The Secrets of Disney. The Parks

FANTASYLAND SECRETS

TINKER BELL'S TREASURES

It used to be that the first Guest to visit Tinker Bell's Treasures each morning would be allowed to awaken her so she may start her enchanted day in the Magic Kingdom. With Tinker Bell now over at the new Pixie Hollow, cast members now may summon her to a video monitor located behind the cash registers.

CINDERELLA CASTLE

Cinderella Castle is another example of the forced perspective used to make it seem much taller than its 189-foot height. If Guests look closely, they'll notice the scale of the architectural elements and stonework get much smaller as the eye leads higher. For example, the dimensions of the stones at the base of the castle are larger than those up higher, and the railings used at the top of the spire are only two feet tall, a full one and a half feet lower than other railings used in the parks.

Before journeying through Cinderella Castle, take a moment to find the Coat of Arms posted over the front and rear entrances. These are the Coat of Arms for the Disney family.

Observant guests will notice the mice watching from above at the receiving line area of Cinderella's Royal Table. They're friends of Cinderella, and their names are Jaq and Gus from the classic 1950 Disney film, "Cinderella."

As you walk through Cinderella Castle, find the large tile mosaic mural with the images of Cinderella's two stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella. Look closely and you'll notice the artist painstakingly portrayed their faces with green and red tiles to reflect them being green with envy and red with rage.

Upon exiting Cinderella Castle and entering Fantasyland, look to the left to discover a small fountain and statue of Cinderella holding a bird. A curtsey to Cinderella reveals a crown placed upon her head, depicted by the painted mural behind her.

"Wishes", the spectacular fireworks performance, is performed high above Cinderella Castle. As part of the performance, Tinker Bell flies from the castle across the sky, lit in a costume of bright illuminated colors. She begins her flight shortly after the first fireworks, so watch for her atop the tallest keep (tower) on the right of Cinderella Castle.

This next secret is one the vast majority of Guests miss, yet it unveils a captivating magical moment in the Magic Kingdom. Each day, Guests hurry out of the park in order to be gone by the published park closing time. It can be a bit of a hurried experience as Guests rush to catch their transportation back to their resort. However, Guests have one hour after the published closing time in which to make their way towards Main Street, U.S.A. and the exits. During this "twilight hour," make your way towards Cinderella Castle, find a bench and take a moment to watch as it slowly adorns itself in a variety of constantly changing colors while saying goodnight to another enchanting day at the Magic Kingdom. This is also one of the best times of the day in which to capture photos of Cinderella Castle, Tomorrowland and Main Street, U.S.A., as each is lit in a variety of colors, and very few Guests are in the foreground.

Side Note: Disney buses run up to two hours after the park closes, and the final bus is not allowed to leave until the park is cleared of all Guests and the final OK is given by Security.

PRINCE CHARMING REGAL CARROUSEL

Now make your way towards the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel.

Originally built in 1917, the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (formerly Cinderella's Golden Carrousel) started its life as "Liberty" at Detroit Place Garden Park. In time, it was refurbished and moved to Olympic Park in Maplewood, New Jersey, before it was purchased by Disney in 1967 in anticipation of the opening of Walt Disney World® Resort. It was restored by Walt Disney Imagineers and has been enjoyed by park guests since opening day on October 1, 1971.

There are many horses on the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, but only one is Cinderella's favorite. Find the horse with the gold ribbon on its tail, and you will have found it! Guests have only a short time to pick and mount a horse once they are allowed on the attraction, so take the time to watch the carrousel before you get in line, and you will be able to more quickly find Cinderella's favorite horse when your turn comes around!

SNOW WHITE'S SCARY ADVENTURES

Here's a secret that's hung out for all to see, but very few notice. Look for the painted mural opposite the queue for a scene with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. There, in the background, you'll notice some laundry hanging out to dry. Look closely, and you'll spot a pair of Mickey Mouse boxers.

Look again and you'll notice a Hidden Mickey on the chimney of the Seven Dwarfs' cottage.

THE MANY ADVENTURES OF WINNIE THE POOH

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction is housed in the former site of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, a wild and rollicking automotive adventure through the streets of London. As a tribute to this popular ride, you will find a picture in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh of Mr. Toad handing the deed of his attraction to Owl. In addition, Disney Imagineers have placed a statue of Mr. Toad in the pet cemetery of The Haunted Mansion.

SIR MICKEY'S SHOP

He may be huge, but he's not easily seen. Stop in at Sir Mickey's Shop in Fantasyland and look up. There you'll find Willie the Giant from Mickey and the Beanstalk peeking out from under the roof.

"it's a small world"

Stop and enjoy the classic animated clock of "it's a small world" opposite the queue line as it puts on a show every quarter hour.