Disney World secrets and techniques to make your subsequent journey extra magical
Typically, it may well really feel like you want to know some kind of secret handshake to maximise a go to to Disney World.
There are tickets to buy and Lightning Lane choices to make if you wish to skip the road on fashionable rides. You additionally should determine on issues like which bank card to make use of and whether or not you need to purchase an interactive MagicBand+.
Whereas we at TPG love sharing sensible ideas that will help you unlock a profitable Disney World trip, we additionally take pleasure in letting you in on some lesser-known ideas and secrets and techniques that may make your journey extra fascinating and pleasurable.
Listed here are 23 Easter eggs, hidden spots and insider secrets and techniques to make your subsequent go to to Disney World much more magical.
There’s further kid-friendly enjoyable this summer time
In the event you plan a Disney trip between Could 27 and Sept. 1, Disney is bringing much more magic to the parks with a number of limited-time experiences for households with younger youngsters. Dubbed “Cool Child Summer time,” households will discover particular areas with characters, dance events, video games, magicians and extra in all 4 parks.
This is the place to go at every park:
- Epcot — GoofyCore at CommuniCore Corridor
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom — A Celebration Sing-Alongside at Discovery Island
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Animation Courtyard
- Magic Kingdom — Massive High Bash at Storybook Circus and Galactic Blast at Tomorrowland that includes Sew
There are Hidden Mickeys in every single place
A hidden Mickey is a refined picture of Mickey Mouse that Disney Imagineers snuck into rides, partitions, carpeting, wallpaper and different design components throughout Disney World. There are a whole lot — most likely 1000’s — of hidden Mickeys across the parks.
Some are so small, you’ve got most likely walked proper previous (and even stepped on) them with out noticing they had been there. I’m notoriously unhealthy at recognizing Hidden Mickeys, however fortunately, some are simpler to identify than others.
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A couple of of the extra apparent ones embrace:
- Mickey-shaped vegetation on Residing With the Land at Epcot
- A Mickey-shaped place setting within the feast scene on the Haunted Mansion on the Magic Kingdom
- A Mickey-shaped rock show on the backside of one of many tanks at The Seas with Nemo and Mates at Epcot
You may go it alone and seek for Hidden Mickeys in your subsequent journey, or you’ll be able to choose up one in every of many beneficial guides, corresponding to this Hidden Mickey guide on Amazon by Keven Neary, who’s featured within the TPG video beneath.
You may go on scavenger hunts
In the event you go to Disney World regularly and also you’re trying to shake issues up a bit, attempt a enjoyable (and infrequently free) scavenger hunt.
There are some Disney World scavenger hunts which are free and obtainable year-round. Within the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland space, you’ll be able to seek for Pascal, the chameleon from “Tangled,” close to the Rapunzel-themed restrooms (there are 10 in complete).
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Pascal scavenger hunt on the Magic Kingdom. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Additionally within the Magic Kingdom, you’ll be able to grow to be a real-life swashbuckler at A Pirate’s Journey ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas in Adventureland. This interactive scavenger hunt is free and has a variety of enjoyable surprises.
In the event you occur to be staying in a Disney World resort, there are sometimes scavenger hunts that ship you working across the resort grounds. You earn a prize (we have gotten buttons or a candy deal with) if you full the hunt, and the clues are typically themed to holidays and particular occasions.
Associated: The right way to save your Disney trip when the parks are absurdly crowded
There are additionally paid scavenger hunts that take your search to the following stage.
Throughout Epcot’s limited-time festivals, you should buy a map for about $10 that leads you across the park to seek for clues. If you full the hunt, you flip in your map for a prize. Throughout the Epcot Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition, for instance, you’ll be able to participate in Remy’s Ratatouille Cover & Squeak and earn a enjoyable prize like a personality spork or miniature cornhole.
Children can grow to be Wilderness Explorers
As Russell from “Up!” stated, “The wilderness should be explored!” At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, youngsters can be part of Russell’s ranks and grow to be official Wilderness Explorers. If you enter the park, search for the Wilderness Explorers headquarters and choose up a handbook.
