There’s a beautiful scene when you first enter the building at Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean. An old pirate map, watched over by a talking parrot. A map of buried treasure, lost caves, and forgotten islands. And right at the edge of the map, the unexplored territory.
“Here There Be Monsters.”
When it comes to Walt Disney World, there are very few uncharted waters. Fans like us practically live at the parks. I personally go to the parks a couple times a week, and there are some who are even crazier than I am. I began to wonder if there exist any locations inside the parks that I have yet to visit.
Sometimes you hear about supposed fans who have never visited Tom Sawyer Island or something, despite dozens of visits. I find such things inexcusable. So I proposed a little challenge for myself. I wanted to see if I could find a hidden corner of Walt Disney World that I had never before set foot in. One a week in each of the four parks.
We have to think small in scope. I’m not going to suddenly stumble on any new attraction. I’ve seen them all a dozen times at least — even Playhouse Disney, which is extremely uncomfortable for a lone adult male waiting in line. But it can’t be too small in scale, like a park bench that I’ve never sat on. It’s got to be a legitimate room or place. Oh, and it has to be someplace all guests have access to. No backstage areas. No Future World corporate lounges. And since I’m technically allowed in only half the bathrooms, those can’t really count either.
Part of the problem is that if you’ve never been to a place, it’s hard to imagine yourself being there. There must be blind spots, but I’m rather blind to them. So this week I started with the park I thought would be the hardest (if I’m going to fail, I’d rather do it quickly).
I walked all over the Magic Kingdom and visited all my old haunts. The little courtyard tucked away at the entrance to Pirates. The recessed smoking area off to the right of Space Mountain. The overpass seating area of Columbia Harbor House. It took all evening, but I eventually did find someplace I’ve never set foot in.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Tomorrowland Speedway Grandstand.
Where is the Tomorrowland Speedway Grandstand?
For those of you unfamiliar with this little gem, it’s a waiting area for people who don’t want to ride the Tomorrowland Speedway with everyone else in their party. Like grandstands at real auto races, this one gives you a breathtaking view of a concrete loading zone, complete with authentic exhaust fumes and obnoxiously loud revving engine noise. Here you can curl up for a nap, breastfeed your infant, and catch up on your carbon monoxide poisoning, all in the comfort of what is usually baking Florida heat.
It is the most ridiculous waiting area ever devised. Not mobile enough to get yourself in and out of the tiny Tomorrowland Speedway cars? Just climb 10 concrete steps and stretch out on our gleaming aluminum benches for some quality downtime! I was fortunate to have my visit at night and it was miserable enough. I can imagine this place is pretty well intolerable in the middle of the afternoon.
The Tomorrowland Speedway Grandstand isn’t hidden. You walk right past it whenever you exit the ride. And there are even signs directing you to its location. But for whatever reason (such as the fact that I hate the Tomorrowland Speedway like France hates deodorant), I had never visited it before. And now I can cross it off my list. There were no monsters, but I kind of wish there were.
Next week, I’ll bring you another undiscovered territory, which I will then claim for king and country. In the meantime, what places in the parks have YOU never set foot in? Give me some details in the comments, I promise not to scoff at you.
And will you just go see Tom Sawyer Island, already? It’s not that bad!
This is part of a series of posts on unexplored theme park locations. You can read about our discoveries in the other parks by clicking the links below:
Airplane?! Is it not an “X”?
Why would the shadow of an X be passing over the island?
@Brer, you have Disneyland covered, but you are light on DCA. In that, I think you are very much like me. I haven’t been in any of the fancy restaurants there, and I’m sure there’s at least one or two Paradise Pier rides I’ve never done (the silver bullet zephyr things comes to mind).
@Jonmar03, there’s very little shame in missing the Carpets. But for the sake of completeness, you should ride them once. They’re actually the third best spinner on property!
Ah, @Christine! That is your homework assignment for your next visit. No more putting it off! How else will you get all the John Muir jokes?
I have never been inside EPCOTs American Adventure Pavilion. I have somehow avoided it through all 15 visits.
My home resort is Disneyland, not Walt Disney World–so I’m absolutely no assistance. That won’t stop me from posting though (sue me–we West Coasters need love too!).
First I must protest that I wouldn’t discount the bathrooms. While I haven’t been to the Ladies’ sides (well, except that one time, but we won’t go into that here)–I have made a point of visiting every Men’s Room in the parks. Why? Mostly because I have a small bladder, but also because they are *themed.* That and I can’t get enough of the wise tips presented by Brawny. I’m only missing the restrooms in Club 33 (because I am not rich and do not have rich friends). Oh–and since you are curious, my favorite “hidden” restroom is the postage-stamp sized one off of the Tiki Room. Thousands of people past by it every day–but no one notices it in the mad rush to get the best seat in the Room (you know, the one where birds won’t relieve themselves on you).
Now, where was I? Places I have not experienced: any meet and greet (other than Brear Bear–I swallowed my pride on that one); Disney Junior on Stage; either Baby Care center, several snack stands, Wine Country Tratoria Restaurant, French Market Restaurant and……ummm…wow that’s about it. I did ride the Carousel recently just to say I had done it.
Great topic!
Brer Dan
After more thought, I also have not rode Aladdins Flying Carpets. Its ok though, I plan on doing that in June when I am back there for one of my longest trips in a quite a while. I will continue my lookout for “monsters” while I am there.
@Jeff, I think such a thing would be hilarious. It would be great if we could get someone to sing the National Anthem before our favorite driver takes off. Is Mariah Carey available?
@Jonmar, the lockers is a GREAT idea. I did not think about those kinds of utilitarian places. I have been to the ones at MK, Epcot, and the Studios. I’m trying to picture where they are at AK, but it’s possible I have been in there. Just not coming to mind at the moment.
The Diamond Horseshoe is one of those great unused places, and somewhat difficult to visit now, unless you’re here during peak season when they serve food or have character greetings in there. But definitely worth a visit, especially to go upstairs. Very “old school” Disney.
It dawns on me that Ive never been in the grand stand either! Next time, we should go and pretend to watch a fake, but really exciting, race. Cheer, jump up, stomp our feet, and wave banners.
I’m definitely doing that.
Well I have been thinking really hard and the only possible places I have not actually stepped foot in could be:
1 – The Lockers as you walk into the magic kingdom, which if I did it, I don’t remember. I definately see them everytime, but, never really ventured in there.
2 – Never made it into Diamond Horsehow Jamboree. Never was really into it. Oh well, sue me. haah.