The Secrets of Disney. The Parks

WORLD SHOWCASE SECRETS I

Walt Disney World Secrets Notescast®

WORLD SHOWCASE SECRETS I

SHOWCASE PLAZA

Tucked to the right hand side of Showcase Plaza are two telescopes right at the water's edge, just waiting to show guests the world.

While most guests enter World Showcase and rush off to either Mexico or Canada, those who break from the pack and proceed straight ahead will find an expansive view of World Showcase along with these two telescopes, which allow unique close up views of each pavilion.

ILLUMINATIONS

Many Guests believe the best viewing for IllumiNations is from the Showcase Plaza. This broad slightly sloped area is roped off until just 10 minutes prior to showtime when Cast Members allow Guests to fill the area and take their seats on the ground. The area is then closed again 5 minutes before the performance. Guests are required to sit during the performance, as no standing is allowed in this area.

The new La Hacienda de San Angel restaurant at Epcot's Mexico Pavilion is also an excellent place from which to enjoy IllumiNations. This new restaurant was designed specifically to give guests an outstanding view of the fireworks spectacular during their dining. Reservations are encouraged.

If it looks like rain, you may be in for a better view of IllumiNations. Many guests assume IllumiNations is cancelled if it rains, so many leave Epcot if there is any chance of precipitation at all, and this opens up all kinds of good viewing areas. IllumiNations is never cancelled due to rain. It may, however, be cancelled due to high winds or if there is any lightning in the area.

KIDCOT

World Showcase is an exciting trip around the world for kids of all ages, but youngsters can experience the world in an entirely new way with Kidcot Fun Stops, a journey filled with enchanting stops at each pavilion where children decorate their own personal mask with the colors, trinkets and stamps of each country. Stop by a pavilion as you enter World Showcase and ask a Cast Member for a Kidcot Fun Stops mask.

KIM POSSIBLE WORLD SHOWCASE ADVENTURE

What in the world are those people doing?!

As you make your way around World Showcase, you'll no doubt spy families listening carefully to a device and searching for clues to something. It's all part of Disney's Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an "ultra-interactive 35-minute adventure through one of seven World Showcase Pavilions" in which guests partner with "Team Possible" to search for the clues needed to save the world from the domination of evil villains.

Anyone can join in the fun. Pick up a "Kimmunicator" at one of the Team Possible Recruitment Center kiosks in Epcot and use these hand-held devices, along with other props, such as old-fashioned cameras, hidden boxes and even parrots, located throughout World Showcase to find the hidden clues needed to thwart the evil villains and save the world.

MEXICO

Stop for a moment in front of the Mexico pavilion and study this tall pyramid for another example of the same forced perspective Disney Imagineers use with Cinderella Castle, Expedition Everest and even Main Street, U.S.A. While it appears much higher, the pyramid's total height is actually only 36 feet.

NORWAY

Yes, the roof of the small Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe at the entrance to the Norway pavilion is covered with real grass. How do they keep it trimmed? Disney landscapers trim the grass with clippers.

Here's a secret thousands of guests pass by without ever noticing, yet for those in the know, it's a classic. As you stand in the queue for Norway's Maelstrom boat ride, find the viking ship at the left side of the large mural depicting the history and wonders of Norway. There, in the middle of the ship, amidst all the vikings, is one viking wearing Mickey Mouse ears! The name stitched on the front..."Leif".

Hidden throughout Walt Disney World Resort are trash cans, drinking fountains, park benches and other items which talk. They actually converse with you, asking about the neat red shirt you're wearing, why your brother looks grumpy, why you're taking a picture of a bench, etc. Here's a tip on how to find one. After you disembark the boat ride on Norway's Maelstrom attraction, you'll queue up to enter an auditorium for a movie. Sit on a nearby bench, and it just might engage you in conversation.

The building at the entrance to the Norway pavilion? It's a Stave Church, and yes, you're welcome to go inside. Step inside to learn all about the interesting history of the Vikings.

CHINA

Now journey next door and see another attention to detail which is subtle, yet very important to an accurate portrayal of the host country.

Notice the water in the landscaping at the China Pavilion. Here, as in China itself, water used in a landscape is typically still, whereas the water found in other pavilions involves movement or flow.

This next secret reveals a prince at Walt Disney World whom nobody has ever heard of, yet he's there to be seen everyday. Venture to the China pavilion and find a small sculpture of a man atop a hen on the roofline of the Nine Dragons Restaurant. This man is Prince Min, a cruel 3rd century ruler who was hanged for his actions. His presence on the roof is a warning to all other tyrants to keep away, and the other animals behind him are there to keep him from escaping.

Now make your way towards the back of the China Pavilion and step into the Yong Feng Shangdian shop. There, on a pedestal next to a red column is a large bronze basin with two handles, one which most guests assume to be a simple wash basin. This basin, however, is unlike any you've ever seen before, as it is the Fish Basin, or "water-spouting" basin. Stop to read the small sign above the basin which reads, "The fish basin is dated back to the song Dynasty (960 to 1279 A.D.). The bronze basin has two prominent handles and four fish in relief on the bottom, as well as a line emanating from the mouths or tails of the fish. When the handles are rubbed briskly with the palms of the hands, a harmonious sound is heard and standing waves are excited in the four quadrants along the circumference. Meanwhile water column comes alive, spouting into the air, as if squirting from the four fish." Go ahead, give it a try.

OUTPOST

Stop at the Outpost between the China and Germany pavilions and lift the lids on the old-fashioned Coca-Cola coolers for a fun secret most guests overlook.

GERMANY

Pass through the Germany pavilion at any time after the hour and you're sure to miss this next secret. Each hour, on the hour, the large clock at the back of the platz, or plaza, performs a unique chime composed especially for the pavilion, complete with two Hummel figurines.

The statue in the middle of the platz is not random artwork, but represents St. George, the patron saint of soldiers, who slayed a dragon which was about to take the life of a King's daughter. Statues similar to this one can be found in almost all German villages, and this statue is modeled after one found in Rothenburg.

ITALY

This next secret reveals again Disney's commitment to detail and quality. High atop the campanile (the bell tower) is a golden angel. Painstakingly sculpted to exactly match the original, it is covered in real gold leaf.

THE AMERICAN ADVENTURE

Now take a moment to study another outstanding example of Disney's use of forced perspective. Standing in front of The American Adventure, you'll notice, by the placement of the doors and windows, that it appears to be only a two story building, which was the limit in this colonial period. However, have someone in your party stand up next to the building to give it proper scale, and you'll discover it is actually 4 to 5 stories tall!

It is said that if you enter the pavilion for the American Adventure and turn to your left, you will find a painting of a B-17, and if you walk back and forth on the gray strip of floor tiles in front of the painting, the image of the B-17 will appear to swivel as you move from one side to the other. We didn't see this happen, but we'll allow you to be the judge.