Best Kept Secrets?

cukeith · Post by **cukeith** » Nov Mon 27, 2006 4:08 am

I have to say El Rio del Tiempo in the Mexico pavilion. Most days you can walk right on, and it's a boat ride with nice scenery, neat smells, catchy music, and fireworks on the ceiling.

I also like seeing the Victorian gardens in Canada. They're on the walkway to Le Cellier Steakhouse. If you go all the way through to O Canada!, there's a major waterfall that's generally hidden.

On the same note, because Epcot has the back entrance you can walk around World Showcase well beyond park closing time. They play the Tapestry of Nations music (not sure if they still do), and it's such an experience.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Nov Mon 27, 2006 10:17 am

On the same note, because Epcot has the back entrance you can walk around World Showcase well beyond park closing time. They play the Tapestry of Nations music (not sure if they still do), and it's such an experience.

If you are in EPCOT late enough you can see both the Mk fireworks and the burn off of the left of gas from the show

Post by **acp** » Nov Mon 27, 2006 11:42 am

Jacca5660 wrote:If you are in EPCOT late enough you can see both the Mk fireworks and the burn off of the left of gas from the show

How late do you have to be in Epcot to see that? I didn't stay around in Epcot too long after the fireworks whilst I was there..

I agree with the comments about the TTA, though. It's also a good way to see if the wait time on Space Mountain is telling the truth (if it says a small number, you can usually tell from looking into the loading areas from the TTA whether it's true or not

).. And it's a good way to eat up the last 10 minutes or so before your Space Mountain fastpass time comes around

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Nov Mon 27, 2006 12:42 pm

How late do you have to be in Epcot to see that? I didn't stay around in Epcot too long after the fireworks whilst I was there

You have to stay until about 10:15 or 10:30. When we saw that we were the last ones out of the park. We left after 11:00. Nobody rushed us and they had a bus from every resort waiting to see were we where going!! It was a real DISNEY moment. TOO COOL!!!!!!! We even got to see the bridge open!

Post by **acp** » Nov Mon 27, 2006 1:33 pm

It's quite cool being in the parks after closing. A couple of times I was walking through Disney-MGM Studios after closing when there were no guests around. Although when they turn the music off at Star Tours and leave the Ewoks on, it's quite spooky!

Post by **horizons1** » Nov Mon 27, 2006 7:13 pm

Yeah, walking through the parks after closing is great fun - it's like you own the place or something. I always watch Illuminations from the Mexico side and then take my time strolling around W.S. before leaving. Also on my list of secrets:

- The rose garden waterside patio thing (that used to be the Swan Boat station) at the Magic Kingdom. Nice and quiet there, especially at night after the fireworks.

- Patio dining at the Big River Grille on the Boardwalk. You can see the Epcot fireworks and, if you eat late enough, enjoy the firework burnoff that was described above.

- Tubby's Cafeteria at the Dolphin. For us west-coasters staying at any Epcot resort who are STARVING at 1am eastern, this 24-hr cafe is a godsend.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Nov Mon 27, 2006 7:37 pm

Patio dining at the Big River Grille on the Boardwalk. You can see the Epcot fireworks and, if you eat late enough, enjoy the firework burnoff that was described above.

We stay et the Swan most of the time and your view of the fireworks from big river is limited to say the most!!!!!! You can't, I REPEAT; CAN"T SEE THE BURN OFF FROM THERE!!!!

RiaLucia · Post by **RiaLucia** » Nov Wed 29, 2006 7:17 pm

One is Fantasmic diner package at MGM. A great meal for a great price at one of the first class resturants in MGM and special seating for Fantasmic!!

Word. I did that with the Brown Derby. My friend's mom "sponsored" us.

It was a very great value, though, when you consider that the four of us got appetizers, entrees, desserts, and our awesome waiter threw in drinks at no extra cost. I believe it was something like $40-$45 apiece? Not bad for such a nice restaurant! And the seating for Fantasmic was great. I don't think I could be patient enough to wait in line for it along with the rest of the masses.

