Some people like the Disney Parks. Some people love the Disney Parks. And then, there are the people who absolutely are obsessed with the Disney Parks. These are the Disney superfans.
Now, in all likelihood, you are a Disney superfan if you are reading this post. I’m a Disney superfan too, but I have to say, it’s important to be able to take a step back and acknowledge an important truth about ourselves:
We are not perfect.
Yes, we love Disney, but sometimes that love can get in the way of others’ enjoyment of the park. Sometimes, we love it so much that we do some things that really should be frowned upon.
Let’s quickly break down a few of those bad habits Disney superfans can sometimes find ourselves doing.
And yes, we’ve all done at least one of these.
Talking along with the attractions
Image: harshlight, Flickr (license)
If you’ve ever ridden the Haunted Mansion, you have likely had this experience:
You walk into the stretch room, ready to enjoy the greatest pre-show of any attraction in theme park history. And, just as the door closes and the show begins, you hear a voice say, “When hinges creak in doorless chambers…”
Only, there’s just one problem: It’s not famed voice actor Paul Frees speaking the lines, but rather, some dude named Rick from Encino.
Look, I get it — we all have a favorite attraction whose script we have memorized either by rote or by accident. And, much like singing along with the band at a concert, it can be fun to mouth along with the attraction as the audio plays.
But, unlike a concert, there are many people experiencing the attraction who have never done it before. Instead of getting the classic experience that generations of parkgoers have gotten, they get the cover version — and it could affect their perception of the attraction.
Yes, it’s fun to recite the script of something you love — but do try to refrain from shouting “We’re in!” the next time you ride Dinosaur.
Being pushy at merge points and in wide queues
Image: elisfkc, Flickr (license)
There are some queues at Disney that are so narrow that they almost form a single-file line. And then, there are some queues that are so wide, they often cause confusion as to what order people actually should fill in the space.
And then, at some points, there are merges and pre-shows that see the traditional line abandoned in favor of a large holding pen. Usually, in these pens, you’ll see the Disney superfans make their way to just in front of the hidden door like sand falling through an hourglass, while the first timers idly dawdle right in the dead center of the area.
Now, look, when Disney cast members are shouting to fill in all the available space, sure, you can move wherever you darn well please to make room. If someone isn’t moving, by all means, move past them and toward the exit. But, that’s not always what you see. On occasion, you see some superfans who know this is a game to be played, and who will push and shove their way into the perfect spot to jump potentially 5-7 minutes ahead in line.
Is this the worst thing in the history of the world? Of course not. Is it sometimes ok to pass a zoned-out game-player in line at Soarin’? For sure. But, generally, if you find yourself pushing past someone, your superfandom isn’t enough to save you from scorn.
Hustling first timers in competitive attractions
It is very fun to be good at something. When you have a skill that others don’t possess, it feels exciting and exclusive — like you have some inner quality that is unique unto you.
And so, sometimes, it can be tempting to light a newbie up at Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.
But, I have some bad news: Playing the same game for 20 years and, over time, identifying which laser targets award the most points isn’t actually a skill. Furthermore, looking online for a point cheat sheet and studying up on the high-scoring targets isn’t much of a skill either.
If you find yourself on a competitive attraction — particularly one that is much more about knowledge than skill — share that knowledge with your friends. You may get a short thrill from beating their score by 500,000 points, but the lifelong bragging rights come after you tell them how to win … and still beat them.
Being too-cute-by-half during audience participation
Image: marada, Flickr (license)
One of the coolest elements of the Disney Parks is how great attractions can last for generations. There are kids, right now, experiencing Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress for the first time whose grandparents rode the original attraction at the 1964 World’s Fair. Rides and shows have a long shelf life, and so some can generate memories that can be passed down from parent to child and on again.
Of course, there are downsides to that stability — namely, the fact some shows and attractions have surprises that just aren’t the same once you’ve heard them.
Audience participation gags tend to be that type of surprise. After you’ve heard it once, you know it’s coming and that ruins the magic. Some Disney superfans try to ward off that malaise by doing or saying goofy things when they know audience participation is coming — whether or not they’re the ones participating.
But, this can sometimes have the negative effect of ruining what makes audience participation so fun in the first place — genuine surprise by the non-actor on stage and the audience upon seeing it. Feigned excitement or quippy one-liners are never as fun as when an overawed audience member gets surprised by something they weren’t expecting.
And so, yes, we all know that punch is coming in Indiana Jones: Epic Stunt Spectacular. That doesn’t mean you should ham it up on stage if you’re an extra while it’s happening.
Revealing the magic
Image: tinksparkle, Flickr (license)
As Disney superfans, we know a lot about the Disney Parks. We know why the Tower of Terror is the height that is is, or why the Magic Kingdom is technically built on the second floor of the area. We know about Club 33, and we know about Walt’s apartment above Pirates of the Caribbean. We know tons of facts about the parks we love, and we adore sharing them with friends and family so that they might love these parks and attractions too.
However, there are some people who simply don’t want to have Disney overexplained to them. Or, even more importantly, there are sometimes kids around who might not even know how the magic Disney pulls off is actually done.
So, while it may be tempting to share how those dancing ghosts come to life in the Haunted Mansion, or how Disney’s decides which college students get to be the “friend” of Mickey Mouse, we always have to keep the audience in mind. And, beyond that, we have to make sure our voice isn’t carrying somewhere it probably shouldn’t.
Disney is all about the magic — that’s why we all love it. And so, while it can sometimes be fascinating to share how the magic is achieved, we have to keep in mind that magic is never as fun once its secrets are divulged.
None of these habits are truly evil — and, in fact, they’re nearly all borne out of a deep love for the Disney Parks and everything they represent. As superfans, our love of the Disney Parks has beget a ton of knowledge, and that knowledge has bestowed power unto us. And, as that great Disney character once said, with great power comes great responsibility.
As superfans, that applies to us too.
