Disney World secrets and techniques to make your subsequent journey extra magical

Typically, it could possibly really feel like you could know some type of secret handshake to maximise a go to to Disney World.

There are tickets to buy and Lightning Lane picks to make if you wish to skip the road on well-liked rides. You additionally should resolve on issues like which bank card to make use of and whether or not you wish to purchase an interactive MagicBand+.

Whereas we at TPG love sharing sensible suggestions that will help you unlock a profitable Disney World trip, we additionally take pleasure in letting you in on some lesser-known suggestions and secrets and techniques that may make your journey extra fascinating and pleasant.

Listed here are 23 Easter eggs, hidden spots and insider secrets and techniques to make your subsequent go to to Disney World much more magical.

There’s further kid-friendly enjoyable this summer time

In case you plan a Disney trip between Might 27 and Sept. 1, Disney is bringing much more magic to the parks with a number of limited-time experiences for households with younger youngsters. Dubbed “Cool Child Summer time,” households will discover particular areas with characters, dance events, video games, magicians and extra in all 4 parks.

Here is the place to go at every park:

• Epcot — GoofyCore at CommuniCore Corridor
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom — A Celebration Sing-Alongside at Discovery Island
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Animation Courtyard
• Magic Kingdom — Large Prime Bash at Storybook Circus and Galactic Blast at Tomorrowland that includes Sew

There are Hidden Mickeys all over the place

A hidden Mickey is a refined picture of Mickey Mouse that Disney Imagineers snuck into rides, partitions, carpeting, wallpaper and different design parts throughout Disney World. There are a whole lot — most likely hundreds — of hidden Mickeys across the parks.

Some are so small, you have most likely walked proper previous (and even stepped on) them with out noticing they had been there. I’m notoriously dangerous at recognizing Hidden Mickeys, however fortunately, some are simpler to identify than others.

A number of of the extra apparent ones embrace:

• Mickey-shaped crops on Residing With the Land at Epcot
• A Mickey-shaped place setting within the banquet scene on the Haunted Mansion on the Magic Kingdom
• A Mickey-shaped rock show on the backside of one of many tanks at The Seas with Nemo and Pals at Epcot

You possibly can go it alone and seek for Hidden Mickeys in your subsequent journey, or you possibly can decide up one in every of many beneficial guides, equivalent to this Hidden Mickey guide on Amazon by Keven Neary, who’s featured within the TPG video beneath.

You possibly can go on scavenger hunts

In case you go to Disney World frequently and also you’re trying to shake issues up a bit, strive a enjoyable (and infrequently free) scavenger hunt.

There are some Disney World scavenger hunts which might be free and out there year-round. Within the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland space, you possibly can seek for Pascal, the chameleon from “Tangled,” close to the Rapunzel-themed restrooms (there are 10 in complete).

Additionally within the Magic Kingdom, you possibly can develop into a real-life swashbuckler at A Pirate’s Journey ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas in Adventureland. This interactive scavenger hunt is free and has loads of enjoyable surprises.

In case you occur to be staying in a Disney World lodge, there are sometimes scavenger hunts that ship you operating across the lodge grounds. You earn a prize (we have gotten buttons or a candy deal with) while you full the hunt, and the clues are generally themed to holidays and particular occasions.

Associated: How one can save your Disney trip when the parks are absurdly crowded

There are additionally paid scavenger hunts that take your search to the subsequent stage.

Throughout Epcot’s limited-time festivals, you should buy a map for about $10 that leads you across the park to seek for clues. Whenever you full the hunt, you flip in your map for a prize. In the course of the Epcot Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant, for instance, you possibly can participate in Remy’s Ratatouille Conceal & Squeak and earn a enjoyable prize like a personality spork or miniature cornhole.

Youngsters can develop into Wilderness Explorers

As Russell from “Up!” stated, “The wilderness should be explored!” At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, youngsters can be part of Russell’s ranks and develop into official Wilderness Explorers. Whenever you enter the park, search for the Wilderness Explorers headquarters and decide up a handbook.

