7 More Unique Things to Do at Walt Disney World that You Never Knew About

7 More Unique Things to Do at Walt Disney World that You Never Knew About

The Walt Disney World Resort is so large (twice the size of Manhattan, in fact) that there are so many more unique things to do that I listed in that first article. So here are 7 seven more unique things to at the Walt Disney World that you never knew about.

Watch an Atlanta Braves Spring Training Game
Each spring, the Atlanta Braves head to their spring training home at ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at the Walt Disney World Resort. And if you’re visiting Walt Disney World in the spring you can catch a game or two. The Braves play an 18 game schedule and tickets start at only $10 per game.

Build your own Space Mountain
At Downtown Disney’s DisneyQuest , Disney’s unique 5 story virtual reality theme park, you can build your own version of Space Mountain... and then ride it! At the CyberSpace Mountain attraction you begin by building your dream roller coaster using a computer. Then you get the chance to ride it! Climb in the two person virtual reality capsule and then blast off and experience your creation!

Fly in a Balloon High Above Walt Disney World
High above Downtown Disney you’ll see a large hot air balloon featuring Disney characters such as Mary Poppins, Aladdin, and Dumbo. And if you’re brave enough, you can take a ride 400 feet above Walt Disney World in the tethered balloon for a 10 minute, once in a lifetime view of the entire resort.

Have Dinner with a T-Rex
Located at Downtown Disney, the T-Rex Cafe is a prehistoric themed restaurant that let’s you eat side-by-side with life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Featuring dishes such as Layers of the Earth Lasagna, prehistoric pizzas, and Gigantosaurus Burgers, everything in this restaurant is themed right down to the “Kitchen of Fire” featuring pyrotechnical dino breath!

Learn to Surf
Sure, Walt Disney World is about 45 minutes from the ocean but that does not mean you can’t learn to surf while visiting. At Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon you can take surf lessons from surf pros in the world’s largest wave pool. The lessons, which are about 2 ½ hours long take place early in the morning before the water park opens to the public.

Swim with Sharks
Also at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Shark Reef is home to an underwater adventure unlike anything you’ve seen. Set in a salt water lagoon, Shark Reef is home to a sunken freighter, color fish, and a few sharks (small ones, but sharks none the less). The experience, which is included with Typhoon Lagoon admission and only requires a mask, snorkel, and life vest (all of which are available to borrow free of charge).

Go on an Old-Fashioned Hay Ride
At the Fort Wilderness Campground you can hop aboard a horse drawn hay wagon for an hour long tour of Fort Wilderness. The hay rides depart from in front of Pioneer Hall at 7:00pm and 9:30pm each night and are first come first served so get there early!

10 Things to Do Other Than the Theme Parks at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida is home to four amazing theme parks. From the classic Disney attractions of the Magic Kingdom to the thrill of discovering new worlds at Epcot, The theme parks of the Walt Disney World resort have something for everybody.

But Walt Disney World is home to more, a lot more, than the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. Within Walt Disney World's 47 square miles (that right, it's about twice the size of the city of San Francisco) there countless things to do outside of the four main theme parks. Here are ten great things after you've visited the theme parks.

Cirque Du Soleil's La Nuba at Downtown Disney
Under the modern, white, "bigtop" at the end Downtown Disney Westside you'll fine La Nuba, Cirque Du Soleil's permanent show at Walt Disney World. If you've seen any of Cirque's other productions, then you know what you're in for; a 90 minutes of beautiful, artistic performance that will take your breath away. The show is performed twice nightly and tickets start at $69.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World
If you're ever wanted to race like the big boys do at the Daytona 500 then you can make that dream come true at Walt Disney World's Richard Petty Driving Experience. You take control of a NASCAR-style car and race around the regulation track either alone or as a passenger with a professional driver.

The Electrical Water Pageant on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon
The Electrical Water Pageant is a nightly floating "parade" around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon passing by the beaches of the Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness and Contemporary Resort. The pageant usually starts at 9pm and features dancing lights on the water set to music. Each of the pageant's 14 floats consist of 25 foot high screens at are decorated with lights depicting sea dragons, King Triton, and other creatures of the sea. The pageant's ends with a salute to America featuring the Stars and Stripes.

Tri-Circle D Ranch at Fort Wilderness
The Tri-Circle D Ranch is located in Fort Wilderness and is the home to Walt Disney World's horses. The horses used to pull the trolleys on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom retire each day to the Tri-Circle D Ranch. Visitors to the ranch can see the horses and other farm animals in the petting zoo area. There are also pony rides for the young at a cost of just a few dollars.

