Attraction prop storage...

[TheBeatles]

I've read that Disney keeps ride props in storage, but can anyone elaborate on the process and where it takes place. Is there a warehouse on the property? Has anybody seen where these items are stored?

Any bit of information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[brkgnews]

There is a central shops area behind MK that houses all of the "construction" of the ride props, vehicles, etc. There's a metal shop, fiberglass shop, paint shop, sign shop, animatronic shop, etc etc etc. Presumably anything in for a rehab is stored here.

Now there is Holiday Services, where everything related to holiday decoration is stored (for all WDW parks, hotels, cruise lines, Hilton Head, and Vero Beach). Now that's one honkin' huge warehouse!

If you're interested in seeing all this, shell out the cash for the Backstage Magic tour. It'll blow you away!

 

[Rob562]

Anything stored from old attractions is most likely shipped to California and stored in one of WDI's warehouses. Some are probably on the Glendale campus, but others are probably just commercial warehouses leased by Disney. The locations of these warehouses generally isn't known, and for good reason. Can you imagine the higher risk of break-ins if the contents were known?

-Rob

 

[RobotWolf]

Back in the late 80's some figures and props were stored beneath Seance Circle in the HM. I remember seeing a Wendy figure from PPF (the one walking the plank) as well as a couple of alligators from the train track.

There was storage on the far side of the ballroom set as well. But I got the impression that this area was used for items no longer used. Such as the signage and dressing from the original MK riverboat, the "Admiral Joe Fowler." It was a favored and relatively quiet place HM trainers would take their trainees to go over the SOP.

 

[jillmo1474]

Retired WDW stuff

There is actually a storage place in Orlando about 30 minutes or so from Disney where most if not all of retired WDW "stuff" goes to. They have everything from movie props to souveniers stored there. They actually have a piece of a monorail on their showroom floor! They also have loads and loads of old bedding and furniture from WDW resorts there.You would not believe what you could find!! And the awesome thing about it is 98% of it, if not all of it is for sale!!! It is called Mouse Surplus.
http://www.mousesurplus.com

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Due to a dispute in ownership, I believe the showroom is currently closed. You can still purchase items on the website or Ebay.

 

[TheBeatles]

I know about mousesurplus, but i'm referring to props not sold to the public. Robotwolf, do you know why the HM was used for storage and not a bigger, more conventional location.

 

[Valawen9]

There is a central shops area behind MK that houses all of the "construction" of the ride props, vehicles, etc. There's a metal shop, fiberglass shop, paint shop, sign shop, animatronic shop, etc etc etc. Presumably anything in for a rehab is stored here.

Now there is Holiday Services, where everything related to holiday decoration is stored (for all WDW parks, hotels, cruise lines, Hilton Head, and Vero Beach). Now that's one honkin' huge warehouse!

If you're interested in seeing all this, shell out the cash for the Backstage Magic tour. It'll blow you away!

When I went to Grad Nite about 5 years ago they drove us around to the back of MK and we saw some kind of storage area with props and whatnot.

Is what we saw what you're talking about?

 

[RobotWolf]

Robotwolf, do you know why the HM was used for storage and not a bigger, more conventional location.

There was maintenance/paint area at the end of the alley that runs between the showbuildings for HM and IASW. Though I never asked anyone, I always assumed they used HM to store props/figures going in or out of this facility.

 

[Piebald]

When I went to Grad Nite about 5 years ago they drove us around to the back of MK and we saw some kind of storage area with props and whatnot.

Is what we saw what you're talking about?

Yup.

If you keep driving past the Contemporary and Space Mountain and find your way around there you can go past all the storage warehouses. It's all right by Disney University. I remember in late summer/early fall I'd see them bringing out all of the holiday decorations.

 

[MonorailExpress]

There is a warehouse in Kissimmee where a lot of this kind of stuff was stored. Im not sure what is still there but the monorails were stored there up until they were scrapped and sold on eBay.

 

[TheBeatles]

Does anyone know what extinct attraction props are currently in storage?