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Category Archives: History
Top 5 Epcot Hidden Details
Anyone who has been to Walt Disney World knows that Disney specializes in the details; and I’m always on the look-out for new details or hidden Disney magic that isn’t so easy to find! Today I’m sharing with you my favorite Epcot hidden details that I have discovered on my visits to the park. Enjoy!
1. Club Cool-Located near the Fountain of Nations in Future World, this indoor spot offers cool Coca-Cola merchandise and soda fountains offering soft drinks from all over the world. Grab a paper cup and feel free to sample all you want for no cost at all!
2. Stave Church-At the Norway pavilion, you will see an tall, old wooden structure that is actually a replica of the old stave churches in Norway. While many guests see this building, they don’t realize that you can go inside! Go ahead and open the door and learn about Norway’s history in the mini-museum you find inside.
3. Timeline of Discovery-If you head towards The Land pavilion from Innoventions West, look down to find a large circle in the pavement with names and dates of those who have made scientific discoveries or accomplished great things.
4. Outpost Coca-Cola Coolers-Located at the World Showcase’s Outpost, take some time to explore the area next to the quick service counter. Open up the Coca-Cola cooler, listen, and then get refreshed! Just do it!
5. Lighted Sidewalks-Near park closing, after Illuminations, look down as you walk between Innoventions Plazas and Spaceship Earth towards the exit. You will find that the sidewalk twinkles in cool designs with fiber optic lights! Kids are sure to enjoy this!
Have you discovered any of these Hidden Details during your visit to Epcot? Let us know!
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Top 5 Walt Disney World Attractions that are Underrated
Anyone planning a trip to Disney or who has been there before knows that are certain attractions that get a lot of attention and fill up the queues really quick. Therefore, some other Disney attractions that may not offer the latest technology or the biggest thrills sometimes get overlooked and are definitely underrated. This is unfortunate since some of Disney’s best secrets are underrated attractions. Therefore, I have compiled a list of Top 5 Underrated Disney World Attractions for you to check out on your next trip to Disney World!
1. Carousel of Progress-This attraction came from the mind of Walt Disney himself and was shown at the 1964 New York World’s Fair to raving reviews! Today, this show still runs in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom and has the honor of being the longest running show in American theater! The Carousel of Progress is unique in that the theater rotates around to different stages where you get to see how progress and new inventions impacted daily life in the early twentieth century. This charming show is both educational and entertaining. It’s usually not at the top of many Disney guest to-do lists; but it definitely should be! All ages enjoy it and it gives us a glimpse into the mind of Walt Disney himself.
2. TTA-This attraction is a favorite among Disney regulars, and it’s one of my personal all-time favorites too. The Tomorrowland Transit Authority WedWay People Mover has guests board a vehicle which takes you on a covered track all around Tomorrowland and even into some of the buildings and attractions! This attraction is rather simple in that the gentle ride and the view is the primary draw; but its underrated because it’s so enjoyable! Our family likes to hop on the TTA to get off our feet, enjoy the breeze you get from moving down the track, and enjoy good conversation. The seats in each car face each other which is ideal for chatting and planning the rest of the day. It’s also a great attraction for parents who have tired kids or who just need a break from the heat and crowds.
3. The American Adventure-This attraction is an audio-animatronic show located at the American Adventure pavilion at Epcot. I think this show gets overlooked as most of the attention focuses on the Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents; but the American Adventure is just as good, if not better, with it’s elaborate sets and variety of American heroes. In fact, one of the audio-animatronics actually twirls a lasso! This patriotic show is moving, entertaining, and I believe it’s a must-see for any Disney guest!
4. Living with the Land-Living with the Land is a gentle boat ride located inside The Land pavilion at Epcot. This attraction educates guest about the earth and different landscapes before taking them through greenhouses where guests witness new agricultural methods. Adults will find it very interesting; and kids will enjoy the ride and seeing Mickey shaped pumpkins being grown!
5. Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse-This classic Disney attraction is based off of the Disney film which was based off of the famous novel! This attraction is one of the most comfortable, innovative treehouses you have ever seen! At The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, you walk through the different rooms in this tree and see how the Robinsons used whatever they had to make a home, such as a huge seashell for a sink! There are tons of detail and clever egineering everywhere so be sure to take your time and keep your eyes open!
So what do you think? Do you think these attractions are underrated? Are any of these attractions some of your favorites?
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Behind the Tarps: Matterhorn Bobsled Refurbishment
The Matterhorn Bobsleds opened at Disneyland Park in 1959, becoming the first tubular steel track roller coaster in the world and setting the standard for future designs to follow. The attraction was overhauled in 1978, at which time the ride vehicles were replaced and minor enhancements were made. However, no major construction has been done since.
Until now.
The Matterhorn Bobsleds are currently under a scheduled six-month refurbishment. The repairs mark the first time since its construction in 1959 that the entire mountain has been covered in scaffolding. While the outside is completely covered, Disney allowed Guests a rare peak behind the tarps.
