How Disney Hid an Underground Dark Water System Beneath Disneyland

[@gregoryfaith4303]

Someone a very long time ago while at Disneyland told my family about that water system and how it was laid out. I have not thought about it in many decades. Thanks for the memories being brought from the cobwebs in my mind.

[@HeyBrickey]

That's awesome!

[@gregoryfaith4303]

I vaguely remember a young lady employed by Disney who carried a flag walking with us as she guided our family around the park in the mid sixties when I was around 8 years old. ​It has to be the tour you could purchase to get behind the scenes looks at that park. @@HeyBrickey

[@PeppersGhost]

Back in the early days of the Internet, I remember people discussing how some of the outdoor attractions shared the same water system. It's nice to see the information making its rounds again.

[@lcruz2783]

Wow , now these are the videos that I look forward too, these videos are the o ed we would never think of or never wonder about. I learned something new about our beloved Disneyland. Nice work

[@HeyBrickey]

I appreciate it, I love these kinds of rabbit holes. I spent a long time researching that system!

[@grandicornis]

Cool video Brickey. In your next water video you may want to clarify (haha) the difference between dark water and the waters of Pirates, Splash & grizzly rivers etc. Fun fact about Storybook, there is an overflow sump in the boat storage area behind the waterfall that is somewhat like a skimmer in a typical home pool only much larger. The boats are a very important part of the system as well in that they keep stagnant areas circulating. In Storybook's boat storage area there is a bubbler system like you would see in a Jacuzzi that is turned on from time to time to stir up the water back there and help all the sediment and water critters flow out of that area.

[@HeyBrickey]

There’s no reason to clarify that’s another video I plan on making. Attention spans are down and I’m focused on making one clear video at a time and not overwhelming the audience. Thanks for sharing some new fun facts

[@disneylandx123]

Even Disney higher ups forget this is a thing. I was working during the shut down and we turned off all the pumps to save money. The smell of the stagnant water was very bad and the build up of debris in the water way made it hard to start up again.

[@JBX302]

4:51 Don’t sell yourself short. This is content I can’t find anywhere else, provided with a quality that is also unmatched. Thanks for enhancing my magic. I’m happy to be here.

[@MrSpliffy3]

Buddy. I recon your the BEST disney vlogger on KZbin 👍

[@HeyBrickey]

Thanks!!! ❤️

[@Matt8643]

Hey Brickey, just a wonderfully informative video! Your videos are such high quality you remind me of my all time favorite tv host on PBS, Huell Howser. Thank you! FYI- I love the Holiday Cap and just ordered one for myself.

[@brucemarshall5110]

I knew this as "Disney's Big River System" & I was sure you'd tell it's story one day. And, what a great job you did!! Thank you!

[@KaiyaKramer]

Hey Brickey this is so interesting! As someone who works on systems this blew my mind lol thank you for the deep dive 🤓

[@jeffmixson412]

After working there for 9 years and having to push carts through the park...I definitely noticed the little grades and actual hills throughout the park and never knew why they were there. Thanks for this video.

[@edstrong597]

Another fun video. It’s fascinating thinking that Walt knew he wanted a river and river boat and the whole park had to be designed around that and all contained within his railroad loop. Keep up the good work

[@julieclarke621]

Disneyland magic runs deep!!…. Excellent/fascinating /exciting research and narrative, Brickey!

[@HeyBrickey]

Thanks so much! I really enjoyed putting this one together.

[@ckbarry]

Really interesting stuff. Thanks, Mark. Also, the hat is 🔥. ©️🎄

[@Blade.s15]

No matter what they’re doing to WDW’s river, this solidifies that they CANNOT touch Disneyland’s. It’s not just aesthetics, it’s an operational necessity.

[@DougYeager-i8b]

Former Disney Cast Member here. The first attempt of filling in Rivers of America failed for the water was absorbed into the ground. The imagineer genius that turned Walt’s dream into reality was Joe Fowler. He had a Masters degree in Naval Architecture.

