Top 7 "Hidden Gems" at WDW

These Walt Disney World attractions are great "hidden gems" located inside the parks.
Yes, they are all on the park maps.
No, you don't need a super, secret password to get in.
These are just often overlooked attractions that really deserve a second glance!


1.  Animation Station - Hollywood Studios

Located in The Magic of Disney Animation building in Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios is an awesome "hidden gem!"  Take a short "class" where a Disney artist teaches you how to sketch a Disney character, step by step.  

2.  Dinosaur Gertie - Hollywood Studios

Situated on Echo Lake in Hollywood Studios is a large dinosaur-shaped ice cream stand.  The "hidden" part of this gem is not in the location (because let's face it, it's a huge dinosaur in a prominent place), but in the story behind it.  Gertie the Dinosaur played a pivotal role in the beginnings of animation.
Check out this post for more about Gertie. 

3.  Flights of Wonder - Animal Kingdom

Flights of Wonder in Disney's Animal Kingdom is a fabulous show located in the "Asia" section of the park.  This show gives you the opportunity to experience birds from all over the world, up close!  It's a wonderful show that all ages will enjoy!  Check out the video I made below from when I was asked to join the Cast Members on stage.  It was an amazing experience!

4.  Journey into Imagination with Figment - Epcot

Located in the base of the Imagination Pavilion in Future World at Epcot is Journey into Imagination with Figment.  This ride features a lovable purple dragon named Figment who takes you on a journey to explore the 5 senses.  This is a great attraction for the nine and under crowd!  As you exit the ride, there is a wonderful, sensory exploration area for kids to play and discover.  This attraction is a great option for those who need to split up so that some can ride Soarin' while the younger ones enjoy Figment.

5.  Mickey's PhilharMagic - Magic Kingdom

This "hidden gem" is hidden in plain site!  Mickey's PhilharMagic is located just behind Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom.  Unfortunately, many people just pass right on by this amazing 3-D show.  This show features Mickey and Donald.  Through a series of "Donald-esque" events, Donald travels through scenes featuring the most loved songs from some of the most loved Disney movies:  Lion King, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast and Aladdin.

6.  Minnie's Dressing Room Meet & Greet - Hollywood Studios

This one truly is "hidden."  In the Animation Gallery in the Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios, you can find several character meet & greet opportunities.  Generally, you can meet Sorcerer Mickey on the left side of the meet & greet room, and the right side generally features a popular duo from a recent Disney movie (in the past it has been the Incredibles, Wreck it Ralph & Vanellope and most recently Baymax & Hiro).  Situated right in between these two meet & greets is a little hallway that leads to a door.  That door is a door to Minnie's dressing room meet & greet!  It's so easy to miss, and many people do!  We actually walked right past it, but a Cast Member waved us over and invited us in.  There was no wait, and it was a relaxed meet & greet session.   

7.  Sum of All Thrills - Epcot

Sum of all Thrills is an awesome virtual roller coaster located inside the Innoventions East building in Future World in Epcot.  You get to design your own thrill ride in a design room and then ride the coaster you created!  Hint:  If you like extreme coasters, you can ask the Cast Member at the design stations to help you make the best choices for the most extreme ride possible. 

HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY DAY!
Candice