Answering Your Basic Theme Park Questions
We all have to start somewhere.
While many people reading this are Disney experts today, none of us began that way.
We remember those early visits where we had no idea what we were doing and made ridiculous mistakes.
For example, my first visit at Disney’s Animal Kingdom doubled as an unintentional runDisney event.
I walked a marathon that day…and then some. It happens. By definition, we don’t know until we know.
So, let’s take a step back today and address some of the topics you may have been too embarrassed to mention.
Here are the answers to some basic Disney theme park questions.
Can I Hug Costumed Characters Yet?
Okay, here’s an old question from the pandemic that remains relevant due to its frequency.
During the social distancing era, park officials couldn’t endanger Cast Members by having them get up close and personal with guests.
So, Disney temporarily eliminated the practice of hugging costumed characters.
Thankfully, that statement hasn’t applied in a long time. It’s now perfectly okay to hug costumed Cast Members again.
In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s wholly encouraged, no matter how old you are!
You’re at Disney, the land where fantasy and reality merge.
Hugging your favorite Disney characters is integral to that experience! Hug away, my friends!
Does Disney Have Age Requirements?
This question comes in multiple forms.
For parents, the underlying question is whether children need tickets.
That answer depends on the age of the child. Admission isn’t required for anyone under the age of three.
Children ages three to nine require a children’s ticket, which is significantly less expensive.
Everyone ages ten and above will count as an adult for admission ticket purposes.
In terms of attraction usage, Disney employs a height requirement for many rides and experiences.
Guests must be tall enough to ride some of these things, which is a safety precaution.
Many attractions utilize safety harnesses, seat belts, and other protective gear. It’s imperative that children fit within these constraints.
So, not only will Disney enforce the height restrictions but as a parent, you should respect that since it’s safer for your child.
Finally, some adults wonder about age restrictions in reverse.
Can you ride kiddie attractions or attend character greetings for Disney Junior characters? Of course, you can! It’s Disney!
Does Disney Serve Alcohol?
In a word, yes!
You’ll find copious amounts of adult beverages on sale at EPCOT’s World Showcase.
Some would argue that the popularity of this park’s festivals depends on alcohol to keep everyone’s spirits afloat.
You’ll also find alcohol on sale at other Disney theme parks, including Magic Kingdom, and the various Disney resorts.
In fact, one of the best things to do at Disney is head to the pool bar, order an umbrella drink, and luxuriate on a lounge chair.
How Do I Trade Pins with Cast Members?
You ask them!
I’m not even being sarcastic with that statement. It’s all you need to do!
Cast Members are the kindest, most welcoming people you’ll ever meet.
Their sole goal in their jobs is to heighten the magic for you and yours.
Pin trading is a tried and true method of making pin collectors happy.
Ergo, when you see a Cast Member wearing a set of pins or sitting beside a pin board, walk over and say hi!
Ask them whether they’re willing to trade pins with you, and I’m quite confident the answer will be yes.
You may even discover a rare pin up for grabs, and it’s perfectly okay to ask for that, too!
In some rare instances, you may encounter a Cast Member who is attached to a pin.
That’s never happened to me, but it’s possible. If so, please be respectful! Simply request a different pin instead.
How Long Is Too Long to Wait?
Okay, the next three options don’t have a right or wrong answer per se.
Instead, you’ll learn to feel out your own answers over time.
For example, the most persistent question at Disney is how long you should wait for various attractions and experiences.
I’ve been writing Walt Disney World Wait Times articles for many years now, yet even I still have this debate each visit.
When you’re at Disney, there’s an unspoken goal in play. You want to do as much as humanly possible during your visit.
Disney posts attraction wait time estimates for informational purposes.
These estimates should help you determine whether it is worth standing in line for the requisite amount of time.
Alas, the conversation isn’t that simple, though. Disney sometimes inflates or deflates wait time estimates to influence crowd behavior.
Honestly, none of that should matter to you as a (relatively) new guest.
You’ve got the situation much easier than most. Your first question here is, “Do I want to ride this?”
Then, your second question is, “Am I okay with waiting this long?” If both your answers are yes, your choice is clear!
As an FYI, Disney crowds are smaller when the park opens and as dinnertime approaches.
So, the decisions grow easier later in the day and/or when you Rope Drop.
Should I Buy Disney Genie?
NO! Disney Genie is absolutely free to use, and it’s a useful virtual assistant for first-time/infrequent park guests.
Disney Genie+ is the paid service you may need to maximize your park visit.
I didn’t put this one in here to be a pedant. It’s a vital point instead.
When you hear people talking about whether to buy Disney Genie, they’re being sloppy with the terminology.
Since that verbiage may confuse you, I want to clear it up before discussing Disney Genie+.
This service is the de facto replacement for a previous option called FastPass.
With Genie+, you pay a one-time price during your park visit. In exchange, you get to enter the shorter line on many rides.
So, you’re paying extra to spend less time in line. Does the service justify the price?
That answer depends on how much discretionary income you have for your Disney visit.
What I tell friends is that they should purchase Disney Genie+ unless they’re traveling with multiple children.
For singles, couples, single parents with one child, and even couples with one child, the price is tolerable.
When you’re paying four times to skip the line for one day, that’s…excessive to me.
Still, if you can afford it, you’ll be glad you have Disney Genie+, especially on crowded park dates.
What’s Park Hopper, and Do I Need It?
I’m gonna to give you a firm no on the second question before I even answer the first one.
With the Park Hopper option, you can visit multiple theme parks each day.
At Walt Disney World, you could theoretically spend time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom…all on the same day!
That sounds great, right? So, why don’t you need it?
Well, if you haven’t visited Disney before or rarely attend, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the parks.
The last thing you’ll want to do is add to that feeling by doubling or tripling the number of parks you visit. That’s just too much.
Once you get used to Disney visits, you’ll probably view the matter much differently, though.
I’m a diehard Park Hopper to the point where it’s rare that I visit only one park on a given day.
So, I can tell you from personal experience that you don’t have to start your Disney fandom as a Park Hopper…but you’ll probably get there over time!
Where Do I Find the Buttons?
Ha! That’s a question I vividly recall asking!
I never considered myself a buttons guy until my wife and I started vacationing at Disney.
Since then, I happily wear them for anniversaries and birthday visits.
When you wear a Disney button, Cast Members and strangers alike will exchange pleasantries with you about your thing.
As far as icebreakers go, Disney buttons are terrific! And they’re simple to get, too!
You can ask for a Disney button at Guest Services or at the front desk of your Disney hotel.
Should you not think about it until you’re in an inconvenient location, just ask a Cast Member!
They can tell you the closest place to find buttons. Get one and wear it with pride! You’re at Disney, after all!
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Feature Photo: Disney