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9Disneyland, California, was built in the early 1950s, opening in 1955. Anxious to be on site as much as possible, Walt built an apartment for his family above the 'Fire Department' on Main Street. A lamp in the window signalled to staff that he was in residence, and this is now always alight in his honour. Awww.
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Disney World, Florida, opened in 1971, long after after the original Disneyland in California. Walt was unsettled by the sight of costumed characters having to run through the 'wrong' lands to get to their allotted spots, spoiling the magic at the first site. He came up with an elaborate tunnel system which runs beneath Disney World, and allows actors to put on their costumes and appear in the appropriate land without shattering the illusion. The entire park is built on a gentle incline to accommodate these.
11
The rules for those playing theme park characters include never using the word 'no' (not sure that would stand up in court), never breaking character or sitting down and never pointing out a direction with a single finger, which is considered rude.
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The theme parks use a patented 'Smellitzer' device designed to pump certain scents around. Whether it's a waft of sea salt in Pirates of the Caribbean, or vanilla in Main Street, your senses are constantly being played.
13
While staff weren't allowed to grow a beard until last year, when it was first opened guests at Disney World weren't granted admission if they had facial hair! It's rich when you consider that Walt rocked a moustache from the age of 25 onwards.
15
Like an action star in Cuban heels, some of the architecture at Disneyland has had a helping hand to appear taller. Its design uses 'forced perspective', so while Sleeping Beauty's castle may seem to rise up into the clouds, thanks to painted bricks that get smaller towards the top, it's actually a relatively titchy 189ft tall.
16
'It's a Small World After All' is enough to drive anyone to drink, but you won't have much luck getting one at Disneyland, which is dry. That is, unless you happen to have access to the exclusive Club 33. This plush, secret cocktail lounge, opened in 1967, is hidden above the Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square, and has a strict list of 487 members, with a waiting list of around 14 years.
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If you're in to exclusivity, and already a paid-up Club 33 member, why not try a night in Cinderella's castle in Florida? A swish 650ft apartment can be accessed by a secret lift, but unless you're Hollywood royalty it's unlikely you'll be given directions, and no amount of money can buy your way in.
14
Main Street is based on 1910 America, while Tomorrowland was designed to represent 1986 - both were chosen because they were Halley's Comet years.
18
Steve Martin used to work in the magic shop at Disneyland.
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