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Hidden
Treasures &
Magical Surprises Guide
Magic
Kingdom | Epcot | Disney-MGM Studios | Animal Kingdom
Guests of the Walt Disney World resort often speak of “Disney Magic”,
that extra little touch that for over 50 years has set Disney theme parks in
a class of their own. In each theme park of the Walt Disney World resort
this Disney Magic manifests itself in a number of hidden treasures tucked
away in the nooks and crannies of the parks and magical surprises that
unexpectedly encompass guests in an experience only Disney can offer. This
guide has been created to help you seek out these extra Disney touches and
really get the most out of the Disney theme park experience. We’ve split
these extra special touches into two groups: Hidden Treasures and Magical
Surprises.
A Hidden Treasure is a physical fixture that is either interactive or
otherwise enhances the Magic of the park. Usually, a near-by friendly Cast
Member can help you if you are having trouble finding one of these
treasures. Do note that due to the “hidden” nature of these elements Disney
may modify, relocate or remove them with out any notice. Also note that some
water related “treasures” may not be operating in times of draught.
A Magical Surprise is an entertainment offering or an event that you won’t find
listed in the Times & Events guide—it’s a surprise. There are two
types of Magical Surprises; often and sometimes. An Often Surprise is one
that typically happens multiple times a day and is offered on a mostly
consistent basis. A Sometimes Surprise is one that may only happen once a
day and/or it may not happen on a consistent basis. Keep in mind that due to
the nature of these Magical Surprises, it is not guaranteed that they will
be available during your trip. If there are specific offerings you are
interested in, it is suggested you check with Guest Services at the park the
day of and see if they can help you locate the “surprise” for that day.
Hidden Treasure =
Often Surprise =
Sometimes Surprise =
Magic Kingdom
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when available to view a photo.
Magic Kingdom Welcome
The Magic Kingdom welcomes guest with a cavalcade of Disney characters. This
park opening ceremony is typically held daily, 12 minutes prior to park
opening for that day. A randomly selected honoree family, Mickey & friends,
and the Citizens of Main Street arrive on the Magic Kingdom railroad. From
the Main Street railroad station, Mickey and his gang open the park with a
burst of confetti and Pixie Dust.
Main Street Trolley Parade
This mini-parade makes its way down Main Street with a singing & dancing
troupe of turn-of the century performers. The trolley makes momentary stops
along the way as the performers mingle with the guests. This parade
typically runs four times each morning between normal park open and noon.
Windows of Main Street
The windows on the upper floors of Main Street pay homage to those who
contributed to the Magic Kingdom park or the Disney Company. Two of the more
notable windows are those for Walt Disney and Roy Disney. Walt’s window is
above the Ice Cream Parlor facing Cinderella Castle and Roy’s window is
above the Main Street Confectionary facing Town Hall.
Main Street Citizens
The golden days of small town America are brought to life by this
streetmosphere presentation. The cast of characters includes Mayor Weaver,
Beatrice Starr, Chief Smokey Miller, Dewey Cheatem, Hildegard Olivia
Harding, Mrs. Penelope Prose, Constance Purchase, Mabel Mae Benaught,
Victoria Trumpetto, Noah Lotte, Emily Postit and Scoop Sanderson. A varying
selection of the citizens typically appear quarter till the hour until
quarter after the hour from 9:45 am – 2:15 pm, Monday – Saturday.
Paw Prints of Love
Just outside of Tony's Town Square Restaurant the pavement holds a special
homage to the Lady &the Tramp. Imprinted in the cement are the paw prints of
both Lady and the Tramp. This is a nice photo spot for Disney dog lovers.
Dapper Dans
This colorful barbershop quartet fills Main Street with their sweet
melodies. These musical merry men can be found along various locations along
Main Street typically appearing nine times daily between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm
for 20 minute sets.
Mickey's Toontown Tuners
This saxophone quartet may look like mechanics, but they can wail on a sax
with the best of them. This jazzy foursome can be found along various
locations along Main Street. They typically appear four times daily between
10:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday – Thursday and twice between 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
on Sunday for 20 minute sets.
