Disney's best kept secrets and hidden gems!

[LoodlesNoodles]

Just thought of one!

I'm not sure if it's still there or not, but when my husband and I went on our honeymoon in 2009, there was a thing in Innovations at Epcot where you became a video game character. You go in front of this booth and it records you doing a few different things, like running, jumping, and dancing. Then it puts you in a video game that you can play. That was a lot of fun.

This sounds amazing!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Love these tips... We're staying at Wilderness Lodge, and are planning on doing Chip N Dale campfire... can't wait!

Are Wilderness Lodge and Ft. Wilderness close to one another? We have 5:15 dining reservations at. WL on our final night and am wondering if it might be nice to top off the evening with the sing-a-long?

 

[seashoreCM]

A collection of things most of which you can look for at your leisure:
http://www.cockam.com/disscav.htm
(as of 2005; some may have been removed during refurbishing and remodeling)
Source: Various threads on The DIS.

Magic Kingdom example:
In line for Splash Mountain in the courtyard they have bird houses in the trees. When Splash Mountain first opened you could listen and hear birds "talking" and "arguing" in the bird houses. Actually the "birds" are supposed to be Chip and Dale, the two Disney chipmunks!

Epcot example:
In Germany, observe the figures that come out of the clock when the clock chimes the hour. Don't miss the model train exhibit out front. If you know the holiday story about the pickle ornament, find the pickle tree (in a store).

Hollywood Studios example:
When you're headed towards Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular from the park entrance you go past a well on the main walkway. If you pull on the rope you'll hear someone talking down in the well. (This might not work on each of frequent pulls such such as when the rope was pulled recently by a previous guest. There are several scripts.)

Animal Kingdom example:
When you walk down the path to the Tree of Life that there are places where you walk through "tunnels". If you look up at those "ceilings" you can see a lot of "critters" up there. saw a ptarodactyl and can't even remember what else. Just look up when you go through those "arches". You will also see exotic tropical birds along the trail, especially on the Africa side.

 

[nooneshome]

Not sure if these are "hidden gems" but they are two things many non-DISers aren't that aware of. The Candy Lady in Japan/EPCOT and the Animation Academy in DHS.

 

[LoriAnne1]

The one thing that I always tried to notice is right before the fireworks at the MK Tinkerbell flies from the top of the castle towards Tomorrowland. You have to be looking for her!

Also, in Epcot there is a refreshment station with different flavored Cokes from around the world that you can sample for free.

 

[DisneyFan714]

Are Wilderness Lodge and Ft. Wilderness close to one another? We have 5:15 dining reservations at. WL on our final night and am wondering if it might be nice to top off the evening with the sing-a-long?

Yes, they are but not really walking distance. You can take a boat ride or bus and I believe it is only 1 stop away. They share a lot of the busses to the parks. I don't remember the sequence but you should be able to find which one goes where. As far as the boats, there are two routes that go in opposite directions so if you get the right color, it should be one stop both ways.

 

[DanniDeer]

I do like the dancing fountain also. Actually I love all the water shows.
We are going to be visiting Mickey during Christmas season this year and this is our first time going during Christmas can't wait!! We already purchased our MVMCP tickets.
Does anyone have any good tips for the Christmas season they are willing to share?

absolutely do not miss the Osbourne Lights in Streets of America at Hollywood Studios!

 

[Nina1]

Are Wilderness Lodge and Ft. Wilderness close to one another? We have 5:15 dining reservations at. WL on our final night and am wondering if it might be nice to top off the evening with the sing-a-long?

Yes. There is a paved walking path in the woods between the two resorts. We love to walk over to Trail's End for dinner when we stay at the WL. It's about a 15 minute walk. It's so lush and pretty. Also great for an early morning jog. There is also a horse and buggy. The only thing is, if you are coming back after dark, take the boat. The woods are a little scary after dark. Lol.

 

[stormer]

We love to watch Devine in AK.

 

[Bflo Dave]

We love to watch Devine in AK.

What is Devine?

 

[mesaboy2]

What is Devine?

http://touringplans.com/animal-kingdom/attractions/divine

 

[Postal68]

I don't want to be a party pooper but these threads often veer off topic.

I wouldn't consider the Osbourne Lights or Tinkerbells flight a "secret" or a "hidden" gem. Now I know many people don't know about the campfire unless they've stayed at Fort Wilderness or Divine unless they have seen her. They fit the theme of the thread much better.

 

[Postal68]

What is Devine?

 

[wilkeliza]

Just as a heads up for anyone planning on going to Chip and Dale's camp fire. When I went in January the s'mores at this campfire are no longer free and neither are the sticks. You can either buy a s'mores pack from the chuck wagon or bring your own supplies. My friends and I knew this ahead of time so we brought our own marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers but forgot sticks. I think sticks were .60 cents a piece. The only "free" part is the sing along, meet and greet with C&d, and the movie.

 

[Bflo Dave]

Just as a heads up for anyone planning on going to Chip and Dale's camp fire. When I went in January the s'mores at this campfire are no longer free and neither are the sticks. You can either buy a s'mores pack from the chuck wagon or bring your own supplies. My friends and I knew this ahead of time so we brought our own marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers but forgot sticks. I think sticks were .60 cents a piece. The only "free" part is the sing along, meet and greet with C&d, and the movie.

I would like to go to the campfire do you know what time it starts and around how much does the s'mores pack cost and what does it include?

 

[Postal68]

Just as a heads up for anyone planning on going to Chip and Dale's camp fire. When I went in January the s'mores at this campfire are no longer free and neither are the sticks. You can either buy a s'mores pack from the chuck wagon or bring your own supplies. My friends and I knew this ahead of time so we brought our own marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers but forgot sticks. I think sticks were .60 cents a piece. The only "free" part is the sing along, meet and greet with C&d, and the movie.

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.

 

[GadgetTheInventor]

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.

 

[TarrahA]

A collection of things most of which you can look for at your leisure:
http://www.cockam.com/disscav.htm
(as of 2005; some may have been removed during refurbishing and remodeling)
Source: Various threads on The DIS.

Thanks for this!!! Very interesting read!

 

[plumsiren]

This is not at all secret, but I love the pressed penny machines scattered around WDW. For 51 cents, you can make a little souvenir. There are several machines at each park and DTD, and at least one at each resort.

If restaurants were not enough, it's another incentive to visit all the resorts.
Much less expensive to collect than pins!


PS - If you google "wdw penny press locations", there are various maps showing the locations, even which machines are out of order.

I'm thinking about doing this! I would want one from each resort, as long as it had the resort name on it. Collecting sets of characters would make me lose it - I'd be obsessed with getting every single one!

 

[Rosebud123]

This sounds amazing!

It was still there in April '12. Think it's called RunTime.