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As my wife and I were planning our trip to Walt Disney World this summer, we sallyed forth to the web to find all of the information that there is to get. She, being the studious Queen of Anal Retention (I love you, dear!), went off to look for the important things... you know, hours of operation, days where the parks would be open earlier or later, when the best times would be to go to each park, etc. Then there's me, the King of Random Knowledge. Of course, I'd be the one who'd search tirelessly for all of the useless information that I could find.
I found that there are plenty of sources for cool factoids, random information, and nifty obscurities about Disney World, but some of the coolest things were those that just have to be experienced.
Discouraged by the distinct lack of web pages dedicated to the Disney World oft missed experiences, I did what any self-respecting (or otherwise) computer nerd would do... I made my own web guide to The Things to See and Do in Disney World That Most People Don't Know About.
Just as a quick disclaimer, all of the information posted on this page is stuff that I've found on the internet. As you should know by now, anything you find on the internet is undeniably TRUE. That being said, I cannot personally verify that any of this information is factual. HOWEVER, I plan to verify some of these things this summer!
General / Misc
- Which Way?
- Cast Members always either point with two fingers or an open palm. Pointing with one finger is considered "rude" and isn't allowed anywhere in Disney property.
- Gift Balloon
- Once in a while, a cast member gives a balloon or other gift to someone at the end of the queue line for a ride. This is to indicate who was last in line at park closing time. You should not give this away, especially to the person in front of you, otherwise the ride may be close before you can get on.
- Birthday Pin
- Ask for your free Disney Birthday pin. You can pick it up at any of the disney parks. In Town Hall, from a ticket taker, or at the ticket purchasing window (or just ask a CM). The one at MK and MGM are the same, (castle, characters) While the ones at Epcot and Animal Kingdom are different. Half of the cast members will notice the pin and make your day special. (PS - they do not check ID, so if your birthday is the 15th, and you're celebrating on the 10th, they dont care. Their mentality is that "you can celebrate your birthday at Disney World at any time of the year.")
- One patron noted that they shut down Space Mountain for her because she was wearing her birthday pin. "Private ride through the stars anyone?"
- Be prepared for embarassment. Cast Members will single you out for wearing the pin, especially if you are in an attraction or site with more than 10 people. It's not uncommon to have everyone at Fantasmic sing "Happy Birthday" to you.
- Be prepared to get free gifts and many phone calls. Every Cast Member that you encounter will ask you if you've received a phone call. Always say no. You will then get a special phone call each time. One patron noted that she received free items from gift shops such as antenna toppers, picture frames, Magical Moments Certificates, "plus much more."
- More Birthday Fun
- When you make reservations, Let EVERYONE know it is your birthday. Disney goes to extremes by decorating your hotel room, giving you autographed pictures of characters, and other magical things.
- Locked Your Keys in the Car?
- Ask a castmember for help if you've locked your keys in your car. They'll send someone over from the Disney Lockshop that will open it in no time flat, no charge! This happens about 55,000 times a year at Disney World.
- Fast Pass
- Take advantage of the Fast Passes, each ticket will tell you when you can get another one. Do that as many times as you can during the day. You may not use them all but you can trade them with other people.
- Pass the Time
- If all else fails and you find yourself in a line, be prepared. If you are vacationing with children, small bottles of bubbles (the kind on a necklace from the dollar store) can keep them quite happy. Another good idea is a small battery operated fan or mist bottle (bring from home, they are pricey in the parks). If you're outgoing, strike up a conversation with somebody you've never met. Start off with "where are you from?" You can meet some very interesting people!
- Code Alpha
- Protein Spill
Links / References:
Hey, I didn't know any of this stuff until I found it on the internet. I think that it's only right to give credit where credit is due, so here is a list of some (if not all) of the web sites that have contributions to this page (whether they know it or not!)
- Disney World Facts - a short factoid page, not unlike this one
- HiddenMickeys.org - a good reference for Hidden Mickeys in the parks, movies, and elsewhere
- Disney World Secrets - another good list
- The DIS Discussion Forums - you can find all things (and people) Disney in these forums.
- Floating Menu script - Roy Whittle
(http://www.javascript-fx.com/)
Script featured on/available at http://www.dynamicdrive.com/