Contained in the guide, there are a number of actions that educate youngsters about animals and conservation. For every exercise they full, they earn a badge. Accumulate greater than 25 badges they usually’ll grow to be official Wilderness Explorers.
You may take part in as few or as many actions as you want, and it is a enjoyable option to discover all the things this park has to supply past the rides.
You may mail a letter with a Disney postmark
The turn-of-the-century mailboxes on the Magic Kingdom’s Predominant Road, U.S.A. are extra than simply well-themed decorations. They’re actual, working mailboxes, and the mail is collected day by day by Disney solid members who move it off to the US Postal Service.
You may deliver your individual postcard and stamp or buy them from places round all 4 Disney World parks. Earlier than you drop mail within the field, cease by Visitor Relations to get your unique Disney postmark.
Children can run round play areas
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Dumbo the Flying Elephant play space. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Whereas Disney is likely one of the most kid-friendly parks on the market relating to points of interest with low (or no) peak necessities, any mother or father who has taken their youngsters to Disney World is aware of that youngsters cannot simply go from trip to trip to trip all day and not using a break.
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Mission: House play space. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Children want an opportunity to expend pent-up vitality, and all 4 Disney World parks have indoor and out of doors play areas the place they’ll do exactly that. A couple of of my favorites embrace:
- Circus-themed indoor (i.e., air-conditioned) play space within the queue for Dumbo the Flying Elephant on the Magic Kingdom
- House-themed play space (with video video games for older youngsters) on the exit of Mission: House in Epcot
- The Boneyard fossil dig web site at Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand U.S.A.
- Out of doors playground in Epcot behind the Creations Store
- Interactive indoor play space on the exit to Journey Into Creativeness with Figment at Epcot
You may guide a personal picture session
Whether or not you need a particular memento of your journey or that excellent picture with out different vacationers within the background however lack Photoshop abilities, Disney affords personal picture periods in any respect 4 theme parks.
At $99 for a 20-minute picture session for as much as eight friends, it is surprisingly inexpensive so far as Disney costs go.
You should use it to commemorate a birthday, household reunion or different special day, or guide a morning session to get all of your trip images out of the best way earlier than the warmth and humidity set in.
Though same-day periods are sometimes obtainable, you will have higher luck reserving your session prematurely through Disney’s web site.
Associated: The very best $120 I’ve spent at Disney this 12 months bought me into Magic Kingdom’s secret tunnels
You may take dwelling free souvenirs
I have not cracked the code on get a free Disney trip but (although utilizing factors and miles might help), however I do know the place you could find a couple of free souvenirs to deliver dwelling out of your journey.
The primary one you could already know as a result of it is a fairly fashionable one, however you’ll be able to choose up free buttons at any visitor companies location within the parks. There are buttons to have fun a primary go to, birthday or anniversary or generic “I am Celebrating” buttons the place a solid member can write within the particulars of your particular celebration.
Different free souvenirs embrace transportation buying and selling playing cards you’ll be able to accumulate from bus, monorail and ferry drivers and on the Skyliner stations. Children also can get KidCot postcards from every of the World Showcase pavilions, they usually’ll obtain a bonus postcard for gathering all 11 KidCot playing cards.
You may commerce pins with solid members
Pin buying and selling has been an official Disney exercise for 25 years. There are a number of ranges of pin buying and selling. Some friends have 1000’s of pins and go to the parks particularly to commerce for sure pins and meet up with different pin-trading lovers. Others are extra informal merchants, utilizing it as a possibility to gather a singular memento from their trip.
All you want to get began with pin buying and selling is only one pin. You should purchase particular person Disney pins or starter units with a lanyard and a number of pins from a number of Disney procuring places contained in the park and at Pin Merchants in Disney Springs.
After getting a pin (or pins), search for a pin board or a solid member with a lanyard or pouch with pins and ask them to commerce. You may commerce your pin for any of their pins. Typically, there are hidden pins which you could solely commerce for should you appropriately reply the solid member’s trivia query.