Main Street Party line
Stop in the Market House on Main Street and look for a turn of the century
phone mounted on the wall near a set of cash registers. If you pick up the
receiver you’ll listen in on an old fashion party line between a mother and
her daughter.
Sounds of Center Street
Turn right onto Center Street as you are walking down Main Street towards
the Castle and you’ll stumble upon some eavesdropable entertainment. Rest a
spell under the windows marked "Singing Lessons" and "School of Dance" and
you’ll likely hear singing lessons or a ballet class being conducted.
Main Street Philharmonic
This 12-piece brass and percussion ensemble play popular turn-of the-century
tunes. The band is typically part of the pre-entertainment to the afternoon
parade on weekdays. They also typically conduct a 20 minute performance
during weekday afternoons at Town Hall on Main Street.
Waking-up Tinkerbell
If you are among the first to enter Tinkerbell’s Treasures shop (to your
left as you pass through Cinderella Castle), your kid(s) may be in for a
special treat. Ask the Cast Member if you can wake-up Tinkerbell. The kid(s)
are given a sword (for boys) or a wand (for girls) and are instructed to tap
on a small chest three times and say “wake-up Tinkerbell”. Sure enough
Tinkerbell wakes-up and flies around the room in a dazzling display of
lights and sounds. The helpers are usually given a certificate that
proclaims that they helped wake-up Tinkerbell. If you miss this morning
ceremony, Tink typically flies around the shop intermittently through out
the day.
Cinderella’s Stallion
Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel is more than just a merry-go-round; it is an
actual depiction of Cinderella’s royal cavalcade. Cinderella’s own horse is
here and is distinguishable by one very unique feature—it is the only one to
have a gold ribbon on its tail. Cinderella’s horse is white, wears a red
bridle, and is second rank in from the outside. Taking a ride on
Cinderella’s white royal stallion makes a neat treat for any princess in
training.
Fantasyland Woodwind Society
This quartet brings Disney classic songs to life with a saxophone twist.
This whimsical foursome can be found along various locations around
Fantasyland. They typically appear three times daily between 11:00 am and
2:00 pm Monday – Thursday and once between 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm on Sunday for
20 minute sets.
Tomorrowland Countdown
This 12 piece band rocks out in Tommorowland with R&B and Soul classics with
a futuristic twist. They can typically be found grooving out 4 times between
11:00 am – 2:00 pm for 20 minute sets Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday.
Tommorowland Phone Co.
Located in Rocket Tower Plaza (beneath the Tommorowland Transit Authority
station and the Astro Orbiter) is a phone with a several buttons. Pick up
the phone and each button will connect you with the likes of Sonny Eclipses’
Agent or other Tommorowland residents.
PUSH: The Talking Trashcan
That trashcan roving around Mickey's Star Traders and the Speedway in
Tommorowland isn’t the trash collection of tomorrow, it’s PUSH. PUSH the
trashcan can hold garbage, roam around and carry on conversations with
guests in real-time. PUSH can typically be found out and about for seven 20
minute intervals between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sunday-Thursday.
Surprising Spouts
Adventureland provides a few areas where unsuspecting visitors may get a bit
of a surprise spritz. Near the Flying Carpets of Aladdin, the large camel
facing away from the attraction tends to have a nasty spitting habit. Near
the entrance to Jungle Cruise there are a number of large Tiki Idols. Be
careful when approaching them, if you step in spots that anger these
Polynesian gods they may shower you with displeasure–-literally.".
Gracey’s Grounds
The exit walkway of the Haunted Mansion ends with two large brick columns;
imbedded here in the cement is what appears to be a wedding ring. According
to Haunted Mansion lore, Master Gracey’s distraught bride-to-be threw her
wedding ring out one of the Mansion’s upper story windows and it landed
embedding itself in the ground outside. Also as you exit, you will find an
often overlooked Pet Cemetery to your left. In this plot many of the Gracey
families' pets have found their final resting place. Finding these occult
artifacts is sure to be a treat for ghostly loving guests.
The Notorious Banjo Brothers & Bob
These comedic cowboys ride into Frontierland with instruments firing.
