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Best Kept Secrets?
Posted: Oct Sat 01, 2005 1:41 pm
by RiaLucia
A recent discussion on Ice Station cool prompted me to think of this and wonder what you all would consider to be WDW's "Best Kept Secret".
I wouldn't necessarily define this as being rides and/or shows you would consider underappreciated, but moreso things to see/do/experience/eat around property that are great to just about everyone who tries them...but not everyone seems to have tried them!
Posted: Oct Sat 01, 2005 2:15 pm
by TestTrack
For me I think the best kept secret is unfortunately how to enjoy Disney. People these days are in such as rush it seems. They talk on their cell phones while driving...there is always work to do...yadadada.
While at Disney I find it is best to take things slowly, take in the sights. There is so much more to disney than just rides. I think that this was in a way emphasized with the appearance of fastpass. Take it easy, sometimes half of the ride can be the line itself. Disney is different in that repect that they make the experience start as soon as you walk in the gate. The biggest example I can think of is Test Track.
I went my first time and waited in the line. It was so much fun to watch the machines and such, the music really got me hyped up too. Then I went with a GM employee and got to skip the line. Guess which time was better? Hands down, the one where I waited.

Posted: Oct Sat 01, 2005 10:09 pm
by G2-4T
Agreed on that - too many are in a rush. Just chill and enjoy the atmosphere. I love sitting near the Electric Umbrella at night to watch the Fountain of Nations - and during the holidays to walk around that area and appreciate the choriographed lights. Few others actually stop to watch... So yeah - I hear you on that. Lines too - FP is great but if the line is short I'll take that over FP if the queue is fun. Most are, some they went cheap on but most are good. Stop and see the details, it makes it that much better. Wrong park I know but when in Indy read the signs and don't follow the instructions [ie - pull that rope there leading down to the caves]. Too many fly by just to ride.
Ok, to the poll, I'd say TTA. I love it - a nice relaxing ride above the crowds, a whole new view on things, a way to see the details. And you can ride it at different times of the day for different views, night and day truely are different on this one. The neon lights are something else to see from the air... And that is why they need to bring back the PeopleMover in DL!
Posted: Oct Sun 02, 2005 12:01 am
by js3901
G2-4T wrote:Ok, to the poll, I'd say TTA. I love it - a nice relaxing ride above the crowds, a whole new view on things, a way to see the details. And you can ride it at different times of the day for different views, night and day truely are different on this one. The neon lights are something else to see from the air...
I agree TTA is one of my favorite rides in the entire park, not as much action as rides like PotC or HM, but it's nice and relaxing and the views are great.
Posted: Oct Sun 02, 2005 10:58 am
by RiaLucia
js3901 wrote:G2-4T wrote:Ok, to the poll, I'd say TTA. I love it - a nice relaxing ride above the crowds, a whole new view on things, a way to see the details. And you can ride it at different times of the day for different views, night and day truely are different on this one. The neon lights are something else to see from the air...
I agree TTA is one of my favorite rides in the entire park, not as much action as rides like PotC or HM, but it's nice and relaxing and the views are great.
I agree with you both. The TTA is my all time favorite way to relax and unwind in Disney. On slow days my friends and I have just stayed on a couple times around by asking the CM nicely.

Posted: Oct Mon 03, 2005 9:13 am
by stev02
The Vacation Club is sweet and probably is Disney's best kept secret. I love going there.
Posted: Oct Mon 03, 2005 10:00 am
by CDAbleson
Nothing better then the TTA during a rain storm, then you jump right down into the short line for SM.....
Posted: Oct Mon 03, 2005 11:13 am
by spaulo
As much as I love TTA, I really wanted to come up with my own "Best Kept Secret".... but after thinking long and hard about the turkey/swiss sandwich with arugula and red pepper on foccacia at the Backlot Express at Disney Studios, I decided that, yes, TTA is really that good and that unknown. Best Kept Secret, hands-down.
Posted: Oct Mon 03, 2005 1:23 pm
by MouseMan
Ok, my son (7) would say TTA. He rode it 4 times the last visit when he was 4, while his sister 2 1/2 years older when on Space Mountain and a few other rides he considered too fast.
But I am going to say Disney at Christmas is the best kept secret. While not really a secret if you havn't gone durring the holidays you never really know how that season really brings out the Disney magic. I have always been to WDW between April and Sept in the past, but in '03 we went in December. I can't wait until get to go that time of year again.
Posted: Oct Mon 03, 2005 1:48 pm
by GoofyInOhio
For me the diamond in the ruff is or was Ice Station Cool. It was always nice on those really hot days to dive in there have a drink from around the world and cool off at the same time. I can almost feel the heat then the cooling right now. 8)
Posted: Oct Mon 03, 2005 4:15 pm
by rick2vick
A five to ten minute walk from the International Gateway, and you're at Beaches and Cream. Get there early because it's small and gets crowded. We did lunch there on our EPCOT day. It's a great break from the park. For dessert, you must order the Kitchen Sink, even if your whole family can't finish it (mine could not). Just don't plan to eat it and then go right back to ride Mission Space.
Posted: Oct Mon 03, 2005 4:29 pm
by RiaLucia
spaulo wrote:As much as I love TTA, I really wanted to come up with my own "Best Kept Secret".... but after thinking long and hard about the turkey/swiss sandwich with arugula and red pepper on foccacia at the Backlot Express at Disney Studios, I decided that, yes, TTA is really that good and that unknown. Best Kept Secret, hands-down.
I've had that sandwich twice and it's truly spectacular! You've got me drooling for it!
Posted: Oct Mon 03, 2005 11:09 pm
by Fidget1234
* Dont forget the mini-golf courses: Fantasia Gardens & WinterSummerland!
* Boardwalk after dark-live entertainment, games, dining-its awesome...
* Mickeys Backyard BBQ (u get to dance w/ Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip & Dale!)
* MNSSHP
* MVMCP
* Beaches & Cream!
* Taking the Friendship boat from Disney Studios to Epcot. it's a nice ride & it's free.
* Disney Aqua Seas Tour @ Epcot. (Scuba snorkling in the giant tank @ Living Seas-u may have seen guests in the water while at the attraction. its alot of fun & very informative)
* Animation class @ exit of Disney Animation tour. You get to keep your sketch of a Disney character. (this is also free)

Posted: Oct Tue 04, 2005 12:30 am
by js3901
Fidget1234 wrote:* Disney Aqua Seas Tour @ Epcot. (Scuba snorkling in the giant tank @ Living Seas-u may have seen guests in the water while at the attraction. its alot of fun & very informative)
But you have to be certified in SCUBA, right? or have they changed it? I know in '99 when we went you had to show them your certification before you could do the DiveQuest (SCUBA in the big tank).
Posted: Oct Tue 04, 2005 10:04 am
by rick2vick
js3901 wrote:Fidget1234 wrote: have to be certified in SCUBA, right?
The Seas Aqua Tour is snorkel, and needs no special certification. You're thinking of DiveQuest that requires SCUBA certification. On our last visit, we had considered doing the Seas Aqua Tour, but opted instead for Dolphins in Depth. That was an awesome experience. When I chose Beaches and Cream in the poll, I had forgotten about Dolphins in Depth. Being in the water with the dolphins is one of the coolest things that I've ever done. Although you don't actually "swim" with them, you are right with them. You touch them, they practically lie in your lap, and you give them hand signals to get them to do their tricks. My two teenagers said that it was the best part of our vacation.