Infiltrating Disney

by Dr. Delam

For all those who've ever wondered about the mysterious underground tunnels at Walt Disney World and like "urban hacking" activities, here are a few pointers for your next vacation in Orlando.

First, being a pilot and having a friend with a Mooney, I've seen WDW many times from the air.  They guard their perimeter primarily with a moat as the first line of security.  There are some places to slip through but it'd be easier to show an aerial view of it.  If you want a general area to try, look on the back roads near Space Mountain.

Second, the underground tunnels connect each of the WDW Magic Kingdom's lands (like Tomorrowland, etc.) in a big ring.  The point of the tunnels is to allow actors to go unseen and to travel from one act in one land to another act in another land in minimal time.  The easiest way to get into the tunnels is to already be inside the Magic Kingdom.

Starting from the normal entrance gates, proceed to the central castle (the one everyone on the planet has seen on TV).  Go through the center of the castle and out the other side.  Take the first left on the other side of the castle and find "Tinker Bell's Treasures."  If you are looking at a dead end and Tinker Bell's to your back and right, to your immediate right should be a pair of brown boring double doors with no warning signs etc. on them.  This is it... open one of the doors and you'll see a stairway leading down.  Go down the stairs and you'll soon find yourself in the tunnel.  I couldn't see any signs or badges on the people walking around (especially not on the people in costumes) so I'd suggest if you're a paranoid type, dress up in some cultural clothing so you look like an act.

Now, assuming you're standing at the bottom of the stairway, you'll be interested in finding the "DACS" computer (Disney Animation Control System or some shit like that).  From the stairwell I remember it's fairly close by.  Try taking a right and it should be a room on the opposite side of the tunnel from where you started.  You'll know you've found the room if on the right is a digital lock that has a place for you to place your hand.  Though I don't know how to hack one of these locks, you can look in the window of the door and see a security camera and some of the mainframes in to the right.  Don't continue going down the tunnel any further past the DACS room.  Go back down the tunnel in the direction you came from... there's a major outside entrance the other way and you don't want to end up outside... you'll get the grand tour going in the other direction.

Don't worry about getting lost - there are some maps and the stairwells are labeled.  If you're real bold, you'll find the costume cleaning service and go home with some nice tourist items to cherish from Winky World.

Third, there is another trick to getting in that has to do with having a "job interview," going in, coming back and getting the stamp to re-enter the park, and going back in.

Fourth, if you're just looking for a discount, many big businesses such as AT&T have internal people to contact about trips to Disney.  Not always do they know if you're truly an employee or not (AT&T is just an example - don't hold me to this).  It could be well worth the engineering effort.

Furthermore, throughout the park are hidden surveillance cameras.  I know some people that have had what they referred to as the "Micky Mouse Mafia" following them.  My friends quickly ate what they were smoking and saved themselves from being thrown out of the park.  WDW legally has their own Mickey police force and are considered their own city... so remember it's no different than being on a normal city street other than the cops look like clowns.

If you do feel the need to heighten the experience, I'd suggest a light dose of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) before entering the park.

As Bootleg would put it, 'nuff said.