Disney's best kept secrets and hidden gems!

[Postal68]

One of the best hidden gems that I have found at WDW is the other guests. I hate long waits as much as the next person, but time passes much more quickly when meeting people from all over the world and sharing stories, tips, and goodwill in general. WDW definitely has a Midwestern feel and it is a shame when people act as if they are in downtown Manhattan.

100% agreed. I wouldn't call it a secret but I noted in my "crazy planning thread" last week that one of my favorite things to do is people watch and meet people from all over the country and world. It's really nice have conversations with strangers at Disney because 99.9% of the people are in great moods and it makes for pleasant conversation.

 

[Savingup4disney]

During the Christmas season at Fort Wilderness many campers decorate their camping areas with lights, blow up decorations, and some are just so crazy over the top! We happened upon this by accident last year by getting on a wrong bus from DTD.

 

[wilkeliza]

When were they free? The last time we went to the campfire was about 4 years ago and I remember having to purchase the sticks and the smores kit from the chuckwagon.

I'm not sure if at Chip and Dale it was ever free but a guest who was there the night my friend and I went said at other places like BC and one other the s'mores were free. I don't know if he was telling the truth or just complaining because I've never bento other camp fires.

 

[jcjen519]

You can no longer ride with the driver. They stopped it after the monorail crash a few years ago that killed one of the drivers. We did it once, I wish we had done a few more times while we could.

yeah. i did it a lot as a kid...wish i had pictures. tried to do it with our son in 2012 and was told they no longer do that. i understand why but it was so cool, wish my son could have had that experience too!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Talk to the "little people" - CMs working such tasks as emptying trash cans and herding guest.

Seriously? "little people"? That's pretty offensive. Just because they have a low-paying customer service job, they're somehow lesser than you are?

 

[plumsiren]

Seriously? "little people"? That's pretty offensive. Just because they have a low-paying customer service job, they're somehow lesser than you are?

I think you're making assumptions about what the poster was implying.

 

[Tinkerboy00]

got some good ideas in here.

 

[ninamouse]

Seriously? "little people"? That's pretty offensive. Just because they have a low-paying customer service job, they're somehow lesser than you are?

I don't think it was meant in an offensive way.

I think it was more about the CM's that may tend to get 'overlooked'.

 

[PrincessPaisley]

Hunting for Hidden Mickey's is a lot of fun on a rainy or lazy day especially at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Ask the concierge for the list of clues, and then start wandering around the resort looking for hidden mickey's. We completed both, and received a certificate, and prize from both resorts (small plastic figurine from AKL, and a cute Minnie or Mickey pin from WL). Its been a couple years since we completed them, so there's no guarantee that they still award the same prizes or prizes at all.

 

[BrianL]

I don't think it was meant in an offensive way.

I think it was more about the CM's that may tend to get 'overlooked'.

I think they often do get overlooked. I had an experience with a custodial CM at DL. I needed a restroom stall (very busy) and I lucked into one that the custodian had just cleaned. Of course I felt bad using it at just that moment, but I said "Thank you," to the CM. He looked at me like I was the first person who ever said that to him, then replied "You're very welcome, sir." I think I made his day. It is good to remember these CMs who have such hard jobs (and do an excellent job)!

 

[Radiorox]

The Sake bar at the back of Japan's department store is one of my gems. I nearly missed it as it's a bit out of the way and small. I love it!

 

[Bflo Dave]

Hunting for Hidden Mickey's is a lot of fun on a rainy or lazy day especially at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Ask the concierge for the list of clues, and then start wandering around the resort looking for hidden mickey's. We completed both, and received a certificate, and prize from both resorts (small plastic figurine from AKL, and a cute Minnie or Mickey pin from WL). Its been a couple years since we completed them, so there's no guarantee that they still award the same prizes or prizes at all.

Do you know if they have a clue list for any of the actual parks?

 

[PrincessPaisley]

Do you know if they have a clue list for any of the actual parks?

I've never asked, but there used to be a couple of books that provided clues/lists of hidden mickeys that could be found in the parks, resorts, and other Disney locations. There are also websites listing hidden mickey locations, and some even include pictures of the hidden mickey.

 

[kris082668]

Bump

 

[sigmasal]

I think the kids we are travelling with (mine and my friend's) will love the Running Time video game thing in Epcot...never noticed it before! Will definitely be checking that out. I LOVE the dancing fountain in Epcot and I don't think a lot of people realize and stop to listen to the music and watch the fountain. It mesmerized me the first time I saw it, I could have watched for hours!

 

[ArielSparrow]

I think the kids we are travelling with (mine and my friend's) will love the Running Time video game thing in Epcot...never noticed it before! Will definitely be checking that out. I LOVE the dancing fountain in Epcot and I don't think a lot of people realize and stop to listen to the music and watch the fountain. It mesmerized me the first time I saw it, I could have watched for hours!

Sounds similar to Kinect to me. I highly recommend that to anyone in general, and Disneyland Adventures to Disney nuts in particular. It may be a little disconcerting of you are used to MK, though. It's fun for me and I'm sure kids would like it even more.

 

[IslandAdventure4]

When in the queue for Pirates of the Caribbean, the two skeletons playing chess have died playing because the chess game is at a stalemate- nobody can win.

 

[jmrothermel]

On a cruising board I am on, there are similar threads to this that I learned TONS of information on, and I am curious to see if we have something similar here? Or we can start this one here!

I am going to Disney November 11th - November 19th at Fort Wilderness Campground, and there is soooooo many little hints and tricks I read in MANY threads - but to have it all condensed in one place would be fantabulous! So if you can contribute, please feel free!

Here is one:

1) You can view the Electric Light Water Parade from the dock at Fort Wilderness between 9:30 - 9:45.

Please, post your contributions! I am an obsessive planner and can't wait to learn more!

 

[wiigirl]

In for this!

 

[blugill13]

Unfortunately waking Tinkerbell is an experience that ended when they refinished the shop five plus years ago.
The paintbrushes on Tom Sawyers island are a thing of the past too.