thanks for coming to the park etc. (a recorded one) and then said to top the night off, or something...
AND THEN! one of the islands in the middle of the lagoon like, exploded! A HUGE fire thing just like went up for a couple of seconds! It was so big, I could feel the heat.
I have mentioned this and no one seems to know what I'm talking about! Hopefully, someone on intercot will know as I'm new to this board:blush: Does anyone know what the heck that is? Sorry if I sound crazy.:cool:

[Main Street Jim]

AND THEN! one of the islands in the middle of the lagoon like, exploded! A HUGE fire thing just like went up for a couple of seconds! It was so big, I could feel the heat.
It wasn't "one of the islands"; that would be the Inferno Barge burnoff. It's to burn out any remaining propane fuel in the barge from Illuminations. And if you've NEVER seen that, stick around until about 10:15-10:30pm and you'll see this thing "blow up". :thumbsup:

[IloveJack]

We saw the very same thing. We were having dinner at R&C and a voice came over the loudspeakers to thank us for spending our day at EPCOT and then warned us that what we were to see next was all under control. Wish I'd known what was coming... I'd have had the camera ready. What a huge explosion! Our CM waitress, Emma, laughed at us cringing from the heat.

[Hair_Razor]

This has been so informative I love hearing how everyone closes down. I would love to see the Illuminations over flow blow out.

[sorarail]

Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy!!! :mjump::mjump::mjump:
DH is a closeted pyromaniac...He'll absolutely love watching this! :thumbsup:

[pjbs35a]

Another interesting fact I learned on one of my behind the scenes tours, is the amount of counterfeit money that is received in the parks each day. Thousands of dollars !!!

[Here we go again...]

Another interesting fact I learned on one of my behind the scenes tours, is the amount of counterfeit money that is received in the parks each day. Thousands of dollars !!!

You know, I have never seen them check the $100s before putting them in the register so I could see where that would be a problem.

I never carry money in Disney, just plastic.

Anyone else have some juicy information?

[Cinderelley]

Rusty, you crack me up! :rotfl:

My whole family is a bunch of pyros. Hopefully we'll get to see the inferno barge blowout.

[CleveSJM]

Not much of an insider tip but one thing we did a couple years ago was the early morning fishing trip from the Y&BC resort. We got to fish the World Showcase lagoon before Epcot opened up. It was very cool to see Epcot from that perspective.

Now, we didn't catch anything in the lagoon (did back by DHS and the Y&BC marina) and I think I know why the lagoon was empty in the morning... Something to do with the Inferno Barge burnoff... We should have looked for cooked fish floating on the surface. :D

[bleukarma]

Another interesting fact I learned on one of my behind the scenes tours, is the amount of counterfeit money that is received in the parks each day. Thousands of dollars !!!

Sounds like Disney needs to invest in those counterfit pens and make their CM's use them.

[Cinderelley]

Another interesting fact I learned on one of my behind the scenes tours, is the amount of counterfeit money that is received in the parks each day. Thousands of dollars !!!

Maybe if they checked the money, the prices wouldn't keep going up and up.