Perhaps the BEST thing about going to Disney World is the little surprise moments that Disney Cast Members make!
Over the decades that we’ve been visiting the parks, we’ve seen many of these. From the elusive clap box to random pop-up trivia games to limbo and hula hooping in the streets. Cast Members are constantly finding ways to plus up our day just a little bit at a time! And one of our favorite examples of this is the incredible water art from the custodial staff.
If you don’t know what we’re talking about, then allow us to introduce you to a fun hidden detail! Select custodial Cast Members have trained in the magic of water art, where they can draw Disney characters on the ground around the parks using nothing but some water and a special mop. We most often see characters like Mickey, Donald, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, or even Oswald.
But on a visit to Magic Kingdom recently, we spotted a RARE character — the Hatbox Ghost! We just HAD to stop and talk to the wonderful Cast Member who created him.
Joel from custodial is the one who drew this incredible picture, and he shared a little bit of the backstory with us! He personally designed this water art, and it premiered as a drawing last year, but was exclusive to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. At the time, management approved the design for ONLY during the Halloween party because the Hatbox Ghost hadn’t yet premiered in the Disney World version of the ride.
Joel says that the Hatbox Ghost art took him about a day or two to design, and then once it was approved he practiced it for a week. It’s one of the more advanced designs out there, so you probably won’t see it in Magic Kingdom as often. If any custodial Cast Members want to learn it, Joel will need to train them personally.
Now that we know the backstory, we feel even more honored to have caught it during the few minutes before it dried. We tip our hats (and our hatboxes!) to all the talented artists and the incredible custodial team!
Did we just find the BEST water art in Disney World?? Last year the hat box ghost premiered as a water art option during the Halloween party and CM Joel was the one that designed it.  Now because the Hatbox Ghost is in WDW CM’s are allowed to paint it any time! 🤩👻🎩 pic.twitter.com/k5oBI14GWQ
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) February 25, 2024
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Which character would you love to see in water art form? Tell us in the comments!
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