Collection

'Free Disney Theme Park Tickets' Scam

From satire to news articles, we've written a lot about the Disney Parks over the years.

by Izz Scott LaMagdeleine, May 1, 2012

Some 2,300 guests wearing black, gray and white rain coats stand together to form the face of Mickey Mouse to celebrate the famous Disney character's 70th birthday at the parking lot of Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, in suburban Tokyo on Nov. 19,1998. (YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP via Getty Images)

Image courtesy of YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP via Getty Images

We've written a bunch of fact checks identifying satire, debunking falsehoods, and proving true claims about Walt Disney World. It's not a surprise — Snopes has been writing about the resort for over 20 years.

Besides Disney World, there's also Disneyland in Southern California, as well as theme parks and resorts located around the world in France, Japan, Hong Kong, and China.

Here are over 40 fact checks and articles about the various Disney resorts. If you're curious about Disney World, Disneyland, one of the rides, or other resorts, we've got you covered:

By Izz Scott LaMagdeleine

Izz Scott LaMagdeleine is a fact-checker for Snopes.

Disney did not file a patent for a roller coaster that jumps the track, as this was just satire.

Did Disney File a Patent for Roller Coaster that Jumps Tracks?

Nov. 17, 2022

While this might appear to be "obvious" satire, some Instagram commenters apparently believed th ...

An article said that a man lost his hands while riding Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom in Disney World.

Did a Man Lose His Hands on Space Mountain?

Jan. 9, 2023

Space Mountain is an indoor roller coaster.

Was There a Shark in the Water at Disney's Magic Kingdom?

Jan. 27, 2023

Most internet reports of shark spotting should be taken with a large grain of salt.

Did Disney Consider Opening a Villain-Themed Park Called 'Dark Kingdom'?

Jan. 8, 2023

If getting lost in Maleficent's castle sounds fun to you, we may have bad news.

Yes, Cinderella's Castle at Disney World Has an Exclusive Hotel Room

Dec. 24, 2022

The good news? It's really real! The bad news: None of us will likely ever get to stay there.

The Abraham Lincoln animatronic partially collapsed and folded forward at Walt Disney World Resort at the Magic Kingdom at the Hall of Presidents attraction.

Vid Shows Lincoln Animatronic Partially Collapsed at Disney World's Hall of Presidents

Aug. 18, 2021

We also found a second video of Lincoln's falling at the Hall of Presidents attraction in 1992.

Walt Disney World Resort guests sang Sweet Caroline on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom and it was described as when white people get stuck on a ride at Disney World.

'White People at Disney World': Guests on Broken Down Ride Sing 'Sweet Caroline' in Video

July 3, 2021

"This is like the whitest thing I've ever participated in," said the TikTok user, who was stuck ...

Cruella de Vil spotted a service dog in Disneyland and yelled to stop the car in a TikTok video.

WATCH: Cruella Spots Service Dog in Disneyland, Yells 'Stop the Car!'

July 1, 2021

The lighthearted moment was posted by TikTok user @disney.mom.101.

Disney World's Magic Kingdom is soon celebrating the 50th anniversary and a jewel fell off Cinderella Castle.

Disney World's 50th Anniversary Jewel Appears to Fall Off Castle

July 4, 2021

All that glitters is probably just a broken decoration.

Happily Ever After fireworks show returns to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort on July 1.

Live Blog: Happily Ever After and Epcot Forever Return to Disney

July 1, 2021

Happily Ever After and Epcot Forever fireworks shows returned to Disney World in Orlando after t ...

Disney purportedly stopped piping underwater audio into the Big Blue Pool that was themed for Nemo at the Art of Animation resort in Florida because of drowning risk.

Did Disney Stop Playing Underwater Music in a Nemo-Themed Pool Due to Drownings?

June 30, 2021

A TikTok video raised speculation about why Disney stopped piping underwater audio into a Florid ...

A couple got engaged at Walt Disney World Resort in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom and they're on the hunt for people who appeared to be taking a video of the magical moment.

Woman Engaged at Disney World Looking for Man Who Shot Video of the Proposal

June 29, 2021

Disney fans are banding together to look for park guests who witnessed a proposal in front of Ci ...

Gorillas found a snake in Disney Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida.

Gorillas Find Snake at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Viral Video

June 25, 2021

The videos were apparently first posted on TikTok, showing part of the Gorilla Falls Exploration ...

Disneyland's Haunted Mansion ride has a "secret entrance."

Does Disneyland's Haunted Mansion Have a 'Secret Entrance'?

May 3, 2021

Perhaps Disneyland has some fun surprises in store for its 2021 reopening after being closed mor ...

Does Tom Brady Hold Record for Getting Paid To Say 'I'm Going to Disney World'?

Feb. 9, 2021

Here's the origin story of the famous post-Super Bowl advertising slogan.

Did Disney Announce It Was to Open a Theme Park in Escanaba, Michigan?

July 9, 2018

An obscure satirical web site managed to trick many readers with a fabricated story in the summe ...

Is Disney Building a Massive $6.5 Billion Resort in Toronto Islands?

April 3, 2018

An April Fool's Day joke was the source of a rumor about a new Disney location.

Disneyland's Snow White Grotto Employs an Old Trick

Dec. 9, 2020

The Snow White figurine arrived at roughly the same height as the dwarves, so Disney found "an i ...

Permanent Closure at Walt Disney World Due to Hurricane Irma?

Sept. 14, 2017

Rumors holding that Walt Disney World would close the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds due to damage ...

