- Published on
Whether this is your first trip to Magic Kingdom or your hundredth trip, there's still new things to discover. As they say, "It's all in the details," and nobody does it quite like Disney's imagineers. Here's a list of several fun little details and hidden tidbits of FUN you can be on the lookout for during your time in Magic Kingdom. Be sure to let me know how many you were able to find.
- Coins tossed in the various water fountains and wells - All coins tossed in the various water fountains and wells around Walt Disney World® Resort are all donated to local children's charities around Florida, so let your kids have fun tossing a few coins and making wishes come true! (One is located behind Cinderella castle and in front of Gaston's Tavern)
- Harmony Barber Shop - It's a real barber shop! Your child can get the "1st haircut" package complete with a "My 1st haircut" certificate and a pair of Mickey ears that say "My 1st Haircut" on the back. Adults & older children can also make an appointment in advance of your trip for a cut or trim for a nominal fee of $18-$19.
- Look Up at the Names On the Windows on Main Street, U.S.A - This is a tribute to those imagineers that helped to create the Magic Kingdom. The words on the windows reference the work they did for the Walt Disney company.
- Main Street Alley Next to the Crystal Arts Shop - Go all the way down to the end, and if it's quiet enough at that time you may hear someone playing the piano or conducting voice lessons for the citizens of Main Street from the windows above. It's a music school, so you may hear some fun extra sounds coming out of the window from above when in this alley.
- Casey's Corner - Jim is a ragtime pianist that plays multiple times a day, so be sure to catch one of his fun performances.
- Flat Retreat Ceremony - Everyday at 5:00pm, the flag at the flagpole in Town Square. This is the ONLY "real" American flag in the park. A park guest that is an active-duty or retired member of the U.S. Uniformed Services is asked to assist the Cast Member each day during this ceremony.
- Flags on Main Street Are Not Real American Flags - They are either missing a star or stripe making them not "official" American flags, so they aren't required to be lowered daily.
- Tony's Town Square Restaurant - Look for the pair of paw prints in the heart in cement...belonging to Lady and the Tramp.
- Skipper's Canteen, Navigation Co. - This table service restaurant has a "secret" dining room called the S.E.A Dining Room, which is part of Society of Explorer's and Adventurers, you're going to walk past some bookshelves that is the secret entrance to this dining room, but check out the titles on the books. "Boat Evacuation Procedures" by Cap Size and more. "The Jungle Book" is the only book at a slight angle because it's the secret way to open the door to the secret dining room, so be sure to request to dine in the "secret" dining room.
- "Pirate's of the Caribbean" attraction - As you go through the queue, you will see two skeletons playing chess "supposedley" locked in a stalemate, but it's been rumored that Cast Members have, at various times, moved the chess pieces to look like the skeletons are still playing the game.
- Hidden Mickey on Tiana's Bayou Adventure - At the top of the big hill just before you drop there is a hidden Mickey to the left that is his profile. You can see his nose sticking out.
- Frontierland Characters - Many times you may see some of the rare characters come out to dance along with guests. You can't plan for it, just be on the lookout for them as you are passing through.
- Liberty Square - Ever wonder there is a brown curvy pathway throughout Liberty Square? It represents Colonial times when people threw their waste (human and/or animal) out of windows to run down the street. I know....YUCK!
- Haunted Mansion - The Bride's Wedding Ring - While in the queue for Haunted Mansion be sure to look down for the bride's wedding ring that's embedded in the concrete. It's located near the water crypt that intermittently sprays every now and right at the separation of the FastPass line and Standby line..where they come together near the green trash can.
- Liberty Square Live Oak (100 years old) - It has 13 Lanterns Hanging from its branches. This is to represent the original 13 colonies.
- Lanterns in the Window in Liberty Square - Look up at the windows in the houses around Liberty Square and see the pair of lanterns in one of the windows. This was to warn that the British were coming by sea. (History Tidbit: 1 if by land, 2 if by sea.)
- Madame Leota's Gravestone (Haunted Mansion) - It's located just before you go into the mansion on the left, and if you look at it long enough you may see her open her eyes, look around and then close her eyes again. Very Fun! If you don't look, you'll miss it.
- Exiting Haunted Mansion - Look for Mr. Toad in the Pet Cemetary - Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was an attraction that was eventually closed and replaced with The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh in Fantasyland. Another tribute to Mr. Toad is found on The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh painted on the wall with Mr. Toad handing the deed to the ride to Owl when you go through the first set of doors to the ride.
- Haunted Mansion at Night - Be sure to look up when you exit because you may see someone walk past the upstairs window of the mansion.
- Tangled Restrooms near Rapunzel's Tower in Fantasyland - The fake tree stumps near the seating house USB charger ports to recharge your phone. Look for the Hidden Pascals near the water feature and landscaping outside the restrooms, and be sure to look down to see Maximus's hoof prints stamped in the concrete and check back after dark for an exclusive nighttime only photo op holding a floating lantern.
- Inside Pinnochio's Village Haus - Go all the way to the left and back of the main dining area you will find the "Village House Wish Book" where kids can write down their wish for the Blue Fairy to grant. It's fun to look and see what other kids have wished for, so be sure to head back there to write down your own wish.
- Sword in the Stone beside the Prince Charming's Carousel - There is an actual show that happens during the day. Only the "worthy" one will be able to pull the sword out of the stone.
- Little Mermaid Hidden Mickey's - This attraction is full of hidden Mickey's, but outside before you enter the attraction you can find a hidden Steamboat Willie made up of multiple rocks to the left of ride's exit and spot the nautilus in the rocks just as you enter and is a reference to the 20,00 Leaugues Beneath the Sea attraction that used to be there before the new Fantasyland was built.
