Stupid Myths and Rumors about DLR (and WDW)

[Phroobar]

Do they still give out Steamboat pilot certificates when your invited up to the wheelhouse? I remember there is a book to sign in the wheelhouse.

 

[Disney Irish]

The Disney parks moms blog hardly counts as a source. That person is a parent who's volunteered to help others plan their trips, I doubt their knowledge of park history is credible.

Once again, the myth and urban legend that's been perpetuated is that they used to distribute death certificates to guests who ask. This originates from the "be sure to bring your death certificate" line by Little Leota and has gained traction from buzzfeed articles and other Disney "trivia" sites that perpetuate myths and erroneous facts for extra clicks.

Many CM's and guests have said that used to pass them out, but in the 5 years I've spent active on many different Disneyland/Haunted Mansion specific forums, facebook groups, and sites- I have never seen anyone who actually received one, or had a photo of one. There's also zero record of when they were produced and distributed. It's just the same, vague line that they used to pass them out.

By comparison, the Hatbox Ghost- which was in the Haunted Mansion for an incredibly short period of time in 1969 has a decent photograph and 8mm home footage of it online.

If you're willing to accept a 2015 limited souvenir + a Disney Parks Mom post as a credible source, then I guess that works- I'd just like a bit more evidence and information before I accept it as fact.

Well since its an official Disney site I would expect what they put out as more factual than some fan site.

Now take it with a grain of salt, but from my own personal experience.... While I never got one, I heard about them in the 80s, long before the internet. I've heard some CM say they existed, I've heard some say they don't exist.

Anyways, its all part of the mythos that is the Haunted Mansion.

 

[SuddenStorm]

Well since its an official Disney site I would expect what they put out as more factual than some fan site.

It's an official Disney site, but the posters aren't Disney historians or experts in the nuances of each attraction's history, nor are they actual Disney employees who work for Imagineering or inside the parks. They're volunteers who help answer basic questions about vacation planning for confused parents.

https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney.go.com/meet-the-moms/panelist/jason-k-343/

That's the bio of the dude that wrote the article.

And here's his summary at the end of the post you posted:

I am a Disney Dad raising two fantastic boys with my wife. We love the hidden treasures found all over the "Most Magical Place on Earth" and have “yEARS” of knowledge! I am so excited to share my pixie-dust covered experiences with you while planning your Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Let the lifelong magical memories ... begin!

If it was Jim Korkis, Jeff Baham, HBG2 of the Long Forgotten Blog I'd believe it.

Unfortunately, I'm a bit skeptical of someone with "yEARS" of knowledge.

 

[SuddenStorm]

They did put "the ring" back when they redid the queue.. so they are quite happy to fanservice when it's easy.

Same with adding the Hatbox Ghost back to the Haunted Mansion. If only they'd do a bit of fanservice everyone but @Curious Constance wants and restore a version of the beating heart bride.

 

[Disney Irish]

It's an official Disney site, but the posters aren't Disney historians or experts in the nuances of each attraction's history, nor are they actual Disney employees who work for Imagineering or inside the parks. They're volunteers who help answer basic questions about vacation planning for confused parents.

https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney.go.com/meet-the-moms/panelist/jason-k-343/

That's the bio of the dude that wrote the article.

And here's his summary at the end of the post you posted:



If it was Jim Korkis, Jeff Baham, HBG2 of the Long Forgotten Blog I'd believe it.

Unfortunately, I'm a bit skeptical of someone with "yEARS" of knowledge.

I get what you're saying, and I understand they aren't Disney employees. But my point is Disney wouldn't likely allow them to put out false information.

Anyways, accept it or don't, up to you.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I get what you're saying, and I understand they aren't Disney employees. But my point is Disney wouldn't likely allow them to put out false information.

Anyways, accept it or don't, up to you.

Disney employees are themselves often the source of misinformation. The story of the trees being marked by colored ribbons and a colorblind bulldozer operator just rolling over all of them was completely made up by Marty Sklar. It was even included in Randy Bright’s Disneyland: Inside Story.

 

[SuddenStorm]

I get what you're saying, and I understand they aren't Disney employees. But my point is Disney wouldn't likely allow them to put out false information.

Anyways, accept it or don't, up to you.

It's far more likely Disney isn't screening each post to make sure they don't perpetuate urban legends.

Anyways, if you want to accept a legend with zero evidence, it's up to you

 

[SuddenStorm]

Disney employees are themselves often the source of misinformation. The story of the trees being marked by colored ribbons and a colorblind bulldozer operator just rolling over all of them was completely made up by Marty Sklar. It was even included in Randy Bright’s Disneyland: Inside Story.

There are many many examples of front line CM's perpetuating urban legends and myths they've heard, with people accepting it as fact since it came from a CM.

Makes me wonder what I could dream up as a CM.

Speaking of, I recently learned from a 100% reliable source that the sword that's held by Captain Barbossa on Pirates of the Caribbean is, in fact, the same one used by Geoffrey Rush in the film.

