Walt Disney World is home to amazing attractions, exceptional restaurants, lavishly-themed lands, amazing Cast Members, and some of our favorite hotels anywhere. It truly is the Vacation Kingdom of the World, unlike any other destination–even other Disney theme parks. Despite all of that, it’s the “little things” that have us returning again and again. These may seem small, but they can help define a trip or are memories of it every bit as much as the “big” rides. Think of them as the ‘Morsels of the Magic,’ if you will.
That’s what this list is all about, and it’s our second in what could probably be a never-ending series of the Little Things We Love About Walt Disney World. Readers seemed to love that post, and the nice reminder about what makes Walt Disney World such a special place. Many fellow fans shared their own heartfelt sentiment and favorite little things in the 60+ comments to that, so I’d encourage you to check those out–and leave your own ‘Morsels of Magic’ lists in the comments here!
With that said, I’ll start this post the same way that the last ended, by noting that the common theme to this list is nostalgia and sentimentality. If you’re planning a first trip to Walt Disney World, this entire post might read as nonsense. How can anyone’s favorite things about Walt Disney World be the “inconsequential” stuff here instead of Cosmic Rewind, Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, and other must-do rides?!
It sounds crazy to the uninitiated, and to be clear, this is not a planning guide. No, you should not add “stare at lights,” “smell a strong perfume,” “eat corn dog nuggets late at night,” etc. to your list of must-dos at Walt Disney World. Rather, this list is like a stroll down memory lane for longtime fans–with things that I suspect will resonate in one way or another. Lots of those “if you know, you know” things.
The excellent attractions and everything else in the marketing isn’t what keeps you coming back to Walt Disney World year after year, decade after decade. It’s the indelible experiences we have with family and friends and these little things around which so many unforgettable memories have inexplicably formed that keep so many of us coming back.
A decade from now, you probably won’t remember what rides you rode. But there will be some unplanned moment or ‘Morsel of Magic’ that you couldn’t forget even if you tried. That’s the real hook, and what’ll keep you coming back. If you’re a first-timer planning a Walt Disney World trip, you may not understand why one of the year’s biggest controversies was about a waffle sandwich–but it wasn’t just that waffle, it was the waffle plus the memories.
Those who don’t “get” Disney will never understand, but it’s why so many of us crazy Disney Adults keep going back home to Walt Disney World, again and again. Anyway, on with part 2 of the list…
Tomorrowland Neon – My obsession with Disney theme park lighting is well-documented. I have strong thoughts about everything from environmental show lighting (don’t make it too cool!) to specific light fixtures (one of my all-time favorites is in Adventureland) for both the way they look and texture they add to the lands. And just about every fan would probably agree that 95% of lands look better at night under the artificial light that Imagineering controls.
Few lands measure up to the neon jungle of Tomorrowland. The land looks better aglow in vibrant color–it’s when the Tomorrowland ’94 concept really shines. Part of this is likely due to so many dusk and nighttime rides on the TTA PeopleMover, listening to the exquisite background music loop and gazing down at the land awash with neon.
There’s also the realization that what’s left of Tomorrowland ’94 probably won’t last much longer, and desire to savor what’s there now as much as possible. For one thing, it admittedly does look dated. For another, Walt Disney World is setting the table for a Tomorrowland overhaul that’ll likely commence at some point in the early 2030s. So I want to appreciate this as often as possible while it’s still around, rather than getting upset when it (inevitably) goes away.
Chilly Buses – If these ‘Morsels of Magic’ lists were your first exposure to this website, you might wonder why this dude has an obsession with cold air. The first list contained “crisp morning air” and now this one has “chilly buses.” Two very different things, I swear!
Again, “if you know, you know.” Who among us hasn’t been racing around in the Florida heat, only to step foot on a Disney bus and be blasted by a cold chill of glorious air-conditioning–the most potent variety in all of Walt Disney World. On the one hand, it’s so refreshing and satisfying as you get off your feet, decompress and cool off until your stop. On the other hand, this arctic air on the bus makes stepping back into the Florida heat all the more difficult.
As a side note, and I have no way of proving this, but I firmly believe Walt Disney World air-conditioning used to be stronger and cooler in attractions, restaurants, gift shops, etc–buses are pretty much the last bastion of old school AC at WDW. They’ve dialed down both the temperature and way it blasts you in the face. I’m not sure whether this is a good or bad thing–just something I’ve noticed over the years. It’s not just me, right?!
Port Orleans Pathways – When it comes to “best places to go for a walk at Walt Disney World,” Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter rank highly. They’re right behind the Crescent Lake and Magic Kingdom resorts, which is high praise given the massive popularity and guest awareness differentials between the respective resort areas.
