I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (2024)

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Sofía Olivar

2024-04-15T20:53:03Z

I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (1)

  • As a former Disney World employee, I'm used to answering tourists' questions about the parks.
  • There is a difference between Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, but it isn't too tricky to learn.
  • Adults are allowed to take photos with characters, and there's more to do than just rides.

I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (2)

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I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (4)

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I worked at Disney World for three years at some of the merchandise locations and attractions across the property.

Disney is constantly changing and expanding — heck, the company is currently investing $60 billion in its global theme parks and cruise lines, including a major Magic Kingdom expansion. It can be hard to keep up, so it's common for guests to have questions, even if they're not first-time visitors.

Here are my answers to some of the questions I think guests are too scared or embarrassed to ask.

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Do you have any tips for visiting Universal Studios?

I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (5)

A lot of people think that because Universal Studios is Disney's "competition," they can't ask park employees about it.

Although I probably wouldn't know how to answer very specific questions about the nearby theme parks, there's no harm in asking things like, "What's the best way to get there?"

Believe it or not, many Disney employees frequently visit Universal Studios — some even work for both companies — so don't be afraid to ask them for recommendations if they're up for it.

When I worked at Coronado Springs Resort, I often asked guests about their days when I saw them return to the hotel with Universal Studios bags. As a big "Harry Potter" fan, I enjoy talking about those parks as much as Disney.

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Is this ride worth the wait?

I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (6)

I worked at Remy's Ratatouille Adventure in Epcot, and since the ride only opened in 2021, it's one of the most popular attractions in the park.

This means it often had very long wait times throughout the day.

Sometimes guests would ask me if it was worth the wait, and I was more than happy to give them some context about the long wait times and share my thoughts. As long as you're nice and respectful about the question, most employees are probably willing to give their honest opinions.

I think it's best to prioritize other activities and rides if the wait time is over anhour — unless someone in the group is a "Ratatouille" superfan.

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What's the difference between Genie+ and Lightning Lane?

I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (7)

A lot has changed since the Disney World parks reopened after the 2020 COVID-19 closure. One of the biggest changes was switching from the old free FastPass system to a paid Genie+ service.

The service, which typically starts around $25 per person a day, allows guests to make Lightning Lane (expedited line) reservations at several attractions, among other vacation-planning services.

Understanding Genie+ can seem daunting. For example, some popular rides don't appear on the service but can still be booked by purchasing a separate Individual Lightning Lane fee.

Feel free to ask park employees any questions you have. They'll walk you through the whole process — and even help you book reservations if needed.

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How do I get a special button?

I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (8)

When you visit the parks, you'll likely see some guests wearing celebration buttons announcing things like first visits, birthdays, anniversaries, or family reunions.

If you and your friends or family are celebrating a special occasion, just ask an employee for a corresponding button so everyone in the parks knows it. Workers, characters, and sometimes even other guests may congratulate you throughout your trip.

They're free and typically available at any merchandise location, hotel front desk, and guest services.

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Can adults take pictures with characters?

I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (9)

Walt Disney created the parks with people of all ages in mind.

Although certain attractions are targeted toward younger audiences, adults interacting and taking pictures with characters is certainly allowed — and even encouraged. Just be respectful and don't ruin the magic for any kids nearby.

When I visit the parks, I never skip meet and greets. They're some of my favorite experiences, especially when I play along with the characters' antics.

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What else can I do at the parks if I don’t like roller coasters?

I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (10)

Disney World is an immersive experience, no matter what you end up doing in the parks.

If you don't like roller coasters or thrill rides, there are dozens of milder rides the entire family can enjoy, like the Haunted Mansion or Frozen Ever After.

Parades, cavalcades, character meet and greets, and shows are also fun. And make sure not to miss any of the parks' nighttime spectaculars, like "Happily Ever After" and "Fantasmic."

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What do I do if I lose something?

I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (11)

If you lose something on a ride, in the parks, or at a resort, know that you're certainly not the only one. Hundreds of missing items are collected every day.

You might not be able to get something back right away if it fell out on a ride, especially if employees have to stop the whole attraction to retrieve it for you. But just let someone near the front know, and they should be able to help.

Regardless of where you lost something, employees are trained to gather any lost items they find and drop them off at guest relations. Stopping by that office, typically near the park entrance, is going to be your best bet.

If they haven't found your item yet, you can fill out a request form with all your information so they can contact you if and when they do. I left my autograph book in a store once, and a couple of days later, Disney contacted me and told me where I could pick it up.

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Do you have any recommendations?

I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (12)

Squeezing every activity, restaurant, ride, and show into your Disney World vacation is nearly impossible, so don't be scared to ask for help.

If you're looking for the best recommendations, the employees know the area very well, and they'll likely have lots of tips for you.

One of my favorite recommendations is to grab a meal at Satu'li Canteen in Animal Kingdom. The quick-service spot in the Pandora area of the park is open for lunch and dinner, and I love the bowls.

