This might sound harsh, but I’m genuinely bewildered by the overlap between people who are clearly successful enough in life to afford a Disney vacation, yet somehow forget how to function as normal human beings once they enter the parks.
Let me explain. Disney Parks are more expensive than ever, and that means most visitors are financially stable, organized, and capable adults. You’d think that level of success would come with a certain degree of awareness, courtesy, and common sense, but somehow, that all disappears the moment they walk under the train station and onto Main Street, U.S.A.
Take the classic example of someone stopping dead-center on Main Street to tie their shoe, completely blocking foot traffic. There are benches and wide open areas just steps away, yet here they stand or kneel, creating a human traffic cone for the rest of us to dodge. It’s not a complicated concept: step to the side.
Another baffling one? People who don’t seem to understand that babies count as actual humans. When a Cast Member asks how many are in your party, they’re not just making small talk. That number matters for safety, seating, and logistics. Saying “five” when you’re really “five and a baby” can throw off ride loading, delay everyone behind you, or leave the restaurant struggling to squeeze in a highchair. A baby is still a person. You are six. Math is hard, apparently.
Then there’s the parent who argues with a Cast Member because their child isn’t tall enough for a ride. Yes, it’s disappointing. But those height restrictions exist for safety. You wouldn’t let your kid go skateboarding without a helmet, so why fight someone for not letting your too-small child ride a roller coaster that could genuinely hurt them? Cast Members are there to keep you safe, not ruin your day. Plus, that Cast Member didn’t set the height requirement, so why are you yelling at them for just enforcing the rules.
And not sure why this even has to be said, but please keep your shoes on. Walking around barefoot in a public theme park isn’t just strange, it’s unsanitary and unsafe. Between the spilled sodas, sticky ground, and who-knows-what on the pavement, it’s shocking that anyone would even think this is okay.
The other one I’ve seen is people Facetiming family or friends on a dark ride. Maybe it is so that they can see it too, but at that point, send them a YouTube link. Your graining FaceTime isn’t going to do the ride justice, and now you’re just bothering other guests around you.
If you’re lucky enough to visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland, please remember: it’s not your private playground. Be aware of your surroundings, think about others, and for everyone’s sake, use some common sense. The magic is much easier to find when everyone remembers how to be decent humans.