Contained in the guide, there are a number of actions that train youngsters about animals and conservation. For every exercise they full, they earn a badge. Accumulate greater than 25 badges they usually’ll develop into official Wilderness Explorers.

You possibly can take part in as few or as many actions as you want, and it is a enjoyable option to discover every little thing this park has to supply past the rides.

You possibly can mail a letter with a Disney postmark

The turn-of-the-century mailboxes on the Magic Kingdom’s Most important Avenue, U.S.A. are extra than simply well-themed decorations. They’re actual, working mailboxes, and the mail is collected day by day by Disney forged members who go it off to america Postal Service.

You possibly can convey your individual postcard and stamp or buy them from areas round all 4 Disney World parks. Earlier than you drop mail within the field, cease by Visitor Relations to get your unique Disney postmark.

Youngsters can run round play areas

Whereas Disney is likely one of the most kid-friendly parks on the market in the case of points of interest with low (or no) top necessities, any dad or mum who has taken their youngsters to Disney World is aware of that children cannot simply go from experience to experience to experience all day with out a break.

Youngsters want an opportunity to expend pent-up power, and all 4 Disney World parks have indoor and out of doors play areas the place they’ll just do that. A number of of my favorites embrace:

• Circus-themed indoor (i.e., air-conditioned) play space within the queue for Dumbo the Flying Elephant on the Magic Kingdom
• House-themed play space (with video video games for older youngsters) on the exit of Mission: House in Epcot
• The Boneyard fossil dig website at Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand U.S.A.
• Outside playground in Epcot behind the Creations Store
• Interactive indoor play space on the exit to Journey Into Creativeness with Figment at Epcot

You possibly can guide a personal picture session

Whether or not you need a particular memento of your journey or that good picture with out different vacationers within the background however lack Photoshop expertise, Disney gives personal picture classes in any respect 4 theme parks.

At $99 for a 20-minute picture session for as much as eight friends, it is surprisingly inexpensive so far as Disney costs go.

You should use it to commemorate a birthday, household reunion or different big day, or guide a morning session to get all of your trip photographs out of the way in which earlier than the warmth and humidity set in.

Though same-day classes are often out there, you will have higher luck reserving your session prematurely through Disney’s web site.

Associated: The perfect $120 I’ve spent at Disney this 12 months acquired me into Magic Kingdom’s secret tunnels

You possibly can take house free souvenirs

I have not cracked the code on learn how to get a free Disney trip but (although utilizing factors and miles will help), however I do know the place you will discover a number of free souvenirs to convey house out of your journey.

The primary one chances are you’ll already know as a result of it is a fairly well-liked one, however you possibly can decide up free buttons at any visitor providers location within the parks. There are buttons to have fun a primary go to, birthday or anniversary or generic “I am Celebrating” buttons the place a forged member can write within the particulars of your particular celebration.

Different free souvenirs embrace transportation buying and selling playing cards you possibly can accumulate from bus, monorail and ferry drivers and on the Skyliner stations. Youngsters may get KidCot postcards from every of the World Showcase pavilions, they usually’ll obtain a bonus postcard for amassing all 11 KidCot playing cards.

You possibly can commerce pins with forged members

Pin buying and selling has been an official Disney exercise for 25 years. There are a number of ranges of pin buying and selling. Some friends have hundreds of pins and go to the parks particularly to commerce for sure pins and meet up with different pin-trading fanatics. Others are extra informal merchants, utilizing it as a chance to gather a singular memento from their trip.

All you could get began with pin buying and selling is only one pin. You should purchase particular person Disney pins or starter units with a lanyard and a number of pins from a number of Disney purchasing areas contained in the park and at Pin Merchants in Disney Springs.

Upon getting a pin (or pins), search for a pin board or a forged member with a lanyard or pouch with pins and ask them to commerce. You possibly can commerce your pin for any of their pins. Typically, there are hidden pins you can solely commerce for should you accurately reply the forged member’s trivia query.