I have to say El Rio del Tiempo in the Mexico pavilion. Most days you can walk right on, and it's a boat ride with nice scenery, neat smells, catchy music, and fireworks on the ceiling.

Yes, that's one of my favorite things to do in the World Showcase. We Disney interns get such a kick out of it--at least all my friends and I did. Once a fellow intern and I were on our lunch hour and we came from a different part of property just to go to Epcot and ride it. (We worked in a "professional" role, so we weren't wearing costumes to give us away.)

Yeah, walking through the parks after closing is great fun - it's like you own the place or something.

Conversely, being in the parks before opening just as the sun is rising is amazing. But I was only priveleged to see that on two occasions: once when I was training on my first Disney internship at Epcot and my training was on the opening shift. The second time was when I went on a cast member tour of the Haunted Mansion. They conduct such tours before the park opens, so we were there at about 6am!

Post by **horizons1** » Nov Thu 30, 2006 2:44 pm

Jacca5660 wrote:
Patio dining at the Big River Grille on the Boardwalk. You can see the Epcot fireworks and, if you eat late enough, enjoy the firework burnoff that was described above.
We stay et the Swan most of the time and your view of the fireworks from big river is limited to say the most!!!!!! You can't, I REPEAT; CAN"T SEE THE BURN OFF FROM THERE!!!!

Wow, Jacca, no need to shout.

True, visibility is limited. On the burn off, I beg to differ, but I saw a fireball from my seat. Either it was that, or part or World Showcase exploded.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Nov Thu 30, 2006 2:56 pm

Conversely, being in the parks before opening just as the sun is rising is amazing. But I was only priveleged to see that on two occasions: once when I was training on my first Disney internship at Epcot and my training was on the opening shift. The second time was when I went on a cast member tour of the Haunted Mansion. They conduct such tours before the park opens, so we were there at about 6am![/quote]

Agreed. The parks are so beautiful in the early morning(minus 3rd shift). Everything is clean, it's quiet, and there's this sort of quiet anticipation all around.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Nov Thu 30, 2006 3:42 pm

Wow, Jacca, no need to shout.

SORRY!!!!!!!!

Post by **spaulo** » Nov Thu 30, 2006 3:47 pm

Jacca5660 wrote:
Wow, Jacca, no need to shout.
SORRY!!!!!!!!

That's still shouting

You know what's funny about this poll, even though I think, back when I voted in it, that I voted for TTA... how can something listed on every park map as an Attraction be considered a "Best-Kept secret?"

Are we stretching the concept of "secret" just a little bit?

RiaLucia · Post by **RiaLucia** » Nov Thu 30, 2006 5:01 pm

spaulo wrote: You know what's funny about this poll, even though I think, back when I voted in it, that I voted for TTA... how can something listed on every park map as an Attraction be considered a "Best-Kept secret?"

Are we stretching the concept of "secret" just a little bit?

Too funny. And true. Most of these so-called "secrets" on the poll I made are things that are hiding in plain sight because they're on maps. Maybe it's just me, though, but I rarely refer to park maps--even if I don't know it like the back of my hand. Some of them like the TTA probably look so quiet and unassuming on a map and even as you pass it by, you pay little notice.

But you all get what I mean. Stuff that's cool, but not everyone seems to take advantage...and actually I think that's a good thing.

More Dole Whips for me (even though I tell everyone I go with about them).

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Nov Thu 30, 2006 5:59 pm

sorry!

Scarlett2Rhett · Post by **Scarlett2Rhett** » Dec Fri 01, 2006 3:06 pm

Fun thread! I agree - people rush too much everywhere but especially at Disney.

I love just BEING there.

I can't wait to go to my very first MVMCP next week!

Hugs,
Ariel

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Best Kept Secrets?

What is Disney World's Best Kept secret?