 

[Disney Irish]

It's far more likely Disney isn't screening each post to make sure they don't perpetuate urban legends.

Anyways, if you want to accept a legend with zero evidence, it's up to you

Disney employees are themselves often the source of misinformation. The story of the trees being marked by colored ribbons and a colorblind bulldozer operator just rolling over all of them was completely made up by Marty Sklar. It was even included in Randy Bright’s Disneyland: Inside Story.

Maybe it was all made up by bored CMs who wanted to see how many guests they can get to fall victim to it. Who cares...

But I accept the 2015 ones as evidence. Maybe they really did create them as some sort of "fanservice", but again who cares. Once it was created, at that point it made the legend true in my mind.

 

[D.Silentu]

Not as well circulated, but the hanging man in The Haunted Mansion is a tribute to imagineer Yale Gracey, who killed himself in that manner. This disingenuous story is all the more disturbingly offensive, because in actuality he was murdered by a burglar.

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

The rumor is that every day before the ride starts a cast member has to say hi to george the ghost or something will go wrong with the ride. Typically a shutdown.

Tame compared to the supposed presence of Deborah Stone in innoventions.

interesting

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

-The surveyor's mark under Sleeping Beauty Castle used to mark the dead center of the park

-When you leave the attic in the HM, you're actually falling to your death which is why you're moving backwards down (this ridiculous fan theory has gained traction recently)

- The redhead portrait in the pirate caverns depicts the redhead found later in the ride (again, a fan theory that's often repeated as fact, despite never being officially cited by Disney.)

-Haunted Mansion death certificate. This one is interesting- some people believe they currently hand them out. Others believe they used to, but don't any longer. Others believe they never did. I've NEVER seen an official Disneyland one pictured anywhere, or listed for sale on ebay, and I've researched the Haunted Mansion more then any other attraction so I'm leaning towards the "they never existed" camp.

- Andy's Home!

-That the Thurl Ravenscroft bust is Walt Disney

THE DEATH CERTIFICATE never existed and this is one that really infuriates me when people claim it is true. Mansion is my favorite ride also and this rumor is one of my pet peeves

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

Having spoken to one, I can confirm they exist. (My kid had picked up a toy, but then put it back down unnoticed, and I got to talk to a guy).

There are also "secret doors" here and there, most can be seen if you pay attention, but they are just access to backstage, not direct to disneyjail. (though disneyjail is also a thing.. they do have a holding area if you do something stupid enough to warrant talking to them and the local constabulatory).

how were they dressed and how did they present themselves to you and what did they tell you? also does the small world shop have one of these doors?

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

It was real at one point, then I believe they stopped it because of selling on eBay. They even had 60th Anniversary one as part of the Happiest Haunt Tour which came with a pin:

http://www.mousewait.com/disneyland/lands-talk/652463/My-death-certificate-and-key-to-the-Haunted

There currently is one for sale on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DISNEYLAND...bwjjX:sc:USPSFirstClass!94806!US!-1:rk:8:pf:0

it was real????? omg I always thought it was just a fake rumor and it used to really upset me.

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

The fact that they have even a 2015 one indicates that it was a thing. How it was never documented with official pictures I don't know. But its not some mythical fake internet thing, so even if it was a special thing only certain people got prior to 2015 it was real.

this goes back to my initial shock over your post. I know about the 2015 ones but as far as them doing them before that I am also skeptical on for there should be documented proof of it and there is not and that is why it is something that always bugged me because if they were real I want one dang it and I never got one growing up.

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

They did put "the ring" back when they redid the queue.. so they are quite happy to fanservice when it's easy.

what ring are you referring to?

 

[mickEblu]

Disney employees are themselves often the source of misinformation. The story of the trees being marked by colored ribbons and a colorblind bulldozer operator just rolling over all of them was completely made up by Marty Sklar. It was even included in Randy Bright’s Disneyland: Inside Story.

I’m actually reading Disneyland: Inside Story right now and just read that story. Nowhere does it say that this was made up by Marty Sklar. It presents the story as fact.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I’m actually reading Disneyland: Inside Story right now and just read that story. Nowhere does it say that this was made up by Marty Sklar. It presents the story as fact.

Marty did not admit to his fabrication until quite some time later.

 

[Maeryk]

how were they dressed and how did they present themselves to you and what did they tell you? also does the small world shop have one of these doors?

He was dressed normally, said he was loss prevention or something similar and thought we might have forgotten something in the stroller our child had. Very polite, waited till we were past the checkout to intercept.

What small world shop?

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

He was dressed normally, said he was loss prevention or something similar and thought we might have forgotten something in the stroller our child had. Very polite, waited till we were past the checkout to intercept.

What small world shop?

There was a little circular shop next to the small world exit by the fantasy land theatre that sold princess stuff. it was still there when I last visited in 08