[@HeyBrickey]

@@DougYeager-i8b thanks for sharing Doug. I purposefully left that story out of the video because I feel like it’s over told, but you bring up a good point that it is Disneyland classic.

[@NathalieCheng-c1p]

I didn’t know at all

[@edryba4867]

Joe Fowler was one of the masterminds of “WED” Imagineering, and a true genius!

[@ronaldmills8669]

Ty for sharing this awesome video

[@farfromdeathstar]

very interesting and entertaining. i love disney history. thanks!

[@rashelnorthcutt6746]

Thanks for the info. You have helped me look at different things when I visit Disneyland.

[@GeoTactics]

This was yet again another amazing video about the true magic at Disneyland. It is also a revealing video on why the Rivers of America and other water based rides will not likely ever go away at the park. Everything is so interconnected. Great video.

[@immerzart]

I love this video! Layout of buildings and utilities channels is one of those things that a lot of people probably assume would be boring, but is actually super fascinating and impacts literally everything else. The details and aesthetic work are always fun to focus on, but knowing how it all works/is connected is so great!!! This reminds me of a "How It's Made" episode or PBS

[@YoctoYotta]

This is my favorite type of park content. Well done, dude.

[@nzjonty]

It did make my Sunday 🙌🏼. I don’t even want to know the amount of intricate research that went into this, wow. Your passion for the subject matter and appreciation of the design really shines through. I’ve always been fascinated by all the water falls and what they add too

[@HeyBrickey]

Glad you enjoyed it. Even more water content to come in time. This video could have went in so many different directions 😂

[@nzjonty]

@ go with the flow mate and love the new Christmas drip

[@ufcislife1]

Im sure others have asked also.. but what about Small World's water? Is that separate? Cuz it seems like that would be a great high/starting point for the waterflow. Another great vid Brickey!! Hope to meet u in the park someday!!

[@HeyBrickey]

That's another video I'm working on!

[@ufcislife1]

@HeyBrickey .. I should have known. Lol. Cant wait!!

[@suttongriffin8154]

Rest in peace rivers of America In Orlando

[@Gabrielthielen]

Ever since I knew this existed, I’ve been hoping someone would make a video! I’ve been anticipating this for years now! Thank you for making this

[@HeyBrickey]

Glad to be of service. I mean you have been waiting! 😂

[@Michaeland]

The topography itself is a nice feature too.

[@CraziFuzzy]

@@Michaeland more of a pre-existing condition than a design choice is my guess. The site was generally sloped that direction already, so designing it that way was likely as much about minimizing earth works as it was a predetermined plan.

[@godkeebler]

Impressive research. Enjoy the channel. Long time subscriber. Thx man

[@HeyBrickey]

I appreciate the continued support!

[@fromthehub]

Heya Brickey. Thoughtful, well-researched, and fun as always. I value the "Ah-ha!' moments that your videos consistently provide. Thank you for that. Out of curiosity, where might I find the vintage Disneyland water system map that you were referencing in this video? I would love to see it in full to better conceptualize the park's dark water topography. Plus -- it looks like a delightful bit of Disneyana one might look to for design inspiration.

[@wolftress2503]

Fascinating and very well done Brickey! I can see your videos as a documentary series on Disney+ ☺️

[@Michaeland]

More excellence Brickey, teaching me stuff I never quite understood exactly. Thanks.

[@rattyeely]

Great video, I had heard mummers of this water system before, but this is the first time I've seen someone fully explain it. Now I know why the motorboat dock is still there

[@gerryfredette6795]

What an interesting video. I am very enamored by your design takes and secrets of the parks. Btw - my hat is on its way, I can’t wait to get it. Thank you so much; keep up the great work.

[@JulianGrijalva-c6h]

I thought that was you Thursday. Love the content, especially coming from a civil. I hope you keep up with the design series when Disney Forward breaks ground.

[@sunnybearify]

There's nothing like a Brickeyvideo! Please never stop! You're wonderful!!!!!

