Whether you prepare for your Disney vacation for months, or you like to take things as you go, you’re sure to have some questions on your mind as you’re making your way through the parks. Cast Members are a great resource for just about anything you might want to know, but in a busy theme park they don’t always have time to help you get to the root of what you’re wondering. Try these tips to get the details you’re really after on your next Disney vacation.
Tailor questions to your schedule
Don’t Say: “What time is the 3:00 parade?”
Instead Ask: “What time will the 3:00 parade get to Liberty Square?”
This error in phrasing is so common that it’s used regularly in Cast Member training. While your friendly CM will probably be able to decode your funny wording with this one, it’s a prime example of how generalizing your questions can lead you to the wrong answer. A thoughtless Cast Member might just tell you with a chuckle that the 3:00 parade is at three. However, that won’t help when your kids are complaining of the heat at five past, and you don’t really know when the first floats will come into view.
Keep your own personal schedule in mind when you’re posing your questions. Don’t say, “Do I need reservations for Chef Mickey?” Instead, go with, “Are there any openings at Chef Mickey tomorrow?” The answer to the first question is “Yes,” but the answer to the second might be yes as well, depending on the season, day of the week, and your luck with recent cancellations. Be specific to get to the heart of your concerns and find the answers that apply to your schedule
Start with signage
Don’t Say: “Is this ride bad for motion sickness?”
Instead Ask: “What type of movement is involved with this ride?”
If you have questions about an attraction, check out the signage first. This will give you your official answer as to what warnings and considerations apply to the ride. You’ll find out what the height restriction is, whether guests need to transfer from a wheelchair, and what medical warnings come with that particular ride system. Cast Members will readily parrot all this information back to you if you go for the generic question. However, you can get better details if you start out with the basics in hand.
Say you suffer from mild motion sickness, but it’s only bad with steep drops. If you just ask about motion sickness, the Cast Member will have to say yes, which is exactly what the ride sign already tells you. If you know that you’re fine on rides without drops, you can ask about that instead and get information that’s better tailored to you.
Grab a visual aid
Don’t Say: “Where can I buy a Mickey Ear hat?”
Instead Ask: “Which stores on this map have Mickey Ear hats?”
Giving directions in Walt Disney World is tricky. “Straight ahead and right at the fountain,” only works if you proceed straight to the fountain without getting distracted by the cart of chocolatey Mickey Bars, oncoming parade, or shockingly short wait for Space Mountain along the way. Grab a map instead and have a Cast Member point out your destination as well as your current location if you’re unsure. This will give you the information and resources you really need to get that Mickey Ear hat at your leisure.
Elaborate on what you now
Don’t Say: “Is this ride frightening for children?”
Instead Ask: “What’s the most frightening part of this attraction?”
You saw half a dozen kids come out of It’s Tough to Be a Bug in tears and you’re having some serious second thoughts about taking your two-year-old into the theater. Don’t ask if the attraction is frightening for kids. You already know it is. So does the Cast Member, but he’ll have a hard time simply saying “Yup, lots of kids get ice cream apologies from their parents after this one.” You’ll get a generic line like, “This is a dark attraction with sudden noises that may frighten some small children.”
Find out exactly what makes children scared and hone in on the most intense part of the attraction. If you’re specific enough in your questioning, you can get down to details like a description of the stinging seats or oversized Hopper.
Don’t hesitate to ask for solutions as well. If you have an older child who really wants to see the show but you’d like to minimize the impact for your younger one, you can get tips such as sitting the child in your lap so he doesn’t feel the effects in the seats, choosing a less intense section of the theater, or covering your child’s eyes or ears at a particular part of the show.
Don’t shy away from details
Don’t Say: “Where can I get lunch?”
Instead Ask: “Where can I find an indoor table and great cheeseburgers?”
Be specific about what you want and include all the details. There are dozens of places you can have lunch. If you get a CM with extra time on her hands, maybe he or she will manage to dig deeper with questions like “indoor dining or out?” and “what type of food are you in the mood for?” If you catch someone who’s trying to keep guests out of the street before the parade or stop small children from skipping past the height sign, however, you’ll probably get the fastest answer possible, which will point you toward the closest dining spot, but may leave you feeling unsatisfied after you eat.
Disney is all about making the magic happen, but all the pixie dust in the world can’t make you a mind reader. Don’t worry about sounding too demanding. Ask for what you want and see what happens. At worst, you’ll get the next best thing, but if you’re lucky you may find information on exactly what you’re after.