Disney Reportedly Changing Rides and Attractions After Alligator Attack

June 26, 2016

The changes come after the creature attacked and killed a toddler at the Grand Floridian Hotel's ...

Child Dragged Into Disney Resort Lake by Alligator Found Dead

June 15, 2016

A toddler dragged into the Seven Seas Lagoon by an alligator at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort ...

Did Disney Ban Tattoos in Their Theme Parks?

April 3, 2016

"We don’t think that tattoos fit into the image of a wholesome Disney family."

A Mickey Mouse mascot wearing a yellow bowtie, white shirt, black jacket, red pants with two white buttons, and black shoes is waving with its right leg kicked out.

No, Mickey Mouse Isn't Being Replaced as Disney's Mascot

Feb. 16, 2023

Mouse Trap News often goes viral because of its Disney satire.

As the legend goes, the horse-drawn hearse in front of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion is the actual hearse used to carry Brigham Young’s body.

Was Disneyland's Haunted Mansion Hearse Used for Brigham Young's Funeral?

Feb. 24, 2001

According to legend, the Disneyland hearse was originally used to carry the religious leader's b ...

A hostess named Deborah Gail Stone working the America Sings attraction at Disneyland was crushed to death by a rotating wall.

The Death of Deborah Gail Stone at Disneyland's America Sings Attraction

Feb. 26, 1996

The true story went viral on TikTok 47 years to the day.

Pluto was asked at Walt Disney World Resort to do the Dougie dance and responded in a unique way.

Disney World Video Shows Pluto's Reaction to 'Dougie' Dance Invitation

June 29, 2021

The video was shot at Walt Disney World Resort.

Paranormal Disneyland Stories: The 'Mr. One-Way' Ghost

June 21, 2021

Not all the ghosts at Disneyland are to be found within the confines of the Haunted Mansion.

Yes, Disney World Saw Increase in Arrests for Gun Possession During Pandemic

June 15, 2021

The park, a private property, prohibits firearms — even for gun owners who have permits to carry.

Are the Mailboxes Inside Disneyland Real?

Nov. 25, 2020

The intent of the boxes was for park guests to drop postcards off.

Disney's 'Tower of Terror' Being Replaced with 'Guardians of the Galaxy'

July 27, 2016

After an earlier spurious rumor about the fate of Disney's "Tower of Terror," the company confi ...

Disney Replacing Tower of Terror with Elsa's Ice Castle?

April 18, 2016

Disney Parks isn't replacing the "Tower of Terror" attraction with "Elsa's Ice Castle."

Andy's Coming!

March 27, 2013

Will shouting 'Andy's coming!' to Toy Story characters at Disney theme parks cause them to stop ...

Disneyland Deaths

Sept. 10, 2003

Nine guests have lost their lives on Disneyland attractions.

Casablanca Plane in Great Movie Ride

Feb. 24, 2001

Is the airplane from 'Casablanca' part of 'The Great Movie Ride' at Disney-MGM Studios theme park?

Does Disneyland's Matterhorn Have a Basketball Court?

April 22, 2000

It's not as elaborate as it sounds.

Was That Walt Disney's Face Inside the Haunted Mansion?

April 22, 2000

A classic piece of Disneyland lore.

Questions About Disneyland's Club 33, Answered

Dec. 13, 1996

Details about Disneyland's once-secretive Club 33 have since gained widespread notice, but acces ...

Have Disney Character Actors Molested Park Guests?

Aug. 11, 1996

Some complaints have been quite serious.

Does No One Ever Die at Disney Parks? TikTok Video Renews Debate

June 22, 2021

Legend holds that no one is ever declared dead while on Disney theme park property.

Can Women 'Hack' Disney Parks for Free Shirts by Showing Their Boobs?

June 26, 2021

"Absolutely show your boobs when you go to Disney World if you want a free shirt," a park guest ...

Disney World has no mosquitoes or so headlines YouTube videos and ads claimed.

Disney World Has Mosquitoes, Despite Claims Seen Online

June 18, 2021

For years, blogs and videos have claimed that Disney World guests would "never" see mosquitoes i ...

No, Everyone Is Not Winning This 'Disney World Holiday Box'

March 25, 2020

A dubious Facebook post triggered a flood of reader inquiries.

President Joe Biden debuted as an animatronic at Disney World and Magic Kingdom at the Hall of Presidents and Donald Trump was situated behind him in the shadows.

Trump Absent from Highlight Reel at Disney World's Reopened Hall of Presidents

Aug. 4, 2021

Video from Joe Biden's animatronic debut at the reopened Magic Kingdom attraction showed a film ...

A little tiny door in Walt Disney World Resort in the Fantasyland area of Magic Kingdom appeared on TikTok.

The Mysterious Little Door at Disney World's Magic Kingdom

June 11, 2021

The little door is located near Gaston's Tavern in Fantasyland. But why?

The 'Aladdin Exception'? No, Aladdin is Not Allowed to Kill Disney Guests

March 31, 2022

Unlike James Bond, neither the Disney character Aladdin, nor the actors portraying him at Disney ...

A satire video and article said Disney World was demolishing and removing Cinderella Castle.

Is Disney World Removing Cinderella Castle?

Aug. 23, 2022

According to an online rumor, Disney World was going to demolish the iconic Cinderella Castle so ...

'Free Disney Theme Park Tickets' Scam

May 1, 2012

Disney is not giving away free theme park tickets to those who like and share posts on Facebook; ...

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