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I was reading news on the WFTV9 website, which is an ABC TV Channel in Orlando. I usually check the Orlando news once or twice a day, it’s something that I do to try and keep up on what’s going on around Walt Disney World. (I also read the Orlando Sentinel daily). It got me to thinking; it is kind of funny that I do this when I’m at home, because when we are in Walt Disney World, I don’t look at the news at all. And if you are like most visitors when you are on vacation, especially in Disney, you probably won’t use the television either except for maybe at night as the kids are settling down or first thing in the morning as you are getting ready to go out. If this is the case, you’ll be watching the Disney Channel*, weather channel, the morning shows, or in my family’s case, ESPN. If these are the only things you are watching when in Disney, that’s a shame, because one of my favorite Unknown Magics is the Disney Resort TV.

The Disney Resort TV is a closed circuit cable system that has outside channels also. So, that means, you get your basic cable channels (CNN, ABC,CBS, Etc.) along with some local channels, but you also get the Disney Information and Disney Entertainment channels. If you don’t know, Disney owns ABC and ESPN, so not only will you get the Disney Channel, Radio Disney, and Disney XD, but you’ll also get ESPN, ESPN2 ESPN News, and ESPN Classics. I consider these the Disney entertainment channels. There is one more Disney Entertainment channel that classifies as an Unknown Magic. It is not promoted, but if you go all the way to the last channel on the TV, I believe it is channel 99, you can see the cartoons that they show in the lobbies of the different Resorts. These are classic Disney shorts and some of them are in Black and white.

The Disney information channels are in house production channels that share information about Walt Disney World and the Walt Disney Company. These channels are neat channels to watch, especially if you are a first time visitor to Walt Disney World. The channels start at channel 17 and go through 23. There is basically only one show on each of these channels. The shows are on a continuous loop. The first channel What’s on TV is really the guide to tell you what is on each channel, but above the grid, it also has information about the Walt Disney World Resort. The Next Channel is a fun channel, because it is the “Must Do” Disney channel; it is a little corny, but it does show you some great things that Disney has to offer. Although their top things all don’t appeal to me, I enjoy watching it. This channel can really help you to plan the things you might want to do.

Channel 19 is called Walt Disney World Today. It calls itself, “Your guide to park hours and more”. This is basically a power point slide show of all the information you need to know about Walt Disney World for that day. It tells you when each park is open, what time the parades and fireworks are being shown, if there are any special happenings in the parks, and about the different Character Dining opportunity in the parks. The channel also tells about tours that are offered in each park. This Channel tells about more than the parks though. It also tells about the Water parks, the resorts and Sports and Recreation possibilities throughout Disney World. The Channels also tells about Disney transportation. The whole time the slide show is going, there is Disney music playing in the background. I personally love this channel. I usually put this channel on whenever we are in the room and it will stay on until someone changes it to ESPN. The music is very calming too, so you can actually leave the television on in the room with Channel 19 on and use it as a night light and the music can help the little ones (or big ones) relax after a long day and fall asleep. What a Magical Experience for a child to fall asleep to the sounds of Disney after a great day in the Parks.

Channel 20 is the Resort Information Channel and is somewhat like channel 19, as it is a slideshow type of channel, with Disney music in the background, but the information on this channel is for the Resort you are staying in. It explains Dinning options, Recreation,Transportation and other aspects of your Resort.

The DVC Channel, presented on channel 21, is another of the Resort Channels I really enjoy. Not because of the information given (although if you are not a DVC Member this is a great way to learn about it), but because I love the scenes that show the Resorts and the Parks. The Show on this channel is somewhat longer than those on the other channels.

The Last Channel in this row of Channels is the Company Clips Channel. This channel shows clips of Disney Movies and Television Shows and Promotes the Disney Company’s Products. It is pretty cool to see the different new movies that are coming out. If you have tweens and young teens, they also play the newest Disney Channel Music Videos throughout the day.

So, now you know, you can have a Magical Experience by using the Unknown Magic that is the Disney Resort TV. You can use it to see what you can look forward to, or to finish off a great day in the most Magical Place on Earth.

* Disney will not promote their biggest rival in the children’s television market. This means there won’t be Nickelodeon for the kids to watch. So, Sponge Bob will also be on vacation the same time that you are.