Pin buying and selling could be a variety of enjoyable for youths or adults who need to add one other layer of enjoyable to their journeys, whereas gathering cheap souvenirs.
You may hop a trip down Predominant Road, USA
There are every kind of magical methods to bop round Walt Disney World — the Skyliner, the Monorail or a red-and-white polka-dot Minnie Van, to call a couple of.
One of many lesser-known modes of transportation at Disney is the Predominant Road Automobiles within the Magic Kingdom.
You may hop on a colourful trolley, omnibus, jitney or hearth engine and luxuriate in a whimsical trip between City Sq. and Cinderella Fort. It is mainly like being in a Disney parade, so remember to wave at your adoring followers. These can be found on a first-come, first-served foundation and sometimes solely run within the early working hours, although they sometimes make a return late within the afternoon.
The Magic Kingdom is definitely on the second flooring of the park
OK, persist with me on this one. If you stroll by means of the doorway tunnel to the Magic Kingdom and onto Predominant Road, U.S.A., you’re technically on the second flooring of the Magic Kingdom.
The primary flooring is hidden underground and permits solid members, characters and provides to maneuver all through the park whereas staying out of sight. Dubbed the “Utilidor,” this tunnel system is sometimes called underground, nevertheless it’s really the park’s floor flooring.
The tree in Liberty Sq. was hand-chosen by Walt Disney
The Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Sq. is themed after Colonial America, full with a duplicate Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree, the place the colonists’ first act of defiance towards the British was staged in 1765. Disney’s Liberty Tree was hand-chosen by Walt Disney and transplanted about 6 miles from its unique location elsewhere on Disney property.
The tree is so vital to the park that acorns from the tree are collected and planted in order that they can be utilized to switch the present tree ought to misfortune (or lightning) strike.
You may taste-test (free) sodas from all over the world at Epcot
Membership Cool has been an Epcot staple for the reason that late Nineteen Nineties, although it just lately moved into some new digs. The Coca-Cola-sponsored venue lets friends pattern sodas from Italy, Korea, the Dominican Republic and different international locations from all over the world at no further cost.
Some sodas are tastier than others, however making your means by means of every taste to search out your favourite is a part of the expertise. The truth is, probably the most well-known flavors is known as the “Beverly” — a bitter nonalcoholic aperitif from Italy — that’s nearly universally disliked. Consuming it’s virtually an Epcot ceremony of passage, as are the sticky sneakers you will stroll out with if you’re by means of.
There are a variety of Easter eggs
From the enterprise names on the home windows on Predominant Road, U.S.A. to numbers painted on a trash can in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, virtually each element in Disney World has a narrative behind it.
The home windows, for instance, bear the names of women and men who’ve been influential to The Walt Disney Firm through the years. In the event you see a reputation, quantity or character — or the rest that you simply suspect may need a hidden that means — you’re most likely proper. Ask a solid member to substantiate your hunch.
Listed here are a couple of of my favourite Easter eggs at Disney World:
- There’s a portray of Mr. Toad handing the deed over in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh trip within the Magic Kingdom as a result of Mr. Toad’s Wild Trip was closed to construct the Winnie the Pooh trip. You will additionally see a small statue of Mr. Toad within the graveyard on the exit of the Haunted Mansion.
- There’s a window above the Emporium on Predominant Road, U.S.A. with the title “Elias Disney” on it. This was Walt Disney’s father.
- In the event you have a look at Cinderella’s fountain within the Magic Kingdom on the proper angle, the crown seems as if she is sporting it on her head (just like the princess she is).
- Barnabas T. Bullion, the proprietor of Massive Thunder Mountain Mining Firm, whose portrait hangs within the queue for the Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad coaster, is modeled after Tony Baxter, a Walt Disney Imagineer who labored on the attraction.
