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Disney From The Twenty-Something: Hidden Secrets of WDW Part III

Caitlin CorselloFrom Hidden Mickeys to small details placed by Imagineers, Walt Disney World® is saturated with hidden secrets. Last year, I shared two posts about some hidden secrets in WDW and got some great feedback, so I thought it would be great to come up with a part three and share some more great little hidden gems for you to look for on your next vacation. Let’s check out some Disney secrets!

  • In the Magic Kingdom® Park, take some time to check out all of the windows as you stroll down Main Street, USA. One of the second story windows advertises “M.T. Lott Real Estate Investments.” This is a nod back to the original conceptualization of WDW and the period where Disney was purchasing acres of land in Central Florida using dummy corporations. “M.T. Lott” was one of those dummy corporations, but as with all things Disney it had a clever twist in its name.
  • Over in Adventureland®, be sure to look for an interesting chess match which seems to have lasted a little longer than anticipated. While in the queue Pirates of the Caribbean®, look through one of the barred windows down below to find two skeletons forever locked in a chess stalemate.
  • In Liberty Square, make sure to stop by and see everyone’s favorite happy haunts in the Haunted Mansion®. If you are brave enough, keep your eyes open for a ghoulish grim reaper in the graveyard scene. He can be found in a crypt and in his outstretched hand is a classic Hidden Mickey.
  • Over in Epcot®, my favorite attraction is Journey Into Imagination with Figment, but I still dearly miss the original version which featured DreamFinder and Figment as a team. When the attraction reopened featuring just Figment, Imagineers left a little tribute to his lost friend. When passing through two of the sensory labs, look for a door labeled “Dean Finder” a clever twist on an old friend’s name.
  • While visiting The Land, hop aboard one of the boats on Living with the Land,and pay extra attention in the farmhouse scene. The number on the mailbox is 82 which pays homage to 1982, the year Epcot® first opened.
  • Caitlin CorselloBack in World Showcase, Maelstrom features a beautiful and massive mural next to its loading area. While there are several Hidden Mickeys to be found in the mural alone, be sure to look for a Viking wearing some interesting headgear as he conquers the Nordic seas.
  • Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, take a trip through the movies on The Great Movie Ride® and look to your left while passing through the Indiana Jones scene. Hidden among the hieroglyphics are some classic Disney characters as well as few droids who seemed to have relocated from the Star Wars universe.
  • If you are brave enough to enter the The Twiglight Zone Tower of Terror™, be sure to take some time and look all around you in the lobby- it is one of the best attraction queues in all of WDW. While there are literally dozens of great hidden details and secrets to be found here, one of my favorites comes in the form of a plaque. Look for an award from AAA honoring the Hollywood Tower Hotel with its 13 Diamond Award. Seems a little ominous since the real award only goes up to 5 Diamonds, no?
  • On lighter note, pop in for a visit with the Muppets over at Muppet*Vision 3D. During the chaos of the finale scene, keep your eyes and ears peeled for some pretty noticeable dolls and a very catchy tune. It’s a small world after all, isn’t it?
  • Caitlin Corsello Over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, hop on the queue for It’s Tough To Be A Bug!® and pause before entering into the lobby area. There is a carved section of the roots of the Tree of Life honoring famed scientist Jane Goodall and one of her primate friends David Greybeard. It is a great tribute and the nearby plaque offers a really interesting look into Goodall’s work.
  • If you think you can conquer the forbidden mountain over at Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®, you might need a little humor to build up some courage before boarding. While passing through the queue, look around in the supply room for a tea with a pretty unique label. Anyone up for some “Ye-tea”?
  • Finally, take a stroll through DinoLand U.S.A.®, and look for signs advertising 498 Highway. This pays tribute to April 22, 1998 when the Animal Kingdom first opened its doors to guests.

 

So there you have another round of hidden secrets in WDW! There are plenty more secrets to be found, so if you enjoyed this list definitely let me know, and I will do a follow up post soon! Be sure to also let me know what your favorite hidden secrets are!

(Photos from the author’s personal collection.)

What is your favorite WDW hidden secret? Want to see another post like this soon? Let me know by leaving a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

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About Lou Mongello

Lou Mongello is a former attorney who left the practice to pursue his passion, and is now a recognized Disney expert, author, speaker, and host of WDW Radio. Learn more…

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