Ten Disney Secrets You Need to Know

Most folks just think of rides and Disney characters when they think of Disney theme parks. But Disney has much more to offer. So much more! Discover ten Disney secrets you need to know before you go:

Disney Quest is an absolutely amazing place that is located right in downtown Disney World, yet most visitors don’t know about it. This five-floor attraction features eight different interactive games and 250 arcade games. Visitors can build their own roller coaster at Cyber Space Mountain. All ages will thrill in choosing a “world” for their roller coaster, building its track (how steep do you want it to be, how many times do you want to go upside down, etc.), and choosing the speed (from 1 or “mild” to 5 or “wild). After finalizing your ride, you will step inside an F16 flight simulator and experience the ride you created. How cool is that? Plus, there are virtual Jungle Cruises, Pirates of the Caribbean voyages, and much more.

For Adults Only is the Richard Petty Driving Experience (in the Magic Kingdom Parking Lot). Attend the Pro Training School on site and then suit up to drive a real stock racing car on a real speedway at speeds up to 145mph!

Typhon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are two super cool water parks located inside Disney World. There is an extreme water coaster, Crusher Gusher, beach, water slides, wave pool, parasailing, surfing & surf school. Surfing and surfing lessons take place before the park opens so you won’t even miss any ride time. And there is no waiting for the perfect wave because they come every ninety seconds! This is a great break when you are hot and tired of standing in lines.

One of the best things parents can do is pay for a VIP Tour at Disney World and Disneyland. You will learn all kinds of cool history and lore that most folks don’t know during the “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” tour that includes twenty stops. One of those is Club 33 (established 1967), the most exclusive secret members only VIP club at Disney. It is so secret that they don’t even advertise it or have a sign to let you know where it is. However, VIP tour participants are taken inside, at least as far as the lobby. There is also a “Keys to the Kingdom” Tour that reveals the side of Disney most folks never see, such as their parade command center and underground tunnel system. VIP Tour Guides also handle all your needs, such as getting lightening passes and making your experience as easy and fun as possible.

Forget character meals that include dozens of other people, mediocre food, and only last an hour. If you want to splurge, think bigger and better than that! Stay in Disney’s Dream Suite, which is above the fire station on Main Street. This 2,200-square foot luxury apartment was built for Walt Disney himself. It boasts a Jacuzzi, two bedroom suites, large living room, bayou patio, and more. Another once-in-a-lifetime lodging experience is the Cinderella Castle Suite in Cinderella’s Castle.

How about having the “Princess Experience” or “Knight Experience” (for boys and girls ages 3 – 12) at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique? Little girls are dressed up like little princesses complete with beautiful costumes, cute make up, hairdo, pretty nail polish, wand, and tiara. Adults can get in on this fun too with Disney’s Character Couture packages, which are available at different locations within the park and also in your room at some resorts (for an added fee). Reservations are required for kids and adults.

Don’t settle for a corn dog or soft pretzel! There are more dining options than you can imagine in Disney World—we’re talking 200 restaurants! The best is Victoria & Albert’s inside the Grand Floridian Resort. It is a five diamond restaurant, which is the highest rating possible. But if you want the most exclusive experience possible, you must make reservations for the Chef’s Table. This is private dining inside the kitchen of V&A! The chef will make prepare special meals just for your group and personally attend to you. Souvenir menus are created for your group so that you’ll always remember this special night. There are Disney dining options for every taste and budget, such as Ohana, 50s PrimeTime Café, Liberty Tree Tavern, SciFi Dine-in Theater Restaurant, and Le Cellier Steakhouse.

Disney hosts incredible year round events. They offer special events for every season. In the fall and spring, enjoy the Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland and DisneyWorld. In the spring, there is also a huge Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot. From fall until Christmas, Halloween is celebrated, including “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” (Sept & Oct) and “Nightmare Before Xmas” at the Haunted Mansion. Disney parks become a winter wonderland at Christmas with lots of fake snow, millions of twinkling lights, and spectacular decorations. And their New Year’s Eve party is epic!

There are nearly three dozen specialty hotels and resorts inside Disney World, such as Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian Villas Resort, Boardwalk Inn, Treehouse Villas, Baylake Tower Resort, and The Contemporary. The monorail runs right through its lobby! But perhaps the best lodging, at least for Star Wars fans, is at the StarWars Galactic Starcruiser at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, which has 100 cabins on board. After check in, guests will hop aboard the Launch Pod to be taken to their rooms. This is a two-night totally immersive experience that includes theater shows, live musical performances, themed restaurants, light saber training, top secret missions, and much more! While Disneyland doesn’t have as many on site, they have some great choices. For those staying at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which overlooks Disney Adventure Park, they have access to a private entrance to Disneyland. Their villas come complete with full kitchens and suites. There are lots of great lodging options off Disney property, as well. But one big perk is that the park has extended hours for those staying at Disney resorts.

