4 Secrets Imagineers Hid in Disney World Rides

Change has long been a constant at Disney’s theme parks, with new attractions replacing old ones being a decades-long tradition at this point.

©D23

Most of the time, these original attractions are removed forever, only to live on in the memory of fans and hazy Kodak prints. However, on occasion, the Imagineers working on the replacement rides will sneak in an easter egg or two to reference and pay homage to the attraction that came before. These are some of our favorite “Secret Shoutouts” scattered throughout Walt Disney World.

Let’s start with the Magic Kingdom’s Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. As you’re heading into Owl’s house on this Fantasyland attraction, look to your left and you’ll notice a photo of Mr. Toad handing the deed for the attraction over to Owl. This is a tribute to the old and beloved Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride that was located in the same spot Pooh now occupies.

Portrait of Mr. Toad in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Shifting over to EPCOT’s newest E-Ticket attraction, it makes sense that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has so many shoutouts to the former Ellen’s Energy Adventure/Universe of Energy ride, since this coaster is housed where this retired ride once resided. A column inside the ride features script written in the fictional Xandarian language. If you translate it to English, the top left says Ellen, the top right says Alex (as in Alex Trebek — who was also featured in the ride), the bottom left says E=MC squared, and the bottom right says dino. In addition, if you look closely at a set of ship schematics featured in the second pre-show room, at the bottom right, you can see the old Universe of Energy symbol.

Can you see it?

On the coaster itself, you can also hear a bit of what sounds like an electric guitar version of the old Universe of Energy theme song as the Guardians “fly” into space right at the start of the ride. Listen for when the Celestial says “What is that noise?“ just before the launch.

Universe of Energy symbol

The song isn’t the final reference, though. During the reverse launch, there’s another reference to some dialogue straight from Ellen’s Energy Adventure, which involved Ellen mishearing Bill Nye talking about the Big Bang. If you listen closely, you’ll hear Star-Lord say “Big Bang!” followed by Drax asking, “Ding dang?”

©Disney

Moving into the World Showcase, in the final scene of Frozen Ever After at EPCOT, take a closer look at the puffins. These are the same puffins that were used in Frozen Ever After’s predecessor, Maelstrom! Maelstrom actually has another not-so-hidden reference at the nearby Royal Sommerhus as well. In the queue, you pass by a few woven tapestries. One features the famous “Disappear, disappear!” trolls seen on the old ride, too!

Raise your hand if you miss Maelstrom

Finally, we’re moving to Hollywood Studios. In the carnival scene of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, there’s a poster advertising an attraction called “The Great Moving Ride.” This is of course, a homage to the building’s former inhabitant, The Great Movie Ride!

Runaway Railway

These are only SOME of the Secret Shoutouts to classic and replaced attractions that Disney Imagineers have slipped into new rides and spaces at Walt Disney World. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney secrets!

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Which of these Secret Shoutouts is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.