We spend a lot of time on this blog talking about WHAT to do at Walt Disney World. We thought that we should spend some time talking about what we think you SHOULDN’T do at Walt Disney World. We value your limited vacation time (heck, we value anytime at Walt Disney World), and while there are some things that might become your favorite attraction, for the most part, there are things that can be safely missed and you won’t miss them. There’s also a few etiquette things that will make your trip, and everyone else’s trip a little more enjoyable. We aren’t the manners police, but let’s share the parks, and all work together to make everyone’s vacation magical for each other!
1. Flash Photography On Rides
Guys. DO NOT DO THIS. I understand, as a photographer and blog owner, the desire to get photos. But can you imagine being trapped in a tiny space, and having a flash go off in your face, like in a close quarters ride like Pirates or Splash Mountain? A ride a Disney World is shared space, and part of that shared space means not using flash photography on the ride, and ruining the experience for someone else.
2. Don’t Smuggle In Your Selfie (Selfish) Stick
I love a good selfie as much as anyone else. Have you seen this blog? It’s selfie central! But selfie sticks are banned from the parks, because people were taking them on the rides, which is not only dangerous to the ride itself, but to other people. Do you really want to be responsible for impaling a small child if your selfie stick flies out of your hand on Big Thunder? People have started smuggling them in on their bodies from what I’ve heard and this HAS TO STOP. THIS IS MADNESS. Just say no, and get your selfie the old-fashioned way. Respect the rules of Disney.
3. Don’t Be Mean To Cast Members
Cast Members are some of the most magical people in the world. They work for just a little above minimum wage, and still have great attitudes, and try their best to resolve our problems, and make our vacation the most magical experience they can. I’ve seen people yell and say terrible things to Cast Members. Let’s all start a kindness movement, where Cast Members love interacting with us, because we are SO NICE!
4. The Enchanted Tiki Room
Switching gears a little bit – but this attraction is actually David and I’s least favorite on property. It’s an older attraction, and has a lot of history, as it’s the first attraction to our understanding to feature animatronics. With 150 animatronic birds singing songs though, as you’re trapped in a small room, we find the whole experience terrifying and claustrophobia inducing.
5. Don’t Push To The Front
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve waited for hours for a good spot for a parade, or staked out a spot to watch a Castle Show, only to have someone else come and stand in front of me DURING the show or parade, I could pay for my annual pass. I totally get it – you want to have a good view, that’s understandable. But if you didn’t wait for that good view, and someone else did, you don’t get to take it from someone else. For us, when someone takes it, it’s not a huge deal. But for someone else, that might be on a once in a lifetime trip, it’s wrong to take that good view that they waited for.
6. DinoLand U.S.A.
Found in Animal Kingdom Park, we think that you can safely skip all of this poorly themed section of the theme park, and be okay. We have very little positive to say about DinoLand, and it’s Dinosaur Carnival feel. The only exception we take to this is the ride Dinosaur, which we think you should experience.
7. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, located in Adventureland, is essentially the same ride as Dumbo the Flying Elephant, but it’s not as magical or iconic in our opinion. If you’re on a limited time schedule, we would just ride Dumbo, and not do both.
For the most part, everything at Disney World is worth experiencing at least once, and the guests that you encounter will be so happy to be at the happiest place on earth that they will be incredibly kind and nice. We are big believers in sharing the parks, and working together to make everyone’s vacation magical, not just our own.