Off-menu desserts, hidden tunnels and 200 feral cats who roam the streets at night: The secrets behind Disney's theme parks

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Disney theme parks are well known for being the place where the magic happens, but there are many secrets that help staff to achieve this. 

Since their inception, the parks have hidden rooms and secret menus that all add to the mystique of the place, for example, 200 cats are allowed to roam at night to catch mice and there are special smells pumped into the air to make guests feel happy.

Here, Kenwood Travel has rounded up some of the best secrets and facts from the Disney theme parks.

The Disney parks have hidden rooms and secret menus that all add to the mystique of the place 

Secret tunnels  

Ever notice that you never seem to see a Disney employee wandering around the park? 

That's because there are tunnels under the park which let staff move from place to place without having to deal with the crowds.

All employee ID badges only feature the first name  

Walt Disney preferred to be called by his first name only, which is why all employees have badges with only their first name on. 

If two employees in one area have the same name, one has to choose a new name.

The characters from Toy Story used to have to drop to the floor if someone shouted 'Andy's coming!'

Toy Story characters had their role play ruined by Health And Safety   

The characters from Toy Story used to have to drop to the floor if someone shouted 'Andy's coming!' 

This is no longer in practice for health and safety reasons. If the characters hear someone shout this now, they will respond with 'Andy's at college'.

Sweet-smelling streets   

The streets smell better at Disney World than at most theme parks. 

That's because they have vents which pump out sweet smelling scents like vanilla, and at Christmas time they change it to a peppermint scent.

The Cinderella Castle actually contains a hotel room which is only ever reserved for contest winners

Secret bedroom fit for a king 

The Cinderella Castle actually contains a hotel room which is only ever reserved for contest winners. 

No amount of money can secure the bedroom for the night.   

The characters stay in character at all times  

Don't ask Cinderella what she thinks of Snow White. 

In Disney World, anything out of the characters story or land just doesn't exist, and so characters just simply don't know each other.

In Disney World, anything out of the characters story or land just doesn't exist, and so characters just simply don't know each other 

The theme parks were actually built to look even better in tourist photos  

Kodak and Disney conducted a study which helped them discover that if they put colored concrete on the floors of the park, it would reflect light in a way which would create vivid and more attractive photographs.

There is a secret dish on the menu in Disneyland  

If you visit the Beauty and the Beast inspired restaurant called Be Our Guest, there is a secret dish that you have to ask for. 

Make sure you ask your waiter for 'the grey stuff'. 

Mickey Mouse has more than 136 different sets of clothes and Minnie Mouse's wardrobe contains more than 100 outfits 

Mickey and Minnie probably have a bigger wardrobe than you  

Mickey Mouse has more than 136 different sets of clothes, ranging from a scuba suit to a tuxedo. 

Minnie Mouse's wardrobe contains more than 100 outfits, including everything from a cheerleader ensemble to evening gowns. 

People lose a lot of stuff at Disney theme parks 

Walt Disney World Lost and Found is one busy place. Every day an average of 210 pairs of sunglasses are turned in and, since 1971, an estimated 1.65 million pairs of glasses have found their way into the 'lost' bin. 

On an annual basis, Lost and Found cast members collect more than 6,000 cell phones, 3,500 digital cameras, 18,000 hats and 7,500 autograph books.  

Cats keep the theme parks clean 

200 feral cats are kept at Disneyland to make sure the park doesn't develop a mouse problem. 

The animals are allowed to roam at night time once guests have gone home.