We admit it, sometimes our imagination can get the best of us!
Happily Ever After Fireworks
Our team knows the ins and outs of the parks like it’s our job (because it is!), so we’re well aware that Disney is dedicated to guest safety and has TONS of precautions in place. But we still have some, well, wild fears that can creep their way into our minds, even though we “know better.” Here are the 15 most irrational Disney World fears of the DFB team!
Keep in mind these are just the crazy inner workings of our brains — no need to panic and worry about this stuff too! But if you want to peek in our Disney-filled brains, here’s your chance.
Expedition Everest Malfunctioning
If you’ve been on Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’re probably familiar with the iconic scene where you find that the tracks have been ripped up by the Yeti.
Expedition Everest
After hitting the dead-end at the peak of the attraction (with an eye-opening view of Disney World property for those in front, just in case you needed a reminder of how high up you are!), the coaster is sent plunging back into the mountain, before a track-switch sends you down the ride’s big drop.
Will You Escape the Yeti??
But one member of our team has worried about running into something scarier than the Yeti at the summit of the mountain. “Expedition Everest malfunctioning at the “broken” track spot and you go sailing off the roller coaster.”
We’ve Worried About More Than The Yeti! ©D23
The rides at Disney World are tested exhaustively and have numerous safety features to keep you on track…literally. But hey, we’d be lying if we said the thought hadn’t crossed our minds, no matter how irrational it is!
3 Rides You Didn’t Realize Would Terrify You in Disney World
A True Tower of Terror Free-Fall
Speaking of attractions that immerse us so well in the storytelling that we’ve actually feared for our safety, let’s talk Tower of Terror!
Tower of Terror
In this attraction, we learn about the unfortunate hotel visitors who became permanent residents of The Twilight Zone when a lightning strike sent their elevator hurtling to the fifth dimension.
What’s going to happen next…?
Between the spooky atmosphere and top-tier storytelling — plus the fact that the ride takes us on an elevator plunge of our own — we’ve definitely had an intrusive thought or two about a true free-fall.
Tower of Terror Queue
Again, there are multiple levels of safety features, checks, and precautions built into the attractions, so deep down we know that we’re safe. Maybe we can chalk this irrational fear up to the Imagineers doing their jobs almost TOO well!
We Bet You Didn’t Know ALL These Easter Eggs in Disney World’s Tower of Terror
The Dolls on “it’s a small world”
Unlike the first two entries on our list, this attraction-related fear doesn’t have anything to do with big drops or high speeds. Nope, for some members of our team, “it’s a small world” can freak them out without even trying!
“it’s a small world”
When discussing our irrational Disney fears, one DFB team member said, “it’s a small world, in general. Those singing dolls are creepy.”
The Stare of the Dolls on “it’s a small world” Can Definitely Be Unsettling!
Yeah, if you have a fear of dolls (especially glassy-eyed, singing ones), this ride is pretty much guaranteed nightmare fuel for you! (What are they doing in there once we all leave each night?!)
10 Times Disney World Rides Will Freak. Your. Kid. Out.
The Fireworks Starting an Actual Fire
For many guests, a day at Disney World isn’t complete without enjoying one of the gorgeous fireworks shows in the parks.
EPCOT Forever
But given the impressive size and scale of the fireworks, we’ve definitely found ourselves a little worried about the possibility of an actual fire before!
Happily Ever After
Much like the attractions, Disney has safety procedures in place for the fireworks shows. This including measures to make sure the pyrotechnics don’t start a fire on the ground. For example, the rooftops of the Fantasyland shops have a sprinkler system that’s turned on before the Magic Kingdom fireworks, to prevent any debris from becoming a fire hazard. If you ever notice water pouring off the roofs in the area after a fireworks show, there ya go!
PHOTOS & VIDEOS: Check Out the Happily Ever After Fireworks in Magic Kingdom!
Getting Stuck in a Tight Queue
If you’re uncomfortable with small spaces, this fear might speak to you as well. Some attraction queues like Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad have some very tight spots that make us feel a bit claustrophobic.
