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What Lurks in the Waters at Disney...

rivers-of-america-drainage.jpg
The Rivers of America at Disneyland | Photo by Ack Ook via Flickr

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When Disney workers drained the Rivers of America in January, they discovered some unusual items, just like they did in 2003 when a toaster and bottle of rum was found. Among the items found this year were hundreds of cell phones and walkie talkies, plastic swords and a half of a canoe from Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoe ride, according to the Orange County Register.

The most unusual item, however, was a computer tower, which has left Disney officials baffled on how it got there. But that's no surprise, as seen in the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop, street artist Banksy easily installed a life-sized Guantanamo Bay detainee over the fence of the nearby Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride and got away with it.

Related Fun: Critter Country featured in the Neighborhood Project

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