The Imagineers who design Disney attractions and areas don't sign their work, but do occasionally enjoy slipping in a subtle image of Mickey Mouse's head in unexpected places. These images are known as hidden mickeys and can be found throughout Disney parks and resorts, including the Magic Kingdom. You can purchase a guide listing the locations of hundreds of hidden mickeys, ask the cast members to point out any that may be in the area they work in or simply keep your eyes peeled as you tour the park.
Tom Sawyer Island is separated from the rest of the park by the Rivers of America and can only be reached by a motorized raft ride, making it an easy area to bypass without even noticing. The island is rarely crowded, even during peak season, and provides a shady retreat from the rest of the park. Children who have been standing still in long lines for much of the day may especially enjoy this opportunity to explore dimly-lit caves, bouncy bridges and an old mill. One of the island's main attractions is a replica fort where you can indulge your imagination by firing air rifles and escaping by hidden tunnel.
The Keys to the Kingdom Tour of Magic Kingdom takes you into places that are not usually accessible to the public, such as backstage at attractions and even underneath the Magic Kingdom into the utilidor tunnels. Along the way, your guide will point out many overlooked details, such as the names on the windows along Main Street and the stories behind them. In order to preserve the magic for children, you must be at least 16 years old for the Keys to the Kingdom tour. The tour lasts about five hours and includes a lunch. Park admission and a separate fee for the tour are required, and reservations are strongly recommended, as the tour is limited to small groups.
Many guests are so focused on getting from one attraction to the next that they fail to take the time to pause and soak up the atmosphere. One often overlooked part of the Magic Kingdom experience is the live entertainment scattered throughout the park. At various times of the day, you will find a barbershop quartet on Main Street, a lively pianist playing outside of Casey's Corner restaurant and banjo players in Frontierland.