Disney's Boardwalk
Disney's Boardwalk Hotel features a recreation of an old fashioned boardwalk. While there are restaurants, shops, and even a dueling piano bar on the boardwalk, there's plenty to see and do on the boardwalk for free. You can watch the jugglers, mimes, musicians, and even fire eaters as they entertain at various points on the boardwalk. End you night at Atlantic Dance, and large dance hall with live music or a DJ spinning Top 40 music that usually has no cover charge.

Southern Gospel Brunch at House of Blues
The House of Blues at Downtown Disney Westside comes alive each Sunday with the sounds of the South. The world famous House of Blues' Sunday Gospel Brunch combines gospel singers with good ol' southern cooking to make one memorable experience.

Chip and Dales Campfire Movie and Sing-Along
Each night, there's a sing-along, marshmallow roast, and a free Disney animated movie shown on a large outdoor screen at Disney's Fort Wilderness campground. Bring our own food or buy it from the trading outpost and and enjoy a night under the stars watching some of your favorite Disney classic films. And best of all it's free!

AMC 24 Theaters at Downtown Disney
At Downtown Disney's AMC 24 movie theater not only can you catch the latest blockbuster while on vacation but you can visit the concession stand of the future where you can mix up your Coke drink in one of over 100 different flavors. Add a gourmet popcorn that you can flavor yourself, too, and you've got perfect date night at the movies at Walt Disney World!

The Golf Courses of Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World has 99 holes of championship golf and is known the world over as one of the top golf resorts. With courses designed by Pete Dye and Tom Fazio among others, you're sure to find a a course that's just right for your level of play.

World Of Disney Store (World's Largest Disney Themed Store) at Downtown Disney
Walt Disney World is over 47 square miles in size, so of course it's only natural that you'd find the world's largest Disney Store here, but it's not in one of the theme parks. The massive World of Disney store is at Downtown Disney and is a dream come true for any Disney fan. From Mickey Mouse ears to high-end Disney jewelery (think Tinkerbell necklaces with diamonds), the World of Disney store has everything "Disney" you could every want!

Top 10 Walt Disney World Activities for Adults

Sure, Walt Disney World is a great place for kids of all ages. Spinning around endlessly in an out of control tea cup or singing “it’s a small world after all” with the dolls of the world will bring out the kid in anyone, sometimes you might need to get away from a the “kid stuff” - if even just for a short while. And when you do feel like you need something a bit more grown up while at Walt Disney World, here are 10 things you should consider.

Sample one of over 70 authentic Mexican Tequilas at La Cava del Tequila
In Mexico’s Epcot pavilion, there’s a hidden gem of a tequila bar called La Cava del Tequila. In this small cavernous bar, you’ll find authentic Mexican artifacts in a setting meant to honor the Mexican tequila making tradition. Sampling tequila and enjoying tapas style food is a great way to take a break from the crowds.

Putt around the greens of Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World has 99 holes of championship golf and is known the world over as one of the top golf resorts. With courses designed by Pete Dye and Tom Fazio among others, you’re sure to find a a course to challenge you.

Discover Walt Disney World’s “Backstage” magic
Walt Disney World offers tours of its theme parks that range from a few hours to all day. The premier tour, Backstage Magic, is unique in that it’s the longest (7 hours) and that tour guests must be at least 16 years of age. The tour reveals some of the “magic” that makes Walt Disney World such a magical place, including access to areas most guests never see, including the tunnels beneath the Magic Kingdom and backstage access at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Enjoy a romantic dinner at Victoria and Albert's
Victoria and Albert’s in the Grand Floridian hotel is Walt Disney World’s premier restaurant. Featuring a world class American menu, Victoria and Albert’s offers the perfect setting for a quiet meal (kids under 10 are not allowed). Additionally, the restaurants has a dress code that sets it apart from other Walt Disney World eateries such as men must wear sport coats (ties are optional).

Catch a performance of Cirque Du Soleil's La Nuba
Under the modern, white, "bigtop" at the end Downtown Disney Westside you'll fine La Nuba, Cirque Du Soleil's permanent show at Walt Disney World. If you've seen any of Cirque's other productions, then you know what you're in for; a 90 minutes of beautiful, artistic performance that will take your breath away. The show is performed twice nightly and tickets start at $69.

