Ah, Walt. Look at what you created! Disney World is the most magical place on Earth. People come here to make memories with their friends and families. People come here to have fun. It’s a special place! But people are people. And some people get a little carried away. We go to Disney World every single day of the year, so you best believe we’ve heard some wildly inappropriate interactions over the years.
On the whole, we’ve probably witnessed more positive memories than negative ones, but here at DFB, we like to keep it real. We have to talk about the weird stuff right along with the good stuff. Let this story be a word of warning. If you see someone try to pull any of these stunts, you might want to keep your distance. Trust us, no one wants to hear these things in Disney World.
The Disney Food Blog team is made up of all kinds of Disney experts. Some of us are former Cast Members, while others are Annual Passholders who visit the parks daily. That means we have a unique perspective on Disney World, and we’ve encountered thousands of parkgoers over the years.
There are a few specific interactions that have truly stuck with us — even weeks, months, and years later. Are they cringeworthy? Yes. Should you avoid these types of people at all costs? Yes. Ready? Here we go.
Inappropriate Character Interactions
We’ll start with the obvious. We’ve heard proposals. We’ve heard bold invitations. We’ve even heard some seriously rude statements at the expense of Disney characters. Look — Mickey Mouse has two BIG ears. He can hear you!
We know some people think it’s “funny” to tease Queen Elsa or Princess Belle. Some people might not see the harm in a rude comment to Gaston. But even Disney villains have feelings! It’s not cute. It’s not funny. But, on the other hand, we’ve also heard people explain that they don’t know how to talk to a Disney character. Fair point! It’s not every day you get the chance to speak to royalty. So, if you need a little help getting the conversation started, here are a few prompts that may help:
- Belle LOVES to read. Got any book recommendations for her?
- Queen Anna is a big fan of chocolate. Have you tried any chocolate desserts during your trip? She’d love to hear about it!
- Minnie Mouse is besties with Daisy. If you’re traveling with friends, she may have some recommendations on how to have a FUN day in the parks!
- The Step Sisters aren’t evil; they’re misunderstood. Ask to hear THEIR side of the story. They will definitely have something to say.
- Goofy loves a good dad joke — give him your best material!
- Snow White has plenty of funny stories about the seven dwarfs — ask her about them!
- Mickey LOVES hearing about all the fun adventures you’ve been on. Tell him about the rides you’ve got lined up, the food you’ve tried, or the other characters you’ve met!
Can it feel a little awkward talking to THE Mickey Mouse? Sure. But it’s only weird if you make it weird. If it helps, pretend you’re talking to an old friend. And if you’re with someone who wants to get a reaction out of a character, redirect! The next people in line don’t want their interaction ruined after a character is made to feel uncomfortable.
Ruining the Magic
We’ve heard countless adults openly “spoil” Disney character meet-and-greets with little ones around. Magic IS real. You really DO teleport to space on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Right? RIGHT.
OK, we’ll admit it. When we start to hear someone around us ruining the magic (saying things like “That’s just a screen!” or “Is there a FAN in there?”), we may find ourselves talking a little louder to drown out their statements. If you find yourself traveling with kids and start to hear someone saying something inappropriate, we recommend the ✨distraction technique✨ to protect your little one from hearing something they shouldn’t.
Peeing in the Pool
Alright, so we know that the amount of chlorine in a Disney pool is enough to counteract the bacteria from a little urine in the pool. But that doesn’t stop us from feeling a little queasy when we hear a grown adult give someone approval to use the pool as a toilet. You wouldn’t BELIEVE what people are willing to admit out loud at a pool.
We have heard people speak freely about their bathroom habits in Disney World, and often, those habits are highly inappropriate. Hey, at least it’s nice to know that people see Disney as a safe space. But seriously, when the person sitting next to you on the pool deck says, “I just peed in the pool,” it’s hard not to physically cringe.
When nice, clean Disney bathrooms are just steps from the main pool, there’s really no excuse. You can even use the My Disney Experience app to see an interactive map of every nearby restroom. And no, the pool will NOT be on the list of bathrooms.
From the pool to the PeopleMover, we know that accidents happen. In some cases, those bathroom accidents may even shut down the pool (or a ride) so Cast Members can clean and disinfect the area. If you see that the pool is unexpectedly closed, this may be why.
Drinking Around the World
We’ve all seen the videos online. We know that Drinking Around the World is a SUPER popular EPCOT activity. We’re not here to knock it! Go drink those drinks — have fun! But things get a little dicey when people get out of control, and yes, we’ve seen a person or two drink WAY too much at a family theme park.
Believe it or not, some of those Disney drinks can be STRONG! Like, sneakily strong. Like, “Oh, this tastes like juice!” But it’s not juice. It’s hard liquor. Don’t be fooled.
You know yourself, so this may seem like common sense, but we can’t help but HELP people, OK? So, enjoy our list of tips and tricks when you’re drinking around the world:
- Drink water in between alcoholic drinks
- Share your drinks with a friend or family member
- Take snack breaks
- Take your time
- Don’t mix types of alcohol
The BEST Way To Drink Around the World, According to EPCOT Cast Members
“Don’t Lick That”
Yes. We have ACTUALLY heard parents tell their children to remove their tongues from a railing, chair, ride vehicle, and window. You’d be SHOCKED how many surfaces have been licked by children in a theme park. It’s astounding, really.
Hey, kids are, well, kids. So we can’t get too upset about this one. But do we still get a little grossed out every time we imagine all the GERMS surrounding us in Disney World? Oh, you bet. Pack that hand sanitizer, people. Wash your hands often.
If Your Park Bag Looks Like This, You’re a Disney World Expert
Whew! That was quite the trip down memory lane. Do you have any wild stories from Disney World? Share them in the comments! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
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Rick says
During one trip at All-Star Movies, the pool was emptied for what was termed a “protein incident.” Yuk!
Vicki Daley says
I remember the first time we met face characters. Anna started talking to us about all kinds of things and I had no idea what to do. I thought we were just supposed to pose for pictures with them.