With the rise of social media, especially TikTok, there have been some videos posted about loopholes that work in Disney World, like how to save a little money or get free things.

Yes, some of them do work, but not all of them. Some of the most viral ones are actually the defunct ones! We don’t want you to be surprised on your next trip when one you’re hoping to do doesn’t work, so we’re sharing the FIVE loopholes that don’t work in Disney World!

Loopholes That DO NOT Work

Parking at Disney Springs for Free Parking

Disney Springs has recently changed their transportation rules, which means that a loophole that used to exist is no longer. Parking at Disney Springs and boarding a resort bus or boat is now prohibited for guests not staying or dining at that resort. Guests must now have a valid reservation to board the resort buses and boats at Disney Springs. So, getting free parking at Disney Springs to go to a resort or park is no longer an option.

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Mobile Ordering a Cheap Meal at a Hotel for Discounted Parking

Many guests think they can mobile order at a resort’s quick-service restaurant to get “discounted parking,” but this is not the case. Because of the limited parking spaces at the Disney resorts, a lot of them are limited to guests staying there and with valid table-service dining reservations. Yes, sometimes the security guards will let you through, but it is not guaranteed, AND if they do let you through to pick up your mobile order, please don’t treat it as “discounted parking” and go to the parks.

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Making an Early Dining Reservation at a Hotel for Free Parking

Yes, we’re still talking about free parking loopholes because there are just so many untrue ones! Disney World has a rule where guests can cancel their dining reservations up to 2 hours before their designated time, unless this reservation was booked at a signature dining location — those require 48 to 72 hours’ notice. Disney has now started giving out slips to place on your car’s dashboard with your designated reservation time and a 2-hour window. So, no, you cannot get by with parking at a Disney World resort 2 hours and 5 minutes before your dining reservation and cancel when you’re there — it doesn’t work that way!

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Skipping the Attraction Lines Because It’s Your Birthday

We see HUNDREDS of guests with a “Happy Birthday” button every day in Disney World. Does that mean every one of those guests will skip attraction lines? Absolutely not. It’s definitely possible for a Cast Member to give someone a “Magical Moment” and allow them to skip the line because it’s their birthday, but don’t expect it.

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Getting a Free Upgrade Because You Asked for It

If you’ve booked a Standard Room and gotten a free upgrade to a specific view or a preferred location, congrats — there was availability! But not every situation is like this. Just because you want a free upgrade doesn’t mean the Cast Members have to give you one. You paid for a specific tier of room, and that’s the one they’re obligated to put you in, so they don’t need to give you an upgrade because you asked for it.

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Loopholes That DO Work

Because we don’t want to fully rain on your parade, we’re giving you some loopholes that you can actually use on your next Disney World vacation!

The 3-Hour Lightning Lane Window

Don’t worry if you’re running a little late to your Lightning Lane because there is a 3-hour grace period where you can scan into your Lightning Lanes EVEN if it’s already way past your return time window! Disney could change this rule at any time, so we don’t suggest relying on it unless you really have to, but it’s a great trick to have up your sleeve if you’re stuck waiting in line for a different ride or your dining reservation ran a little over time.

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Getting Into the Park Without Early Entry

Early Entry is a perk for guests staying at Disney hotels and other select resorts where they get 30 extra minutes in the morning to ride attractions in the park before it opens to the general public. But you actually don’t need to be staying at a Disney resort to scan into the park. While you do need a valid reservation to board attractions and enter certain lands, you don’t need to be staying at a Disney resort to actually enter the park. This is a great time to grab your morning coffee, take pictures with fewer crowds, and leisurely stroll without the worry of higher wait times.

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Ordering a Kid’s Meal

Disney World isn’t a place where they’ll check your age when you mobile order from a kid’s menu. It’s actually something we recommend you do! The portions are often a pretty great size, AND you’ll be saving some money by doing it. Some of our favorite kids’ meals to order are the Cheeseburger Pods from Satu’li Canteen, the Salmon from Columbia Harbour House, and the Mickey-shaped Waffle Platter from any resort for breakfast!

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The Gift Card Hack

Disney World can be expensive, and saving a few dollars here and there can actually add up. Buying gift cards ahead of time can not only help you budget out your vacation, but it can also help save you some money depending on where you buy them. Wholesale clubs like Sam’s Club, Costco, and BJ’s often run deals on gift cards, causing them to be cheaper than the value. For example, a $500 Disney Gift Card at BJ’s is currently $479.99. Yes, it’s only $20, but if you’re spending $2,000 in gift cards on your vacation, you’re saving $80! That’s approximately 13 extra DOLE Whips!!!

So, the next time you go to try out a loophole in Disney World, remember these and don’t forget which ones work and which ones don’t! And stay tuned to DFB for more Disney insider tips and tricks!

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Which loophole will you be trying? Let us know in the comments below!