7 things guests should never do at Disney World, from a longtime Imagineer

• I worked as a Disney Imagineer designing the Florida theme parks for eight years. 
• It’s not safe to sit on the railings in the lines or sneak a kid onto a ride they’re too short for.
• Flip-flops aren’t going to get you far in the parks, and you shouldn’t try to text while walking. 

I worked as a Walt Disney Imagineer for eight years, and I learned a lot of best practices for visiting the theme parks. 

If you’re planning a trip this holiday season, here are some of the top things guests should never do at Disney World. 

Don’t try to text while walking down Main Street in Magic Kingdom

I know it’s super tempting to whip out your camera on the rides, but the flash really ruins the experience for you and your neighbors.

If you take your camera out on rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, there’s also a high chance it could get wet.

I know photos are a must while visiting Disney parks, but luckily, a lot of the bigger rides take pictures of you that you can get through PhotoPass. If you add Memory Maker to your plan, you can even get unlimited digital downloads.

The railings in the ride queues aren’t your personal seats

After walking around the parks all day, it can be really tempting to climb or sit on the railings while waiting for a ride, but you could fall and hurt yourself or another person.

It also slows up the line. Plus, a lot of planning and effort goes into making the queues beautiful, and this beats them up a lot quicker.

Don’t bring plastic straws or balloons into Animal Kingdom

There are plenty of low-intensity rides at Disney World — especially in Magic Kingdom — that everyone in the family can enjoy. 

But there are a few with height requirements, including Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and The Barnstormer.

Don’t get mad at the park employees at the front of the line for sticking by the rules, and don’t waste your time arguing with or trying to trick them.

They’re just trying to keep your child safe.

This story was originally published in February 2022 and most recently updated on October 22, 2024.