[@HeyBrickey]

@@sunnybearify thanks!!! ❤️

[@dananderson3077]

So interesting sir.....probably more thought put into the engineering of Disneyland in the 50's then any modern parks.....amazing!

[@universalmeditation8631]

The only thing I noticed at Disneyland was the hotter weather building up around Rivers of America. The rest of the park is much cooler during the summer.

[@juanitajones6900]

Very interesting. It's interesting how the park's size had forced the Disney employees to be imaginative when creating Disneyland.

[@brentleslie8156]

Wow great presentation, I had no idea!

[@HeyBrickey]

@@brentleslie8156 thanks Brent

[@smueller77]

Such a great video Brickey! 🙌

[@caroleemecham7077]

I have watched this multiple times, I find it so fascinating! So is the water around the submarines connected as well? Or is that its own lagoon?

[@tom_reagan]

Another interesting video, Brickey, thanks!!

[@robertjones1729]

Thank you thank you thank you.... I've been waiting for this...what I have not been able to deal with is why they didn't run water through Galaxies Edge ..the land truly needs some organic movement.... The pump behind the Jungle Cruise years ago..when smoking was allowed needed to be checked and cleaned out from cigarette butts being thown in the water ..real problem back then

[@wheelindisney5874]

Nice video. I've known about the dark water system for quite a while, but never paid close attention to it. That will be my thing to explore on my next weekly visit. It's also another reason why our Rivers of America is unlikely to suffer the same fate as Florida's.

[@TheRickRatedShow]

Mind. Blown. Well done!

[@TroySwezey]

Hey Brickey, do you use a storyboard and script for each of your videos? Thank you for all this very cool info. I had no idea about all this water magic.

[@caroleemecham7077]

This is soooo cool! Thank you!

[@HeyBrickey]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@vocaljazzfan]

That hat is SO good!

[@HeyBrickey]

Thanks!!! I’m excited how they turned out. ❤️💚

[@thesweepspot]

Love it! Do you think the water in Bayou Country is connected? Seems like it could be. Thanks for your research bro!

[@HeyBrickey]

That’s another video I’m working on!!!

[@briansieve]

I LIVE for info like this

[@jamesl1130]

The Motorboat Cruise space could become a modified version of Shanghais Castle boat ride focusing on the newer animated features

[@ronaldlatham9967]

Awesome. This was fascinating.

[@carlopanno6307]

It's my understanding that the Dark Water passes through the Matterhorn, pumped up into the mountain and then released to the waterfalls, aerating it before it continues along the channel through the Duck Pond and into the Snow White Grotto.

[@ctpctp]

Hey Brickey! What is the source of that Waterways of Disneyland map you show throughout the video? I would love to see that in full!

[@jennytaber71]

This was a seriously cool video.

[@wittkevin222]

Just an FYI, for the future Black water is water that comes from toilets. Grey water comes from sinks and showers, and clean water goes to fixtures.

[@HeyBrickey]

@@wittkevin222 this is called the Dark Water system because there is also a clear water system we’ll get to in another video. But I never once called it black water because as you pointed out that’s something else entirely 😂

[@ct6852]

Rad jacket today.

[@Michaeland]

…I perceived a similar situation - story wise - in France, where it all seems to flow together from underneath a statue of Aurora and Phillip on the staircase inside of the castle, outwards throughout the park (alas this is not actually so, according to the designer). Fun that is really does in the OG Disneyland.

[@raidermike3244]

Absolutely fascinating Brickey! Gravity flow is a simple but Genius idea. Did you by chance see Conservative Turtle?

[@HeyBrickey]

Oh dude. He was so cocky when I saw him Wednesday morning. 😂

[@Becauseimme]

That hat is dope, even though it’s Disney.

[@stephenrashbey1602]

I don’t remember the year but it was in the early 60s. My family went to Disneyland and they were having problems with the water system or something. I was around 8 years old. I remember seeing hoses going to the different places of the park. This was before the Enchanted Tiki Room was built or maybe it was in construction I don’t remember.

[@adammm1838]

Fascinating.

