Thursday's Tip

You might say today's tip is a whole collection of tips. I like to call it Find the Hidden Gems. On your first visit to Walt Disney World, it really takes almost all your energy just to see the major attractions and soak in the atmosphere. And it takes several visits to be able to say you've done the major and most of the minor attractions. (After more than a dozen trips, I still haven't seen everything!) Somewhere around your 5th or 6th trip (it varies from family to family), you'll realize that you more or less "know the drill." You still enjoy every attraction, of course, but you are finally ready to dig in a bit more...to look for some of the many hidden gems around the World.

Hidden gems are those surprising details that Disney crams into every square inch of their Parks--little things that make you smile. Here are a few you can explore on your next Disney vacation:

Magic Kingdom

• On Main Street, you might come across the occasional "old-timey" telephone. Go ahead--pick it up and listen. You just might get an earful.


• If you're in the train station on Main Street and you have a penny, you can treat yourself to a "moviola" on one of the machines.


• If you get to Tom Sawyer Island early in the morning, you might just find a paint brush that Tom left behind. Take it to a Cast Member for a prize!


• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe has a couple of interesting trash cans. Listen closely, and you might hear something.


• Legend has it that Cinderella has a favorite horse on Prince Charming's Regal Carousel--the only one with a gold ribbon on its tail. (Hint: This horse is in the middle--not on the outside ring of horses.)

Epcot

• The Kim Possible Adventure has added a whole bunch of hidden gems to the World Showcase. You never know what you might see--and the best part is that you control the action with your Kimmunicator!


• Behind the United Kingdom pavilion, you can try to weave your way through a hedge maze. Don't worry--it's not nearly as tall as a corn maze.


• Near the Canadian pavilion, you will see three totem poles--only one of them is "real." See if you can tell which is made of cedar (and carved by renowned Tsimshian Indian carver, David Boxley) and which two are made of fiberglass?


• Try to make your way to the courtyard of the Germany pavilion at the top of the hour. Listen for the "kukoo!"

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• There's a well near the entrance to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. Pull the rope and listen!


• While you're there, go ahead and open those crates in the bushes that say, "Don't Open." Really...it's OK.


• There's a cool speeder bike near the exit to Star Tours. You're perfectly welcome to hop on and live the fantasy (great photo op!).


• As you go through the turnstiles at Muppet 3-D Vision, you'll see a welcome mat. Take a peek under it.

Animal Kingdom

• Look for D'Vine on the trail between Africa and Asia. This performance artist is not to be missed!


• Along the walkway to Camp Mickey & Minnie, listen for two talkative plants, Herb and Flora.


• The bridge near Kali River Rapids has a few buttons that allow guests to "shower" those riding the attraction.


• This one is a photo clue. If you stand near this small temple area in India, and look across the Park to Everest, you'll see something interesting in the silhouette.

There are so many more. Any favorites to add?