disney little known experiences

[nicolesmom]

I was reading the boards and found out about waking up tinkerbell and
if you find a paint brush on Tom Sawyer Island and turn it in to a cast member you get free fast passes. Does anyone know of other things like these that we can try to do to have unique Disney experience?


Thanks
Nicole's mom

[Cruz91]

Good luck with Tink. We have been at rope drop about 15 times and still haven't been first in line to wake her up! DD is 5 now - so maybe she'll run faster on our next trip!

[nicolesmom]

I've heard that if you get an early reservation to the Cinderella breakfast that it is closer to the shop and you stand a better change of getting to wake tink. Any thoughts on this stratagy.

[tigercat]

What is this about waking up Tink?
tigercat

[seashoreCM]

First one to Tinker Bell's Treasures and who asks gets to do a little ceremony, waving a wand. You don't actually see Tinker Bell, only a stream of sparks she leaves behind.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

I really think that, to reduce aggressive behavior, the ceremony should be changed to allow several persons who asked at roughly the same time to take turns trying, where it is unknown as to on whose try Tink' will actually wake up.

[PartyFromSaturn]

We have been the first ones in line at Disney restaurants when they open up for the day a couple of times, and that has been really fun. They had someone from our group lead all the employees in cheers and she got a certificate from them after she did it. That was at Flame Tree at AK. Pizzafari gave out a cupcake to the first one in line.

Finding Hidden Mickeys is also a way to feel like you're doing something special.

Requesting a seat in the front of the Monorail is a lot of fun too.
Good luck! These types of things are my favorite part about WDW.

[REW91599]

Maybe not little known, but my ds's enjoy making the masks or doing the passport in Epcots WS (at the kid stops). They have so much fun talking to the CMs and finding the hidden spots!

[Princess_Melanie]

I've been lucky enough to wake up Tink - on our trip to WDW in May this year....from the moment DBF booked the trip and then told me he had it was the one thing I really wanted to do!! Must have been a quiet-ish day as we were at the entrance long before they opened it and we dashed over to Tink's Treasures and I was lucky enough to be the 1st to ask if Tink was awake yet :) It was so much fun (and I dont care if some people think it's childish - you're as young as you want to be at Disney!!)

I uploaded our video of it onto YouTube - if anyone wants to see it, PM me and I'll send you the link!!

(Hint - make sure you do it on a day where there is no EMH in the morning - the CM in the store said they're usually Queueing up outside to get in most days!!)

[nicolesmom]

Just found some more info on the web.

Did you know that at the Norway pavilion in Epcot, each day the first guest on the Maelstrom ride receives a free Viking hat that says "Viking of the Day"?

Enjoy free Ghirardelli Chocolate. While you are exploring the Downtown Disney Marketplace, be sure to make a stop at the Ghirardelli store and you will usually find an employee handing out free samples of fine chocolate.

[emh1129]

We were able to wake up Tink on our trip in January. We went straight from CRT breakfast to Tink's at rope drop and dd was the first little one of the day :)

[Dana49]

In Epcot's World Showcase, visit the gardens in France and usually, you'll meet one of the characters. Very few people go back there, so it's normally a private meet.
The same holds true of the walkway leaving Epcot's World Showcase that leads to the Epcot resorts (YC, BC, etc.). There are normally a couple of characters there with very few children around them. It makes for great photo opportunities.

[SGMCO]

Also after rope drop at AK go directly to Camp Mickey and hardly nobody is there yet.
The characters come out and you have more time with them.
We did this whenever my DS was 6 years old and he was just walking, wondering over the bridge and then both Chip and Dale came over the bridge and took his hand (with him in the middle) and walked back over the bridge.
We got pictures of this and the look on his face is so cute.
We were then able to go up to all the the Characters without having to wait in a long line, we must have got 10 autograph in one setting.:woohoo:

[nicolesmom]

Just found out for those of you dining at the Coral Reef resturant and want a diver to hold up a messsage (Happy Birhday or Will you Marry me etc) They typically only send divers in with messages 5 times a day tops this is because they want to keep it to a miniumn so call as early as you can before you arrive if you want the diver to hold up a message. Or you can get a personalized menu with your photo's on it just call Debbi at the Coral Reef or e-mail her directly please be sure to include your reservation number time of dining and persons name send e-mail to Debbi.A.Sacleux@disney.com This service is FREE!!!!!

