ORLANDO, Fla. – From the truth about Disney’s famous turkey legs to debunking the myth of Walt Disney’s frozen head, News 6 producer Ken Pilcher is setting the record straight on some of the greatest myths surrounding the beloved theme parks. Pilcher, a lifelong Floridian and Disney historian, joined Florida’s Fourth Estate hosts Matt Austin and Ginger Gadsden on their podcast to separate fact from fiction and shed light on the craziest rumors surrounding The Most Magical Place on Earth.
One of the most popular mysteries centers around the giant turkey legs sold at Disney World. Many people have speculated that they are actually emu legs, far too big to be from a turkey. However, Pilcher swiftly debunked this myth, confirming that they are indeed turkey legs. I looked it up a long long time ago, he stated. Each leg weighs about a pound and a half and contains a whopping 720 calories and 37 grams of fat. Surprisingly, despite the truth being known, Disney continues to sell around 2 million of these giant turkey legs each year.
Another widespread rumor is that Disney doesn’t pay taxes. Pilcher clarified that this claim is far from the truth. As a recent independent economist’s review revealed, Disney paid approximately $1.15 billion in property taxes in 2022 alone, making it clear that the company’s tax contributions are substantial.
The next myth involves the skeletons in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Although the skeletons in the Florida park are fake, the original Disneyland ride in California featured real skeletons when it first opened in 1967. The University of California Los Angeles Medical Center provided these real human remains, but they were eventually removed due to concerns about taste.
One of the most enduring rumors is that Walt Disney’s head is cryogenically frozen and located beneath Cinderella’s Castle. Pilcher decisively dispelled this myth, confirming that Walt Disney was cremated a couple of days after his death from lung cancer. His final resting place is in Forest Lawn Cemetery in California, where visitors can pay their respects at his grave.
Contrary to the belief that Disney is a place of endless happiness, Pilcher revealed that numerous deaths have occurred within the parks since 1984 when a plane crashed into the Epcot parking lot, claiming one life. While these tragic incidents are rare, they serve as a reminder that unfortunate events can happen even in the happiest place on Earth.
Finally, some people believe that Cinderella’s Castle can collapse into six easy pieces during a hurricane. Pilcher assured listeners that this claim is entirely false. The iconic castle, weighing 600 tons and standing at almost 190 feet tall, was constructed to withstand high-category hurricanes and is not going anywhere.
As Disney enthusiasts continue to visit the parks and speculate on the secrets behind the magic, it’s essential to debunk these myths and focus on the true wonders that Disney World has to offer. To learn more about the origins of these myths and the grains of truth associated with them, tune in to Florida’s Fourth Estate on your preferred podcast platform or watch it on the News 6+ app for your smart TV.
In conclusion, it’s evident that many of the rumors surrounding Disney’s theme parks are nothing more than fiction. With the expertise of Ken Pilcher and his deep knowledge of Disney history, the truth is brought to light, dispelling long-standing misconceptions. The next time you embark on a magical adventure at Disney World, you can enjoy your giant turkey leg, assured that it is indeed from a turkey, and rest easy knowing that Cinderella’s Castle will stand tall against any storm.