There Are Some Tight Spots in the Big Thunder Queue!
If you also struggle with tight spaces, you may want to check out walk-through videos of attraction queues before your visit so you can plan accordingly. Some, like the Avatar Flight of Passage queue in Animal Kingdom, seem to snake on and on forever indoors and can make you feel a bit trapped!
How do I get outta here??
You can also keep an eye on the attraction wait times in My Disney Experience to try to hit rides when there is little to no wait so you can cut down on your time in (potentially tightly packed) lines!
The BEST and WORST Lines to Be Stuck in at Disney World
The EPCOT Aquariums Cracking
EPCOT is home to one of the largest aquariums in the U.S. and some of our team members are freaked out by all the water (and sea creatures) that glass is holding back!
EPCOT Aquarium
One member of our team said, “I have an irrational fear that the tanks in the seas will crack and IDK why.”
Scuba Mickey!
But if you’re unphased by all that water, there are tons of great things to see (or should we say, sea) and do inside The Seas With Nemo and Friends Pavilion. You could even dine right next to that giant aquarium at Coral Reef Restaurant!
Check Out Our Full Review of Coral Reef Restaurant!
Going Backwards on Spaceship Earth
Located in the EPCOT’s park icon, Spaceship Earth isn’t exactly known for reaching top speeds.
Spaceship Earth
But even though it’s a relatively tame ride, there’s one specific part that gives at least one member of our team the shivers. “I have an irrational fear that when I’m going backwards on Spaceship Earth the track will break and I’ll just go barreling down the track at an uncomfortably sharp angle.”
Spaceship Earth
Yeah, when you put it that way, we would definitely prefer the slow, chill experience as intended!
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Hitting the Tracks on Space Mountain
If you think zipping around on Space Mountain in the dark is scary, it turns out that seeing it with the lights on actually might not ease your mind.
Space Mountain
The tracks on this indoor coaster are suuuuuper close together, which has made some of our team members worry about hitting the tracks above them mid-ride!
Ready to Ride Space Mountain?
Obviously, Disney wouldn’t send us out there if they didn’t know that the dimensions were safe. So rest easy knowing you won’t lose a hand if you raise your arms up while soaring through space! But if you’re on the fence on this one, be sure to shut your eyes tight if you ever happen to find yourself inside Space Mountain with the lights on!
10,000 Fans Voted on the Best Disney World Mountain…Do You Agree?
The Disney World Road Signs
The purple road signs in Disney World are different from the standard highway signs drivers will see around other parts of the country.
Purple Road Signs Mean You’re in Disney World!
This one isn’t outright scary, BUT one member of our team did point out that it’s a little unsettling. “Something about driving on property and all the highway signs change, it feels like you’re in another country. Almost like you’re under Disney Law.”
Welcome to Driving at Disney!
In other words, this one might make the “Disney bubble” feel a little too real! Welcome to Disney World, indeed!
Everything You Need To Know About Parking In Disney World
There Are People Walking Underneath You in Magic Kingdom
While some fears on this list are totally unlikely to ever happen, there really ARE Cast Members walking around underneath you in Magic Kingdom.
Cinderella Castle
Cast Members use the Utilidors — a tunnel system underneath the park — to keep the theming of each land intact. This includes keeping Cast Member costumes within their correct lands, and hiding the less magical logistics from guests, like storage and trash removal!
Welcome, foolish mortal
Something about knowing there’s activity buzzing right below our feet creeps out some of our team members. “There are people walking directly under you all the time in Magic Kingdom. That’s a weird thing to really picture.”
Imagine Cast Members Right Below Your Feet!
You wanna picture something almost weirder? You’re walking on TOP of all those Cast Members! They’re probably a bit freaked too! This just goes to show, it takes a TON of work to keep things running in Disney World, and a lot of it isn’t even visible to guests!
10 Things That Only Happen in Disney World When It’s CLOSED
Skyliner Nightmares
The Disney Skyliner can be a quick and convenient transportation option for guests hopping between EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the surrounding hotels.