The Port Orleans Resorts have horse-drawn carriages, Mickey beignets, and beloved nighttime entertainment. They’re also just underrated settings with spectacular atmosphere. While so much has changed at Walt Disney World in the last 5 years and is slated to change in the next 5, not much is different at Port Orleans as compared to a decade ago. Sometimes the best things at Walt Disney World are the constants.
Port Orleans Riverside is a romantic and charming place for a peaceful promenade, and strolling along the beautifully-landscaped pathways feels worlds away from Walt Disney World in many spots. It’s just a fantastic, self-contained spot for a stroll. But a serene stroll through both of the sister resorts? That’s perfection. The lush scenery, beautiful waterways, and a variety of different environments keeps things interesting and engaging, and makes this feel both ‘Distinctly Disney’ and like its own thing, worlds away from Walt Disney World.
Arrival Nights on Monorail – I’ve mentioned this before, but there was a moment when Sarah and I were on the monorail after our first dinner together at California Grill in 2007 when it all ‘clicked’ for us as a couple and Walt Disney World.
We were still students who could only afford Walt Disney World (even back then when it was much cheaper!) by virtue of a friend’s discount who was doing the College Program. We had the OG Disney Dining Plan and received a free upgrade to Saratoga Springs Resort. Walt Disney World probably lost money on us that visit given how much we ate, but they quickly came out ahead seeing as we saved up and bought into DVC at Saratoga Springs only a few years later (not to mention all of this since).
Anyway, I still remember leaving on the monorail after that incredible meal and seeing the popcorn lights and sights out the window. It was truly this amazing world–the most impressive ‘city’ I had ever seen up until then. That was the night that got us forever hooked on Walt Disney World. I knew, right then, that this was the place my future wife and our future kids would be coming for the rest of our lives. Obviously, I didn’t know the specifics or how things would play out in the intervening years…but I just knew.
I felt the magic that night, and I’ve felt shivers or reverberations of that moment every time we’ve ridden the monorail on arrival night to or from dinner. (It’s gotta be arrival night.) I think the sights from the monorail, especially at night, are truly awe-inspiring no matter what (gliding through a hotel and seeing a castle?!), but the nostalgia we have intertwined with that is impossible to beat.
Late Night Casey’s Corner – The last 2-3 hours of the evening is our favorite time at Magic Kingdom. I’ve mentioned many times that I’d trade those handful of hours (plus rope drop) for the entire middle of the day. That’s no exaggeration. We love to race around, doing as much as possible, even if “as much as possible” is really just looping the TTA PeopleMover. (Speaking of which, that would be another entry–looping the PeopleMover!)
One of my top “traditions” in these scenarios is forgetting to eat dinner. Or eating too early, and moving so much during the home stretch that it’s Fourth Meal time. (Since I eat a lot at Walt Disney World, forgetting to eat dinner is something that seldom happens, and Fourth Meal is more like Sixth Meal. I don’t know how I’m constantly hungry in the parks, and eat like 2-3x what I do in a normal day, but that’s not the point here.)
Anyway, my go-to for 4-6th Meal at Magic Kingdom is Casey’s Corner. We have so many fond memories of just crashing at the tables outside Casey’s Corner, not really sure how our tired feet even carried us that far, and scarfing down corn dog nuggets with plastic cheese. It’s a meal that, to be entirely honest, I wouldn’t even consider eating at home. But at Walt Disney World when tired and hungry, it just tastes incredible. Like water in the desert.
So many of those meals would be “interrupted” by the Kiss Goodnight on Cinderella Castle, and we’d jump up–our legs and feet suddenly rejuvenated and full of energy–to enjoy that magical moment. Another topic entirely, but dang do we miss the Kiss Goodnight. Closing down Magic Kingdom just doesn’t feel the same since that’s been gone.
That ‘Pause’ After A Great Run of Rides – If you’re anything like me, lining up for Early Entry or rope drop is anxiety-inducing. Sure, the anticipation is building, but so too is the stress. Is this crowd bigger than normal? Is it going to be a busy day? Am I going to have time to execute my morning plan? What if my first ride has a dreaded delayed opening? Is that coffee I had before leaving the room going to need to be ‘dealt with’ while I’m in line for TRON? And so forth–I’ll spare you my internal dialogue.
When that rope actually is dropped, the voice quiets and you go into ‘touring mode.’ The best thing I can liken this to is a high-level professional athlete who is in the zone, like Michael Jordan or Tom Brady in their prime. Except some might say that Walt Disney World park touring is more demanding.
Joking aside, on a good morning, there’s this point at which you realize you’ve successfully executed your plan of attack and you have a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and a well-earned break. There’s still more to accomplish, but not right then. You’re free to decompress and relax. It’s like your senses are suddenly heightened and you’re as happy as can be.
