Walt Disney World has long been known as an industry leader in theming and creating immersive environments. From swashbuckling pirates to icons from the Golden Age of film, the parks are packed with sets, props and actors designed to make you feel like you are in the middle of the action.
With so much sensory input, it is easy for first-time visitors to become overwhelmed. More frequent visitors learn to tune out the background noise, taking in the smaller details at a more relaxed pace. Yet no matter how many times you visit, there is always something new to see. Take a look at these 6 unique sights and sounds you might not have noticed.
6. Epcot Monorail after closing
Epcot MonorailTake the Epcot monorail at night for a unique perspective.
The monorail to Epcot from the Transportation and Ticket Center makes a wide loop through the park’s Future World. During the day, this serves as an exciting preview of everything you are about to see. At night, however, it takes on a much more relaxed and almost elegant beauty.
To get the full experience, park at Epcot on a night that the Magic Kingdom is open at least an hour later. Take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and enjoy your day. That night, wait until Epcot has been closed for an hour or so before taking the monorail back. Most of the guests will have left and the park lights will be dimmed. Sit back and take in the quiet view of a futuristic evening. If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the legendary third shift cleaning crew.
5. Crowning Cinderella
Crowning CinderellaTake a deep bow to watch the crown dip onto Cinderella’s head.
At the Magic Kingdom, Cinderella’s Castle is a world-famous icon. Parents stay up late to book dining reservations at the castle restaurant the moment their reservation window opens, and the walkway is often packed with little girls in full princess garb. Behind the castle, however, is where the magic really happens.
Locate the Cinderella fountain at the back side of the castle, facing Fantasyland. Stand back several steps, and keep your eyes focused on Cinderella as you give her a deep bow. A crown hidden in the mural behind her will seem to drop down onto her head.
4. Magic Kingdom fireworks from TTC boat dock
Magic Kingdom FireworksFor a unique view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, try the ferry boat dock at the TTC.
The Magic Kingdom fireworks are a traditional way to close out a night of fun. Yet on busy evenings, it is easy to become distracted and overwhelmed as you stand packed shoulder to shoulder with thousands of strangers. For a unique view that keeps you well away from the crowds, try watching the fireworks from the ferry boat dock at the Transportation and Ticket Center. The music is piped in, and you will have a terrific perspective on just how big the show really is.
If you time it just right, you might be able to catch the Electrical Water Pageant from the Magic Kingdom boat dock or the Polynesian beach first. This water parade has not significantly changed since the 1970s, and is well worth seeing for the nostalgia factor.
3. Conversations in Harambe
Dawa BarListen closely as you approach the Dawa Bar at Animal Kingdom.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is sometimes referred to by the fake-Swahili word, “Nahtazu” (or not-a-zoo). Though it may be a wildlife park, Animal Kingdom is every bit as well themed and immersive as the rest of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Each land is packed with details that make guests feel as though they are on an exotic trip.
In Harambe, the African portion of the park, slow down as you approach the Dawa Bar. If you listen closely, you will hear the sounds of radios, knocking and conversations. The back story to Harambe is that it is a small African village where many U.S. students come to live and work. Their apartments are located above the businesses, and the group that lives over the bar is delinquent with their rent!
2. The party line phone
Party Line PhoneInside the Magic Kingdom’s Chapeau, you can eavesdrop on a party line call.
The Magic Kingdom’s Main Street USA is a throwback to turn of the 20th century Americana. As you peruse the quaint shops and alleys, make sure to stop in the Chapeau, or hat shop. An old-fashioned telephone is hanging on the wall. Pick up the phone to listen in on a party line call.
If you have never heard of a party line, it was the most common means of obtaining phone service in the early days of telephones. Some people kept their party lines into the 1960s and 70s, with a few rural areas not switching over until the 1990s. The idea was that everyone in a neighborhood or other designated area shared a single phone line. Consequently, you could eavesdrop on your neighbors simply by picking up the phone. Likewise, you couldn’t make a call until everyone else was off the phone. On the Magic Kingdom’s party line, you will play the role of eavesdropper as you listen to a conversation between an early 20th century mother and daughter.
1. The Black Cat
Black CatThe black cat is a much-loved hidden object inside the Osborne Lights display.
Each holiday season, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to the stunning Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, a 5 million light extravaganza that covers the park’s Streets of America. In the 1980s, Arkansas businessman Jennings Osborne began decorating his home with Christmas lights as a present to his daughter. He added new lights and 3-D displays each year, and when he ran out of room, he bought the houses on either side of his.
Naturally, the massive light spectacular drew community attention. As word spread, more and more people came to the neighborhood to see Osborne’s display. His neighbors complained about the resulting traffic snarls and, in 1994, a judge ordered him to shut down the lights, citing them as a public nuisance. Osborne sold the collection, then numbering 3 million, to Disney in 1995. Disney continued to add and expand, and in 2006, the lights began to dance to music.
Jennings Osborne was not just a Christmas fan. He also enjoyed decorating for Halloween. As the story goes, Walt Disney World employees were unwrapping their new acquisition when they discovered that one of Osborne’s Halloween decorations had gotten into a box by mistake. They decided to hide the black cat among the Christmas lights and see if anyone noticed. Today, finding the black cat has become a treasured holiday tradition. It is outlined in purple lights, and is always well-hidden in plain sight.
