3. Kiss Goodnight at the Magic Kingdom
We've all seen nightly spectaculars Celebrate the Magic and Wishes at the Magic Kingdom, but if you leave directly after these shows, you might be missing something truly magical. 20-30 minutes after closing time Cinderella Castle becomes the centerpiece of the Magic Kingdom once again for Kiss goodnight, a five minute closing show that includes music, color-changing lights illuminating the castle, and a short narration. Though the park has already closed, those who are still loitering around the shops on Main Street USA can see this mini-show just as they are departing. However, be aware that once Kiss Goodnight ends, Cast Members will really start encouraging guests to leave!
4. Frontierland Hoedown at the Magic Kingdom
Image: Disney
The Frontierland Hoedown (also known as Hoedown Happening) is an interactive parade featuring dancers and the Country Bear characters that occurs Flashmob-style Mondays and Saturdays at 4:55 and 5:40PM. During this secret event, guests will be invited to participate in a country-themed dance with Cast Members and characters. . Though this non-published event regularly takes place twice a week, you won’t find it on any times guide, so your best bet is to head over towards the Country Bear Jamboree attraction and wait in the area near the Prairie Outpost & Supply and Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn & Cafe for the festivities to start.
5. Magic Kingdom character tests
Image: Jason Wohlford, Flickr (license)
Though characters appear for meet and greets at every single Walt Disney World park, the Magic Kingdom looks like it may be on the cusp of a character renaissance. Though long-time fans of this park probably remember a time when characters used to roam around the park, in recent years Disney has been keeping the Magic Kingdom’s characters behind walls and at Fairytale Halls.
However, in recent years, it looks like Disney may be walking back on this policy slightly, as several limited time character tests have been going on this year which have brought characters like Snow White, Flynn Rider, Peter Pan and more into the park in a more informal way. Now that the hub expansion project is nearly complete, Disney has been testing walk-around characters in front of Cinderella Castle, to the enthusiasm of many fans.
While Disney has yet to confirm that it is bringing back wandering characters for good at Walt Disney World, these tests have been going on for several weeks, and guests can count on seeing at least one character walking around during their visit as a part of these ongoing tests. While Disney does occasionally post character tests in the times guide, for the most part Disney guests who want to meet a testing character at the Magic Kingdom will need to wait around the hub area during the morning and afternoon hours (in between showings of Dream Along With Mickey) and keep their eyes peeled.
Have you ever experienced any of these limited-time secret events at Walt Disney World? Which is your favorite?
Comments
They have something like a character palooza at Epcot once in a while too. I've seen it in the walkway between Italy and America (where Fife and Drum used to come out), and also where the pavilion is between Canada and UK. Just random times (usually earlier like 10am-12pm), with 2-4-6 characters out for pics.
This past summer we saw Anastasia and Drizella on the carousel. When Anastasia wouldn't get off their mother, Lady Tremaine, came over and scolded her ad made her get off. It was hilarious. They then went behind the castle and stayed for pictures.
We saw this too while waiting in line for the carousel. The sisters put on quite an entertaining show--we thought it was hilarious! So fun to see characters interacting in the park!
I remember how magical it was when I was a kid and you would just turn a corner and find a character standing there. I can understand how important character experiences are for some children so I can understand why scheduled appearances would be a benefit to some people but having to schedule times and wait in lines for characters is really a lot less magical than it used to be. Even as an adult I still makes me happy to stumble across characters making unscheduled appearances in the park so I hope they continue to do more of this.
Did they bring back the "Let the Adventure Begin'? Thought this had been gone for a couple of years now...