Watch the fireworks at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom while lounging on a white sand beach (and avoiding the Magic Kingdom crowds)
Every night above Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom the sky lights up with a spectacular fireworks display that can be seen from any of the hotels' beach that sit along with the Magic Kingdom on the Seven Seas Lagoon. While the show can be seen from the beaches of the Contemporary Resort, The Grand Floridian, and the Polynesian Resort, it’s the Polynesian Resort offers the best view for the show. Grab dinner at one of the hotel's restaurants and then cozy up with your loved one in one of the hammocks on the white sand beach and enjoy the show.

Unwind with a spa treatment
At Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel and Spa, you can unwind and let yourself go with a blissful spa treatment. From 25 minute facials to all day experiences, this top notch spa has something for everybody. And with many Florida inspired treatments such citrus zest facials and body treatments, it’s the perfect way to spend a lazy Florida afternoon.

Dance the night away at Disney’s Boardwalk
On Disney’s Boardwalk you’ll find the Atlantic Dance Hall, a nightclub featuring DJ’s and live bands for guest 21 and older. Dance or simply watch others dance as you enjoy this hot Boardwalk club.

Join the fun at a dueling piano bar
On the Disney Boardwalk you’ll find Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bad for guests 21 and older. Two piano maestros battle each other and the audience each night in an entertaining environment that soon has everybody up and dancing.

Take a horseback ride through Fort Wilderness
At Walt Disney World’s Tri-Circle D Ranch you can saddle-up and enjoy a guided tour on horseback through Fort Wilderness. Discover the natural Florida along the trails around the wilderness themed camping resort just across the Bay Lake from the Magic Kingdom.
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Top 10 Walt Disney World Treats

I love visiting Walt Disney World to ride the Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Epcot to see Captain EO. But I really love visiting Walt Disney World for the food! And more specifically, for the the treats. All around Walt Disney World sweet treats abound and here are my top ten treats from Walt Disney World.

Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar
The classic Walt Disney World treat, the Mickey Mouse bar is available all around Walt Disney World. From food carts in the them parks to the food courts in the hotels, a Mickey Mouse bar is never far away.

Dole Whip
No trip is complete to the Magic Kingdom for me unless I’ve visited the Aloha Isle stand in Adventureland for a Dole Whip. What is a Dole Whip you ask? I’m not entirely sure. It’s like an ice cream or frozen yogurt but I do know it is a non-dairy, pineapple flavored, and it’s heavenly.

Turkey Legs
When I’m in Frontierland I can’t pass the turkey leg stand without contemplating buying one of these delicious treats. These giant turkey legs are big and could actually replace a meal (and where are these giant turkeys because must be huge to have legs so big!). And it’s entertaining, in a primitive sort of way, to see people walking around with turkey leg in hand gnawing at them.

Egg Rolls
No trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom would be complete for me without an egg roll from the egg roll cart located between the Flights of Wonder show and Africa. Poking my head inside this fragrant food cart to order and egg roll is heavenly (actually, I don’t think you’re supposed to poke your head inside but I can’t help myself). In fact, last time I was at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and had an egg roll I asked the girl working the cart how she can work in there for eight hours a day and not eat every single last egg roll!

Anything from the French Bakery at Epcot
The official name of the bakery is Boulangerie Pâtisserie, but I only just learned that. After years of going to the hidden treasure in Epcot’s French pavilion, I’ve never lingered outside long enough to look at the name.

Kinley Lemon
At Epcot’s Club Cool, guests can sample (for free!) different Coke products from around the world. There are different fizzy drinks to sample, but my favorite is the Kinley Lemon from Israel. If you visit Club Cool, be sure to try the Beverly, too. It’s delicious so take a big gulp of it!

Kaki-Gori
In Epcot’s Japan pavilion you’ll find the Kaki-Gori cart serving up, of course, Kaki-Gori. It’s a snow cone with your choice of strawberry, honeydew, or tangerine flavored toppings (or all three!).

Churros
A sweet, sugary doughy treat, a churro will always satisfy my sweet tooth (at least for a few minutes). And they’re sold in the Magic Kingdom from a cart in Frontierland and at the Cantina de San Angel restaurant in Epcot’s Mexico pavilion so one is never far away.

Cookies from the Main Street Bakery
If you’ve ever visited the Magic Kingdom you know about the Main Street Bakery. Even if you didn’t go inside to enjoy of of the bakery’s sweet treats, you certainly smelled the fresh baked cookies. Disney pumps the smell of fresh baked cookies out onto Main Street to lure passers-by in to the bakery (and I always fall for it!).

