Planning a Disney Vacation? Discover Hidden Gems at Disney
You’ll want to make the most of your time at the Most Magical Place on Earth when you’re planning a Disney vacation. You can’t miss the rides, attractions, parades and general merriment. But you might miss the magical secrets and hidden gems if you don’t know where to look.
There’s nothing like a little pre-trip planning to make you feel like you’re in-the-know. We’re here to help you vacation like an insider.
And you’ll dazzle your family with your impressive knowledge!
Here are Some of Disney’s Best Secrets & Hidden Gems
Catch the Flag Retreat Ceremony
Every afternoon in the Magic Kingdom, the American flag is lowered as the Main Street Philharmonic plays “Star Spangled Banner.”
Members of the Color Guard then remove the flag from the staff and fold it. The folded flag is then handed to the Guest Veteran of the day, followed by a short procession down Main Street USA.
It’s an emotional and magical ceremony and a daily reminder to always honor our heroes.
It takes place every day at 5.00pm and lasts a little under 10 minutes.
You may also notice that Main Street, U.S.A. is lined with American Flags. But if you look again you’ll notice that none of them are actually American Flags. They’re all missing a star or stripe, and that’s so Disney can keep unofficial flags up around the clock.
Plus, those look-alike flags along Main Street serve another important purpose: disguising lightning rods that help keep you safe from Florida’s stormy weather.
If you’re planning a Disney vacation, add the Flag Retreat Ceremony top your To Do List!
Find The Sword and the Stone
It’s hiding in plain sight in Magic Kingdom, just behind Cinderella’s Castle and in front of the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. The Sword is of course stuck rigid into the stone, but occasionally it will release for a chosen few. Try your hand at becoming the next ruler.
Who in your family has the magic touch?
The Inscription on the stone reads:
WHOSO PULLETH OUT THIS SWORD OF THIS STONE AND ANVIL IS RIGHTWISE RULER BORN OF ENGLAND
Planning a Disney Vacation: See the Presidential Seal
To be as authentic as possible, Disney had to seek congressional approval to display the Presidential Seal. You’ll see it as soon as you walk into the The Hall of Presidents attraction in Magic Kingdom. It’s embroidered into the carpet as you enter and surrounded by a barrier for protection.
There are only three official Presidential Seals in the USA. The other two are located in the Oval Office in the White House and Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.
When you’re planning a Disney vacation, don’t miss your chance to see the real seal while you’re in The Magic Kingdom.
Disney Secret: The Magic Kingdom is Actually on the Second Floor
Did you know there are almost 400,000 square feet of hidden tunnels below The Magic Kingdom?
Walt never wanted a visitor to see a Cast Member out of place, or operations like food truck deliveries and garbage disposal.
When they built the Magic Kingdom, Disney created an extensive tunnel system right under the Magic Kingdom.
Only they are not actually underground at all. When you arrive at The Magic Kingdom, you’ll be so excited you will barely notice the incline as you walk towards the entrance and along Main Street USA.
By the time you reach Cinderella Castle, you will have actually walked up to the second floor!
The whole operating nerve center of the park is booming with life in the Utilidors right below you.
There are hidden stairways leading to the hive of activity below where highly restricted zones include Mouseketeria, the Disney Cast Members cafeteria, Kingdom Cutters, the Cast Members hair salon to keep the ‘Disney Look’ and the Glow Room where all glowing park merchandise is stored.
It’s well worth considering a tour when you’re planning a Disney vacation. If you are sixteen or older, you can tour parts of the utilidor system on the “Backstage Magic Tour” or “Keys to the Kingdom Tour.”
Just be prepared to lose a little of the magic when you see your favorite Disney character half-dressed. Hence the 16 or over rule, Walt would never let anything spoil the magic for children.
A 13-Minute Wait Time… Wait! There’s No Wait!
If you see 13 Minutes posted as the wait time at the Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios or The Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom, you’re in luck! It means there’s no wait at all.
Don’t walk by the 13 minute wait time!
So keep your fingers crossed for lucky number 13!
You Can See Tower of Terror from Morocco in Epcot
Speaking of The Tower of Terror, have you ever noticed something about the tower’s architecture?
Hollywood Studios and Epcot are in the same location, making the back of the Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios visible to visitors in Epcot. Those clever Disney Imagineers designed it to blend in with the Moroccan Tower and skyline.
You can’t see the Tower of Terror if you are in the Morocco Pavillion, but if you look across from Showcase Lagoon standing to the left of International Gateway you will clearly see it in the background.
After planning a Disney vacation, you’ll be able to dazzle your family with these hidden gems!
Planning a Disney Vacation: See if You Can Spot DiVine
The lovely DiVine is a part-human and part-tree creature who’s usually gliding gracefully through the foliage at Animal Kingdom. When planning a Disney vacation, do include trying to spot DiVine in your plans!
She walks on four stilts and is completely camouflaged in vines, leaves and plants as she gracefully emerges from the foliage.
Did we spark more excitement about planning a Disney vacation? We hope so!
Want to know about Orlando beyond the parks? We’ve got you covered there, too. We’re your very own Orlando TripAdvisor. We’re here to help you every step of the way in planning a Disney vacation.
Really, there’s more to see and do than you could fit into one trip. And that’s the beauty of Central Florida. You can keep coming back to make new memories, even as you reminisce about the old.
Hope to see you here in sunny Orlando soon.
Planning a Disney Vacation: Accommodation
We’d love to be a part of your memories! Check out our Disney area vacation homes. We can sleep up to 6-8 in our 3 bedroom home, or up to 12 in our 5 bedroom home. It can be a huge money saver when compared to multiple hotel rooms.
- 3 Bedroom Resort Home – Sleeps up to 6-8 from $200 a night
- 5 Bedroom Pool Home – Sleeps up to 12 from $360 a night
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