Don’t miss Disney at night. Most folks don’t realize there is plenty of fun still happening after the sun goes down. Shows, attractions, shops and boutiques have evening hours. There are Disney theme lounges and bars featuring signature cocktails and mocktails. There is a spectacular Fireworks Show every night when the park closes, as well as the Spectro Magic Parade. This is not your typical parade. This magic parade features music, state-of-the-art holographics, colorful floats, huge whirly balls, special fiber optics, and more than one million lights! Disneyland and Disney World offer “Disney After Dark“, as well as a DJ Dance Party and Seven Seas Lagoon parade. Also, many of the resorts have nightly entertainment seasonally.

Click here to read a recent post I shared about big changes happening at Disney!

disney map — **Disney World is the size of San Francisco!**

Now that I’ve shared Ten Disney Secrets You Need to Know, I want to share my Top Ten Disney Tips:

The biggest problem at Disney is the crowds. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom received 12.7 million visitors last year while Disneyland’s attendance was 9 million. These numbers are lower than in 2019 (pre-pandemic) when Magic Kingdom hosted 21 million visitors and Disneyland received 18 million visitors. That’s a lot of people and a lot of long lines. Here’s when to go to avoid the crowds:

THE BEST TIMES TO VISIT DISNEY IN 2023

March 1 – 10

April 17 – 30

May (weekdays until Memorial week)

August 14 – September 30 (except Labor Day weekend) NOTE: September is historically Orlando’s rainiest month

October – November 30 (except Thanksgiving week)

December (weekdays except Christmas & New Year’s weeks)

2. Another big issue with Disney is the cost. It’s getting really expensive to go to this happy place! Disney prices are based on peak times. So if you want the lowest priced ticket, you need to visit during off peak times.

THE CHEAPEST TIMES TO VISIT DISNEY

January & February (except New Year’s week)

August 14 – September 30 (except Labor Day weekend)

More Ways to Save $$$:

Check out Disney Special Offers for best deals!

Check out Disney World Tickets page!

Check out Disneyland Tickets page!

3. Disney is the size of San Francisco! That’s a lot of walking and a lot of standing in lines—for everything. Get a leg up by downloading the Disney World or Disneyland app. Find real-time ride wait times, dining reservations, mobile food ordering, hotel information, and Genie+ in the Disney app. NOTE: Disney discontinued its FAST PASS program.

Click here to read a recent post I shared about big changes happening at Disney including its new pass program!

4. Hire a VIP guide, use a Disney travel specialist, or map out your strategy beforehand. You don’t want to criss-cross all over the place, wasting your valuable time and energy. Know what rides and attractions you want to see and do in every part of the park. Do those and then go to another area. Plan to go early or late to top rides that will have the longest wait times. Plan downtime to recharge. Make reservations if you want to see a show, enjoy an experience, or have a sit down dinner.

5. Don’t pay for character meals. These are really expensive and not necessary. Disney characters are all over Disney parks all day. Make it a game to spot them and get all the photos you want for free!

6. Use your phone to skip food lines at many fast food places by using the mobile ordering feature in the Disney app.

7. Make a midday table-service restaurant reservation. Instead of grabbing fast food, book lunch at a table service restaurant so you can relax and recharge (and get better food) before hitting the rides again.

8. Buy your Disney souvenirs elsewhere. You will pay much less for the same t-shirts, Mickey ears, wands, and souvenir cups off Disney property. Disney Gifts Outlet in Kissimmee, Florida (outside Orlando) is a good place to go and there are Disney outlet stores in Orlando too. Many folks stay here because the lodging is much cheaper than in Orlando. Also, Walmart, Walgreens, and Target in Orlando sell Disney merchandise. Even Disney hotels and resorts have Disney merchandise that is cheaper than in the theme parks–even Amazon sells Disney stuff!

9. Give family members their own Disney Gift Card that they can use for whatever they want but when the card is used up, that is it, so they should choose wisely. These cards are available in $25 – $500 denominations and can be used anywhere.

10. Bring everything you need so you don’t have to buy at higher prices in the park. You need to pack sunscreen, snacks, bottled water, juice, hats or visors, jackets, good walking shoes and socks, medications you may need before you leave the park, and anything else you or your kids can’t live without daily.

Click here to learn more about my book, TERRANCE TALKS TRAVEL: CHEAP DISNEY!