Skyliner
But as awesome as the Skyliner can be for some, not everyone is thrilled to take flight. After all, a fear of heights is a pretty common concern! One member of our team said, “I’m afraid the Skyliner is going to fall into the road.”
Disney Skyliner
There have been some issues with Skyliner gondolas colliding with each other at the stations, so we totally understand people being a little nervous about hopping aboard! But overall, gondola systems have been proven to be a very safe form of transportation, both at Disney World and elsewhere around the globe.
Disney Skyliner gondolas
Plus, the Skyliner system in Disney World was built to stand up to the hurricane-force winds that could make their way to the area, so we feel we can confidently put the fear of a collapse into the “irrational fears” column!
What to Do if the Skyliner Is CLOSED in Disney World
There’s Always Someone Watching
Okay, so here’s one for the “technically true” column. There are cameras, Cast Members, and security EVERYWHERE in Disney World. Even on dark rides, there are infrared cameras keeping an eye on guests!
Even On Dark Rides, Disney Is Watching!
One member of our team said, “They’re ALWAYS watching you. I think most people don’t realize the infrared cameras are EVERYWHERE and see everything.”
Yup, There Are Cameras Inside The Haunted Mansion Too!
In other words, if you were hoping to find a sneaky spot to break some rules, no such luck! Just like Roz says, “I’m watching you Wazowski, always watching.”
CREEPY Stories From the Magic Kingdom
Getting Banned From Disney World
FYI, it’s definitely possible to get banned from Disney World, in case you needed any extra incentive to follow the rules!
Don’t Try to Sneak Backstage in Disney World!
But, as huge Disney fans, we sometimes worry about getting banned from the parks…even though we aren’t breaking any rules! “I’m irrationally terrified of getting banned from Disney even though I don’t do anything wrong.”
We Can’t Imagine Never Getting to See This View Again!
But hey, can you blame us for freaking out about even the thought of never getting to walk down Main Street, U.S.A. again??
10 Things That Are BANNED From Disney World!
Falling Off the “Landmarks” on Soarin’
If you’re afraid of heights, Soarin’ might be one of the scariest rides in Disney World for you!
Soarin’
To be fair, you are pretty high up when you’re suspended for the ride. But considering the fact that we aren’t actually gliding over a waterfall, or scaling the Eifel Tower, some of those scenes probably scare us a little more than they should!
We’re Not Actually Quite As High Up as it Looks on Soarin’
But still, considering 4-D effects like the breeze on our face and the incredible scents that are pumped in to match the scenes, sometimes it does feel like we’re hundreds of feet in the air and about to plunge over the edge of the real Matterhorn!
EVERY Disney World Ride Without a Height Requirement
Even though our team is packed with in-depth knowledge about Disney World, we still have some irrational fears about the Most Magical Place on Earth. So don’t feel bad if you’re freaked out by an attraction, or worried about a super unlikely scenario — we’ve all been there!
Where Do YOU Side on These IMPOSSIBLE Disney Debates?
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On Everest, every time we go backwards after the tracks end, I am convinced that it’s going to go upside down while backwards. It goes just far enough where I have to tell myself, “even if it does, and it’s not going to, there’s nothing you can do about it now, just ride it out.”
It took me years to be able to get on Everest and now I love the rush, but I still get that panic every time!
Ha this was so fun to read! I’ve thought of most of these worries as well, especially Space Mountain every time. One other I used to think about was when we’d have a pause on the monorail. Basically feeling like we were sitting mid air. I’d worry the monorail would lose its balance sitting still and we would topple over lol
I’m a little worried when I ride Big Thunder Mountain. When the train goes really, really fast around the circular curve, I always think about the possibility of the train jumping the tracks and slamming into the wall. Always glad when we make it out ok.
My biggest irrational Disney World fear has to be the doors on Test Track that lead outside not opening. I know they always will, but ever since I was little, a part of me wonders “what if we crash?”