(I sure hope I’m not the only one who has this euphoric feeling post-rope drop, otherwise this will all sound really weird.) I use this as a chance to reward myself with a coffee and snack. So if you don’t “get” the above feeling I’ve described, just ignore the rest and consider this entry “mid-morning snack.”
Water Bridge – One of my favorite “people-watching” (or listening, rather) experiences at Walt Disney World occurs as we’re heading on the boat to or from Wilderness Lodge, and we cross the waterway bridge above World Drive that connects Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. Invariably, someone on the boat points this out, to the astonishment of children and other adults alike. (Note: the photo above is NOT of the water bridge. I somehow don’t have one in the DTB Archives. I’ll be rectifying that this week. I feel like I’ve failed you all.)
To this day, that water bridge remains one of the marvels of the original Vacation Kingdom of the World to me. (There’s another now over by the Crescent Lake Resorts, but this one is the original and most incredible to me.) Admittedly, I understand next-to-nothing about civil engineering or infrastructure or whatever else this is, but it just boggles my mind that this is even possible today, let alone several decades ago.
Aside from the monorail going through the Contemporary, this water bridge is probably the most tangible reminder of what a feat of urban planning Walt Disney World was back in the late 1960s and early 1970s during the initial construction. It’s one of those little things that makes me stop to appreciate Walt Disney World every time we cross over–or drive under–it.
The water bridge is an exemplar of Imagineering, and one of the reasons why I continue to hold the company to high standards and don’t view half-baked projects like the Island Tower at the Polynesian that detract from, rather than enhance, the resort complex build over 50 years ago as “good enough.” It’s also one reason why boat captain is a dream retirement job–so I can be the one telling guests about the water bridge as we pass over it, adding to the wonderment.
Wilderness Lodge Nooks & Crannies – The fireplace in the main lobby of Wilderness Lodge is “okay.” It’s so popular it sometimes has multiple rows of rocking chairs sitting out at it, which is fine if you want to see the back of someone’s head. Thankfully, the Imagineers who designed Wilderness Lodge got a great bulk discount at the Fireplace Store, and they’re all over the place around both buildings of the hotel.
For a more secluded experience, head upstairs to the alcoves, which have fireplaces and overstuffed reading chairs and couches around them. If the these upper level locations are filled up for some reason, head over to Boulder Ridge. There’s almost always a secluded spot by a fireplace or an overstuffed chair where you can relax with a book or laptop to do some work.
Frankly, this could be an entire list of the ‘Morsels of Magic’ I love about Wilderness Lodge. All it takes is a walk outside on the walkway through the thick woods and past the geyser, or sitting in an alcove away from the crowds, and you are instantly someplace else.
It could be 98° outside, but Wilderness Lodge makes you feel like you’re worlds away from that. There’s a lot to love about Wilderness Lodge, and it’s truly my “happy place” at Walt Disney World. I could sit around simply soaking up the ambiance, listening to the background music, pretending I’m up north and it’s snowing outside on a cold winter day.
Gift Shops in Norway – One of my biggest Walt Disney World “regrets” is when I tried to convince Sarah that she should get the perfume Laila by saying that it reminded me of my grandma’s house. Apparently, wives do not want to smell like grandmas. (Who knew?) That was an unfortunate choice of words on my part, as Laila is probably my all-time favorite perfume, and not just for its inextricable association with Norway.
Anyone who has ever walked through the Norway gift shops knows that sweet scent of Laila, which is a clean and crisp scent evoking Norwegian wild flowers and lavender. But it’s more than just that. We love to look at the merchandise, both the Norway-inspired Disney souvenirs and the authentic Norwegian products.
These gift shops remind me of our past Walt Disney World trips–including that fateful day when I almost convinced Sarah to get Laila, but fumbled it. They’re also a fond memory of our best Disney Cruise Line voyage ever, to the Norwegian Fjords.
This Not-So-Hidden Mickey – One theme of these ‘little things’ lists is that they’re populated by older and sometimes simpler times at Walt Disney World. Don’t get me wrong, I love plenty of the next-generation attractions and immersive lands with blockbuster budgets. But so much of what makes Walt Disney World special for us are the relics of a bygone time that on paper don’t really seem like anything special.
What things like this not-so-hidden Mickey Mouse lack in budget or technology, they make up for in personality. There’s something charming and sentimental about this spot, which our family plans to use as a photo op to chart Megatron’s growth for years to come. I also enjoy my imagined backstory for this–when you think about it, this is actually a Mini-Mickey sitting atop a Giant Mickey who is mostly buried below ground.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you have favorite Morsels of Magic? Secret spots, quiet moments you revisit, or sentimental favorite ‘little things’ at Walt Disney World? Anything you absolutely adore that isn’t a full ride, restaurant, resort, or some other big thing? Anecdotes of your own about favorite memories or experiences you like to relive from past visits to the Disney parks? Any other questions? Hearing your feedback is always appreciated, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
