Shh! 10 Disney World Secrets...

One of the few pictures of the Utilidors 

Have you ever wondered if Disney World has any secrets?

Oh yes, it does!

Behind the magical world of characters, rides, shows, and food, there's a secret world that Disney keeps hidden.

What if we revealed 10 of Disney's biggest secrets to you today?

Keep reading.

Learn About Disney's Underground City

1. Disney World is built on top of an underground city. When you walk through Magic Kingdom's gates you might notice a slight incline. That's because Walt Disney built a series of underground tunnels and utility corridors called "Utilidors" so cast members and deliveries can be transported without disrupting the park's guests. By the time you reach Cinderella's Castle, you're technically on the third-story of Disney World.

2. You can tour the underground kingdom. If you're at least 16 years old and willing to pay $229 for a ticket, Disney will take you on a 7 hour "Backstage Magic" tour. Besides exploring the utilidors, you'll get the chance to check out behind the scenes action at every park. Don't bring your camera though - photos are forbidden backstage.

3. Disney World actually is its own city! You read that right. In 1967, the Florida State legislature created the Reedy Creek Improvement District for Disney World and received a number of economic benefits in return. Disney's district has the same authority as any city's government, including the power to open a school or create a criminal justice system. Disney's board of supervisors hasn't done anything like that yet, but if it did, they would probably have full support from the district residents - all Disney Cast Members!

"Disney World's Magic Kingdom sits 16 feet above an underground kingdom of tunnels, corridors, and warehouses that spans 9 acres."
Tweet

Look for these Above Ground Secrets

4. Smells like...Have you noticed that delicious, sweet, cooking food smell on Main Street? What about the burning smells at EPCOT Center and Future World? The water and leather smell in Pirates of the Caribbean?  What you're smelling are really patented scents created by Disney's Air Smellitizer. Located in the underground kingdom, the Smellitizer wafts its scents above ground to help create the perfect experience - and keep Florida's swamp smell at bay.

5. Why is the park so clean? You won't walk more than 30 feet without finding a garbage can at Disney World. That's because Walt Disney did extensive research to create a safe and clean environment for his parks. During his research, he discovered that theme park guests would drop their trash on the ground if they couldn't find a garbage can within 40 feet. And your garbage doesn't last long in the park. It's suctioned at 65mph through underground vacuum pipes to a landfill.

Do you see the Hidden Mickey?

6. Keep an eye out for Hidden Mickeys. Throughout the park, "Hidden Mickeys" abound. Created by the Imagineers, they are hidden in plain sight and come in many forms, including the tri-circle Mickey head symbol and full figure silhouettes. Mickey isn't the only hidden character, though. Try to spot Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, and other characters, too.

7. Camouflage. Disney paints its administrative buildings, fences, and garbage bins in two shades known as "Go Away Green" and "Blend in Brown" . It's meant to blend all the non-magical parts of the park into the background so you focus on just the park fantasies.

What about Cinderella's Castle?

8. You can (theoretically) stay in Cinderella's suite. The 650 sq ft apartment was originally created for Walt Disney and his family, but he died before they could occupy the suite. Now Disney's board grants overnight access to some guests, who access the 4th floor suite via a hidden elevator. In case you were considering making reservations, some of the most recent overnight guests were Tom and Suri Cruise.

9. The castle is smaller than it looks. Thanks to the Imagineers' trick called "forced perspective", each story of the 189 foot castle is smaller than the story below. The bricks and castle windows are also smaller and spaced closer together as you look up. On Main Street, the buildings are angled to make the castle seem further away.

And One More Secret...

10. Celebrate your child's birthday at Disney World! Go to City Hall just inside the Magic Kingdom entrance and ask for birthday button. Your child will receive special attention all day from Cast Members and characters! If you're a resort guest, don't forget to the tell the resort front desk a day in advance. You can expect a few birthday surprises to show up in your room!

Do you have a friend vacationing at Disney World soon? Share these secrets with them to make their vacation even more exciting!
Tweet

Get email updates on ROVH's Disney World tips (it's free!)

Experience Extra Magic at Disney World with Limited Time Magic

Limited Time Magic at Disney World

What if there was a way for your family to celebrate surprise events and collect special souvenirs at Disney World?

Well get ready for your dreams to come true, because every Friday through 2013, Disney World Resorts announces a new Limited Time Magic.

These "extra sprinkles of Pixie Dust" are the perfect way for your family to enjoy a little more magic at Disney.

