Things Disney Offers But Doesn't Advertise (New)

[Accident]

my mini list.

all:
some test of photopass is always going on. Look for a Cm with a camera that has other cms around and props or some interesting device for a real life trial they are considering adding to photopass. Especially found during the fall ticketed parties and usually in some back slightly empty corner of the parks.

MK:
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
Pirates League
Hidden Pascal and Friends in Fantasyland (near rupenzel tower, rest area with charge stations/restrooms).

Epcot:
Agent P's world showcase adventure
Kidcot Fun Stops (aka Epcot Passports aka drawing stops aka masks). It's changed over the years but still exist in some form.

AK:
Wilderness explorers.

HS:
Jedi Training (not really unadvertised but often you don't look up how to sign up until it's too late to get a spot so look this up and plan before your on your trip if interested).

resorts: (these are some of my interesting but often not researched things)
- some resorts have catch and release fishing.
- ft wilderness is an overlooked gem: horseback riding, hiking trails, Holiday Sleigh rides the the fall (pre-scheduled, don't just show up), campers fight it our for best decorated campsite in the fall.
- Rental Boats. From mini speed boats to larger pontoon. Some of my earlier WDW memories are these boats and very nice way to have an afternoon in a new way.
- AOA drawing classes has been mentioned.
- If you remember the cartoonist drawing on main street before they expanded the emporium, many resorts offer this somewhere in the resort.
- ask the front desk for calendar of resort activities, especially in a deluxe. My daughter has some fond memories of building and painting a bird house at AK lodge (usually free).
- some resorts have special tours, (generally deluxes).
- swan and dolphin has there own event calendars and not being disney really breaks from teh disney mold. their own food weekends, special holiday stuff, etc etc etc. Dont' forget to look them up as disney is not advertising what they are up too. (some of my favorite on property dining and things to do happen here)

 

[nursejackie]

We always make sure we are first in line at Epcot to meet Santa and Mrs Claus in the American Pavilion. When they first arrive they take the hands of the first child in the queue and and escort them to their seating area. Our child still believes so to him it's magical.

 

[WhoFramedRogerRabbit]

My favorite "not advertised" thing to do is get my haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop!!!! This one is more well known amoungst Disney vets but for casual fans or first timers I think this is a hidden gem. The cosmetologist there are INCREDIBLY talented and every trip I make I get my haircut there, not to mention the prices for a haircut here are INCREDIBLE! For an adult haircut it's only $19 (which outside of the park can be anywhere from $30-70) and a child's haircut is $18. They also have the "Child's First Haircut" for $25 for children 9 & under which includes a pair of Mickey ears and a certificate. I think this is something that is just a steal and time slots are usually not THAT hard to get. And every haircut comes with the complimentary option of pixie dust!

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

The parasol parade at GF, if you get up early enough the CMs all have parasols and march down the sidewalk. My sister & I caught it by accident last time we stayed there. So cool.

Speaking of parades, at POFQ they have a mini Mardi Gras parade. We have seen it each time we stayed and it's listed on their resort guide, but it's still cool to watch & catch some coins.

The Dapper Dans at Magic Kingdom are so entertaining to watch. They sing Disney medleys on Main St or outside the Fire Station, it's nice to watch them.

There is also a piano performer in front of Casey's Corner. I requested him play the Bare Necessities as he was opening and he obliged, very magical moment.

The Jamminators at Epcot are so fun to watch to; they change their wardbrode with the seasons & festivals, always play something new. At the end of the set they do a meet and greet, where you can take pictures with them and they give you a junior jamminator sticker.

During the Food & Wine Festival, if you are at a booth that just open and order a wine, they will give you the cork to that wine.

Those are the main ones I can think of right now. I will add to my list if I remember more.

 

[JodyLynC]

My favorite "not advertised" thing to do is get my haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop!!!! This one is more well known amoungst Disney vets but for casual fans or first timers I think this is a hidden gem. The cosmetologist there are INCREDIBLY talented and every trip I make I get my haircut there, not to mention the prices for a haircut here are INCREDIBLE! For an adult haircut it's only $19 (which outside of the park can be anywhere from $30-70) and a child's haircut is $18. They also have the "Child's First Haircut" for $25 for children 9 & under which includes a pair of Mickey ears and a certificate. I think this is something that is just a steal and time slots are usually not THAT hard to get. And every haircut comes with the complimentary option of pixie dust![/QUOTE

Does this include a blowdry as well? Do girls go there as well? Do you need to make reservations or is it walk-ins only?

 

[eeyoresmom]

This reminds me of something that I hear used to happen at MK. (This is something I heard about on the DIS.) When the Toy Story characters were out, if you yelled, "Andy's coming!" the characters would drop to the ground. What a cute idea! But so many people found out about it, they had to stop doing it. Bummer!

That was at Hollywood Studios.

 

[cwis]

That was at Hollywood Studios.

Did that really happened? I always thought this was the kind of stories you hear from a bus driver.

 

[eeyoresmom]

It was real but didn't last long

 

[VillainFavs]

Don't know if it's a secret or not, but free samples at Ghiardelli chocolate store in DS! We have to make a point of stopping in on every trip!

Other little fun things...

Go into the hat shop on Main Street and find the old-fashioned telephone hanging on the wall. Pick it up and listen!

Also along the right side of Main Street as you enter, there's a little alley way. Walk down and listen to the sounds coming from the windows above.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is a great free game! And even if you don't play the game, everyone in your party can get a pack of cards for free with admission to MK! They're beautiful cards and a great souvenir. Just stop at the firehouse and ask.