Through a pair of banjos and a tuba, classics from the ole west are brought
to life along with a sprinkling of classic Disney tunes. This troupe can
typically be found on the streets of Frontierland for several 20 minute sets
between 11:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Aunt Polly’s Paintbrushes
Aunt Polly asked Tom and Huck to paint a few things on Tom Sawyer Island,
but the mischievous adventurers rather went exploring and happened to leave
the paintbrushes as the went along. If you should come across one of Aunt
Polly’s paintbrushes pick it up and return it to one of the raft pilots (or
other Cast Member in the area) and they will reward you with a front of the
line pass to Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Frontierland Hoedown
Join in on this root ‘n toot’n good time with the Country Bears and a number
of Frontierland cowboys and cowgirls. Guests are invited to line dance and
square dance in the main Frontierland strip outside of the Country Bear
Jamboree, Prairie Outpost & Supply and Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn & Café.
The Hoedown is typically held Fridays and Saturdays at 4:50 pm and 5:50 pm.
Kiss Goodnight
Cinderella Castle sends off guests with an array of colors and lights after
a long day in the Magic Kingdom. The display typically is conducted at
normal park close or 30 minutes prior to and at the end of Extra Magic
Hours.
Epcot
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when available to view a photo.
The Fountain of Nations
An amazing display of aquatic acrobatics rises from the large fountain
behind SpaceShip Earth in Future World. The fountains shoot water in a
dazzling display choreographed to seven different musical scores. The shows
typically start every quarter hour and vary in length.
Babbling Water Fountains
If you stop for a quick refreshing sip at several Epcot water fountains you
may be in for a bit of a surprise. The water fountains outside MouseGear,
near the Innoventions West restrooms and near the play fountain between
World Showcase and Future World will sometimes pipe up when guests go to use
them. While it may seem strange, these water fountains can really talk-up a
storm as well as provide you with a cool drink of water.
Countries with Character
Many of the countries around World Showcase play home to their native
characters. Kenai & Koda typically appears in Canada intermittently 3:00pm
to 8:00 pm. Winnie the Pooh, Alice or Mary Poppins typically appear in the
United Kingdom intermittently 1:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Aurora typically appears
in France intermittently 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Aladdin, Jasmine, or Genie
typically appears in Morocco intermittently 12:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Pinocchio
typically appears in Italy intermittently 12:45pm to 5:45pm. Snow White
typically appears in Germany intermittently 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Rafiki or
Timon typically appear at the Outpost intermittently 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Mulan typically appears in China intermittently 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm.
Honobono Minwa
This Japanese story teller spins tales of classic Japanese lore. You can
typically catch one of these tales during five 20 minute sets 1:30 pm – 6:00
pm, Wednesday – Saturday.
Flat Fireworks
As you exit Epcot at night, you might want to take a look down at the ground
as you traipse through Innoventions Plaza. Emended in the cement are a
multitude of fiber optics that provides a dazzling display of fireworks and
other shapes right underneath your feet.
Disney-MGM Studios
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Hollywood Citizens
Take a step back into the golden days of tinsel town with this
streetmosphere presentation. The cast of characters includes Carlotta
Diamond, Otto the director, Alberto Dante, Greta Garbage, Cecily DeMille,
The detective, Roman Holiday, Ima Fraudian, Rosie the Cleaning Lady, Rena
Nevada, Officer Edmund and many others. Varying selection of the citizens
typically appear along Hollywood Blvd. intermittently throughout the day,
Monday – Saturday.
Hollywood Public Works
This comical streetmosphere presentation often rolls down Sunset Blvd and
Hollywood Blvd in their Public Works Car. This cast of zany electricians and
plumbers provide humorous entertainment as they help keep the streets of
Hollywood in tiptop shape. A varying selection of workers typically appears
intermittently throughout the day, Monday – Saturday.
Archeologist’s Well
In the queue for the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, there is a well
that appears to be undergoing an excavation. Anchored outside the well is a
rope with a sign reading, “do not pull”, go ahead and pull the rope...
The Empire Strikes Back
Just out side of the Star Tours attraction, one of the giant AT - AT
Imperial Walkers doesn’t take kindly to passerby’s. Walk in between this
walker and the Backstage Express dining location and you’re likely to get
shot at with a barrage of water.
