The last time you went to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, didn’t you wish someone had been there with you? If you visited with your family, maybe you wish your best friend had been there! Or if you are traveling with friends, that you could snag a piece of the magic and take it home? If you can’t cram any more souvenirs in your suitcase, I have a very inexpensive way to get some of that magic shipped straight to you. (No, it’s not the Countdown to Fun boxes, but those are pretty awesome!) Magic Kingdom actually has REAL Mailboxes dotting Main Street U.S.A., and they actually WORK! The Magic Kingdom Mailboxes accept real mail each and every day with the help of Cast Members in the Park.
I haven’t been able to meet my brother in the Parks for over a year, and I had such an amazing time with him and the rest of my family when I had my first Runcation with the Dark Side Half Marathon trip. Since I was in my favorite place on earth (which also happens to be the most magical), I decided to step into the Emporium to see what goodies I could take home with me. It was a great way to pass the time at Disney doing something different! At many of the registers, you can find postcards for fairly cheap. I knew immediately who I was going to mail one to!
My coast guard brother lives in a remote part of Alaska, which means many items are hard to find, and entertainment can be scarce. Mail can take up to two weeks to get to his house! I chose a postcard from the available collection; something that showed exactly where I was and what I was up to! After scribbling out a note that I was thinking of him, I placed a stamp (which I had brought with me) on the postcard and added a Hidden Mickey.
As I was writing and leaning on a display table, a Cast Member came up and nicely commented on what I was up to, and insisted that I pass on her thanks to him for his service to our country. Though Tyler may not have had that interaction himself, I was grateful to her for acknowledging him!
Stepping out onto Main Street, U.S.A., the Magic Kingdom Mailboxes were on both sides of the street. I know where many of them are by heart, simply from walking past them so many times, and visited this one below, right outside an Emporium door.
I slipped the postcard, featuring the Mouse himself and his classic companion, Minnie, into the mailbox. It’s very heavy, so watch your fingers on that door. Don’t get pinched! Did you know that these mailboxes are REAL? No, I mean, actual mailboxes that are on loan from the United States Postal Service? They had been retired long ago from various locations (this particular one is from Connecticut) but then repainted, serviced, and installed in Magic Kingdom Park. Cast Members make the rounds at least once a day to collect the mail and take it to the USPS drop off point.
Another cool thing you can do with postcards is to visit City Hall, right next to the entrance tunnels and the Railroad Station. Before you slip it into the Magic Kingdom Mailboxes, ask a Cast Member at the City Hall (Guest Relations) Front Desk to postmark the postcard from Magic Kingdom Park. With the wave of an ink stamp, you’ll have a return address full of magic!
This entire endeavor cost me only $2.00, including the stamp I brought from home. It’s a magical souvenir that extends your vacation (perhaps Mickey will send a postcard to your kids thanking them for their visit? Or your children can write postcards during downtime and mail them to your family?) and lets you immerse yourself deeper into the magic.
I love that they do this. Sending a postcard from inside the parks is just the coolest!
I should have sent him one from DLR, too!
So many hidden gems at the Magic Kingdom. I’ll be sending postcards from the park on my next visit in a few weeks.