Unheralded Treasures

What's an Unheralded Treasure?

There are many things to do at Walt Disney World, but some of the most enjoyable are not found in marketing videos or guidebooks. For this reason, they are "unheralded". I view them as "Treasures" because they are unexpected experiences that you will remember as something special. Perhaps you have already experienced a Walt Disney World unheralded treasure.

Park Treasures

A big part of your vacation is "doing the parks," and that means planning on the best time to visit your favorite attractions. Unfortunately, some people get too wound up and find themselves exhausted by the end of the day. Remember that your vacation should be exciting and relaxing, and not exhausting and stressful. This is where the treasures come in.

The Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is a favorite for many guests because it holds many memories. And although there have been some changes over the years, the core remains pretty much intact, and that is what keeps bringing us back.

Do you remember the first time you walked in to the park? The excitement of a child who sees Main Street USA and the castle for the very first time is a treasure beyond words. Take a moment to sit on a bench at the train station and observe the guests as they enter the park.

Main Street USA's town square, where the flag retreat ceremony is held

At dusk, the Magic Kingdom holds a small but proper ceremony called Flag Retreat. Several cast members at Tony's Town Square take the American flag down from the flagpole, and fold in a very proper manner. Doves are released as the flag is put away. This simple ceremony that adds charm to the theme park. Make time out of your busy day to attend if you get a chance.

Kiss Goodnight is a very special unheralded treasure and one of my favorites. To experience this treasure you must be in the Magic Kingdom at closing. Kiss Goodnight begins with the castle sparkling and changing colors. While this is happening, the park explodes with a thousand voices singing, "When You Wish Upon a Star." We hear several voices including Walt Disney himself, as you see some pixie magic from Tinkerbell. A true Disney fan will react in a very strong way to this special moment. The next time you happen to be in this park at night...hang around Main Street USA around closing and you will find the most unheralded treasure.

Disney/MGM Studios

The Disney/MGM Studios has some unheralded treasures as well.

When the gates first open, everyone runs to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. If these are not on your agenda for the morning, stroll over to the Great Movie Ride and discover the stars who have put their feet and hands in cement for MGM immortality. Guests often forget to do this little fun task.

The concrete hand-prints are in the courtyard of the Chinese Theater

Also, if you happen to do this when the park first opens you may also hear a melancholy "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" played near the Great Movie Ride attraction. You might also hear the same melody in the hour before the park closes. What a truly enjoyable experience.

For another unforgettable experience, walk around the rear of the park just before closing. This would include the city streets and especially Star Tours. Stroll up to the attraction and listen. Do you hear the Ewoks?

Star Tours at the Studios (photo by Ian Parkinson)

The lights on Hollywood and Sunset boulevards are not to be missed. Next time you get a chance, study these neon signs, and you will find they each have their own unique style.

Epcot

Epcot has its own charm found mostly in World Showcase. It is there that most of our unheralded treasures are found.

Many fail to appreciate the wonders of the Canadian Pavilion, and especially the Victoria Gardens area. There is so much to see here: a mountain, a waterfall, a mine, and a gushing stream. You could spend some serious quality time relaxing in Canada.

Victoria Gardens in Epcot's Canada pavilion

The United Kingdom also offers some quiet corners where you can relax and marvel at the different architectural styles that make up the pavilion area. Have you ever visited the gazebo?

When you visit Norway, avoid making a beeline to the Maelstrom. Instead, take some time and visit the Stave Church. You are sure to be mesmerized by the sounds you experience. You may also want to take your time exploring the Viking ship.

Inside Norway's stave church

Is there a train enthusiast in the family? If so pay careful attention during your visit to World Showcase. In one particular country, there is an outdoor miniature railroad display complete with tunnels, bridges, houses, stations, and everything you could possibly want in a railroad display. Obviously this unheralded treasure was inspired by Walt Disney's love for trains. Where is this treasure? I think it will be more fun for you to find it.

Future World has a few treasures of its own. The first of course is its magnificent fountain in Innoventions Plaza. Although you could enjoy the dancing waters and music all day, it is even more wonderful at night.

Showcase Plaza can offer you that day's end retreat to relax. It is from this point that many guests gaze across the world Showcase Lagoon and just drink in the serenity that the lagoon brings to you.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

The draw here is not just the animals, but also the landscape that was designed to give you the impression that you are half a world away.