Sing’n in the Rain
On the Backlot, near the former Backlot Theater location, there is an open
Umbrella precariously perched on the side of a lamppost. If you stand under
it and pull on the crook of the handle, you’ll be in for a refreshing
surprise right out of the classic movie musical Sing’n in the Rain.
Key to Muppet Labs
When entering Muppetvision 3D (just passed the turnstiles) look for a window
to your right. In the window there is a sign that states that the staff is
out, but there is a key under the mat. Underneath the window there is an
actual door mat, look under the mat and you will actually find the key to
Muppet Labs.
New York Citizens
This streetmosphere presentation brings the New York Street section of the
Streets of America to life. This cast of loud-mouthed New Yorkers
transports you from the set right into some movie magic of a New York Street
scene. Varying selection of citizens occasionally appear Monday –
Saturday.
Animal
Kingdom
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when available to view a photo.
The Adventure Begins
The Animal Kingdom welcomes guest with a safari of Disney characters. In
addition to such characters as Mickey, Minnie and Rafiki a number of animal
handlers give guests a close encounter of the critter kind. This park
opening ceremony is typically held daily, 5 minutes prior to park opening
for that day.
Wes Palm
When you pass through the Oasis, you may just find yourself actually talking
to nature. Wes Palm, the talking potted palm tree, likes to carry on quite
the conversation with the passer-by’s. This roving palm tree is typically
most chatty every 40 minutes from park open till 11:30 am.
The Adventure Continues
Your up close creature encounters don’t have to stop after the park opening,
the Adventure continues on Discovery Island. Animal handlers typically
present small creatures on banks of the Discovery River every 50 minutes
from 10:00 am through 2:10 pm.
Rhythms of Discovery
Discovery Island comes to life with beats and rhythms of various troupes
through out the day. The Beatniks present their up-beat percussions
typically six times daily between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. The Tropicals
present smooth sounds via their Caribbean steel drums typically five times
daily between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm. The Inkas Wasi brings to life the rich
music and dance that is native to the Andes region of Peru typically five
times daily between 10:30 am and 3:30 pm.
Kiswahili Kitchen
The outdoor seating of the Tusker House dining location may provide more
than just a good meal. Guests dining on the back patio can typically hear
kitchen noises and other culinary related sounds coming from the traditional
African kitchen located on second story of the building.
African Vibes
Africa moves and shakes with various tribal performances through out the
day. The Karuka Acrobats present their Kenyan acrobatics typically six times
daily between 11:00 am and 3:30 pm. Mor Thiam presents classic African drum
music typically five times daily between park open and 1:00 pm. The Tam
Tam’s Of Congo brings to life the authentic rhythms and dance of West Africa
typically five times daily between 10:00 am and 2:30 pm.
Swahili Showers
The village of Harambe can get hot, but don’t worry there’s a quick way to
cool off near by. Near the Dawa Bar there are a set of rusty looking showers
--too hot?--try the showers, they’re real!
PIPA: The Talking Recycling Can
That recycling can roving around Rafiki’s Planet Watch may seem a bit odd,
but that’s PIPA. PIPA the recycling can, can hold recyclables, roam around
and carry on conversations with guests in real-time. PIPA can typically be
found out and about five times daily between 11:15 am and 3:00 pm.
DiVine
You’re not seeing things, that ivy in Asia really is moving. It’s nothing to
be alarmed about though, it’s just DiVine, your friendly animated foliage.
DiVine typically performs 45 minute sets every hour on the hour from 10:00
am through 1:00 pm.
Surprise Squirts
The bridge over the final stretch of Kali River Rapids (in Asia) can often
hold an extra surprise for raft riders. Guests on the bridge above can push
a button to make elephant busts spray water on the raft riders below.
Smear, Splat, & Dip
These dippy painters like to entertain guests with balancing and juggling
skills when they aren’t busy painting Chester & Hester’s Dinorama in
Dinoland USA. This zany troupe of many talents typically appears six times
between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Wednesday – Sunday.
Please note: Experiences can vary. This is a general guideline of the
various offerings throughout the parks and is subject to change without
notice.
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