Disney Imagineers have put a great effort into filling the parks not only great rides, but little known gems to bring an extra smile to faces young and old. When looking for a great photo-op or a break from the crowds and lines, try finding some of these lesser known attractions hidden throughout Disney World.
Arriving at the Magic Kingdom:
As you arrive at the Transportation and Ticketing Center (TTC) you will be given the option to ride either the Monorail or ferryboat to get to the main entrance of the Magic Kingdom. For a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, ask to sit in the front of the Monorail with the driver. Not only do you have an unobstructed view entering the Magic Kingdom (perfect for pictures) you are presented with an “Official Monorail Co-Pilot’s License,” a great free souvenir. Also, some drivers carry Monorail Trading Cards, another free souvenir and great addition to your Disney scrapbook. To avoid the potential of huge lines for the Monorail and Ferryboat at the beginning of the day, a Monorail also leaves from Epcot Center with a much smaller crowd.
Main Street USA:
I also recommend a stop at Guest Services as you begin your day. For those of you with children learning a foreign language, Guest Services offers park maps in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German and Japanese. If you have a Veteran traveling with your group, call Guest Services in advance and request for that person to assist with the Daily Flag Retreat. Afterwards, they will be presented with a commemorative certificate. You can also collect your special birthday, first visit and honeymoon buttons here so everyone in the park can help celebrate your special day.
As you enter the Magic Kingdom, you will see crowds of people gathered around characters for photos and autographs. While it maybe tempting to join the crowds, bypass these and make your way to the more popular rides. This is a great time to get a few rides in with little to no wait. It is often better to visit characters during parades and meal times when you can spend more time interacting with characters.
Just inside the Candy Shop on Main Street, you’ll find an old-fashioned phone on the wall. Pick it up to listen in on a conversation between a girl and her mother as she goes to the store on her own. This is a great chance to hear the gossip of the olden day.
In the Town Square Exposition Hall, you’ll find a Kodak Camera shop. In the rear of the store, they have wooden cutouts of Disney Cartoons (similar to the muscle men and bikini clad women you find on boardwalks) for everyone to stick their head through. These make great (and sometimes humorous) photo memories to take home!
As you make your way around the park, you’ll find items and small details in the décor that really add to the park ambiance and your Disney experience. In the Main Street Train Station, you’ll find a shelf lined with suitcases from some of your favorite characters. Upstairs, you’ll find an old-fashion Penny Machine, sure to delight anyone who finds joy in music. Further down Main Street, you’ll find footprints left by Lady and the Tramp leading up to Tony’s Town Square where they shared their first kiss.
For those with little ones, consider having your child’s first hair cut at the Harmony Barber Shop. Located near the Emporium on Main Street, you’ll leave with plenty of stickers, pixie dust and a commemorative set of Mouse Ears proudly displaying “My 1st Haircut.” As of October of 2008, haircuts were a reasonable $14 for children.
If you’re looking to see Cinderella wearing her crown and don’t want to wait for the parade to do so, walk through the Castle and looks for the fountain on the left. As you bend, you appear to be bowing to Cinderella. While bent, don’t down at the fountain, but look up to Cinderella and she’ll instantly be wearing her crown!
If you need a break or a meeting spot for your group sometime throughout the day, you’ll find a Rose Garden between Cinderella’s Castle and the entrance bridge to Tomorrowland. While relaxing among the blooms, you may find baby ducks meandering through the gardens. This is also a great photo spot and many a proposal has happened in the Rose Garden with the Cinderella Castle in the backdrop.
Tomorrowland:
A great option for meals, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café has menu items for your pickiest eater. I recommend an early lunch here, where you will find small lines and a one-of-a-kind lounge singer/lizard “Sonny Eclipse.” Don’t miss their topping bar, where you can bump your burger to gourmet status, adding anything from sautéed onions and mushrooms to specialty peppers.