Did you know that you can get a closer look at the Tree of Life via the Tree of Life Gardens? While everyone is fighting to get into It's Tough to Be a Bug, why not venture around the base of the great tree and check out the animals, including those in exhibits and those on the tree?

I find the Maharajah Jungle Trek somewhat appealing because I can go though it at my own pace, read up on various animals, and take my time if there is a huge crowd. This attraction allows me to call the shots.

Tiger's on the Maharajah Jungle Trek (photo by Ian Parkinson)

For the well-being of the animals, this park closes in the early evening. Unfortunately most heralded treasures are best experienced at night.

Non-Park Treasures

Of course there is more to Walt Disney World than the parks. Here are some unheralded treasures from around the world.

The nighttime Water Pageant is truly an enjoyable and relaxing event. You may want to see this event at either the Polynesian or Grand Floridian. A wonderful experience for your eyes and ears, it has been a simple yet elegant treasure for decades.

The Wilderness Lodge has a beautiful pool area. One of the most relaxing things you can do is sit outside on the second floor lobby balcony to look over the pool area and Fire Rock Geyser. You may just feel like taking a nap.

The view from Wilderness Lodge's second floor balcony

The lobby of the Wilderness Lodge can be a very relaxing place. Grab a rocking chair in front of the grand fireplace. You never know when a certain couple of chipmunks might sit down right next to you.

The Grand Floridian certainly lives up to its name. One of the most enjoyable things you can do is sit in the lobby of this hotel in the evening and listen to the pianist or the small orchestra. Comfy furniture and soft music... sounds like a treasure to me.

I leave you with one of the most unheralded treasures of all and a favorite of mine. This treasure involves the Caribbean Beach Resort's Barefoot Bay, the resort's 45-acre lake.

One of my most memorable moments was in 1992 when after a long day at the parks, my wife and daughter decided to turn in early. It was around 10 p.m. and my son and I decided to take a stroll around the Bay. The lampposts provide just enough light so you can see where you are walking, without being annoying.

After our stroll, we stopped in at Old Port Royal for a dish of soft-serve ice cream and a large oatmeal cookie. There we sat, out on the plaza, gazing out at the water as my son and I talked. We talked about many things that night. I look back at how that Bay set the mood for such a unexpected, but treasured father-and-son moment. It was also my first inclination as to what an unheralded treasure at Walt Disney World should be. To this day my son, now 22, often says to me, "Hey Dad, when are we going to go back to Walt Disney World and the Caribbean Beach Resort to get another dish of ice cream and an oatmeal cookie?"

Old Port Royale plaza

No talk of Space Mountain; no talk of the Tower of Terror; no talk of Test Track. Obviously an unheralded treasure is for all ages.

So do yourself a favor the next time you visit Walt Disney World and take a break from the attraction-hopping and try to relax. Your treasure is waiting for you.

Happy holidays everyone.

Next time: Mike's Top Ten List.

Class dismissed.

Photos on this page by Brian Bennett unless otherwise noted

Here's a list of the trip reports that Mike has written that are part of MousePlanet's archives!

Michael Scopa -- August 1999 -- Walt Disney World (CSR)

Michael J. Scopa -- July 1997 -- Walt Disney World (WL/CBR)

Mike Scopa -- July 1994 -- Walt Disney World (WL / CBR)

Also, don't miss Lani Teshima's column, "The Trip Planner" for more travel planning information!

Brian Bennett, author of MousePlanet's WDW Trip Planning Guide (and publisher of the Disney Trip Report Archive), writes:

The first Disney trip report that I ever read was a report by Mike Scopa that I downloaded from the America Online travel library in late 1994. The report was a detailed description of the Scopa family's trip to WDW in the summer of that year.

As soon as I was done reading it, I was hooked.

I picked my own brain and documented my own trips and the things I'd learned from my own experiences. Then, in 1995 I actually wrote a report as the trip unfolded. I took a laptop with me and spent some time in the evenings documenting what had happened that day. (I've repeated that process for my own reports ever since.)

In July 1996, I started my Disney trip planning Web site. Besides including my own reports, I asked for permission from the authors of several other reports and added them to the offering. Since then, the number of reports has expanded greatly. In 1997, I added an information summary for each report to make it easier to sort through the reports that are available.

I still 'blame' Mike for hooking me on this Disney habit.

Thanks Mike!

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