Pin buying and selling might be loads of enjoyable for teenagers or adults who wish to add one other layer of enjoyable to their journeys, whereas amassing cheap souvenirs.

You possibly can hop a experience down Most important Avenue, USA

There are every kind of magical methods to bop round Walt Disney World — the Skyliner, the Monorail or a red-and-white polka-dot Minnie Van, to call a number of.

One of many lesser-known modes of transportation at Disney is the Most important Avenue Automobiles within the Magic Kingdom.

You possibly can hop on a colourful trolley, omnibus, jitney or hearth engine and luxuriate in a whimsical experience between City Sq. and Cinderella Fortress. It is principally like being in a Disney parade, so do not forget to wave at your adoring followers. These can be found on a first-come, first-served foundation and sometimes solely run within the early working hours, although they often make a return late within the afternoon.

The Magic Kingdom is definitely on the second flooring of the park

OK, stick to me on this one. Whenever you stroll via the doorway tunnel to the Magic Kingdom and onto Most important Avenue, U.S.A., you might be technically on the second flooring of the Magic Kingdom.

The primary flooring is hidden underground and permits forged members, characters and provides to maneuver all through the park whereas staying out of sight. Dubbed the “Utilidor,” this tunnel system is also known as underground, nevertheless it’s truly the park’s floor flooring.

The tree in Liberty Sq. was hand-chosen by Walt Disney

The Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Sq. is themed after Colonial America, full with a reproduction Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree, the place the colonists’ first act of defiance in opposition to the British was staged in 1765. Disney’s Liberty Tree was hand-chosen by Walt Disney and transplanted about 6 miles from its unique location elsewhere on Disney property.

The tree is so necessary to the park that acorns from the tree are collected and planted in order that they can be utilized to exchange the present tree ought to misfortune (or lightning) strike.

You possibly can taste-test (free) sodas from all over the world at Epcot

Membership Cool has been an Epcot staple because the late Nineteen Nineties, although it not too long ago moved into some new digs. The Coca-Cola-sponsored venue lets friends pattern sodas from Italy, Korea, the Dominican Republic and different international locations from all over the world at no further cost.

Some sodas are tastier than others, however making your manner via every taste to seek out your favourite is a part of the expertise. In reality, one of the vital well-known flavors known as the “Beverly” — a bitter nonalcoholic aperitif from Italy — that’s virtually universally disliked. Consuming it’s virtually an Epcot ceremony of passage, as are the sticky sneakers you will stroll out with while you’re via.

There are loads of Easter eggs

From the enterprise names on the home windows on Most important Avenue, U.S.A. to numbers painted on a trash can in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, virtually each element in Disney World has a narrative behind it.

The home windows, for instance, bear the names of women and men who’ve been influential to The Walt Disney Firm through the years. In case you see a reputation, quantity or character — or the rest that you simply suspect might need a hidden which means — you might be most likely proper. Ask a forged member to verify your hunch.

Listed here are a number of of my favourite Easter eggs at Disney World:

• There’s a portray of Mr. Toad handing the deed over in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh experience within the Magic Kingdom as a result of Mr. Toad’s Wild Trip was closed to construct the Winnie the Pooh experience. You will additionally see a small statue of Mr. Toad within the graveyard on the exit of the Haunted Mansion.
• There’s a window above the Emporium on Most important Avenue, U.S.A. with the title “Elias Disney” on it. This was Walt Disney’s father.
• In case you take a look at Cinderella’s fountain within the Magic Kingdom on the proper angle, the crown seems as if she is carrying it on her head (just like the princess she is).
• Barnabas T. Bullion, the proprietor of Large Thunder Mountain Mining Firm, whose portrait hangs within the queue for the Large Thunder Mountain Railroad coaster, is modeled after Tony Baxter, a Walt Disney Imagineer who labored on the attraction.
• On Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios, the poster for “The Nice Shifting Trip” is a nod to “The Nice Film Trip,” the attraction it changed. You will additionally see an indication for a flower store with the handle “1401.” It is a reference to the placement of Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California, at 1401 Flower St.

