The Magic Kingdom may be the “Most Magical Place on Earth” but there’s something in air that’s not all that magical …
Magic Kingdom
That’s right, there’s a certain smell of trash coming up from underneath the Magic Kingdom that’s — to put it bluntly — disgusting in places. However, there are only two ways to understand what that smell truly is and where it’s coming from, and neither of them are available to most guests.
It perhaps comes as no surprise that the smell we’re talking about is trash. The Magic Kingdom’s trash system, even amongst Disney theme parks, is quite unique. The park uses an automated vacuum collection or AVAC system for to dispose of waste. Custodians collect and remove trash from the park twenty-four hours a day, and then dump said waste into processors throughout the park. The trash travels from these processors through pneumatic tubes, then run through the park’s underground Utildor network to a central location. The trash is then processed and compressed for transfer to either a landfill or recycling plant.
Trash Cans
While this system is nearly as impressive as the smell is bad, there are only two real ways to see it in action. The first is straight forward enough: Be a Magic Kingdom Cast Member who travels underground through the park’s Uiltidor system.
©Disney | Obtained via News 6 Orlando
The second is taking the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. One of the most popular tours Disney offers, the Keys to the Kingdom Tour offers an “in-depth, 5-hour look at the most iconic theme park at Walt Disney World Resort” and is the only way for non-cast members to access the Magic Kingdom’s fabled “underground city.”
Disney knows the appeal of seeing the Utildors, and uses it as a major selling point for Keys to the Kingdom. Disney extolls those considering the tour that they’ll be able to “experience an urban legend” when they visit.
Some notes on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour for those who may be considering it:
- Theme park admission is required, but not included in the price of this tour.
- Keys to the Kingdom is an indoor/outdoor walking tour that lasts roughly 5 hours.
- Advance reservations are highly recommended.
- Cameras, video equipment, and mobile phones are not allowed to be used.
- Guests must be 16 years of age or older and have a valid photo I.D.
- Lunch is provided as part of the tour.
Obtained via AllEars.net
Especially with the camera rule in effect, quite literally the only way someone can SEE the Ultildors is by taking the Keys to Kingdom themselves or become a Magic Kingdom cast member. Stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney them park fun facts and secrets.
Everything there is to know about the Keys to the Kingdom Tour.
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It has been many years since we did Keys to the Kingdom. It was wonderful and our guide was exceptional. And they just happened to have lunch at our favorite lunch spot – Columbia Harbor House. The only thing our group was almost unanimous about changing was seeing the Utilidors at the end of the tour because we were too tired to stand by that time. A sit-down ride would have been more suitable .
Can the ‘Keys to the Kingdom” tour accommodate wheelchair persons? I’ve been thinking about taking the tour for 20 years. I should’ve done it sooner. Now I’m stuck in a wheelchair. I cannot be without a motorized wheelchair or ECV anymore.
Many years ago, I took the Behind the scenes Train tour, and it was marvelous! Super Early, but marvelous!
Thank you for your informative articles.
I took the Keys to the Kingdom Tour in the late 90″s and I loved it! In fact, I think I’m due to take it again…
Hi Ann! The majority of the Keys to the Kingdom tour are accessible for wheelchairs and ECVs. Disney’s website states that there are a couple of experiences that may require you to be able to transfer, however, but if you’re unable to do so then you can choose not to participate in those experiences.