Expect Surprise Entertainment & Souvenirs with Limited Time Magic

A new Limited Time Magic celebration or souvenir will be featured every week, so make sure you take advantage of them while they last.

If you love a theme, event, or souvenir, tell a park employee because there's a chance your favorite could show up again later in the year!

Characters at the Winter Wonderland

Last week Disney hosted a Winter Wonderland at Epcot's Canada Pavilion. Some of Disney's favorite characters were there for pictures and families enjoyed playing in the "snow".

Tell us: Did your family see last week's Limited Time Magic? Which characters were your favorites?
Tweet

Show us: Do you have some great pics from the Winter Wonderland? Email your pics to ROVH and they could be featured on our Facebook & Twitter pages!

Upcoming Disney World Limited Time Magic Events

This week, January 21-27, Disney is hosting the Long Lost Friends Week. 

Keep your camera ready for old favorites like The Three Little Pigs, Robin Hood and Friar Tuck, Clarabelle Cow, and Horace Horsecollar!

Disney World Limited Time Magic Souvenirs

Couture Ear Hat from Disney World

It's Year of the Ear at Disney World. Every month, Disney will release a new set of ear hats and head wear.

January is Disney Couture Ear Hats. Pick up all 5 fashionable hats for your Ears collection at the parks.  

Tell us: What do you think February's ear theme will be?
Tweet

Show us: Do you have a fantastic Ear collection? We'd love to see pics! Email your pics to ROVH and they could be featured on our Facebook & Twitter pages!

Subscribe to ROVH for Limited Time Magic Updates

With free updates from ROVH, we'll make sure you family knows the latest Limited Time Magic news. We'll keep you posted on what events are happening this week, where to find them, and what souvenirs are available this month. 

There's 3 Easy Ways to Subscribe to ROVH:

1. Sign up to receive free email newsletter updates from ROVH on Limited Time Magic and Disney news.

2. Like ROVH on Facebook to read our posts on Limited Time Magic and Disney news.

3. Follow ROVH on Twitter to get our Limited Time Magic and Disney news tweets. 

OR...

Get email updates on the latest Limited Time Magic & Disney blog posts (it's free!)

Get Ready for MyMagic+! Disney World's Smartphone Solution to a Better Vacation.

Are you ready to plan your best Disney World vacation ever, with just the internet and your smartphone?

Starting this spring, Disney World is unveiling its MyMagic+ program.

Disney's newest technology creation combines the power of the internet, smartphone apps, and wristbands to allow your family to plan the perfect Disney World experience.

MyMagic+ Means No More Waiting in Lines

The idea behind MyMagic+ is simple.

• Reserve times for park attractions that your family actually wants to experience. 
• Show up at your reserved time. 
• Avoid waiting in line for rides or splitting up to collect FastPasses.

The best part is that you don't have to stick to your itinerary. 

Update your MyMagic+ plan with your smartphone, while at the parks - anywhere - anytime. 

Tweet 

Here's How MyMagic+ Works 

1. Decide which group you fall into. 

• Group 1: If you're staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you're an Annual Pass holder, or you've purchased a photography package, MyMagic+ is available to you. 

• Group 2: For now, all other guests will receive a ticket with touch features that allow them to enter parks, redeem FastPasses+, and pay for items. These guests can also use the My Disney Experience website and purchase MagicBands. Don't worry - Disney World plans to make the entire MyMagic+ available to all guests by the end of 2013. 

2. Research with My Disney Experience. Look up park information online or on the app (available for iOS and Android).

3. Reserve with FastPass+. Reserve times for rides, attractions, and dining using the enhanced FastPass system.

4. Breeze Past Lines with Your MagicBand. Show up to your reserved park attractions, swipe your MagicBand wristband and you're on your way to a full day of family fun at Disney World. Don't forget that your MagicBands serves as a room key, theme park ticket, and PhotoPass card. You also have access to your FastPass+ selections and can use it to make purchases.

5. Revise Your Itinerary on the Go. Use your smartphone to update your itinerary anywhere, even at the parks!

So What's Next?

We're thrilled about the MyMagic+ system because we think it will help families create the best Disney World experience. But there are a lot of questions still unanswered. 

• Do young children have to wear the MagicBands?
• How does MyMagic+ work for families with handicapped members?
• Will all smartphones support the new technology?
• When do we get full access to the technology?

What questions do you have about MyMagic+? Do you love the idea or have concerns about it? Share your thoughts below or sign up to receive ROVH's updates on MyMagic+ breaking news.

Get email updates on the latest MyMagic+ news (it's free!)

TE8JEKNVRADG