You possibly can watch a day by day flag retreat ceremony

Every day within the Magic Kingdom’s City Sq., Disney pays tribute to our U.S. navy veterans with a patriotic flag retreat ceremony. As a part of the ceremony, a veteran is chosen (typically at random) to help with the reducing of the American flag whereas the Most important Avenue Philharmonic performs the “Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”

The ceremony normally takes place round 5 p.m. as a result of it’s customary solely to show the American flag from dawn to sundown, in response to the U.S. flag code. Different flags you see contained in the Disney parks should not topic to this code as a result of they’re lacking a star or stripe and should not technically “actual” American flags.

There are grown-up variations of Disney treats

I’d by no means flip down a Dole Whip or Mickey-shaped beignet, however I might be much more inclined to partake if it had an extra-special adults-only spin. A few of Disney’s hottest treats have spiked variations that could be simply the deal with you deserve after spending a protracted day at Disney.

You will discover these treats on the parks, Disney Springs and a few of Disney’s resort resorts, and they’re effectively well worth the bus experience. Higher but, take a Minnie Van.

Here is the place you will discover my favorites:

• Frozen margarita made with lime-flavored Dole Whip at Barefoot Pool Bar at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Boozy Baton Rouge Beignets at Scat Cat’s Membership at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter
• Spiked Blue or Inexperienced Milk at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Frozcato (Dole Whip, Moscato and vodka) at Wine Bar George in Disney Springs
• Pineapple Dole Whip with a rum floater at Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

You possibly can personalize your souvenirs on a budget

In case you take our recommendation and decide up free memento buttons while you stroll into the Magic Kingdom, you possibly can pay just some {dollars} to have them personalised by a Disney artist at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Sq..

You possibly can select from quite a lot of fonts, colours and illustrations to jazz up your memento, they usually additionally promote quite a lot of customizable vacation ornaments within the store. Pricing for gadgets such because the TPG button we made on a current journey begins at $3.

1 land within the Magic Kingdom has no bogs

You’re by no means too removed from a rest room (or trash can) at Disney World, however there’s one land within the Magic Kingdom the place you will not discover a single public restroom: Liberty Sq..

Liberty Sq. is ready in Colonial occasions when indoor plumbing didn’t exist. Disney, ever the masters of theming, selected to stay to the timeline and construct the land with out public restrooms.

No want to fret, although. There are restrooms close by in Frontierland and Fantasyland, or, in case you are eating at Columbia Harbor Home or Liberty Tree Tavern, you should utilize the restroom there.

Youngsters can get a magical haircut

Even on a regular basis issues like haircuts are only a bit extra magical at Disney World than they’re at house. Youngsters (and adults) can get their hair lower at Concord Barber Store within the Magic Kingdom for an inexpensive value (beginning at round $20 or half that for a beard trim).

The barbershop gives a particular “first haircut” bundle that comes with a commemorative Mickey Ears hat, a memento lock of hair and a certificates, however even customary haircuts include the choice so as to add a sprinkle of “pixie mud” to complete off your new ‘do.

Advance reservations are extremely advisable, and pricing doesn’t embrace gratuity, which should be paid in money.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is filled with secrets and techniques

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is by far essentially the most immersive land at any Disney theme park. A lot thought and care went into each small element of the land, and it is rife with Easter eggs and easy-to-miss callouts to the “Star Wars” movies.

Not solely is the Millennium Falcon the primary full-size model ever created, however there’s additionally a tiny Millennium Falcon hidden within the ship’s undercarriage. Search for it below the vented a part of the cockpit close to the doorway to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

You will additionally most likely see the numbers 77, 80 and 83 all through the land (a straightforward one to identify is contained in the Docking Bay 7 eatery). These are references to the years the three unique “Star Wars” movies had been launched.

One in every of my favourite issues in regards to the land is how seamlessly it interacts with the “datapad” within the Play Disney Parks app.