If the big kids in your group are taking a spin on Space Mountain, the younger set will love the birds-eye view given from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. The 10-minute ride offers a nice breeze as well as sneak peaks into several rides. You’ll also hear announcements with plenty of puns such as “Tom Morrow, paging Tom Morrow. Just take the escalator up in the center of Tomorrowland.
For the train enthusiast in your group, look for the Tomorrowland Light and Power Company. If you continue around the building, you’ll find a group of benches with a perfect view of the Railroad. One of the great “quiet” locations of the park, the kids in my family love to try and get the conductor to blow the train whistle as the adults take a rest from the bustle of the park.
Not only is Toontown a great place to meet characters and take pictures, its totally interactive as well. As you’re meandering thru the homes of your favorite characters, take the time to pull knobs, push buttons and turn dials. You’re in for some big surprises, not just a boring walk-thru some may anticipate.
Fantasyland:
One of my favorite stops in the Magic Kingdom is Tinker Bell’s Treasure Shop. Not only can I find great Peter Pan merchandise, you also have the chance to find Tink herself. Sometimes she’s inside a dresser (you can take a peek through the keyholes) or she’s flying around the store. Be patient as you look for her, as it sometimes takes a few minutes to catch her.
Another great stop is Storytime with Belle. Try arriving early, and you or someone in your family may be asked to act in Belle’s story. Afterwards, Belle stays for a bit to interact with the audience, taking pictures and signing autographs with very little line to wait in.
A fantastic treat for the little ones is the Sword and the Stone Ceremony. All of the kids get a chance to pull the sword from the stone to become the king or queen of the day, crowned by Merlin himself. To draw the Sword from the Stone is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A great way to end your day at Disney is to partake in the nightly fireworks display. Many of the crowds thin out and some feel this is a great time to get in a few last rides before heading out of the park. My solution: Head to Dumbo (a must for kids of any age) in Fantasyland. Many of the younger riders rode during the day and by evening, the lines have dwindled. Talk to the cast members and explain that you would like to watch Wishes from the sky. They’re more than happy to help you time your ride and often, ride operators will give you a few more laps to catch most of the show. You’ll have the best view in the park with no crowds or crying children to ruin the magic.
Liberty Square:
Across from the Liberty Bell and next to the Hall of Presidents, you’ll find a brick porch with two wooden rockers. Another great place to take a break, most park guests think these chairs are just props and pass them by. This is also a great place to enjoy a frozen lemonade!
Some of Disney’s greatest gems are found the in the queue line for the Haunted Mansion. While all of the epitaphs are amusing, the best is Madame Leota’s. Every so often, you’ll see an obtrusion emerge from her tombstone. Look closely and you’ll see Madame Leota herself opening her eyes to look around and then return to the grave.
Frontierland:
If you make it to the park within an hour or so of opening, head to Tom Sawyer Island. You’ll have a chance to search the island for one of Tom’s very own paint brushes. If you find one, turn it in to a cast member for a reward.
On several days a week, there is a family show, “Hoedown,” performed in front of the Wooden Indian. A great show, it ends with everyone in the crowd doing the Hokey Pokey, great fun to be had by all.
Adventure Land:
Near Bwana Bob’s, it is easy to quickly pass the towering Tiki Statues without giving them a second thought. However, if you listen closely, you’ll begin to hear the native drums pound. Step lightly as you pass, or the Tiki Gods will release their very wet wrath.
Throughout the Park:
While the old saying goes, the best things in life are free (and most things on this list are included in your admission) the truly best things in the Magic Kingdom are a special line of snacks found only at the park of frozen yogurt swirled with fruit sorbet; Citrus Swirls, Dole Whips, and Strawberry Swirls. These can be found at the Sunshine Terrace and Aloha Isle in Adventureland and the Enchanted Grove in Fantasyland.
Hopefully these ideas will give you a trip to the Magic Kingdom away from the normal Disney experience. The best way to enjoy the part is to do it at your own pace and take breaks from the hustle and bustle when you need them. I hope you and your family will enjoy your trip as much as my family does each year.