[@victorialucido806]

Hi Brickey! My husband and I always look forward to watching your vlogs. We've noticed you haven't dropped as many lately and we're concerned about you. Is everything okay?

[@martinherrera4500]

Great video! But it has me thinking… wouldn’t WDW have a similar set up, and if so.. how are they going to remove the rivers of America to put the cars ride? This system, while massive, simply runs on gravity. I don’t see Disney changing that approach for any reason 20 years after this when they broke ground in Florida. Unless the tunnels underneath caused them to think differently.

[@shashona3084]

Such a sick hat

[@BenBromage]

Is the fish pond on the big thunder trail also a part of this system?

[@HeyBrickey]

I purposefully left a couple of locations out to keep the video moving fast and the fish pond ties into another story about water at Disneyland. But to answer your question this spot and another are water reserves that can flow into the River but don’t on the regular

[@CraziFuzzy]

"Water Flow Downhill" isn't exactly the most revolutionary bit of engineering.

[@HeyBrickey]

@@CraziFuzzy whatever cool guy

[@CraziFuzzy]

@HeyBrickey hey, relax man. It's just a comment. It's still interesting that they made the decision to tie the systems together, it's just not necessarily indicative of high level engineering. Controlling waterways is thousands of years old. It's less interesting that we control water, and more interesting that we still do it mostly the same ways today, often through weirs and sluice gates.

[@JungleShrink]

Where did you find the hand drawn map of the water way path…it looks promotional but why would promo material have the waterway on it. It wouldn’t….so what is that??

[@mmkae0]

Hey Brickey, any idea on the waterfalls on the Rivers of America by Galaxy's Edge? Haven't seen them on so it seems like it's just a visual feature especially if the Mark Twain is the current driver.

[@HeyBrickey]

When I was filming this none of the water falls outside of this system were working Matterhorn, Big Thunder, Rise, or Winnie The Pooh, and even the waterfalls were off on the ROA. Could be them being cheap or could be something they turn off when it gets windy and all the filtration systems can’t keep up with all the debris

[@maxickingdom]

3:28 Could Disney still keep the dock and water from motor boat cruise and potentially re-theme it to a Tangled Boat Ride that’s outdoors? They could certainly save money using similar animatronics from Tokyo DisneySea’s Tangled ride, while increasing capacity and ride count!

[@VisitingwithMr.V]

Damn it dude, why do you keep posting such interesting topics!??. I don't have time to watch all of this good s***

[@annlavine3576]

very cool IS it the same in WDW

[@suaveclt]

When the water transfers from one body of water to another, why isn't the dye color visible from the previous body of water?

[@chazbrady8895]

You should talk about how the matterhorn is also a big middle finger to freedom usa park.

[@HeyBrickey]

haha

[@davidculver5446]

When Disneyland negotiated with the city of Anaheim they were very concerned about run off going to the agriculture adjacent to the new site. Walt brought in the US Navy in the form or a retired Admiral He then designed the water map and requirements for circulation. If in the case of rain if the system cannot accommodate they will release by sewage lines to waste water treatment. If you look at recent construction they have placed a large amount of green pipes To assist with run off. This is why you should not touch the autopia and the submarine ride.

[@robertogden7526]

Question... Does the dark water run throughout the rides too, such as Pirates & Small world ?

[@HeyBrickey]

That's another video to come! So I'm glad you asked ❤️

[@wheelindisney5874]

Brickey is being a bit coy, as he should be to get you to watch for that video. But the short answer is no, it is not. Those waters (and Tiana's Bayou adventure, nee Splash Mountain) are much different. Not only is that water clear, it is also expected to come into contact with guests on a regular basis, so has to be treated to be really clean. If you ride them, they all have a distinctive smell to them. I won't spoil Brickey's video by telling you what it is, but it's not chlorine like you would find in a swimming pool.