- Transit People Mover (Tomorrowland) - There is a model of Walt's original plans for Epcot and his vision for the "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow" that you can see while riding.
- Carousel of Progress - Hidden Photo of Walt Disney - You can see it in the daughter's bedroom, and there are at least (4) hidden Mickey's in the final scene in the gifts and on the kitchen counter.
- The Grandmother from the Carousel of Progress can also be seen in the ballroom scene in Haunted Mansion.
- Metal Palm Trees in Tomorrowland - The back story on these were supposed to be an invention of the Tomorrowland Power Company to collect solar energy to store in the coconuts. If you see a tree without coconuts it means the energy has already been harvested.
- Cinderella Fountain Behind the castle - Look at it from a child's perspective (height), and it looks like the crown in the mural sits on top of Cinderella's head.
- The Kiss Goodnight! - If you stay till the very end of the night you will get to experience the "Kiss Goodnight." If you look closely at the clock on Cinderella castle you may see the hands move just as there is a special sparkle effect on the castle paired with a partial playing of "When You Wish Upon A Star" and a special thank you message for coming to enjoy the Magic Kingdom. It's something you should stick around to see at least once.
- Published on
It's Wednesday, so let's do a little "Where in the World can I find..." around Walt Disney World Resort with some fun dining tips. Some of these you may already know about these, and if you agree with my opinions below, please comment below. If you have some of your own favorite spots that's a "must do" when you're at Walt Disney World Resort, please share in the comments below. Now, let's get started.
Dining Tips:
If you want to be at the park for Early Morning Entry for resort guests, plan to grab something for breakfast once you're at the park at a quick service location.
Dining Tips:
If you want to be at the park for Early Morning Entry for resort guests, plan to grab something for breakfast once you're at the park at a quick service location.
- There is a Starbucks in each theme park, and you can find parfaits, breakfast sandwiches/croissants, muffin or cinnamon roll. This will keep everyone moving in the morning, and you won't get behind if the food court is super busy at your resort. Alternate Option: Have some muffins, fruit and drinks in your room to grab and go while getting ready.
- Absolutley! There are plenty of healthier food options to be found around Walt Disney World Resort, including allergy-friendly options as well. I have a complete document of what's available and where around all the quick service dining locations at each of the four theme parks. This is included when you book your Disney vacation package with me and use my planning services.
- If you're at Magic Kingdom, hop on the monorail (or resort ferry boat) over to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and grab a seat the bar just at the entrance of Ohana. You can order the Ohana noodles, Honey Coriander sticky wings or steak bites off the menu there. You'll get enough to share between at least two people, and you won't break the bank doing it because it's much less than a full meal, which it's nice, at O'hana. When you're finished, head downstairs to grab a Dole Whip (with or without a coconut rum floater) from Pineapple Lanai.
- Another good option, is to take the resort ferry over to Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort and enjoy nice waterfront view of Bay Lake at Geyser's Point or the inside option at Roaring Forks for some good barbeque and more.
- If you're at Hollywood Studios, hop on the Disney Skyliner over to Disney's Riviera Resort and enjoy the quick service options at either Bar Riva or Primo Piatto. Both offer really good food at the same price as you will pay inside the parks, but a little better quality. :)
- If you're at Disney's Animal Kingdom, you've got a few good options right inside this park. Try to get your name on the list for Nomad's Lounge located in Africa...just as you make the turn to head towards Pandora. They have a menu of cocktails, mocktailes and small bites that are good. They also have a covered outdoor deck overlooking Discovery River. Another good option is Satul'i Canteen in Pandora or Flame Tree BBQ near the Tree of Life.
- EPCOT - Need I say more, really? There is NO shortage of food options here. One of my favorite quick service locations is Les Halles Boulanderie Patisserie in France, the pizza windo in Italy or festival booths during any festival that may be going on when I'm there.
- This is easy, Ale & Compass at Disney's Yacht Club Resort is one of the best priced options that is NOT a character dining experience. You can choose to order off their breakfast menu or you can choose to add on the buffet along with your a la carte breakfast order. The buffet includes continental options like fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, pastries, muffins, house made granola and cheddar biscuits and gravy.
- My favorite Character Dining Experience for breakfast is definitely "Minnie's Beach Bash Breakfast" at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. I really like the setup they have for the buffet there because it's set up in a way that you don't have to wait in single long line. You can go to the side that has what you would like and get it fairly quickly so you can get the kids started without having a meltdown because they're waiting too long. You will meet Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck and Goofy each in their beach attire. In addition to the buffet, there is a custom made omelet station...yea!
- Best Non-Character Breakfast Buffet with the added benefit of unique theming - Hands down, it's Boma at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. This is one of the most unique resorts on WDW property and hosts the largest collection of African artifacts in the U. S. Walking through the lobby is like strolling through a museum. It's very interesting. After breakfast, we love to walk out to see the animals from the two different observation areas and talking to the cultural representatives that are there working from Africa.
- Do NOT skip out of the fresh made-to-order New Orleans style Mickey shaped beignets drenched in powder sugar from Scat Cat's at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort...and be sure to get a side of chocolate ganache to dip them in too! Mmmmm....soo good!
- How to get there: If you have your vehicle with you at WDW, then just drive over and tell the Security guard you're there for the beignets. They are very used to this and will direct you in to park. If you have a day/evening at Disney Springs and do not have a car, you can take the resort ferry boat from the far end of Marketplace at Disney Springs over to Port Orleans French Quarter Resort...it's a nice ride. Otherwise, you can take a Disney bus from any theme park or Disney Springs there. Just remember, the buses do NOT go from resort to resort, so you will have to transfer back through a theme park or Disney Springs to get back to your resort. Is it worth it....100%!
