For most visitors, even those who have been to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando several times, a theme park vacation is fraught with excitement. A heady blend of nerves (if I log on at exactly midnight, 180 days before my trip, will I REALLY get a reservation at Be Our Guest?) and thrills (OMG, just 5 more sleeps till we’re THERE!) punctuates the run-up to your trip. Once you arrive, armed with printouts and reservation details, the actual trip is a whirlwind of action. You want to get your money’s worth, and you want to make precious memories with your family.
Yet did you know there’s an entirely different type of visitor? One who rolls out of bed and decides to go the Magic Kingdom before work, or stops in for dinner at Epcot on the way home? Locals who grew up in the area and have had annual passes for years see the parks in a whole different way. Here’s how to spot them.
1. They don’t follow the “rules”
Walt Disney World locals are notorious for breaking all the “rules” for planning a trip. They roll in at noon on the busiest day of the year, make FastPass+ reservations after they arrive, and show up without any dining plans at all. They often carry food in a backpack or stop by crowded restaurants at an off time to try to score a walk-up table. Since they know they will be back in a few days, they’re entirely unconcerned about making the plans that ensure an excellent vacation.
2. They skip things
Does this scene sound familiar? You’re staking out a spot for the Main Street Electrical Parade, carefully positioning your family in such a way that no one can cut between you. As parade time draws nearer, your group is going to the bathroom one at a time so the others can hold the spot. Suddenly you realize that the two girls who were seated next to you are gone, and the crowd is surging into their former spot. “Why on Earth would anyone abandon their spot 10 minutes before the parade,” you think to yourself. “Are they crazy?”
Although it’s difficult to say for sure, odds are good that the girls are locals. They might have decided at the last minute that they’d rather have a Dole Whip than see the parade. They might never have had any intention of seeing the parade, but just decided to plop down and chat until the crowd got too thick. Whatever their motivation, to them, the parade is a nice thing to see but hardly something to stress out about. They already have the entire thing memorized. In fact, they might pop out of wherever they are just in time to see a specific favorite float go by.
3. They know the shortcuts
Walt Disney World locals have logged literally thousands of hours in the parks. They can get from Point A to Point B in record time, even in the middle of a capacity crowd. If you have ever seen someone efficiently zigzagging through shops and back alleys, walking with a clear purpose in mind, he is probably a local. They know other shortcuts as well, such as how to get a walk-up table at Le Cellier and exactly how to catch three closing shows in the same night.
4. They simply hang out
Many locals have a handful of favorite attractions, and they don’t bother to do anything else unless friends are in from out of town. Instead, they spend a lot of time just hanging out, like other people might do at the mall. I have been known to spend an entire day at the Magic Kingdom and never get off of Main Street. Downtown Disney is one of my favorite spots to sit and talk things over when I’m having a bad day. Sitting and watching the world go by is often preferable to standing in yet another queue.
Next time you’re in the parks, keep an eye out for people who don’t seem to be doing much of anything. Odds are good that you will spot a local or two.
5. They conduct business from the parks
While today’s always-connected world means that more than a few theme park visitors are on their phones or tablets throughout the day, especially since My Disney Experience requires it, locals are a whole different breed. They’ll sneak off into a quiet corner for a telephone job interview or Skype meeting, work on projects during Wishes, or take potential clients to dinner at Marrakesh. In short, for a local, the theme parks are just another backdrop for life as normal. They don’t carve out time for the parks, but instead weave them into their daily routine.
6. They never lose their love of the magic
Although it might sound like locals are jaded and “over it,” they are always aware of the magic going on around them. And whenever they can, they love to be a part of making someone’s vacation a bit more magical. They’re the first to share a hot tip for fireworks viewing or their secrets for racking up a huge score at Toy Story Midway Mania. They also have an uncanny ability to switch back and forth between whatever they’re focusing on and something cool happening in the parks. A pair of them might be wandering down Main Street intensely discussing an upcoming project, and then burst into cheers when they spot a favorite character. After a short interaction, they return to their discussion as if nothing unusual happened at all.
Locals are definitely a different breed when compared to the average theme park fan. Yet they play a special role in the overall fabric of human interactions that make up such a large part of the experience. Next time you spot a local, be sure to say hi. You’ll be surprised just how much new appreciation you’ll gain for the parks.