[@jandalight1598]

Neeeww brickeeeyyyy thankoooooooooooo

[@rdwalston]

Quick question-how are you able to wear a jacket whilst in Disney? No matter what time of year I go, I feel like I’m going to combust

[@HeyBrickey]

Quick Answer: I'm too cool to worry about temperature 😎😂

[@christopherlum7318]

So how does it differ in MK that makes filling in the river possible without ruining jungle cruise? 🤔

[@cyberentomology]

This would have been a much shorter video if you weren’t constantly repeating yourself and showing the same clips over and over.

[@HeyBrickey]

@@cyberentomology and even shorter if you just don’t watch it 😂

[@zarcath]

Take a shot everytime he says dark water system 😂

[@HeyBrickey]

I apologize for using the name of the video subject. I’ll try to say it only once nice next time.

[@jonathanloh1634]

I reaklly like this video, but It really feels like I'm watching multiple youtube shorts by repeating the same information multiple times.

[@HeyBrickey]

@@jonathanloh1634 I have found that if you don’t re-introduce some of the information when moving to a new location and explaining how the new environment works many people get lost. Each piece of the puzzle deserves some context. And you are right, I do write the videos as lots of little chapters that all tell a bigger story. But I try very hard to edit out repetitive content and only leave in the pieces that make the argument for that chapter. I have been doing this for a few years now and this method of storytelling has been by far my most successful. However in the TikTok low attention span age many people just want data and no storytelling which is something I’m trying to figure out Thanks for watching, I hope this helps understand the why.

[@dtrj787]

So does this explain why they’re not getting rid of Rivers of America in DL?

[@HeyBrickey]

Seems like it would be pretty difficult to remove it at Disneyland

[@Randys-ge1vd]

The? Motor boat cruise. Should be turned into a water ride. Boat ride like Pirates of the Caribbean. Froze. N would be great there. It would go great with the Matterhorn. Course , I always trying to get them to develop that area

[@davidculver5446]

Brickey find the power stations for electricity

[@johnmccaslin-doyle6917]

So how is the treehouse water connected? Is the water in pirates connected?

[@HeyBrickey]

Stay tuned. That’s another video to come.

[@flash5002a]

does Disney World have the same system?

[@HeyBrickey]

No. Disney World had other water challenges unique to Disneyland.

[@flash5002a]

you should do a video on that

[@notthatmatterhornmatt]

What’s dark water?

[@HeyBrickey]

Watch the video.

[@davidschiller1611]

Cinderella Castle, not Cinderella’s Castle.

[@HeyBrickey]

@@davidschiller1611 actually that one is Cinderella’s Castle, but you would be right if talking about the castle that sits in middle of Magic Kingdom.

[@davidschiller1611]

@ thanks. I really enjoy your videos.

[@celebrityrog]

4:30 in and I lost interest. You mentioned the water system and the grade of land and slope multiple times to the point I no longer need to watch the rest of the video, I know its a gravity fed spring well water lake. Could just spent 2 minutes saying this JUST ONCE.

[@HeyBrickey]

@@celebrityrog but your not too busy to write this comment 😂😂😂 Too bad you won’t make it to the reveals later in the video because you’re so busy 🤡

[@CharleneCTX]

Almost five minutes in and as yet no explanation of what a dark water system is. Google is no help; the term doesn't seem to exist.

[@HeyBrickey]

Sounds like you need to keep watching 😂 and it’s Disney’s internal term taken directly from their internal literature.

[@CharleneCTX]

@@HeyBrickey I'm sorry, but if a video (or article, for that matter) can't tell you upfront what they heck they're talking about it's time to move on.

[@HeyBrickey]

@ haha. You’re so misinformed. If you tell people in the first minute they move on and don’t watch the rest of the video. You should stick to TikTok since you don’t understand storytelling and just want facts thrown at you b

[@CharleneCTX]

@@HeyBrickey The point of the video according to the title is to learn how Disney implements a dark water system. If you aren't going to explain what a dark water system is, why should anyone care to see how it's implemented? If I see a title and don't know what the topic is, I search it. In this case, Google has no idea what the topic is. I don't have a TikTok account; I hate reels and shorts. I watch a ton of documentaries. I read 700+ page non-fiction books for fun. It's hardly a matter of a short attention span.