The greeter at POFQ who hands out beads and plastic coins to everyone coming in.

It's definitely not a secret but I know some people don't know about Club Cool at Epcot. Free samples of all kinds of soda from around the world--as much as you want!

 

[Chrisvee]

Also the Electric Water Pageant

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/magic-kingdom/electrical-water-pageant/

I enjoyed watching this from the water ferry dock at the GF and the Poly -- there are benches at both. Also saw it as I crossed Seven Seas Lagoon on the water ferry which was fun!

 

[Chrisvee]

Don't know if it's a secret or not, but free samples at Ghiardelli chocolate store in DS! We have to make a point of stopping in on every trip!

Other little fun things...

Go into the hat shop on Main Street and find the old-fashioned telephone hanging on the wall. Pick it up and listen!

Also along the right side of Main Street as you enter, there's a little alley way. Walk down and listen to the sounds coming from the windows above.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is a great free game! And even if you don't play the game, everyone in your party can get a pack of cards for free with admission to MK! They're beautiful cards and a great souvenir. Just stop at the firehouse and ask.

The greeter at POFQ who hands out beads and plastic coins to everyone coming in.

It's definitely not a secret but I know some people don't know about Club Cool at Epcot. Free samples of all kinds of soda from around the world--as much as you want!

I just saw that Sorcerers game for the first time this visit! So cool. I'm going to get a pack of cards even if I don't play -- thanks for the tip!

 

[Muirgyn]

Cookie decorating at the Mara AKL
A Pirate's Adventures at MK. Kind of like Sotmk but geared towards younger kids in my opinion. Something fun for the littles while older kids are riding rides the littles can't do or aren't interested in.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Yehaa Bob at POR. He does a great piano/comedy act in the lounge at POR on specific nights of the week.

It is family friendly and a great time.

 

[Surgie2]

... and the Grand Floridian magic moment where Cinderella and Prince Charming come down the stairs and dance in the GF lobby and all the kids are invited to walk with them.

Is this at a certain time daily?

 

[WhoFramedRogerRabbit]

One thing about the barber shop is they don't wash your hair there, so they ask you come in with fresh clean hair. However, to make styling easier they will use a spray bottle to wet your hair. Once it is done being cut they may go in with a blow dryer to style it, but not always. But if they do happen to use a blow dryer to style it, it will not cost you extra. And yes people of all ages and genders get their hair cut there. I am a girl, an 18 year old girl, but a girl none the less. My brother who is 15 gets his hair cut there as well. I've been in the shop at the same time as grown men pass holders who always get their hair cut there, little girls who maybe don't wan't or need the whole bippity boppity boutique experience but still want the pixy dust, and little babies getting their hair cut for the first time. It really is an experience for everyone. And I always make a reservation, but I'm sure you could do a walk in if they had the slot open. I've heard of people who get there early and ask if they have spots available for later on in the day and then will come back. But if you do plan on doing this experience I would recommend you call them and get an appointment, as you can't do that online.

 

[WhoFramedRogerRabbit]

One thing about the barber shop is they don't wash your hair there, so they ask you come in with fresh clean hair. However, to make styling easier they will use a spray bottle to wet your hair. Once it is done being cut they may go in with a blow dryer to style it, but not always. But if they do happen to use a blow dryer to style it, it will not cost you extra. And yes people of all ages and genders get their hair cut there. I am a girl, an 18 year old girl, but a girl none the less. My brother who is 15 gets his hair cut there as well. I've been in the shop at the same time as grown men pass holders who always get their hair cut there, little girls who maybe don't wan't or need the whole bippity boppity boutique experience but still want the pixy dust, and little babies getting their hair cut for the first time. It really is an experience for everyone. And I always make a reservation, but I'm sure you could do a walk in if they had the slot open. I've heard of people who get there early and ask if they have spots available for later on in the day and then will come back. But if you do plan on doing this experience I would recommend you call them and get an appointment, as you can't do that online.

 

[Surgie2]

Is this at a certain time daily?

Found it - 3:30 each day

 

[grumbleworts]

These are fun but I'd love to hear more that anyone can do, not just get chosen for specially.

There are free animation classes at Art of Animation. My husband really wants to do these; they had them on the Disney Fantasy, too,

I LOVED the animation classes at DHS, and I was so bummed when I found out they stopped. I'm glad they've gone somewhere else. Didn't realize this!

 

[grossmansr]

If you bought the memory maker you can get family portraits taken in the studio at Disney Springs.

 

[DG25]

This I'm sorry is a one timer, I think because I have never heard of it again. My DGD was under 3, we stayed at POR. Everyday she would dance thru the lobby and catch the eyes of cast members and say today grandma do I get to eat with my prince. , it was on our last night at 1900 park fare. So they heard it for 8 days. Well we came back for nap time, she had just woken up and was dressed as Cinderella and I was doing her hair, when the foot man (is that what you call them) knocked on the door and rolled out the scroll, in gold lettering inviting Aaliyah to come to the ball and have a dance with the prince. She could have died. We still have that scroll. When at the dinner, she was the first asked to dance with the prince, by name, again she was like he knows me he knows me grandma. It was so special.

Things I can think of, is the carriage ride thru POR, not free but great. horse back riding at fort wilderness, the movies each night at resorts, the parade of princesses in DS which I don't think you need to have your hair done at BBB, I think everyone can join in. My kids always liked the pirate cruises without mom and dad. Riding up front in the monorail, can remember which park still allows it, DL or WDW but one still allows it. Riding up front at the train. So many more I can't think of them all.