[Disneybridein2k3]

Just found out for those of you dining at the Coral Reef resturant and want a diver to hold up a messsage (Happy Birhday or Will you Marry me etc) They typically only send divers in with messages 5 times a day tops this is because they want to keep it to a miniumn so call as early as you can before you arrive if you want the diver to hold up a message. Or you can get a personalized menu with your photo's on it just call Debbi at the Coral Reef or e-mail her directly please be sure to include your reservation number time of dining and persons name send e-mail to Debbi.A.Sacleux@disney.com This service is FREE!!!!!
great tip! :thumbsup2

[Gens925]

What a great thread! Thanks for all of the little tid bits.... I will be checking back here often to see what else I can learn or pick up before I go in October!!!!

[texasteacher35]

We are doing the diver at Coral Reef! Can't wait!

[kevin75]

this is a great thread.

[lost shaker]

Just found out for those of you dining at the Coral Reef resturant and want a diver to hold up a messsage (Happy Birhday or Will you Marry me etc) They typically only send divers in with messages 5 times a day tops this is because they want to keep it to a miniumn so call as early as you can before you arrive if you want the diver to hold up a message. Or you can get a personalized menu with your photo's on it just call Debbi at the Coral Reef or e-mail her directly please be sure to include your reservation number time of dining and persons name send e-mail to Debbi.A.Sacleux@disney.com This service is FREE!!!!!

So do they come by your table to let you know when the diver is going in? This would be a great way to share a special message.

--m

[reigle4]

I've been lucky enough to wake up Tink - on our trip to WDW in May this year....from the moment DBF booked the trip and then told me he had it was the one thing I really wanted to do!! Must have been a quiet-ish day as we were at the entrance long before they opened it and we dashed over to Tink's Treasures and I was lucky enough to be the 1st to ask if Tink was awake yet :) It was so much fun (and I dont care if some people think it's childish - you're as young as you want to be at Disney!!)

I uploaded our video of it onto YouTube - if anyone wants to see it, PM me and I'll send you the link!!

(Hint - make sure you do it on a day where there is no EMH in the morning - the CM in the store said they're usually Queueing up outside to get in most days!!)

reigle4@bellsouth.net. If you could let me go to your tube to see the tink wake up I would appreciate it

[The Kingdom]

I used a real passport at epcot and got it stamped at the countries.
sincerely,
alan:goodvibes

[jnadelman]

You can drive (sort of) the Monorail. If you go mid day, and they are not crowded, just ask. Teh front car holds 4 people. You sit up front with the driver and get a great view. We were then able to take pictures of the kids sitting in the driver seat and they got 'monorail drivers licenes'
It was great.

[whgrn]

I used a real passport at epcot and got it stamped at the countries.
sincerely,
alan:goodvibes

No way!!!! Is this legal??? What a totally cool idea--my kids would LOVE it with their new passports!

Where do you go in each "country" to get them stamped?

[red1der1]

These are all great tips. Keep them coming!!!

[Andrea]

cant wait for our trip in january

[trayletha]

At the Land pavilion in Epcot children between 3 and 10 can help make a batch of chocolate chip cookies. They get a personalized paper chef's hat and two cookies. The bakery front is bright yellow and in the far left (from the stairs) corner near the Sunshince Season Food - the times are posted and you just line up there isn't any registration. Our DD did this on our last trip - and is really looking forward to doing it angain.

[RosiePosie35]

Not sure if this is little known or not, but it was a great find for me.

You can try a segway at Epcot innoventions. You just get in line listen to a presentation and sign a waiver. Then you ride one while a CM talks you through it. You do simply go forward for 20 ft or so turn around and come back. But it is a cool free experience.

The kids also love building the plastic robots at Epcot innoventions as well.

[minnie29uk]

Just found some more info on the web.

Did you know that at the Norway pavilion in Epcot, each day the first guest on the Maelstrom ride receives a free Viking hat that says "Viking of the Day"?

Enjoy free Ghirardelli Chocolate. While you are exploring the Downtown Disney Marketplace, be sure to make a stop at the Ghirardelli store and you will usually find an employee handing out free samples of fine chocolate.

Im sure we were first on there at our trip this year as I thought the countries opened at 9 ,but it was 10 and so we were early,

Lynn :confused3

[angwill]

Just found out for those of you dining at the Coral Reef resturant and want a diver to hold up a messsage (Happy Birhday or Will you Marry me etc) They typically only send divers in with messages 5 times a day tops this is because they want to keep it to a miniumn so call as early as you can before you arrive if you want the diver to hold up a message. Or you can get a personalized menu with your photo's on it just call Debbi at the Coral Reef or e-mail her directly please be sure to include your reservation number time of dining and persons name send e-mail to Debbi.A.Sacleux@disney.com This service is FREE!!!!!

I didn't read furthur so I don't know if anyone mentioned this but the email listed is a private email so you probably will not get a response. You need to call the restaurant if you want this done please don't overload her email box. You can call the disney dining phone number to get connected to Coral Reef in Epcot.