Popcorn
Okay, so popcorn is nothing special. But the popcorn at Walt Disney World just seems to taste better than popcorn I get elsewhere. It’s yellow and salty and reminds me of trips to Walt Disney World when I was a kid. Plus, you can get it in some great souvenir buckets. I love getting it from the popcorn cart with the toy clown turning the popcorn (at the end of Main Street by Cinderella Castle).

With so Much to See and Do at Walt Disney World in 2010, Here Are 10 Things You'll Want to Be Sure Not to Miss!

As summer is fast approaching, many people start to think about where to spend the annual summer vacation. And if your family is like millions of of other families, you've decided to visit Mickey Mouse and the gang at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida.

So, you've decided to visit Walt Disney World in 2010. But with four theme parks, two water parks, and dozens of other activities on site at Walt Disney World it would be impossible to see and do everything in just one trip. To help you out a little, I've compiled my top 10 must sees at Walt Disney World for 2010.

The Celebrate You Parade (Magic Kingdom) - This lively parade is presented daily at 3pm in the Magic Kingdom. All of your favorite Disney characters dance and sing along the parade route from Frontierland to Main Street USA as they help you celebrate whatever it is you're celebrating that day; your first Walt Disney World visit, your birthday, whatever!

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - A relatively new addition to the studios, this action-packed stunt show was imported from the Disney Studios in
the Disneyland Paris resort. The outdoor spectacular shows many of the tricks used to create chase scenes from your favorite movies. This is a fantastic addition to Disney's Hollywood Studios (although they had to raze the "residential street" which used to be part of the backstage tram tour and included such gems as the Golden Girls house to make room for this attraction.

SpectoMagic (Magic Kingdom) - The Magic Kingdom's follow-up for The Main Street Electrical Parade, SpectoMagic is a nighttime parade featuring a million points of light that wind around the park and transform the night into a brilliant display of color and sound that only Disney could pull off.

Fantasmic! (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - Mickey Mouse's dreams quickly turn in to a nightmare as the forces of good and evil battle for control of Mickey's dreams in the spectacular show at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Presented in the Hollywood Hills Theater, the memorizing show features all of your Disney friends, fireworks, music, floating stages, and patented water screen technology on which clips from classic Disney movies are shown.

Expedition Everest (Disney's Animal Kingdom) Enjoy a scenic train trek to the top of Mount Everest, that is at lest until the infamous Yeti changes the plan. As your train emerges from a cave, riders catch a glimpse of the Yeti's shadow and notice the train track ahead is ripped into two. Unable to proceed, the train starts going backwards, downhill into a dark cave and speeds over and around Mount Everest to escape the Yeti.

Wishes (Magic Kingdom) - Exploding above the skies of the Magic Kingdom, Wishes tells the story of the power of dreams through fireworks. Jiminy Cricket and the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio narrate this breathtaking display of dreams in the sky.

Sorin' (Epcot) - Based on the popular attraction at Disney's California Adventure, "Sorin' over California," this flight simulator takes thrill seekers on a hang glider ride over California. Flying high over the major cities, the Napa valley, the coast, orange groves (complete with orange grove smell), and eventually Disneyland, riders have the sensation of flying as the movie screen surrounds the hang glider that is suspended in mid air

Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom) - Updated for 2010, this classic Disney ride takes space travelers on a high-speed, indoor rollercoaster ride through space. As you're rocket is set to "launch," you travel past mission control on your way to the launching pad. Once at the top, your rocket begins its travels through space as it twists and turns and encounters a few, albeit small, drops along the way.

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth (Epcot) - Each evening the World Showcase at Epcot comes alive with music, fireworks, water fountains, and lasers as the night-time spectacular Illuminations is presented on and above the World Showcase lagoon.

It's a Small World (Magic Kingdom) Finally, no trip to Walt Disney World would be complete without a trip on the "the happiest cruise that ever sailed the seven seas." It's a Small World is a classic Disney attraction. Guests board boats and set sail on an around the world adventure. Along the way, different continents and countries are represented by singing dolls all singing along to the infectious "It's a small world after all" song. The cruise ends with a spectacular finale in which dolls from all around the world join together to celebrate friendship and peace.

10 More Things You Never Knew About Walt Disney World

There are so many secrets at Walt Disney World... Here are 10 more things you never knew about Walt Disney World.


