Former Disney employees reveal 15 things you should never do in the parks

At Walt Disney World in Florida, cast members don't like it when guests make comparisons to other theme parks in the area.

"I wish guests would stop comparing it to Universal Studios or Busch Gardens," said former Epcot cast member Amanda C.

"As a cast member, I always overheard guests talk about the lack of roller coasters and the overly happy cast," she added. "I mean, it's Disney. It's all about the storytelling and the magic and less about the thrill rides."

According to former cast member Tiffany D., plenty of guests take their frustrations out at guest services to try and get "free stuff" or "magical moments."

"Cast members are trained to observe and listen to all the guests, and when they see an opportunity for a magical moment, [they] make it happen [for the guests]," she told Insider. "It really ruins the magic when it's forced or asked for."

Former Disney World guest-relations cast member Kirsi M. agreed, adding, "Do not simply ask for extra FastPasses to be cheeky."

Lara G., who worked as part of Disney's International College Program (ICP) in 2008 and 2009 told Insider, "I wish guests knew that the 3 o'clock parade is at 3 o'clock. It is impressive how often this question is asked in a day. I think every cast member heard that question."

Tiffany D. said it's also helpful when parkgoers listen to signs and cast members before and during parades.

"During parades, guests take forever to listen to cast members trying to clear the road or they go under ropes and mess up the whole thing," she said. "Often they will get upset when you ask to move a stroller, making it look like a large inconvenience when really it's just for their safety."

The cast members are only there to keep all the guests and performers safe, so make sure to listen to them during parades and be observant of safety indicators, like ropes.

A visit to a Disney park often means hours spent waiting in line for top rides and attractions — but no one should be trying to cut ahead.

"Lines are there for a reason," Lara G. told Insider. "It would also be amazing if all guests just respected the lines. It's mainly teenagers that try to cut the long lines and it is definitely not allowed."

Tiffany D. agreed, adding that guests get mad about standing in line but "it's something families just need to understand is going to happen and expect it."

Lines will always be a hassle, but there are a bunch of ways that guests can make the most of their time, like by playing games on their phones.

Natalie O., a two-time Disney College Program alumna who worked at Disneyland in 2010 and Epcot in 2011, told Insider she's seen a lot of parents try to help their kids skirt the parks' safety rules.

"This ranged from padding their shoes so they would be the right height for a ride, to lying about their age if a ride had an age requirement to ride solo," she added.

But the safety guidelines are there for a reason, she said, and "height requirements can mean the difference between a fun experience and a very serious injury."

"Cast members just want to keep everyone safe — don't lie to them about things like this," she added.

It should be clear by now that safety is really important to the cast members working at the Disney parks, so do them a favor and follow the rules while boarding and riding the different attractions.

"Keep your seat belts fastened on rides," said former entertainment cast member Emily. "Every time someone messes with their seatbelt, the ride has to stop. It's inconsiderate and ruins the experience for everyone else."

For many families, purchasing ride photos from Space Mountain or Tower of Terror often means taking home hilarious memories of their trip to Disney.

And so, former Disneyland cast member Jodie D. said, guests shouldn't make obscene gestures in their photos to be funny or crude.

"If you make an offensive gesture in the photo, we can't sell it to you, because [that behavior] is against Disney's ethos," she told Insider. "It also means anyone else in the photo can't buy their ride photo either, so it can affect other guests."

Lots of guests try to get the best spot for the Magic Kingdom fireworks by camping in front of Cinderella Castle, but the crowds often make it difficult for cast members and other guests to get around the park safely.

"I skip watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the front of the castle (like everyone else)," said former cast member Whitney C., who instead suggests heading behind the castle near Fantasyland.

"The view is better — hardly any guests watch from the back — and the cast members come out and enjoy the show with you," she told Insider. "They even interacted with my daughter last time and made her a princess during the show."

Everyone wants the perfect picture, but holding up your electronic devices to record the entire show or parade can be very distracting.

"Please leave the iPad at home," said Kirsi M. "You are there to experience the magic in person, not from behind your screen. I always get annoyed when watching a nighttime show like Happily Ever After, for example, but my view is blocked by a scene of screens."

The Disney parks require tons of upkeep, so don't make cast members' jobs harder by vandalizing anything at the parks.

"Please do not climb or damage the attractions and set pieces. It was heartbreaking to see that as soon as Toy Story Land opened in Disney's Hollywood Studios that guests had already begun to deface the walls and sets in queue lines," Kirsi M. told Insider.

It's a well-known bit of Disney trivia that Walt Disney himself designed the parks so that guests would not have to walk more than about 30 steps before seeing a trash can, in the hopes of reducing the amount of litter.

That still doesn't stop some guests from tossing their trash on the ground.

"I wish people would stop throwing trash in the themed queue areas," said former cast member Brittany R. "Disney puts so much thought, time, and effort into theming their queues to make them engaging for guests, and nothing ruins the magic like seeing a discarded soda cup or other pieces of trash out of place before a cast member has had time to remove it."

Guests who are of legal drinking age can enjoy unique cocktail offerings at the Disney parks, but remember that you're in an environment geared toward families.

"This is definitely not a problem that happens to everyone, but don't get drunk in the parks," suggested Rachel W., a former cast member at Disney's Animal Kingdom. "The combination of being on vacation, being in the heat, and being in places with delicious cocktails (the rum Dole Whip in Animal Kingdom is ridiculously good) can make some feel like having a few drinks, which is fine."

Ultimately, she said, sometimes people overdo it and then try to board rides while drunk or act disorderly, which can them kicked out of the park.

"I'm totally in favor of enjoying an alcoholic beverage when you're on vacation or at Disney, but drink responsibly and try to limit it to times that you're not in the parks themselves," Rachel W. added.

Whether you're changing your baby's diaper or really need to go yourself, you should always find an actual bathroom.

"[The] worst thing I ever saw — and it happened more than once — was witnessing a parent have their child use the bushes/ride-queue area as a bathroom," Natalie O. said. "I get it, when you've been in line forever and your kiddo suddenly has to go, it's super frustrating. But this is a serious health hazard, gross, rude, and completely inconsiderate."

"Disney is still the real world, and general society guidelines don't go out the window," she added.

"I think this should go without saying, but never get physical with another guest or cast member," former DCP alumna Brittany B. told Insider. "That is a one-way ticket to getting kicked out of the park."

Disney is ultimately a family establishment, so be mindful of your language and actions while you're at the parks.

"I wish guests didn't walk around the park drunk [and] swear, complain, or talk badly about the characters," said Amanda C. "Everyone is there to have an amazing and magical time, and these things can ruin it."

"Many guests have waited their whole life and dug into their savings to get to the Disney parks," she added. "My hope is that more people realize that and let every guest enjoy their visit."

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