Things Some People Don't Know About Disney World

Below are a few things that a lot of Disney-goers know about, but some may not. Brad helped me compile this list because we were trying to think of things that we didn't know before our first trip as adults. I hope there are a few things that you may learn about today!

1. Free Celebratory Buttons: If you or anyone in your party is celebrating something, ask customer service for a free button. Even if they don't have a specific button for what you are celebrating, they have a "I'm Celebrating..." button. Every year, my mom and I try to go to Disney World for/around my birthday. I always make sure to get a button. For our honeymoon, we were automatically given a button at check in at The Contemporary. What's even better than receiving these buttons for FREE is that cast members are looking for people wearing these buttons. They always make sure and acknowledge guests and what they are celebrating. While it is not a guarantee, I have received an extra Fastpass (back during the days of paper Fastpasses) and free dessert at quick-service restaurants. However, the free button and attention from cast members is enough for me!

2. Pick-a-Pearl in Japan: At Japan in the World Showcase of Epcot, they have an area in the gift shop where you can "Pick-A-Pearl". I did not know about this until my trip September 2014. It was a really fun experience. You pay for how many oysters you would like. It was around $17-$18 an oyster. You are then given a number. When they call your number, you pick the oyster of your choice. Rumor has it, the ugliest, nastiest-looking oyster is the best! Once you pick it, they bring you to the center. They have a countdown in Japanese before cracking open your oyster (my countdown was slightly embarrassing because I panicked under pressure and couldn't remember how to countdown in Japanese!). Once your pearl is found (sometimes you get lucky and get two pearls in one oyster!), they measure it and have a small drum ceremony. From there, you can pick a setting if you want, or simply have it set back home. I paid the money and got a setting there. It may not be worth it to you, however. They range in price. There is also a similar place in Downtown Disney. But it is not as fun, and it is owned by different people. I have a video below of the entire experience that I had in September 2014.

3. How to get to Downtown Disney from a Park: So you may not have noticed, but there is not a bus that will take you directly to Downtown Disney from the parks. You have to go back to a hotel, then catch a bus from there. However, there are some tricks. You do NOT have to go back to YOUR hotel, just ANY hotel. So here are some suggestions on what we think are the best places to go from the parks.

Magic Kingdom - take the walkway to The Contemporary. From there, take the bus to Downtown Disney.

Epcot - If you are in Future World, take a bus to Disney's Saratoga Springs. Get off the bus at the Congress Park bus stop within the resort. Then follow the signs to the walkway to Downtown Disney. If you'd rather take the boat instead of walking, you can get off the bus at The Springs bus stop.

If you are in the World Showcase, exit in the back of the park and walk over to The Beach Club. Grab a bus to Downtown Disney from there.

Hollywood Studios - You have two choices. It really depends on how much walking you want to do. Lots of walking: Take the walking path to the Boardwalk hotel. From there, take a bus to Downtown Disney. Hollywood Studios also has a water taxi that can take you to the resort, but I have heard that it can sometimes be a long wait and it may be quicker to walk. I have labeled the water taxi just in case.

Not as much walking: Take the bus to Disney's Saratoga Springs. Get off the bus at the Congress Park bus stop within the resort. Then follow the signs to the walkway to Downtown Disney. If you'd rather take the boat instead of walking, you can get off the bus at The Springs bus stop.

Animal Kingdom - Take the bus to Disney's Saratoga Springs. Get off the bus at the Congress Park bus stop within the resort. Then follow the signs to the walkway to Downtown Disney. If you'd rather take the boat instead of walking, you can get off the bus at The Springs bus stop.

4. You can get in the parks before they open: This may seem obvious to some, but not all. If you make a breakfast reservation at a time before the parks open, you can get in before everyone else and take some of those coveted pictures with few people in your way. If you are good enough to get the earliest reservation, usually 8, you can typically be finished before the park even officially opens. Then you can be first in line for those long waits! Disney has been notorious lately about changing park hours as close to a week before. With that said, there is a chance that if you booked an 8 am reservations with the park opening at 9 am that Disney can change the hours to open at 8 am. Just be on the lookout in case you want to cancel the reservations since you must cancel 24 hours in advance to avoid a fee. WDWPrepschool has posts for each month which you can sign up to receive alerts on. She will email you if hours change. This is probably the easiest way for you to know without checking everyday. Below is the list of restaurants that currently feature this:

Magic Kingdom - Cinderella's Royal Table and The Crystal Palace

Epcot - Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Hollywood Studios - Hollywood & Vine

Animal Kingdom - Tusker House (Rainforest Cafe also offers breakfast but it's not located inside the park)

5. You can bring your own food and drinks into the parks: I actually did not know this until a few years ago. You can save a lot of money by bringing your own snacks. Especially if you are part of a large family because snacks can get pretty expensive at Disney. Since it's just two of us, we rarely bring snacks, but we almost always bring bottled water. That too can get expensive.

6. There are actually 2 French table service restaurants in Epcot's World Showcase, Chefs de France and Monsieur Paul: Most people only see Chefs de France. Monsieur Paul is upstairs from Chefs de France. We have dined at both restaurants. As far as dining plans go, Chefs de France requires 1 table service credit; Monsieur Paul requires 2 table service credits. Personally, the food is very similar to me. From my experiences, I prefer Chefs de France for the food. They have wonderful appetizers and desserts. The entrees are equivalent at both to me. However, the view at Monseiur Paul is unbeatable. Ask for a window seat overlooking the World Showcase.

7. There are 2 Japanese table service restaurants, and they have a welcome show for noon reservation holders: Teppan Edo is a hibachi-style Japanese restaurant. Tokyo Dining is a more intimate setting with Japanese style food. I have personally only been to Teppan Edo, but both restaurants are located above the gift shop in Japan. However, you check in downstairs. If you snag a noon reservations, be sure to arrive early. They let you wait in the lobby before seating you. All the staff appear and have a welcome show of sorts. It's really neat and entertaining. And the food at Teppan Edo is AMAZING!!

8. The shops down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom are all connected: If you ever find yourself on Main Street during busy times and the sidewalks are a pain, walk through the shops to get from one end to the other. This too can sometimes be a pain if you have kids wanting to buy things, but it can also save you a lot of time.