My favorite is the smoked chimichurri-braised beef with noodles.

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I worked at Disney World for over 3 years. Here are answers to 8 questions guests are too embarrassed to ask. (2024)

FAQs

Does Disney treat their employees well? ›

A 2018 study by Occidental College and the Economic Roundtable looked at working conditions for employees at Disneyland — the company's original park, in Anaheim, Calif. — and found that more than half worried about being evicted from their homes, and more than one in 10 had been homeless in the last two years.

Is Disney World a good employer? ›

Walt Disney Company has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 12,575 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there.

Why aren t people going to Disney? ›

New data shows that Disney World's crowds this summer are their smallest in years. Disney's ongoing feud with Ron DeSantis is certainly a factor. But the bigger issue is that the park is too expensive now, especially for young families.

How does Disney know everyone is out of the park? ›

all attractions are cleared by the cast members that work on them, they tell security it's clear. security starts in a line in the back of the park and they slowly move through the park looking in all stores and hiding areas eventually clearing into main street and out the park.

How does Disney treat their workers? ›

The Company and its management are committed to treating all Cast Members and employees with fairness, dignity and respect. We strive to provide our Cast Members and employees with a challenging, exciting and fulfilling environment.

Are Disney World employees underpaid? ›

More than 100 Disney hotel maintenance workers responsible for keeping the company's luxe hotels up and running in southern California are suing the entertainment giant for allegedly paying them less than fast-food workers earn in the state and forcing them to moonlight at second jobs despite working overtime.

What is the average salary of a Disney World employee? ›

What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Walt Disney World Cast Member Jobs
CityAnnual SalaryHourly Wage
Los Angeles, CA$39,333$18.91
Fremont, CA$39,321$18.90
Jersey City, NJ$39,273$18.88
Marysville, WA$38,846$18.68
6 more rows

What is the best job in Disney? ›

Best Disney Jobs
  • Software Engineer. ...
  • Senior Security Engineer. ...
  • Product Manager. ...
  • UX Designer. Average Salary: $123K. ...
  • Data Scientist. Average Salary: $127K. ...
  • Senior Software Engineer. Average Salary: $132K. ...
  • Senior Systems Reliability Engineer. Average Salary: $140K. ...
  • Associate Principal Counsel. Average Salary: $183K.
Feb 25, 2021

How much do most Disney employees make? ›

Hourly pay at The Walt Disney Company ranges from an average of $15.82 to $46.22 an hour.

Is Disney losing popularity? ›

According to InsideTheMagic.com, “Disney's attendance has dropped substantially,” with some attendees reporting impacts at Disneyland and other parks, with Disney World appearing more like a “ghost town” than a thriving tourist destination.

Has Disney been declining? ›

Entertainment company Walt Disney (DIS) has placed first in the list with a strong rise in viewership of 120%. Walt Disney shares have continued to decline in recent months, now trading just above the pandemic low reached in 2020. Walt Disney has been suffering from weak revenue growth and lower profitability.

Is Disney World attendance declining? ›

Also as post-COVID pent-up demand continues to level off in Florida, local tax data shows evidence of some softening in several major Florida tourism markets. Basically, Disney World has seen attendance slow, but it has made more money on fewer customers.

Can Disney employees say I don't know? ›

What three words can't Disney employees say? The three words that Disney employees are trained not to say are “I don't know.” “If a guest asks you a question, you always have to have an answer, no exceptions,” an anonymous former Cast Member shared online. “If you don't know it, find out, but don't say you don't know.

Why do Disney employees point with two fingers? ›

According to an anonymous Disney employee, the gesture harkens back to when Disney use to walk through his eponymously named park, cigarette in hand, pointing out different areas of the park to guests with two fingers stretched out.

How does Disney track you? ›

MagicBand+ devices are not GPS-based and do not enable collection of continuous location signals. However, we may be able to detect the location of Guests who choose to use or wear MagicBand or MagicBand+ products while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort and certain other locations.

Does Disney care about their employees? ›

Benefits & Wellness

Disney strives to provide its employees with comprehensive, connected, and compassionate care to help navigate their health and well-being.

Does Disney value its employees? ›

Disney is known for a set of values that influence employees' motivation and behavior: Valuing employees first: Disney places a high value on its employees and invests time and energy in training and preparing them for any scenario.

What are the employment issues with Disney? ›

in a long-running class-action lawsuit that alleged Orange County's largest employer was wrongfully skirting a living-wage ordinance passed by Anaheim voters in 2018. The decision cemented a July appellate court ruling that found the law indeed applied to Disney's two Anaheim theme parks and resort workforce.

Does Disney have high employee turnover? ›

Voluntary turnover is caused by factors that mainly cause employee job dissatisfaction (Ehsan, 2019). Walt Disney is among the most prominent entertainment with high employee turnover rates than its competitors. This has negatively impacted the profit margins, causing the business to suffer losses.

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