The Golden Girls lived at Walt Disney World

Okay, so maybe Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia didn't call Walt Disney World home, but their house was there; Right on the Disney-MGM Studios backlot! The original Golden Girls house was in Los Angeles, but when the Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios) opened in 1989, an exact exterior replica of the Los Angeles house was built on Residential Street, Disney-MGM Studio's neighborhood street set (since demolished to make room for new attractions). From 1989, exterior shots of the Golden Girls house were filmed at the Disney-MGM Studios.


The Contemporary Resort Hotel is a prefabricated hotel

The massive A-frame Contemporary Resort hotel at Walt Disney World is instantly recognisable to most visitors. But what most visitors don't know is that the hotel, build by U.S. Steel, is unique in that the rooms were meant to be removable. You see, the hotel's guest rooms were buily off site and hoisted and slid into the hotel's A-frame during construction. The idea was that when it was time for an update to the guest rooms they would be slid out and replaced with a new, updated room. However, over the years, the rooms have settled and gotten permanently stuck into the hotel's frame so no rooms have been removed since the hotel's opening (they have, however, been updated the old fashion way; one room at a time and on-site).


Two of Disneyland's most beloved attractions had their start at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

Disneyland in Anaheim, California opened in 1955, a full 16 years before Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. As such, most of Disneyland's attractions were replicated at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom for its 1971 opening. Since opening, however, some attractions that got their start at Walt Disney World have been replicated at Disneyland. These include Space Mountain and The Country Bear Jamboree (since closed at Disneyland to male way for a new ride).


Miss some characters from a closed Epcot attraction? They might be working somewhere else at Walt Disney World

When Communicore opened with Epcot Center (as it was called in 1982), one of the stars was SMART-1, a purple robot you could talk to and he would answer back (amazing technology in 1982). However, by the 1990's he wasn't so amazing as technology caught up with him and during a renovation of Communicore into a new attraction, Innoventions, SMART-1 was removed. He can now be found, silent and not moving however, as decoration at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort hotel.

And remember the famous car crash scene in the now closed World or Motion? Well, when it became Test Track, the was no use for the mechanical chickens used in the car crash scene. Luckily they found a new home at Mickey's Toontown fair in the Magic Kingdom.


Singin' in the rain... Even on a sunny day at Disney's Hollywood Studios

While there are hundreds of lamp posts at Disney's Hollywood Studios, there's one that's different. In an nod to the classic film Singin' in the Rain, there one lamp post with an umbrella attached. When someone stands under the umbrella, it pours down rain; No matter how sunny it is!


Children never get "lost" at Walt Disney World. Really!

With millions of visitors a year, you'd think that there would be at least one lost child, right? But you'd be wrong. Why? It's simple, really, Walt Disney World only has lost parents. That's right, when a child is found alone, it's handled as a lost parent rather than a lost child. The reason is to help the child to feel better about the situation by stating they're not lost, it his or her parents.


See the "real" Epcot in the Magic Kingdom

When Epcot opened in 1982, it wasn't quite as Walt Disney had imagined. Walt Disney envisioned an entire city of the future with people living and working in it. While the Epcot that was built is still a lot of fun and a great place to visit, you can see the "real" Epcot as Walt Disney dreamed it on display in the Magic Kingdom. Just ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (formerly the WEDWay People Mover) and in one of the tunnels is a model of a futuristic city. The model is the original Epcot model.


Watch the waters of 22 nations dance at Epcot

the Fountain of Nations in Epcot's Future World is comprised of several fountains that shoot water into the air synchronised to music. However, the water that's used isn't just local tap water. During Epcot's opening day ceremonies, representatives of 22 nations poured water from their homelands into the fountain to create a true fountain of nations.


Can you get into the VIP at Epcot? Probably not.

Sure, we all know about the velvet ropes outside today's hottest nightclubs and lounges. But did you know that there are VIP only areas at Epcot (although there's no velvet rope, there are secret doors and hidden entryways)? Most of the Future World attractions have VIP lounges that offer plush surroundings, free food and drink, and are a great place to cool off and grab a bite to eat. And you can even go directly from the VIP lounge to the front of the attraction's line (no waiting!). The catch? Well, you have to work for the company that sponsors the attraction that the VIP lounge in housed in (or be a guest of the sponsoring company).


Things are not always as they seem in the movies

The Earful Tower, the large water tower with Mickey Mouse ears at Disney's Hollywood Studios isn't really a water tower. It was built to serve only as a landmark for the Disney-MGM Studios (as it was called with it opened in 1989). In fact, it's never held any water. It does, however, sport a Santa hat at Christmas.... size 342 3/8!

