One of the midnight treasures for visitors to Walt Disney World is watching a lit-up Tinker Bell glide above the audience during the daily firework show.
Tinkerbell takes off from the famous castle’s pinnacle and lands on Tomorrowland Terrace. But have you ever wondered how does Tinkerbell fly at Disney World?
- Tinkerbell climbs up a large ladder to get to the top of the castle and uses a flying contraption that takes her to Tomorrowland.
- The Tinkerbell character must weigh between 95 to 115 pounds to fly accurately and safely at 30 miles per hour.
- There are several cast members on Tomorrowland’s terrace to help Tinkerbell land safely on a mat.
Let’s sweep off some pixie dust and uncover how Tinkerbell flies over our heads at Disney World!
The History and Mystery of Tinkerbell’s Flight
In the summer of 1961, the first Tinker Bell aired on a cable line in Disneyland Park. However, she didn’t fly to Disney World until the middle of the 1980s, when she made her stage debut in a holiday production.
The response she received was so overwhelming that she was eventually added to the famous evening extravaganza “Wishes.”
Disney’s Tinker Bell plays a mysterious role, as it should. Tinker Bell communicates with visitors in Pixie Hollow, tucked away inside the Main Street Theater.
She will, however, also be visible in parades and at nighttime fireworks close to the castle. The flight is a high-wire slide performed by an aerialist.
What Is the Secret to Tinkerbell’s Flight?
The TikTok user ‘Disney. Stuff ‘ posted a video with images showing the backstage room that Tinkerbell must enter to reach the castle’s top, along with the flying device that takes her there.
Tink has to climb up a large ladder inside the tower to get to the top window from where she descends her flight.
Tinkerbell takes off 189 feet above the ground and flies 30 miles per hour. Several cast members help her with the ropes during the 30-second flight and use extra mats and tethers to help her land safely on Tomorrowland.
The Cast Member must be light and strong enough to support the harness and cables and generate enough velocity to fly to Tomorrowland.
Rumor has it that the Disney World fairy needs to weigh from 95 to 115 pounds to fly efficiently and securely. Anybody, regardless of gender, who is physically fit and strong enough can play the role of Tinker Bell at Disney World!
Interesting Facts About Disney World’s Tinkerbell
If the mystery of Tinkerbell’s flight is not interesting enough.
Here are some intriguing facts about the character:
1. There Are No Special Auditions for Tinker Bell
An actor who plays a face role does not wear a mask or other props to conceal their real face. They must always remain in character, perform, sing, and be familiar with movie phrases.
Numerous face actors who, through difficult auditions, graduated from the Disney College Program can change roles and don masks because they aren’t bound to a single character.
They must change to meet the demands of the park at any given time. This implies that Tinker Bell might change Minnie Mouse the next day.
2. Tinkerbell’s Costume Weighs a Lot!
Although it hasn’t been confirmed, it’s believed that Tink’s costume, with wings and feathers, weighs around 70 pounds. CSheflies up to 30 mph on her famous journey, tso hose wings are strong and heavy.
3. Tink Goes Through Monthly Evaluations
Disney World has a reputation to maintain, and so does Tinkerbell. Therefore, her look has to be consistent and realistic for all performances. Face actors are tested monthly while dressed to ensure the look is uniform.
If the actor does not fit properly into the costume, they will take on another role at Disney World.
4. Tinkerbell Must Follow Strict Rules
Tinkerbell is not allowed to post on social media with the costume on. Additionally, girls cannot wear a bun to the park if they have naturally blond hair.
There will be zero tolerance for anything that might reveal Tinker Bell when she is not acting. Although these rules appear strict, they were set to keep visitors’ experiences as magical as possible.
5. Disney World Has Multiple Tinkerbells
Due to scale and timing, Disney park is too big for just one Tinker Bell. However, everyone must appear and behave the same to maintain the illusion.
Face character performers put a lot of effort into refining their characters’ distinctive styles to keep their magic alive!
Conclusion
Tinkerbell is a beloved character, and to see her come to life at one of the most magical places on Earth is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
With Disney changing its dynamics to improve the experience, you shouldn’t wait long to see the little fairy fly down the castle. It’ll be your fairy tale experience at Disney World!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tinkerbell Still Fly at Disney World?
As Disney World completes 100 years, it strives to blend nostalgia and innovation. So with the start of 2023, Disney has decided to replace flying Tinkerbell with Baymax.
On January 27, 2023, Disneyland park will debut a brand-new evening production called Wondrous Journeys.
If you’re going to Disney World before that, you might witness the fiery fairy fly over your heads during the night-time fireworks.
How Much Does a Tinkerbell Make at Disney World?
Tinkerbell is said to be paid $500 for each flight over the sky of the Magic Kingdom, which is not bad for just 30 seconds of work.
