We love taking you guys with us on our Disney World adventures where we’re always looking for the latest new snack, construction project, or piece of merchandise!
But no matter how often we visit the parks or how hard we look around, there’s just some stuff you won’t see at the parks! At least not unless some major changes take place!
While some of these things are downright not allowed, others were just not meant to be! Join us on an epic journey of what you WON’T see at the parks!
1. Wrapped Gifts at the Gates
While many visitors choose to celebrate a special occasion on a trip to Disney World, as we all know you have to go through a security screening process first. You — along with anything you’ve brought with you — are subject to careful inspection by security Cast Members.
Due to these safety concerns, guests aren’t able to bring already wrapped presents into the parks, BUT once your unwrapped items pass through the inspection point, you can THEN wrap them up! Just remember to bring some wrapping paper, scissors, and tape! If that’s too much stuff to carry along, you can always bring a gift bag and tissue paper instead!
2. These Pavilions At Epcot’s World Showcase
When Epcot opened in 1982, there were 9 total pavilions in the World Showcase (all the ones we have now except for Norway and Morocco, which debuted later). But believe it or not, there was actually a plan for Phase II! Disney World even advertised four additional regions on Epcot’s opening day that were going to be added later. But for one reason or another, they were never built.
Equatorial Africa Pavilion
Today, Africa has a small presence in Epcot’s World Showcase with The Refreshment Outpost, a quick service location where you can buy Nigerian Meat Pies and handmade African items.
But the African outpost we currently have is a far cry from the original plan. The African pavilion would have featured a large outdoor amphitheater and a show called “Heartbeat of Africa” as well as a 60-foot treehouse. It seems many of these ideas were gathered up and used as inspiration for Disney’s Animal Kingdom which opened in 1998.
Capital was the main reason the plans for an African pavilion eventually fell through. Many of the nations were opposed to footing the bill while tensions over which country would be the main feature ran high. Given the financial and political difficulties, the vision for Africa was never fully realized.
The State of Israel Pavilion
The State of Israel even signed a deal with Epcot in 1981. Their pavilion would have included an ancient minaret as its main focal point with a centralized courtyard filled with bustling shops.
It was also supposed to feature a large outdoor theater where classical and folk musicians could perform. The cost of the project was estimated to be $30-$35 million, but the project fell through by the mid-80s.
Spain Pavilion
Spain was supposed to join Epcot’s World Showcase, adding even more cultural restaurants and shopping opportunities!
While Disney was able to get the Spanish government to commission and pay for the designs of their pavilion, when the country’s leadership changed, the plans were abandoned.
Venezuela Pavilion
Another pavilion that never saw the light of day, Venezuela’s pavilion would have featured a waterfall and a high-rise building built into a cliff with an aerial tram ride.
Other Pavilions
Plans for Puerto Rico, Iran, Soviet Union, and Switzerland pavilions were at one time in-the-works for Epcot’s World Showcase, although its hard to say how far along they were before they were scrapped!
While it’s certainly possible there could someday be a new pavilion in the World Showcase in our lifetimes, (there’s a decent amount of room between Italy and Germany!), Disney hasn’t officially made an announcement.
3. The Yellow Mickey Rain Ponchos From Your Younger Years
Speaking of in our lifetimes, everyone who ever experienced a downpour during their vacation to Disney World pre-2003 will remember those iconic plastic rain ponchos! Practically every guest would don one in what seemed like a MASSIVE Yellow Mickey Rain Poncho Party, or as many called it, the Sea of Yellow!
Unfortunately (or fortunately?), Disney switched over to a see-through style Disney parks rain poncho. The clear plastic and lack of a large emblem of Mickey Mouse doesn’t have quite the same visual impact the yellow ones had. Talk about a bummer if you’re a fan of the classics!
4. Pink Powdery Soap
Here’s another throwback — powder soap! You might remember the old hand soap the Disney parks used was a coarse powder, which was bright pink!