10 Things You Never Knew About Walt Disney World

John Lennon officially ended the Beatles at Walt Disney World

It was December 29, 1974 and John Lennon was vacationing at Walt Disney World when the paperwork he needed to sign to officially end the Beatles arrived at his room at the Polynesian Resort
hotel. The other three members of the group had already signed the paperwork in New York, so when John signed it in his hotel room at The Polynesian Resort the Beatles officially came to an end.


Walt Disney World wasn't the original name

Walt Disney wanted more than a Disneyland in terms of size. For his Florida theme park he wanted and entire "world" so he named the 43 square mile development "Disney World." Early preview information refers to the site as "Disney World" but Walt's brother Roy changed the name to "Walt Disney World" after his brother's passing and on opening day in 1971 said "Walt Disney World is in memory of the man who started it all, so people will know his name as long as Walt Disney World is here."


The Magic Kingdom is build one story above the ground

Disneyland opened in 1955, 16 years before Walt Disney World opened in 1971. In those years, there Walt Disney saw things he thought took away from the fantasy he wanted to create for park visitors. He didn't like seeing people in space suits heading for work in Tomorrowland by walking down Main Street USA, nor did he like seeing bags of trash being dragged across the park midday. His solution was to build service tunnels under his new Magic Kingdom to provide access to all areas of the park for employees, trash removal, and restocking of food and merchandise. The only problem was that if you dig just a few feet under the surface in Florida you hit water. The solution was to build the service tunnels on the ground level and build the park on top of the service tunnels; one story above ground.



Mickey Mouse is hidden everywhere

Sure, you know you can meet Mickey Mouse in person at Walt Disney World, but did you know his likeness his hidden all around, too? In everything they build, Disney's Imagineers place "hidden Mickeys" in their work. All over Walt Disney World there are thousands of hidden Mickeys. It can be a lot of fun trying to find them. For example, in many of the fountains, some of the coins you see in the water are actually permanent and arranged in the shape Mickey Mouse. And here's one hidden Mickey to get you started on your search for more... In the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom, look closely at the dinner party scene. On the table, one of the place settings is arranged to look like Mickey Mouse.



Did you miss the 1964 World's Fair? No worries, it's alive and well at Walt Disney World (sort of)

Walt Disney designed two attraction for the 1964 World's Fair in New York; It's a Small World and the Carousel of Progress. When the World's Fair ended, Walt moved these two enormously popular attractions to Disneyland where they basically remained they same as they did at the World's Fair. In 1973, the Carousel of Progress was moved to Walt Disney World and, expect for the show's final scene, which depicts the future, the attraction remains as it did when it played at the World's Fair in 1964.


Giving credit where credit is due

As you walk down Main Street USA, you'll notice name of the "proprietors" of the businesses on Main Street on the windows above the stores. The names, actually, are the names of people who helped build Walt Disney World or who were important to the resort. The last name on the street, above the ice cream parlor and facing Cinderella Castle is Walt Disney's.


Need a drink after enduring "It's a Small World?" Sorry, you're out of luck

Walt Disney wanted the Magic Kingdom to be a family park and to ensure that he banned alcohol from being served at the Magic Kingdom. Sure, you can buy beer and wine at Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Disney's Animal Kingdom, but not at the Magic Kingdom. There was one exception made during the grand opening party in 1971 in which Champaign was served to guests and dignitaries.



Epcot is the Center of Walt Disney World... Just 300 feet off

At least, the center of Walt Disney World is marked in Epcot, sort of. In the plaza between Innoventions East and West there is a design of interconnecting circles that was to represent the center of Walt Disney World. The problem, it's 300 feet off!

The story is that during the design of Epcot, the marker of the physical center of Walt Disney World was to be the true center but all of Epcot was built 300 feet from the where it originally was to be built to protect the habitat of endangered woodpeckers.


There's a private landing strips for airplanes at Walt Disney World

Although not in use, you can still see the private runway next to the Magic Kingdom's parking lot. The runway was originally used for company executives who were flying back and forth between California to Walt Disney World. In fact, you can still see Walt Disney's private plane that was used for these flights on display at Disney's Hollywood Studios.


Need a job? Head to Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World is huge. In size alone, it's 43 square miles, or large enough to place Manhattan twice within its boarders and still have room left over. It also means that there are a lot of people working at Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World is the largest single site employer in the United States with around 55,000