Watch that video again. This time pause at about the 1:13 mark. Did you see that? It’s the long-rumored basketball goal! Much lore has been told about this notorious net. One of the tallest tales states that a basketball court was installed to satisfy building codes for a structure of such height and size. In reality, it was simply a makeshift hoop where workers passed idle time. Nevertheless, yes, it really is there! Enjoy this slight glimpse, though. The only folks likely to see it in person are mountain climbers, repairmen and Tinker Bell.
The Bobsleds will reopen June 15, 2012, featuring new three-rider cars—six riders per train—a new loading station to accommodate single riders and Guests with disabilities, a shimmering paint job and a refreshed interior.
Related articles
- Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule March 2012 (chipandco.com)
- Inside the Matterhorn with New Ride Vehicles and a Basketball Court? (thedisneyblog.com)
Top 5 Magic Kingdom Hidden Details
Anyone who has been to Walt Disney World knows that Disney specializes in the details; and I’m always on the look-out for new details or hidden Disney magic that isn’t so easy to find! Today I’m sharing with you my favorie Magic Kingdom hidden details that I have discovered on my visits to the park. Enjoy!
5. Cinderella’s Wishing Well-Located on the path running around the castle near Tomorrowland, you will find a wishing well sitting just off the path facing the castle! You can tell by its details that this wishing well definitely belongs to Cinderella and it makes a great photo spot! Also, the money tossed in the well goes toward charity. Truly magical!
4. Pirate Chess Game-Hidden inside the queue for Pirates of the Caribbean, locked in a cell, be sure to look for two pirate skeletons playing chess! Not only is this fun to find; but chess pros will know that the game pieces are arranged into a deadlock. No wonder they died sitting at the board! How do you know how to find this hidden detail? When waiting in line, look through the prison bars and look down!
3. Cinderella Fountain-Tucked in a corner in Fantasyland, just behind Cinderella Castle, you will find a fountain featuring Cinderella herself! This sweet fountain is a big hit with little princesses; and those of a shorter stature will see that the pattern behind the fountain makes a crown behind her head when viewed at the right angle!
2. Disney’s Coat of Arms-On the front and back of Cinderella Castle, keep your eyes up to find a seal displaying the Disney Coat of Arms. What a great detail and homage to the man responsible for it all!
1. Gus and Jacque-When waiting for to take your picture with Cinderella at Cinderella’s Royal Table, keep your eyes up! Perched above your head are two familiar friends looking over Cinderella, her loyal mice friends, Gus and Jacque!
Have you seen any of these hidden details during your visits to the Magic Kingdom?
Related Articles:
- Hidden Gems: Cinderella Wishing Well (aglassslippervacation.com)
- Teaching History Through the Parks: Magic Kingdom (chipandco.com)
- Best Things I Love About Disney-Pirates of the Caribbean (chipandco.com)
How They Haunt – Behind the scenes of Disney’s Haunted Mansion
“Welcome, Foolish Mortals” are the words that you hear when you board one of Disney’s most popular rides, The Haunted Mansion.
The original ride opened in 1969 in Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom, and in 1971 at Walt Disney World. While the idea behind the ride was thought up by Walt himself, he was not alive to see the finished product. The Imagineers had to finish the ride’s design and construction on their own after Walt’s passing in 1966. The ride represents their ability to come together after such a tragedy and to produce something truly amazing on their own.
There are so many things going on in the attraction, from the gravestones with funny inscriptions outside, to the spooky ghouls and spirits inside, it is truly amazing, and I know I see something new every time I visit The Haunted Mansion!
Here are some of the ways Disney scares us with this attraction:
The Endless Hallway: This one is actually pretty simple, as you look down the hallway that appears to go on forever, there is actually a mirror at the end of it, which fools you into thinking you can see twice as far as you actually can, and since it’s dark, the mirror portion of the hallway just seems to continue on into darkness
The Crystal Ball: Madame Leota’s head is created through digital projection – the face is projected onto a head sculpture within the crystal ball. Fun fact – the other floating objects in this area are suspended by fishing wire
The Ballroom: A common thought is that the ghosts in the ballroom are holograms. This is actually not the case – how it really works is a row of columns in front of the mezzanine are supporting gigantic panes of glass, which are nearly invisible to the guests. The “ghosts” are merely the reflections in the glass of audio-animatronic figures, located in rooms above and below the mezzanine, where the walls are painted entirely black.
The Hitchhiking Ghosts: Ever wonder how they get the ghosts at the end of the ride to actually appear to be sitting next to you in your Doom Buggy? Well, its actually quite simple – the mirrors in which you are seeing the ghosts are actually two way mirrors, and the ghosts are audio-animatronics in a room behind the mirrors. They move along in sync with the Doom Buggies, and weak lights shining on them allow them to be seen through the mirrors.
A few random Haunted Mansion facts:
- When Cast Members are hired for The Haunted Mansion, they are given a book as a part of their training that explains the “official” backstory of the ride, as well as various safety rules/regulations, and detailed maps of the ride itself.
- Walt’s original vision was to have the attraction as something guests would walk through, but the Imagineers ultimately decided a sit down ride with the “doom buggies” made more sense
Remember….there are 999 Happy Haunts currently residing in the Haunted Mansion…who knows, maybe you could be their lucky 1000th resident!
Related articles
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- You Don’t Know Until You Go (chipandco.com)