- On Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios, the poster for “The Nice Transferring Trip” is a nod to “The Nice Film Trip,” the attraction it changed. You will additionally see an indication for a flower store with the deal with “1401.” It is a reference to the situation of Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California, at 1401 Flower St.
You may watch a day by day flag retreat ceremony
Every day within the Magic Kingdom’s City Sq., Disney pays tribute to our U.S. army veterans with a patriotic flag retreat ceremony. As a part of the ceremony, a veteran is chosen (typically at random) to help with the decreasing of the American flag whereas the Predominant Road Philharmonic performs the “Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”
The ceremony normally takes place round 5 p.m. as a result of it’s customary solely to show the American flag from dawn to sundown, in line with the U.S. flag code. Different flags you see contained in the Disney parks should not topic to this code as a result of they’re lacking a star or stripe and should not technically “actual” American flags.
There are grown-up variations of Disney treats
I’d by no means flip down a Dole Whip or Mickey-shaped beignet, however I would be much more inclined to partake if it had an extra-special adults-only spin. A few of Disney’s hottest treats have spiked variations that may be simply the deal with you deserve after spending a protracted day at Disney.
You will discover these treats on the parks, Disney Springs and a few of Disney’s resort accommodations, and they’re effectively definitely worth the bus trip. Higher but, take a Minnie Van.
This is the place you could find my favorites:
- Frozen margarita made with lime-flavored Dole Whip at Barefoot Pool Bar at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Boozy Baton Rouge Beignets at Scat Cat’s Membership at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter
- Spiked Blue or Inexperienced Milk at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Frozcato (Dole Whip, Moscato and vodka) at Wine Bar George in Disney Springs
- Pineapple Dole Whip with a rum floater at Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
You may personalize your souvenirs on a budget
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Customized pin at Disney World. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
In the event you take our recommendation and choose up free memento buttons if you stroll into the Magic Kingdom, you’ll be able to pay just some {dollars} to have them customized by a Disney artist at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Sq..
You may select from quite a lot of fonts, colours and illustrations to jazz up your memento, they usually additionally promote quite a lot of customizable vacation ornaments within the store. Pricing for objects such because the TPG button we made on a latest journey begins at $3.
1 land within the Magic Kingdom has no loos
You’re by no means too removed from a rest room (or trash can) at Disney World, however there may be one land within the Magic Kingdom the place you will not discover a single public restroom: Liberty Sq..
Liberty Sq. is ready in Colonial occasions when indoor plumbing didn’t exist. Disney, ever the masters of theming, selected to stay to the timeline and construct the land with out public restrooms.
No want to fret, although. There are restrooms close by in Frontierland and Fantasyland, or, in case you are eating at Columbia Harbor Home or Liberty Tree Tavern, you should use the restroom there.
Children can get a magical haircut
Even on a regular basis issues like haircuts are only a bit extra magical at Disney World than they’re at dwelling. Children (and adults) can get their hair lower at Concord Barber Store within the Magic Kingdom for an inexpensive value (beginning at round $20 or half that for a beard trim).
The barbershop affords a particular “first haircut” bundle that comes with a commemorative Mickey Ears hat, a souvenir lock of hair and a certificates, however even commonplace haircuts include the choice so as to add a sprinkle of “pixie mud” to complete off your new ‘do.
Advance reservations are extremely really useful, and pricing doesn’t embrace gratuity, which should be paid in money.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is stuffed with secrets and techniques
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Millennium Falcon at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Not solely is the Millennium Falcon the primary full-size model ever created, however there may be additionally a tiny Millennium Falcon hidden within the ship’s undercarriage. Search for it below the vented a part of the cockpit close to the doorway to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
You will additionally most likely see the numbers 77, 80 and 83 all through the land (a simple one to identify is contained in the Docking Bay 7 eatery). These are references to the years the three unique “Star Wars” movies had been launched.
One in all my favourite issues concerning the land is how seamlessly it interacts with the “datapad” within the Play Disney Parks app.