After terrorism scares in the early 2000s involving anthrax, the powder soap was switched out with a liquid version.
5. Spider-Man or Most Avengers Characters
Even though Disney owns Marvel and Disney California Adventure got its own Marvel-themed land, your favorite superheroes won’t be flying into Disney World.
Click here to take a tour of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure from the comfort of your home!
Other than one-offs such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a licensing agreement prevents Disney World from using other Marvel characters such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, and Iron Man the same way that Disneyland and the Disney Cruise Line are able to use them.
Read more about why you’ll never see Spider-Man or his other hero friends at Disney World here!
This dilemma could be ironed out someday, so never say never, but don’t hold your breath waiting for any of the Avengers to assemble in Disney World anytime soon!
6. Gum for Sale
Unless you pack some in your luggage, don’t expect to find any chewing gum in stores on Disney property — and not even at the Orlando International Airport! You will find TONS of other candy though, including gummies, chocolates, and mints!
But while Disney doesn’t sell gum at any of its locations because of the mess it makes, it technically isn’t banned from the parks. If you bring some in, just make sure you dispose of it in the proper place — i.e. the trash can!
7. Souvenir Shot Glasses
Is this a trick question? We know you’ve probably seen things that resemble a shot glass about a million times at the parks. But while those items in the gift shops may closely resemble shot glasses, we can assure you, they aren’t!
Disney doesn’t actually sell any “shot glasses!” But what you choose to do with their “toothpick holders” is entirely up to you! 😉
Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, and OTHER-THAN-COKE Soda Products
The Coca-Cola Company has exclusive rights to sell their beverages at Disney World. Their brand’s logo is even printed on Disney World’s disposable cups!
If you absolutely can’t live without the non-Coca-Cola stuff you like, make sure you either bring it with you or have some delivered to your Disney World resort! You can use Amazon, Instacart, or other providers which you can learn more about here!
Certain Brands
Similar to Coca-Cola’s sweet deal with the Mouse, there are many other companies that have come to agreements with Disney for the exclusive right to sell their products at Disney parks. Expect no substitute for these Brand X products, because you likely won’t be able to find any of their competitors on property as long as the deal lasts:
- Dole
- Energizer
- Frito Lay
- Haagen-Dazs
- J.M. Smucker Company
- Kellogg’s
- Kirin Brewing Company
- Kodak
- Nestle
- Pop Secret
- R. Twinings & Company Ltd.
- Visa
- Huggies Diapers
- Whirlpool
We hope you’ve had fun discovering what you won’t discover at Disney World!
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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Can you think of something that didn’t make our list? Let us know what you haven’t been able to find in Disney World below!
Steven in NJ says
Disney Company just purchased a couple large tracts of land this month! Maybe one of those tracts could be a future Marvel Campus????
Ross James says
Scissors are ok to bring into the parks?
Debra Dorval says
I dont think you can bring scissors into the park to wrap your gift, I think they would consider that a weapon; a better option would be to have your gift wrap paper pre-cut at home to fit your gift so all you need to bring into the park is tape.
Julia says
I miss the powdered soap 😥 it’s the little things.
Richard says
10. Hot (or even warm!) water in park restrooms. Not only does it save money, but it’s not really necessary for good hygiene. Soap and thorough scrubbing will remove most bacteria. Water hot enough to kill bacteria would also badly scald hands! Did I mention it saves money?
Deluxe resorts may (or may not) have hot water in the lobby restrooms.
2. Oddly, the most often requested pavilion is probably Brazil, which isn’t even mentioned here.
David McArthur says
After filing for bankruptcy, Eastman Kodak will end their sponsorship agreement with US Disney theme parks as of December 31, 2012.
Essie says
You can’t take scissors into the park. I tried to once in order to fix something for my Halloween costume and I was stopped. I gave them to the security booth down by the ferry dock and I picked them back up at the end of the night.
Lauren says
I have searched the parks for chafing powder and never found any