It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane – It’s a Disney Decoration, Look UP!

Posted: November 2, 2016 Tips

So often we get hung up on getting to an attraction or a meal that we forget to look for the cool details that can be found all over Walt Disney World. Sometimes there are really neat things that we miss just because we don’t think to look at certain areas. One often neglected place to check out are the ceilings in many resorts, stores, attractions and restaurants at Walt Disney World. Quite often you can be standing underneath something very cute or interesting but you don’t think to look up and you miss it completely.

If I took pictures of every interesting overhead item at Disney it would take more time and space than is possible for one person. I’ve put together a number of photos that I hope you will find fun, but there is so much more to see than is contained here. Try to keep in mind that you will often spot surprises up above, and keep an eye out for them as you tour the various Disney Parks.

Some of the most well-known, but still often overlooked, overhead attractions are the windows on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. Each window honors an Imagineer and makes a reference – often a pun – related to what role the Imagineer performed in the building of Walt Disney World. There are two windows for Walt – one at the entrance to Magic Kingdom and one at the very end of Main Street USA, on the side of the ice cream parlor. Both Walt’s brother Roy O. Disney and Roy’s son Roy E. Disney have windows. There are many, many more – in fact there are entire books devoted to the Main Street Windows. I hope you check them out sometime if you have not done so already. You will recognize many familiar names and you’ll also see some that are more obscure. It’s fun to write down the names you don’t know and look them up to see what that Imagineer did to aid in the building of the park.

Main Street Window

If you want to see some uber fun ceilings, visit the World of Disney store at Disney Springs. The store is so huge you can get lost in it and many guests neglect to see just how cool the building is designed. Each room has a theme and most all of them have extremely ornate and interesting ceilings.

World of Disney ceiling

As you look at this picture of the Haunted Mansion you may be thinking that you’ve seen that many times, and wondering why I included it here. Well, have you looked at it in the evening? The windows flash lights, shadows move past and occasionally you’ll see a bolt of Disney-made lightning. These effects can only be seen in the evening and even then, you may have to wait and watch for a while before the effect is visible. As you exit the mansion step to the side to let others pass. Turn around to face the front of the mansion, look up at the windows on the right side of the building and your wait will be rewarded within a few minutes most of the time.

Haunted Mansion

The store in Epcot called Disney Traders has a number of fun displays if you look up to see them. There are elaborate 3-D displays of some of the countries represented in the World Showcase. France, Italy and the UK are among the countries you’ll see if you look for them.

Epcot Disney Traders store

One of my personal favorites is not on the ceiling but it’s high up on a wall. When you are riding the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios look to your left in the Indiana Jones room. You will see hieroglyphics on the wall. All the way on the right of that wall, about halfway from the ceiling is a hieroglyphic of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. It can be hard to spot because it’s dark. I had to lighten up this picture using a photo program. It’s much darker when you see it in person – and remember, please no flash photography!

Great Movie Ride wall – Hollywood Studios

Another fun thing that many guests miss is the clock opening up on it’s a small world. Starting at the top of the hour and every 15 minutes the door to the clock will open and you will see adorable figures inside, as well as the time displayed with huge numbers. Even though this is out in the open many guests don’t notice this cute little perk. The doors open and close quickly, so it’s easy to miss.

it’s a small world clock n Magic Kingdom

I am not going to individually discuss each picture I have included here. Hopefully by seeing the name of the picture you’ll know where to find what’s been posted here. If you make it a point to remember to look up you’ll find many more very cool artifacts and designs all around Walt Disney World. Disney’s attention to detail is one of the things that makes their parks stand out compared to other theme parks. Have fun hunting for things you’ve never noticed before, it adds a whole new dimension to your Disney visit.