Step onto a Walt Disney World park or resort and you know you're in for a magical experience, especially with one of the experts in WDW travel, Funjet Vacations, guiding your trip.
But did you know there are hundreds of little-known facts and finds that can make guests' experience all the more wondrous?
Utilidors: Today, they house small underground pipes that shoot trash across park at speeds of 60 mph, but they have a sweet origin: They once piped the scent of freshly baked cookies onto Main Street before it was decided that the scent was too "chemically."
Thirty steps. That's the furthest you will ever have to walk to a trash can at any Disney property. Why? As the legend goes Walt Disney himself sat in Disneyland and counted how far guests would walk before tossing their trash on the ground. Apparently, 30 steps was the magic (Kingdom) number.
These boots were made for walking. The Magic Kingdom is approximately the size of San Francisco (or twice that of Manhattan). No wonder it takes days to do it right, not to mention some very comfortable walking shoes.
It pays to rent. Guests of Disney World can save big at Disney Vacation Club by renting unused points from the Vacation Club owners. These points can be used to upgrade rooms or stay at one of Disney's high-end luxury resorts, effectively cutting the rate in half depending on the time of year, the resort in question and how many points are used.
[READMORE]SEE MORE: Funjet Helps Educate Travel Agents[/READMORE]
Nighttime is the right time. For guests of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, there's a little known (and free) nightly viewing of the animals. Pull on those night vision goggles and watch the park come alive after dark.
Whip it. Whip it good. The Polynesian resort is the only place in Disney World other than the Magic Kingdom where you can get a Dole Whip.
Throw me something, mister! Staying at the Port Orleans Resort in Disney World over Mardi Gras? Then you may just have ringside seats to one of the best (and least known) Mardi Gras parades around. Cast members decorate their own floats, dress up in costume and march through Riverside and the French Quarter resorts to the delight of guests.
Roll out the Red Carpet. The Magic Kingdom's red walkway serves two purposes. First, Walt Disney wanted to make each guest feel special by laying out the red carpet. It also cues the characters as to when it's safe to remove their costumes As long as they see the red cement, they know what they have to be in character, even if it appears they are behind the scenes (just in case a gate was left open and someone can peek in).
Safari tracker. Every day, a cast member hides a Disney character stuffed with a radio collar somewhere in the Animal Kingdom Resort. Your mission is to track that animal using an electronic device.
Old Glory. The American flags you see lining Magic Kingdom's Main Street aren't exactly what you think they are. Each flag is missing a star or a stripe so that they don't need to be raised and lowered each day or lowered to half-mast. And the flagpoles pull double-duty as lightning rods.
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