Can you believe DFB has been around for 15 years?
EPCOT Monorail
In that time, we have eaten a LOT of Disney food, including visiting EVERY SINGLE restaurant and trying all the new snacks. We’ve also spent a lot of time taking photos of food and merchandise, capturing those spontaneous magical moments that often happen in the parks, and visiting every single Disney World hotel. So we KNOW Disney World, and we’re sharing something we bet you didn’t know: There are Disney World commandments that you’ve probably broken. No, REALLY!
Eat at least one Mickey-shaped snack
Can you even say you’ve been to Disney World if you haven’t eaten a snack shaped like Mickey or Mickey’s head? Yes, we know, it’s SO overdone, but we don’t make the rules (okay, we sorta’ are here, but whatever). You have to have at least ONE Mickey snack during each Disney World trip.
Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich
At least you have a lot of Mickey-shaped foods to choose from: Mickey waffles, Mickey ice cream sandwiches, Mickey bars (always a classic), Mickey pretzels, and more.
The Ultimate Disney World Pretzel Crawl
Take a photo of/with Cinderella Castle
You absolutely cannot leave Disney World without at least ONE photo of Cinderella Castle, as well as one photo of each of the park icons: the Tree of Life in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Tower of Terror in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Spaceship Earth in EPCOT. Bonus points if you take a photo in front of each (and don’t forget you can get some great photos from Disney PhotoPass photographers!).
You have to get the one good castle shot!
Want even more fun photos with the park icons? Get a photo of you looking scared in front of Tower of Terror or snap a video of you singing (or lip-syncing) “Circle of Life” in front of the Tree of Life. You can also make your best princess pose in front of Cinderella Castle because YOLO!
8 Wild Disney World Photos That Will Make You Say, “Not Today, Satan”
At least one kid has one meltdown per day
If you’re traveling with kids in Disney World, it’s a rule that at least one of those kids has to have a meltdown during a given day. Likely, it’s going to happen, regardless. Kids can get quickly overwhelmed at Disney World, and they can tire out easily, especially after spending so much time walking MILES around the parks. A meltdown is imminent.
Daisy and Donald
Pro tip: Take breaks. We’re actually encouraging you to try to break this commandment. Make sure you’re not pushing your kid too hard and let them dictate the pace of the day. If there is a meltdown, get somewhere quiet (or go back to the hotel for a break). However, if you’re the one having the meltdown…well, all we can suggest is grabbing a Dole Whip or margarita and enjoying some time for yourself.
5 Places to Escape in Disney’s Hollywood Studios When Your Anxiety Is Through the Roof
Point out every hidden Mickey to everyone in your group
If you’ve been to Disney World multiple times, it’s your job…no, your DUTY…to point out every single hidden Mickey you’ve found on previous trips. Or you could send your entire party out on a hidden Mickey scavenger hunt. Who needs to ride anything when there are hidden Mickeys to be discovered?
A Hidden Mickey!
Okay, so maybe that’s taking things a LITTLE too far, but pointing out hidden details could be interesting for your group…or not. But it’s still fun to show off that bit of knowledge you have, right?
This RARE Hidden Mickey Is Only Visible for 15 Minutes a YEAR in Disney World
You must always wave at characters when they pass by
Okay, this is just about not being rude. If a character walks by you, you HAVE to wave at them, furiously, like you’re desperately trying to get their attention. If they’re passing by super close, you could even ask for a high five. Trust us, there is NOTHING better than a high five with Goofy or Chewbacca.
ALWAYS wave at characters
This applies to parades, too: we don’t care how tired your arm gets — you have to wave to all the characters walking by. They expect it! Plus, sometimes, it gets you a little special extra interaction with those characters.
Where to Find All the Disney Character Meet-and-Greets in Walt Disney World
You must mention how hot it is
Welcome to Florida where it’s not just the heat, but the humidity. If you’re visiting Disney World in any season that isn’t winter, it’s probably going to be hot. You’ll be sweating out of places you didn’t know you even had, so, obviously, you have to comment about how hot it is at LEAST three times per day. You know…just in case no one else knew.
It gets HOT in Disney World
Even better? Be sure to ask others “Is it hot enough for ‘ya?” In all seriousness, though, hydrate and try to keep as cool as you can!
5 Amazon Essentials to Survive the Heat in Disney World
You must sing along to “Big Blue World” while riding The Seas with Nemo and Friends
We don’t always encourage you to sing along on rides, but you HAVE to sing “Big Blue World” when you’re just chilling in your little shell vehicle on The Seas with Nemo and Friends. “Can you believe there are so many things? In the big blue world?”
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
That is if you’re not taking a nap. We’ll also accept taking a nap on this chill ride that you didn’t have to wait in line for. Just remember that fish are friends…not food. Unless, of course, you’re eating lunch at Coral Reef Restaurant.
Ranking Every Single Ride in EPCOT
Laugh at EVERY joke on Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise is your one-stop shop for every bad Dad joke and pun on the planet. Even if you don’t think those jokes are funny (and you would be wrong), but you are required to laugh at each and every joke or your Skipper might just leave you out in the jungle somewhere to survive the dangers that lie there…or worse, the MONKEYS.
Jungle Cruise
You must also ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS say the most important line from the ride with the skipper “The back side of water!” Although, warning: you’ll occasionally get that snarky Skipper who will change that line on the fly JUST to ruin your day (it’s happened to us!). We love Jungle Cruise skippers, though — they are THE BEST.
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Survive It’s Tough To Be a Bug at least once per trip
It’s Tough to Be a Bug in Animal Kingdom is a rite of passage for each trip to Disney World. Yes, it’s the stinkiest ride in all of Disney World, and the Broadway musical numbers in the queue done by insects is…well, interesting. Seriously, there is a lot you have to tolerate here: getting stung, getting blasted with a bug fart, and getting splashed by acid.
It’s Tough To Be A Bug
It’s a shame that this ride may be going away soon to make room for a Zootopia-themed attraction.
2 New Rules Announced for Disney World in 2025
You must groan at least once about your back after Space Mountain
First, you have to ride Space Mountain. Yes, we know this ride is like going to a really bad chiropractor and will shake every bone loose in your body. But that’s the point. It’s a MUST. Then you have to grunt and groan when you try to get out of the ride vehicle, but you also need to make sure to complain about your back after the ride.
Space Mountain
This one is easy because unless you’re under 18, Space Mountain will make your back hurt. And you need to let everyone know about it. It’s like bragging rights on how you barely survived Space Mountain.
3 Disney World Rides that Need to be Boarded Up and Never Spoken of Again
So there you have it, the commandments of Disney World. Sure, we’ve all broken them from time to time, but most of the time, we’re pretty good about being…well…good.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
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I normally don’t get high fives (and I only wave if I am waved too), but I do get a hug from Chewbacca. The key is to speak the Kashyyyk language of Shryiiwook and being 6 foot 3 tends to help as well.
I would add:
1. At least one classic disney snack (Dole Whip, cherry, turkey leg, popcorn, etc).
2. Ride a Disney transportation (monorail, boat, Skyliner, even a bus).
3. Visit Disney Springs and/or the Boardwalk
4. See an evening firework or drone
show.
5. Check the “My Disney Experience” app at least every hour.
6. Complain about having to wait in at least one long queue.
7. Hydrate regularly
That’s a few more off the top of my head.
What? Not mentioning doing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to loosen a kidney stone?
You also missed singing “There’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” at the top of your lungs during each portion of the Carousel of Progress!