1. Mickey’s iconic ears are the symbol of this “happiest place on earth”. The park is filled with “hidden Mickeys”, designed by Disney staff and placed throughout the park and hotels. One of the easiest to spot is the ear-shaped power pole or electricity pylon that borders the I-4 near exit 25. The town of Celebration also has many hidden Mickeys to look out for in the paving near the lake, local golf clubs have Mickey-shaped sand traps and greens and Celebration Hospital has hidden Mickey carpet. If you have been to Disney world previously, hunting for hidden mickeys adds a new dimension to a familiar place.
2. Lost something? Every year Walt Disney World Lost and Found department deals with 6,000 cell phones, 3,500 digital cameras, 18,000 hats and 7,500 autograph books.
3. When you enter the park look for the old fire station with a light in the front window. The light burns continually in memory of Walt Disney. However, some believe that the small apartment behind the window was where Walt looked out on the crowds, but this is not so. He died in 1966 and the park did not open until 1971.
4. Ride the steam train around Walt Disney World for 15-20 minutes and you will be powered by biodiesel made from waste cooking oil from all those french fries! Although it costs more to operate these locomotives, it saves the company the price of 200,000 gallons of diesel each year.
5. Want to make the most of your visit? Book a Disney Fastpass which will give you a prescribed time for enjoying the rides without hours of waiting in line. Secondly, go to the far side of the park on arrival and work your way back, against the crowds. It will be much quieter that way!
6. Been on the Star Tours Intergalactic 3D Adventure attraction? You may want to go back time and time again. Passengers are treated to 54 different stories and scenery combinations as the spacecraft journeys through space, so you will never be bored.
7. There’s a clever optical illusion when you walk down Main Street USA to the Sleeping Beauty Castle. The buildings and lampposts get steadily shorter in size to give the illusion of a long, long road. However,when you walk away from the castle, the walk to the parking lot will seem much shorter, which is great for weary legs.
8. Mickey Mouse is an extremely well-dressed mouse. In fact he has 290 sets of clothes from a tuxedo to a diving suit. Minnie has 200 outfits for every event, from evening gowns to cheerleader outfits.
9. Look out for Disney cast members (park guides) dressed in plaid vests, and checkout who they are guiding. Usually they are the children of Stars or VIPs, so it could be well worth a photograph.
10. If you are concerned that you could not find any recycling bins, rest easy. Disney staff sort all garbage for recycling before it leaves the park. How’s that for a green conscience?
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Day Trips Around Orlando Florida
