Hidden Gems In The World

Hidden Gems in the World is a compilation of those out of sight, over looked and sometimes free things to do at Walt Disney World. Perhaps you have a "non-park" day or maybe you just enjoy those "out of the ordinary" things that most people miss. Take a look at our Hidden Gems that are found all over Walt Disney World property and take the time to do a little exploring. We'd like to say a special thank-you to our MFL List Members who have shared the "hidden gems" they have found, with us.

Epcot
Printable Version
Pocket Guide to Epcot Future World, Pocket Guide to Epcot World Showcase
Instruction to pocket guides

Future World

• Check the entertainment schedule for some of the street performers, both in the World Showcase (where you can find Off Kilter, British Invasion, World Showcase Players, Dragon Legend Acrobats among others) and in Future World (where you will find the Jammitors among others).

• Several opportunities for water play here, check out the "Cool Wash" area just west of Test Track, the leap fountain is located outside of Honey I Shrunk the Audience, watch the water leap from pad to pad, there’s also two play fountains, one located on the main walkway from Future World to the World Showcase, and one over near the walkway to Mission Space (if you think your kids might be playing in these I recommend packing a change of clothes). Also outside the Imagination pavilion is a water fall (water up?) where the water is actually flowing up rather than down. Don’t forget to spend some time watching the big fountain in the middle of Future World, it is officially called Fountain of the Nations, but referred to by many as the Dancing Fountain. Make sure and check it out during the day and at night for a light altering performance.

• Three talking water fountains can be found in Future World, if you are facing the Dancing Fountain with Spaceship Earth behind you, there’s one located next to Mouse Gear, there is another next to the play fountain on the walkway between Future World and World Showcase, and lastly behind Innovations West near the restroom. If this isn’t enough talking oddities, look for the talking trash can in the Electric Umbrella restaurant.

• Looking for a cool free beverage? Something a little different than you what you are used to? Stop in at Club Cool, located on the west side of the main fountain in the middle of Future World, be sure to try Beverly or other Coke products from around the world.

• Look for a butterfly garden on the path to Test Track.

• Take time to explore the “play” area as you are coming off Test Track, compete in a game against another team, let the little ones climb in their area, play some video games, or send some cyber postcards to your family back home (there are also some video email and cyber postcard areas in Innovations)

• Slow down and take some time to see what Innovations has to offer, both East and West, it’s a great way to get out of the heat. Visit the World of Plastic in Innovations East for a free souvenir, and a great workout. Try the Pixography station in the Xerox area for a free picture calendar to take home. Try out Toon Tag for some fun.

• If you are walking past Spaceship Earth at night, make sure and look down for a fascinating fiber optics light show. The kids (old and young) will love it. And often there’s no line at Spaceship Earth at night, maybe hop in for one last ride? While you are in there look for the scene at the top where the moon is showing, you may see a lift that is used to get Mickey and others to the top for special events.

• A marker that (was) the center of WDW is on the path to Living with the Land, just west of Innovations West, behind the fountain and towards the Lagoon. It once the marked the center of property, but now it's just a circle in the pavement. This is most likely not the center of WDW now, if it ever was, but tradition says it once was!

• As you are leaving Test Track, look for the Crash Test Dummies, pose for a picture, but beware they may not be dummies at all!

World Showcase

Mexico

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Norway

• As you enter Norway the first building has a roof made of real sod, back in the “ole country” this would be trimmed by the goats, however here in WDW the horticulturists take care of it. Make sure and go into the Stave Church, there are only 28 of these left in Norway. I also know of one larger than the Epcot model built in the Black Hills of South Dakota, all the pieces for that one were shipped in from Norway.

China

• Make time for the acrobats show in China, then check out the temple ceiling, and lastly for an inexpensive souvenir, see the man in the back of the gift shop for a personalized fan.

Germany

• Germany offers wine tasting for a small fee, and then you can order up your favorite and have it sent to your hotel room or the front gate for pickup later in the day.

• In Germany make sure and spend some time enjoying the train exhibit, which often has seasonal differences, and look for the clock with the figures that pop out on the hour, and the pickle tree. If you are not familiar with the pickle legend, ask a cast member.

Italy

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U.S.A.

• Stop into the American Pavilion, don’t pass it by as you figure you spend enough time in our grand country, the shows here are worth stopping for and they have different exhibits that change. Take time to enjoy the pictures painted through out American Adventure pavilion

Japan

• Try on the traditional Japanese garments in the department store in Japan, pose for a picture, then head upstairs to the bar for a bit of quiet and a beverage.

• The Japanese Pagoda has 5 stories and each represents an element the Buddhists believe all things were created from: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Sky.

Morocco

• The Morocco pavilion offers a free tour of their “country” including cultural and historical bits about this fascinating country. This might even induce you to exploring all the other countries to find some hidden areas, such as the maze garden in the back corner of the UK.

• Notice the wall mosaics in Morocco, each one has at least one flawed or cracked tile on purpose, as they believe only Allah can create perfect things.

France

• The bridge crossing from France to the UK represents crossing the English Channel, Disney’s version of the Channel? Look for a bike and an easel around the channel as if an artist were painting and just stepped away for a minute.

United Kingdom

• Look for the butterfly garden in the UK; it is located in the Not-a-garden where the apothecary grows his herbs. There is a butterfly box here where the butterfly cocoons are protected until they hatch

Canada

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Other

• World Showcase Passports (approx $12 at shops/carts throughout Epcot), you can get them rubber stamped and signed in each country at the Kidcot station; they also come with a stamp for each country and a button that reads “World Showcase Traveler.”

• Speaking of the Kidcot Stations, your child (or I am sure you if you are so inclined) can make a free mask, they can color it and decorate it, there are ornaments to hang from it and they can get a stamp in each country and a signature from the Cast Member (remember the Cast Members are from each country, so they are a wealth of information for inquisitive minds, young and old alike). If you finish up all the countries you get a special prize!