You may translate indicators written within the Star Wars language of Aurebesh, decrypt secret messages and hack into droids. Enjoying with the datapad characteristic unlocks one other stage of enjoyable within the land, which is available in particularly helpful if the traces are lengthy.
You may grow to be a Batuu Bounty Hunter
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Batuu Bounty Hunters at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Talking of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll be able to grow to be a bounty hunter a la Boba Fett, and all you want is a MagicBand+ and your smartphone.
You will begin by visiting the “bounty board” situated between the Droid Depot and {the marketplace} stalls. If you faucet your band to the touchpoint with the Batuu Bounty Hunters image, you will be assigned a bounty to find (in your first spherical, additionally, you will obtain an introduction to the sport).
Bounties are hidden behind doorways in Galaxy’s Edge (the doorways even have the Batuu Bounty Hunters image painted on them). Begin by selecting a path and strolling. In case you are getting nearer to the right door, your MagicBand+ will vibrate and lightweight up inexperienced. In case you are getting additional away, it will flip pink. The nearer you get to your bounty, the faster your band will vibrate.
In the event you stroll as much as a door and your band turns purple, you’ve got discovered your bounty. Open the Play Disney Parks app and use the thermal scanner characteristic to scan the door and reveal the bounty hiding behind the door.
After you’ve got situated your bounty, head to the doorway to the suitable of the bounty board to gather your credit. From there, you’ll be able to stroll proper again over to the bounty board to gather your subsequent bounty. You may play as little or so long as you want, and the app will save your progress so you’ll be able to choose the sport again up on future journeys.
You may watch free Motion pictures below the celebrities
All Disney World accommodations have a day by day actions schedule. Some, like arts and crafts or tie-dye T-shirt making, carry a further charge, however many are free for resort friends. All Disney World accommodations have weekly complimentary out of doors film screenings.
You need to see day by day exercise schedules posted across the resort, however you too can ask a resort solid member when the property is exhibiting motion pictures that week. Different free actions embrace issues like pool video games and nightly campfires. You may roast marshmallows without cost or go all-out and buy a s’mores package.
There are shock character conferences
Most Disney character meet-and-greet occasions and places are displayed within the Disney World app, however Disney would not be Disney and not using a few surprises. Do not financial institution on it, however there are occasions when you could occur upon a uncommon character assembly or a complete slew of characters making their means by means of the park collectively.
Sometimes, Disney will do “take a look at runs” earlier than bringing characters out for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Occasion or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Occasion. In the event you go to within the weeks main as much as these occasions, you could get fortunate and spot them training for his or her upcoming appearances. Or, even should you do not spot them, you could get tapped on the shoulder by a solid member and requested if you need a particular meet-and-greet that occurs backstage.
Some fortunate Disney friends have additionally gotten caught up in what Disney followers consult with as “Character Palooza” — a gaggle of characters who all come out on the similar time for images and autographs. Typically, uncommon characters just like the penguin from “Mary Poppins” and Gepetto from “Pinocchio” will present up with the same old solid of characters.
You do not even have to go to a theme park to satisfy uncommon Disney characters. Characters additionally make the rounds in Disney World resort lobbies. You may even see an indication within the foyer with the dates and time home windows for these meet-and-greets, or you’ll be able to ask a solid member on the entrance desk.
This summer time, choose accommodations (Disney’s Artwork of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Seaside Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge) will submit particular meet-and-greet occasions in order that households can see their favourite characters with out ready in line on the parks.
Backside line
One factor I’ve seen through the years is that vacationers hear about “magical moments” that typically occur at Disney World and hope for their very own little little bit of pixie mud, like a free Mickey-shaped ice cream, skip-the-line move or one other shock perk. If they do not get a magical second, they’re typically disillusioned.
One of the best ways to keep away from that disappointment is to make your individual magic.
You may seek for Hidden Mickeys, cease in for a confetti-topped haircut or choose up a free memento … and perhaps even add an additional artist’s contact to it for a couple of {dollars}. You will come dwelling with numerous blissful reminiscences and newfound Disney information to share with family and friends.
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