You possibly can translate indicators written within the Star Wars language of Aurebesh, decrypt secret messages and hack into droids. Enjoying with the datapad function unlocks one other stage of enjoyable within the land, which is available in particularly helpful if the traces are lengthy.

You possibly can develop into a Batuu Bounty Hunter

Talking of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you possibly can develop into a bounty hunter a la Boba Fett, and all you want is a MagicBand+ and your smartphone.

You will begin by visiting the “bounty board” situated between the Droid Depot and {the marketplace} stalls. Whenever you faucet your band to the touchpoint with the Batuu Bounty Hunters image, you will be assigned a bounty to find (in your first spherical, additionally, you will obtain an introduction to the sport).

Bounties are hidden behind doorways in Galaxy’s Edge (the doorways even have the Batuu Bounty Hunters image painted on them). Begin by selecting a course and strolling. If you’re getting nearer to the right door, your MagicBand+ will vibrate and lightweight up inexperienced. If you’re getting additional away, it will flip purple. The nearer you get to your bounty, the faster your band will vibrate.

In case you stroll as much as a door and your band turns purple, you have discovered your bounty. Open the Play Disney Parks app and use the thermal scanner function to scan the door and reveal the bounty hiding behind the door.

After you have situated your bounty, head to the doorway to the suitable of the bounty board to gather your credit. From there, you possibly can stroll proper again over to the bounty board to gather your subsequent bounty. You possibly can play as little or so long as you want, and the app will save your progress so you possibly can decide the sport again up on future journeys.

You possibly can watch free Films below the celebrities

All Disney World resorts have a day by day actions schedule. Some, like arts and crafts or tie-dye T-shirt making, carry a further payment, however many are free for lodge friends. All Disney World resorts have weekly complimentary out of doors film screenings.

It’s best to see day by day exercise schedules posted across the resort, however it’s also possible to ask a lodge forged member when the property is exhibiting motion pictures that week. Different free actions embrace issues like pool video games and nightly campfires. You possibly can roast marshmallows totally free or go all-out and buy a s’mores equipment.

There are shock character conferences

Most Disney character meet-and-greet occasions and areas are displayed within the Disney World app, however Disney would not be Disney with out a few surprises. Do not financial institution on it, however there are occasions when chances are you’ll occur upon a uncommon character assembly or a complete slew of characters making their manner via the park collectively.

Often, Disney will do “check runs” earlier than bringing characters out for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Social gathering. In case you go to within the weeks main as much as these occasions, chances are you’ll get fortunate and spot them training for his or her upcoming appearances. Or, even should you do not spot them, chances are you’ll get tapped on the shoulder by a forged member and requested if you’d like a particular meet-and-greet that occurs backstage.

Some fortunate Disney friends have additionally gotten caught up in what Disney followers check with as “Character Palooza” — a bunch of characters who all come out on the similar time for photographs and autographs. Typically, uncommon characters just like the penguin from “Mary Poppins” and Gepetto from “Pinocchio” will present up with the same old forged of characters.

You do not even have to go to a theme park to fulfill uncommon Disney characters. Characters additionally make the rounds in Disney World lodge lobbies. You might even see an indication within the foyer with the dates and time home windows for these meet-and-greets, or you possibly can ask a forged member on the entrance desk.

This summer time, choose resorts (Disney’s Artwork of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Seashore Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge) will submit particular meet-and-greet occasions in order that households can see their favourite characters with out ready in line on the parks.

Backside line

One factor I’ve observed through the years is that vacationers hear about “magical moments” that generally occur at Disney World and hope for their very own little little bit of pixie mud, like a free Mickey-shaped ice cream, skip-the-line go or one other shock perk. If they do not get a magical second, they’re generally disenchanted.

One of the simplest ways to keep away from that disappointment is to make your individual magic.

You possibly can seek for Hidden Mickeys, cease in for a confetti-topped haircut or decide up a free memento … and perhaps even add an additional artist’s contact to it for a number of {dollars}. You will come house with numerous completely satisfied recollections and newfound Disney data to share with family and friends.