If you visit any forum on the Internet, you have heard about the many rules of Walt Disney World  Some are heated, some make sense, all have been ignored at one time or another.  Carl and I touch upon our view on the most talked about rules.

Let’s start with the most debatable one of them all…the refillable mug.  If you haven’t purchased one yet, let me explain how it works. You buy one at your Disney Resort, usually under $20, and you now have the right to use it to refill your drink ONLY at Disney Resorts and ONLY during your length of stay.  Doesn’t sound too complicated, does it? Well, this practice is filled with lots of holes.  First off, the mugs USED to be themed to each Resort, so when you were refilling your mug at a different Resort, you would get in trouble. Now they theme the mugs all the same way, so you are able to refill your mug at any other Disney resort.   With that said, you shouldn’t be. On the most current mug I have, it states “Refills available at no additional charge at Resort Beverage Islands located in the resort that this mug was purchased through the end of your stay.“  Now, I have to say this. When you spend the amount of money to visit WDW, and repeat stays in the same year, I don’t see the problem with using your mug again.  It is the same mug that is being purchased still, and you will get your money’s worth out of it.  I will go on record that using your mug from previous years to refill is quite wrong, and basically giving Disney reasons to stop this program all together.  Another practice is for families to buy a couple of mugs and share the drinks, refilling a bit more often. Nowhere on my mug does it say anything about sharing, so again, the choice is up to you.

Pool hopping is another “hop” topic. The rules state that unless you are staying at a “Sister” resort such as Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, you are only to swim at your designated Resort.  I understand this rule for the reason being that for one, if someone slips and falls, gets hurt, etc.  It is a lot harder to deal with legally when you weren’t staying at said Resort. Two, the pools were designed to the number of guests/rooms the resorts hold.  More isn’t necessarily merrier when you have paid the big bucks to stay at a Deluxe and people who didn’t are enjoying what you had to pay for.  I truly feel this is a fair one. Now I have heard that the Beach Club does indeed ask for your room key, but I haven’t heard of any other Resorts who check. Proceed with caution if you decide to do so, you have now been warned.

WDW just started recently asking counter service diner’s to please buy their food first, and then sit with your entire party. I have heard this being practiced at Cosmic Ray’s, and other larger restaurants.  The word on the street was that it is only meant to be practiced during busy times of the year-we shall see.  I really don’t understand the point of this one.  Why would they want a family of 6 or larger to congest a waiting line for food instead of one or two people from that family buying and the others finding a table?  If they want to bust people, bust those that are indeed using it for their table with food from outside the park.  We will comply, but I think it will make for longer lines at the counter.

Extra Magic Hours are permitted for Walt Disney World Resort guests only.  One of the many perks to staying on property is being able to take advantage of the late nights and early mornings that make up the “Extra Magic Hours.”  Regular hours everyone gets to enjoy, but tread carefully if you “think” you can sneak around the parks without the proper WDW Resort Guest I.D. during EMH hours.  Before the hours start, they have several Cast Members sweep the parks to check everyone’s I.D.  I have heard you can stay and shop, but that they prefer you leave if you are not a WDW Resort guest.  The same applies at the Halloween and Christmas parties. People have paid a lot of money to enjoy these special evenings, and sticking around because you feel you have the right just isn’t so. I get it, it isn’t very fair that WDW has planned so many parties during your vacation- but that’s why researching is such a big deal when it comes to WDW. Know the party dates, and if need be, plan around them.

Before getting in line, have everyone with your party present.  This is another fuzzy rule because of all that can and will happen while you are waiting for your favorite attraction. Examples are, your child has to use the bathroom, you need to take a call so you go outside to not bother others, or you have gone ahead and your family member are getting fast passes.  Children leaving the line to use the bathroom are fine with me.  I would rather they go in a restroom then use the floor I am standing on. Taking a call outside? Again, don’t mind if your spouse is holding your spot for you. I would be happy for you to talk outside among the noise than RIGHT next to me.  Getting in line while someone gets fastpasses has become quite the hot button on the Disney boards.  Now, it makes sense to do it, I get it. The problem is that when the line moves faster than you or your family anticipated, you don’t have to get past 10 people, but 100.  No one knows your reason to get ahead in line, even with the best excuse; it’s hard to explain to those you are leaving behind to find your family ahead, so use caution if you feel you must do it. Toy Story Mania has posted Cast Members in the morning near the entrance that continually announce you MUST have your entire party together before getting in line.  I appreciate that they do this; it cuts down the anger in line when it does happen.

“Please move down all the way to the end of your row.”  Ok, I admit it, this one has always bugged me, and I’ll tell you why.  My family moves all the way down, to then see that other families have stopped dead center and refuse to move.  Understandably, when the show isn’t busy, you don’t have to move down that much. Please have the common courtesy to move all the way down when you can clearly see that it is going to be packed and every seat will be used.  Please don’t sit in the center and expect my family to hop over you, it’s just plain rude. Also, if you want to be in the center, let people fill in before you and then find a seat.

Use both sides of the queue.  Again, it’s not a suggestion. In fact the rumor is that the left line always goes faster, so we always head to that one first.  It seems to happen all the time that whether you are at Pirates of the Caribbean or the Haunted Mansion, someone gets upset you have moved up because you were asked to.   We love this one because you will get on faster and the line shortens up real fast!

I’m sure there are many we are forgetting, so please feel free to comment and let us know yours. 

Thanks for joining us, enjoy this wonderful weekend.

 Carl and Ellie