Any "Hidden Gems" at DLR?

[ZoZo]

Any hidden gems that we shouldn't miss at DLR? One thing I want to try this trip is the Animation Academy drawing class - I think they closed it at WDW, and I never took the time to go.

Any other things that are a little off the beaten path that most folks miss? Any suggestions would be appreciated, whether they're attractions, restaurants that are often overlooked, etc.

Thanks!

 

[Nonsuch]

...One thing I want to try this trip is the Animation Academy drawing class - I think they closed it at WDW, and I never took the time to go...

While in the Animation building, don't miss the Sorcerer's Workshop.

Have a drink in the Carthay Circle Lounge. There is also a short (30 minutes and free) tour of Cathay Circle at 10:30AM.

Cars Land at dusk, lights up just like in the movie.

 

[Mommy26]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for...

Halloween Carnival
Lilybelle traincar
Captaining the Mark Twain
Free maps on Jungle Cruise
Penny presses (many)
Pixie Hollow light show
Oh! The petting zoo that I think is going away soon
Art gallery on Main street
Main street cinema and Mr Lincoln
Tour of Walt's apartment
Main street vehicles (I think you can ride a firetruck and carriage etc.)
Red Car Trolleys
I personally love Turtle talk with Crush (not really hidden anymore)

The Blue Dinosaur eggs next to Rockets pizza port
The disneyland cats
The little man's house
Free Pixie Dust next to the castle
Markethouse phones
The hidden bathroom
Several live performances
Fortune tellers in pieces of eight and Main street? and Aladdin's lamp
Echo circle next to innoventions
Geocache/ Letterbox
Hidden Mickeys


Hope I'm not giving out special secrets. Most people find most of these things boring.

 

[Angrose]

Some things that I can think of off the top of my head:

Band show with Mickey and Friends in front of castle - I saw this once on a Sunday around 11am, it's really cute with Mickey in his band uniform and the other characters like Pinnochio, Donald, Goofy - it was a nice surprise that was not on the schedule.

Pearly Band show with Mary Poppins and Bert - also in front of the castle, this one I think was at 2pm. Again, not on the schedule.

Riding in the cockpit of the Monorail - I don't think a lot of people realize they can ask to do this. It's such a great view and one of my DS7's favorite "rides". Get on in Tomorrowland and take the roundtrip (you won't have to get off at the DTD stop).

Primeval World and the Disneyland train - the train route between the Tomorrowland and Main St. stops have the Grand Canyon diorama and Primeval World with the mechanical dinosaurs. Again, a favorite for my son. We take the train a lot and this just makes it even more entertaining!

I'm sure there are many others, but part of the fun is discovering your own hidden gems! Have fun!

 

[Jaylens Papa]

Snow Whites wishing well.
Always a fan of Cars Land Lighting
Tom Sawyers Island, Pirates Lair.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Mommy26, that's a great list! My favorite is the Pixie Hollow Light Show. It's very pretty and feels so private because most park goers miss this one completely since the show is secluded in Pixie Hollow.

 

[chrisaman]

I really love the cove bar at DCA. Lobster nachos are outstanding and I love their drink selection

 

[Happyjenz]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for...

Halloween Carnival
Lilybelle traincar
Captaining the Mark Twain
Free maps on Jungle Cruise
Penny presses (many)
Pixie Hollow light show
Oh! The petting zoo that I think is going away soon
Art gallery on Main street
Main street cinema and Mr Lincoln
Tour of Walt's apartment
Main street vehicles (I think you can ride a firetruck and carriage etc.)
Red Car Trolleys
I personally love Turtle talk with Crush (not really hidden anymore)

The Blue Dinosaur eggs next to Rockets pizza port
The disneyland cats
The little man's house
Free Pixie Dust next to the castle
Markethouse phones
The hidden bathroom
Several live performances
Fortune tellers in pieces of eight and Main street? and Aladdin's lamp
Echo circle next to innoventions
Geocache/ Letterbox
Hidden Mickeys


Hope I'm not giving out special secrets. Most people find most of these things boring.

Free maps on the jungle cruise, pixie dust next to the castle??...I'm intrigued! Do you just ask a CM? Tell me more

 

[Aladora]

Free maps on the jungle cruise, pixie dust next to the castle??...I'm intrigued! Do you just ask a CM? Tell me more

After you ride Jungle Cruise, ask a CM if they have any of their maps. Best to do this early in the day since they sometimes run out. Make sure you ask for the Jungle Cruise maps, there have been reports of CMs giving out park maps!

 

[ZoZo]

Wonderful - keep 'em coming!

One question - someone mentioned a tour of Walt's apartment. I think that used to be included in the "Walt's Footsteps" tour, but I remember someone mentioning that it was taken off the tour schedule. is there still some way to see the apartment? I was watching the new special on Walt Disney (on PBS's "American Experience" show) last night, and they talked about how Walt spent a lot of time at the apartment, and would often just go out into the park and mingle with the visitors (and most people didn't recognize him!). It would be so cool to see his apartment.

Thanks!

