6. Tom Sawyer Island

Tom Sawyer Island is terrible. Seriously, there’s nothing to see there. It’s just a bunch of rocks and spiders. Move along, there’s no reason to visit at all. Who would want to cram onto a raft with a bunch of kids to visit a weird little spit of mystery land anyways?

Oh, all right, that may not be entirely true.

Tom Sawyer Island remains one of Walt Disney World’s best kept secrets sitting right in plain sight. So often, guests never get the opportunity to visit it due to weather issues or the island’s sometimes-prohibitive operating schedule, and fans like myself are more than happy for it to stay ignored. The reason why is that there is seriously something for everyone on Tom Sawyer Island.

Need a quiet place to get away from the crowds and enjoy some peace and reflection? Pull up a rocking chair on the island’s many waterside porches. Got hyper kids who want to run off some energy and play explorer? Set your kids loose in Fort Langhorn and the Mystery Mine. Feel like having the ever-living pee scared out of you? Wait until the island is nice and quiet then take a stroll into Injun Joe’s Cave, which might just be the most delightfully spooky place in all of Walt Disney World. Tom Sawyer Island is like a land unto itself, and despite its diminutive size, you could easily waste away an entire afternoon embracing your wanderlust here.

7. Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire at Disney Springs

Image: Disney / The Void

We recently wrote that the best attraction in Walt Disney World right now is one most guests have never even heard of—and you don’t even need a park admission to experience it.

Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire is a hyper-reality experience (think virtual reality on steroids) hidden in a oft-forgotten corner of Disney Springs. The attraction is one of Disney’s many upcharge experiences bearing some vague similarities to both laser tag and escape game experiences—only with a whopping dose of Disney magic. Secrets of the Empire gives guests the opportunity to literally step into the Star Wars universe and take on a stunningly realistic mission to aid the Rebellion against the Empire.

Through use of cutting edge virtual reality and an enormous maze, guests play spies trying to infiltrate an Imperial base disguised as stormtroopers. Thanks to a clever combination of pristine virtual storytelling and cleverly placed props, guests are able to seamlessly move through and interact with the Star Wars universe in something like an enormous, living video game. Many visitors are describing it as the most fun they’ve had visiting Walt Disney World!

No theme park admission is needed to visit Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire. For around $30 a person, guests can book a specific time during their vacation to visit, and the attraction can be enjoyed with the whole family acting as a team to take on the mission. It cannot be understated how remarkably immersive this game is, and it’s a huge indicator of good things to come with future Walt Disney World attractions.

What is your favorite attraction that most guests ignore?