Don’t Sit Or Swing On Railings, Chains, and Ropes

We get it, standing in a tight space with very little to do (or keep your hands busy) can be quite a challenge, and curiosity can get the best of us at times. But we see this very thing happen every day — inevitably, someone, usually a child turns their lean against the railings, ropes, or chains into a sit.. or sometimes a full-on swing.

These railings, ropes, and chains aren’t sturdy enough to hold your body weight so the possibility of them collapsing on you is likely. That’s not the only risk though, when you’ve balanced yourself on these the slightest tilt backward or slip of the hand could result in a fall and injury and then your whole vacation could be over in one fail swoop.

Balloons (Even Disney Ones) Aren’t Allowed In Animal Kingdom

Not everyone realizes this is a rule (or that it’s actually true and not a myth) but it is! Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the one Disney World park where even the balloons THEY sell are not allowed.

Please don’t be offended if you try to enter the park with them wrapped around your wrist or stroller, Disney has more than just your safety in mind with this rule — it’s to protect the animals. With so many creatures, and several of these being winged creatures, lost balloons can very dangrous to their helath. To avoid this from happening, Cast Members will offer to hold your balloon for you at the front of the park for you to reclaim when you’re done visiting for the day.

Don’t Wear Crocs On Escalators

We bet you’ve probably never noticed the symbols but they’re there … and for good reason.

Yes, Crocs shoes are actually not allowed on escalators as they’re a common culprit when the escalators are shut down. Most of the time this isn’t a quick fix and requires extensive work to pry the shredded shoe from the teeth of the escalator stairs as they collapse within each other.

To avoid a catastrophe, and having to purchase another set of shoes immediately, we recommend you take the stairs when wearing your favorite comfy shoes.

Don’t Feed The Wildlife

It seems like such an innocent act, right? You’re just wanting to help. That duck or bird that’s been hanging around nearby would just look so cute if you threw them a french fry or two to nibble on … but we’re warning you, you’ll be breaking a Disney rule if you do this!

Several signs are posted all around Disney World asking you not to feed the wildlife, and while there are extensive reasons for this the main takeaways are: it’s not their natural food and what their bodies are meant to eat; the more it happens the more the animals become dependent on people to feed them and when that intensifies, they could start to take food straight from you when they’re no longer cautious around people. This could look really aggressive if it escalates to this point, so if you enjoy eating your food in peace and not shooing birds away from you constantly like flies, stick to the rules!

Don’t Put Your Kid On Your Shoulders

This one also seems harmless but not only can it be a real big nuisance to everyone around you it’s completely unsafe.

Imagine having to make a quick exit and missing a step up onto the sidewalk or tripping over someone in front of you … what happens to your child then? You guessed it; down they go and gravity is going to gravity. If we’re already telling you injuries can happen from just sitting on the railings, imagine falling from several feet up and trying to avoid an injury.

Standing Outside Of The Zones In Pre-Shows

This one may seem trivial but it could be very key to the success of attraction. Several of the most recent rides at Disney World have set a high bar in the complicated use of their systems and technology to pull off a flawless experience for you as a rider as is the case for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

SPOILER ALERT: When stepping into the pre-show scene that will beam you up to the Xandarian spacecraft, the cosmic generator that portals you from Terra (Earth) to their ship won’t work if you’re standing outside of the ring of light in this room. Take a quick moment to glance down and make sure you’re within this circle to keep from delaying the show.

Don’t Try To Watch Parades & Fireworks Outside Designated Areas

There are probably going to be a lot of people trying to watch the parade and fireworks when they perform, and it’s best to try to grab a spot early. However, if that’s not possible, and you find yourself trying to squeeze into a spot to watch from, remember to stay in the designated areas.

While the walkways and side paths may look inviting and super spacious compared to the crowds of people already gathered, they’re empty for a reason. Disney requires walkways and paths to remain open for passers-by or for use in emergencies as quick exit ways. If you notice you’re posted in an area that might feel a little too open, double-check that you’re within the taped-off area in bounds to keep the walkways clear for traffic.

Don’t Put Your Kids On Trash Cans

It’s bound to be tempting, and you may think you’re actually creating space by doing this but you’d actually be creating a safety hazard.

Whether you’ve placed your child on top of a trash can or they’ve climbed on top of it themselves, this is against Disney rules. You can bet a Cast Member will be by shortly to ask that they come back down quickly and safely.

Don’t Run In The Parks

Running isn’t allowed in any of the Disney parks, and walking briskly is really pushing it.

Even if you’re not in a full sprint ahead and just speedwalking it could be dangerous to you AND someone else if you were to collide. We’ve even bumped into people just walking before, so we know that having even a bit more force behind it could have serious consequences. Cast Members will politely ask you to refrain from running if you are moving faster than a regular walking stride.

Don’t Use Flash Photography

Ok, this one we’re giving you a pass on because of technology, right? We’ve done this, too. You’ve upgraded or traded out your phone before taking your big Disney World trip only to discover your flash turns on as soon as you hit the record button.

But, this is a big DON’T! Take a few moments to ensure that your flash is disabled before you start taking pictures and videos to keep from distracting or annoying those around you.

Don’t Make Noises At The Animals

This is a rule we see broken in Disney’s Animal Kingdom all too often, and it can be so easily fixed. We promise though getting that perfect picture or video of an animal looking at you or doing something specific on camera isn’t worth making noises at them to get their attention.

In fact, what you’re doing is actually creating the opposite effect of the outcome you’re trying to achieve. By making noises and faces at them, some of the animals interpret that as a sign of aggression towards them, and because they’re wild animals that could lead to them attempting to stand their ground and defend their territories and families. Let’s remember they’re just trying to go about their normal day, and when we’re in their home we need to be respectful of it.

Don’t Save Spaces

You’ve heard it a million times and it was probably one of your favorite things you didn’t see return immediately after the reopening of the Disney parks in 2020, but filling in all of the available space really is a rule.

Truly, Cast Members working the rides and attractions are doing everything they can to keep your wait time down as short as possible and they can only do that by ensuring they’re packing in the rides for a full capacity each time. By leaving space between you and the next party, you’re causing gaps that can increase wait times for everyone, and the ride capacities aren’t as effective anymore. So next time, just move up a step or two.

Don’t Record Your Ride Evacuation Showing Backstage Areas

This may be the hardest to do in this day and age but we promise it’s one rule that could have grave consequences for your return visit.

If you’ve ever been walked off of a ride (evacuated) and into backstage areas where guests are typically not allowed,  it may be fun and thrilling to see what all is behind what’s usually shown to you, but Disney prohibits photos and filming if you happen to wind up in those areas. By showing them, you’re potentially taking away the mystery and image that so many people (especially young kids) subscribe to, and that’s what keeps them coming back for the “magic” of Disney. If you’re caught showing off these areas and breaking these rules it could be grounds for being asked to leave Disney World immediately, so we’re begging you not to take any chances with this.

There you have them! These are pretty common rules we’ve seen broken daily but if we’re more cautious about what we’re doing around the parks, we can make different choices the next time around! Be sure to stay tuned with us at Disney Food Blog for the latest in news and updates!