 

[meggles]

Fresh made toffee at the candy palace in DL, indoor dole whip counter in the tiki room and the tiki gods pre-show while you're waiting for the tiki room, alfresco wine terrace above cars land, watching RSR from the back patio of Flo's.

 

[lvdis]

Mommy26, that's a great list! My favorite is the Pixie Hollow Light Show. It's very pretty and feels so private because most park goers miss this one completely since the show is secluded in Pixie Hollow.

How often does the Pixie Hollow light show happen? Is it typically every night? Thanks!

 

[VandVsmama]

Every afternoon at Coke Corner, Alice and the Mad Hatter play musical chairs with kids. You have to ask at Coke Corner when it's happening. It's pretty neat.

You can also ask to captain the Mark Twain riverboat and they will give you a return time. I haven't done this myself but from what I've read online here at DIS Boards, it's best to inquire earlier in the day about this.

In the Adventureland Bazaar store, there is the Shrunken Ned prescription machine. Ned is a fake shrunken head and you insert something like 50 cents and the machine spits out a jungle prescription on a card. It's very funny!

Near the Pieces of Eight shop in New Orleans Square, there is a machine very similar to the Shrunken Ned one. It's called Pirate Red. Pirate Red sings a song and gives you a card with a fortune on it for $0.50.

 

[8lovesmickey]

Wonderful - keep 'em coming!

One question - someone mentioned a tour of Walt's apartment. I think that used to be included in the "Walt's Footsteps" tour, but I remember someone mentioning that it was taken off the tour schedule. is there still some way to see the apartment? I was watching the new special on Walt Disney (on PBS's "American Experience" show) last night, and they talked about how Walt spent a lot of time at the apartment, and would often just go out into the park and mingle with the visitors (and most people didn't recognize him!). It would be so cool to see his apartment.

Thanks!

We took the tour last August and got to see the apartment; I have heard that they still do it sometimes but not always. You can call and ask about the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour and see what's up. The tour was pretty interesting, especially if you don't know too much Disneyland history... the apartment was the highlight. 714-781-8687 is the tour reservation line.

 

[Mommy26]

I think free pixie dusting is glitter application at bippity boppity botique, and I think its for kids. Someone will have to chime in.


The Musical chairs at Coke corner is at 2:30

Toontown has some interesting things too.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

How often does the Pixie Hollow light show happen? Is it typically every night? Thanks!

It's **supposed** to be nightly but at what time, that is a big mystery. Someone posted in another thread that it's supposed to be every 20 minutes but I need to look that up. We happened to walk by the hollow and went to look when I heard the music, that's the only way I knew about the little show.

 

[Aladora]

You can also ask to captain the Mark Twain riverboat and they will give you a return time. I haven't done this myself but from what I've read online here at DIS Boards, it's best to inquire earlier in the day about this.

We've been lucky enough to do but the last time we were there you did not get a return time but instead you had to wait. We've walked up and asked and been told there was a 4 sailing wait but decided that it was not worth it to sit and wait that long. The next day we went back and were lucky enough to be allowed right in! This was either Aug 2014 or Feb 2015, I can't remember which trip!

 

[bellazachmom]

I think free pixie dusting is glitter application at bippity boppity botique, and I think its for kids. Someone will have to chime in.


The Musical chairs at Coke corner is at 2:30

Toontown has some interesting things too.

The musical chairs is often at 2:30, but not always. Learned this one the hard way and had some sad kiddos. Best to ask the piano player about 11:30 (or when you're in the area) and he will know the exact time. The area CMs will often give you the 2:30 time because that's what they are used to. They're not trying to mislead anyone, they just don't know the update schedule for that day.

I, a 40+ year old mom, have been "pixie dusted" many times outside the BBB when walking through the castle, all you have to do is ask the FGIT (Fairy Godmother in Training) who is standing outside the shop

 

[bellazachmom]

Goofy "conducting" the water show during the day at CA ~ I think they are actually testing the water and jets for the evening WOC performances but have turned it in to a fun little something.

 

[bellazachmom]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for...

Halloween Carnival
Lilybelle traincar
Captaining the Mark Twain
Free maps on Jungle Cruise
Penny presses (many)
Pixie Hollow light show
Oh! The petting zoo that I think is going away soon
Art gallery on Main street
Main street cinema and Mr Lincoln
Tour of Walt's apartment
Main street vehicles (I think you can ride a firetruck and carriage etc.)
Red Car Trolleys
I personally love Turtle talk with Crush (not really hidden anymore)

The Blue Dinosaur eggs next to Rockets pizza port
The disneyland cats
The little man's house
Free Pixie Dust next to the castle
Markethouse phones
The hidden bathroom
Several live performances
Fortune tellers in pieces of eight and Main street? and Aladdin's lamp
Echo circle next to innoventions
Geocache/ Letterbox
Hidden Mickeys


Hope I'm not giving out special secrets. Most people find most of these things boring.

I knew most of these but a few have me stumped!!

What are the Blue Dino eggs, the little man's house and the hidden bathroom?

Also, I had NO idea there was a Geocache at DL!!!