Disney World, Disneyland, Go Informed Podcast, Theme Park Touring, Universal Orlando

Theme Park Etiquette Tips

September 3, 2018
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Episode 35: Miss Maven’s Theme Park Charm School

Good manners are especially important in a place like Disney World, Disneyland, or Universal Studios. When you spend the day with thousands of theme park visitors, a few simple tips will keep things moving smoothly and ensure that everyone has a magical day. On this episode you’ll learn all my top theme park etiquette tips.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 35. Click the Play button to listen to the episode for lots more detail about this topic.

Theme Park Etiquette Tip #1: Be Nice

Kindness goes a long way in a stressful situation. Especially be sure to show respect and kindness to the park workers.

Keep negative vibes to yourself, so your temporarily grumpy mood does not infect everyone else’s vacation. Take a break and give yourself some space to recover if you get overwhelmed.

Etiquette at Security and the Park Gate

Have your bags ready to be searched or X-rayed. At the Disney Parks, the security staff will manually search your bag. While you’re waiting for your turn, unzip every pocket on your bag or backpack. This will speed up the process for everyone involved.

If you need to go through a metal detector, take off anything metal so you only have to pass through the detector once.

Yes, at Universal Orlando they really mean no change in your pocket when you go on a ride that requires a metal detector. Leave that stuff in the provided lockers before you enter the ride queue.

Make sure you and your kids have your park tickets or Magic Bands ready before you get to the ticket reader or turnstile. Know the park entry procedure before you arrive at the park – listen to my First Day at the Disney World Parks and First Day at the Universal Orlando Parks episodes to find out exactly how it works when you go through those turnstiles.

Here’s a quick video showing what the turnstiles look like at Disney World. If you don’t have a Magic Band, you just place your ticket next to the reader instead of your wrist.

Etiquette For Moving Through Any Theme Park

Don’t stop suddenly in the middle of the path.

Don’t block the ride entrances. Pull over somewhere out of the way if you need to conference with your group.

Don’t run. Walking super-fast is totally OK though.

Use care with your stroller. If you see someone with a stroller, give them some space to maneuver.

Theme Park Ride Etiquette

Number One No-No: Never use flash photography in a dark ride.

Keep screen use to a minimum in dark rides and theaters. Your phone or camera has a bright screen that will draw everyone’s eye away from the real show.

If you must take a picture, hold your phone where only you can see it and be discreet.

If anyone is behind you, be sure to take off your hat or mouse ears so you don’t block their view.

Unless it’s a water ride and the seat’s wet already, take off your wet poncho before you step onto a ride.

Cutting in line in a ride queue is bad karma. Stay with your group in the line.

If you want to take a picture while in the queue, don’t hold up everyone behind you. Move to the side and wave everyone else past. Don’t worry, when you’re ready to move on, the crowd will let you step back into line and continue forward.

When in the queue, do your best to give your neighbors a space bubble.

Your kids may be especially exuberant. Find something else for them to do in line other than jumping around and banging the poles and chains. Play a game on the Play Disney Parks app or look for Hidden Mickeys.

Booking.com

Fireworks and Parade Etiquette

Don’t put your kids on your shoulders. It blocks the view from behind you.

Take off your hat or mouse ears and put your balloon down.

If you want a picture or a video, hold your camera at eye level or below. Or take a quick shot, then put your device away. Otherwise everyone behind you has to watch the show through your screen. The lights from your device are also very distracting during nighttime shows.

Disney World Transportation Etiquette

If you have a seat on the bus or the monorail and you notice someone else who could use your seat more than you, let them have your spot.

Disney World buses load passengers through the front door and use all doors to exit. Only riders with scooters or wheelchairs, and their immediate party, load through the back door. Drivers load these passengers first. So be patient if the bus arrives, releases all the passengers, then closes all the doors. This is so the driver can get ready to load a wheelchair. Once the wheeled rider is on board, the driver will open the front door for all other passengers to load.

Quick-Service Dining Etiquette

Know your order before you get to the front of the line at a quick-service restaurant.

You can completely skip the line and make everything move faster for everyone else (because you are one less person in line) if you use mobile ordering at Disney World. Use the My Disney Experience app to order and pay for your food or drinks remotely, then just step up to the counter and pick it up.

Share These Theme Park Etiquette Tips

Pin this handy infographic to help spread the word and make our theme parks extra magical.

Thank You to These Podcasters

The hosts of these shows helped me brainstorm this list. If you’re looking for more theme park podcasts for your playlist, I recommend all of these shows:

Theme Park Films

Theme Park Duo

Disney Park Princess

And for even more Disney-related podcast suggestions, be sure to check out Episode 22: My Favorite Disney World Podcasts.