Help - Park rules - what they don't tell you

[cleocat30]

Some time ago, I came across a site that told you things that Disney doesn't make public. For example, they will give you free cups of ice at any concession stand. I'm looking to find out things like this.

I'm also wondering if there are rules regarding what you can and can't bring into the parks. I know some places don't let you bring backpacks...other's don't let you bring your own food. What's the Disney rule on this type of stuff.

Thanks!!!
Lisa

 

[sistertrip]

Good questions, Lisa!

One of my own - for the free ice, do you have to purchase something first?

 

[cleocat30]

I read about the free ice thing in one of the books I bought. I'm pretty sure you don't have to buy anything. They want to make sure their guests aren't dropping from heat stroke and/or dehydration.



Lisa

 

[dbk1029]

Well last year when my family and I were at Disney World none of the places prevented backpacks from being brought in. We had one backpack in which we packed snacks and those little single serving tea/lemonade mixes (to use in the bottled water). Funny thing is we never really ate the snacks as we found McDonalds fry stands .

We also heard about the ice and ice water rule. If I recall they wouldn't fill up one of our sports bottles but did give us the ice water in a cup. Which we then poured into the sports bottle.

 

[ZoZo]

I stopped lugging around a heavy water bottle last October when I found out that any restaurant (CS or TS) will give you a cup of ice water whenever you want, even if you don't order something to eat there. It's "good" water (not the tap water like they have in the drinking fountains, which I don't like the taste of).

You can bring in backpacks/bags with stuff, but they will search them when you arrive. You can also bring in "outside" food and beverages. Great way to save money, since you can bring snacks that are much less expensive.

If you rip or tear your WDW rain poncho, you can turn it in for a free replacement!

Most stores carry "sundry" items (aspirin, band-aids, etc.) for sale behind the counter. Even if them item you need is not on display in the store, chances are they carry it. Just ask.

If you buy something from a WDW store and change your mind, you can return the item to any WDW store for a refund. This is something I found out quite by accident, and it's very helpful. I have learned to buy things I want when I see them (since I might not see the item anywhere else in the WDW stores!), but if you find something else you like better and want to return your original item, any of the stores (including your WDW hotel gift shop) will issue a refund.

 

[Pungodingy]

any more??

 

[VickiB31]

bring it with you. Chewing gum is not sold anywhere in the "World." (Too much work for maintenance.)

 

[DebbieTN]

If you need pain reliever, bandaids, antacids and things like that, go to the First Aid and they will give them to you for free. You just have to sign for them. On my last trip, I had two big bug bites that were itiching like crazy and they gave me medicine to put on them.

And the water thing- they will give you free cups of ice and water. I always get a cup of ice water with my meals, but they will give you one even if you don't buy anything.

 

[taximomfor4]

wagons, rollerskates, and rolling backpacks are prohibited.

HTH!

 

[aubriee]

wagons, rollerskates, and rolling backpacks are prohibited.

HTH!

However there were LOTS of rolling backpacks when we were there in May, so they don't always enforce the rules.

 

[TinaLala]

The guards stopped us at the gate with our wagon - cause we were at fort wilderness camping....sorry ma'am, we don't allow our guests to pull anything - push all you want, but no pulling

 

[disneymom06]

While this is not free, when at CS locations, we always request soda without ice and then I ask for the ice in a cup. You would be surprised how much soda you really don't get when they fill up the cup with ice before they put in the soda. We now order less soda.

 

[seashoreCM]

I thought they stopped giving away cups with ice or water for free -- but I suppose they don't want to serve the ice or water into a possibly unclean guest-owned container. Whereas if they supply the cup, they don't have to assume responsibility for what the guest does next.

You don't need ice to prevent dehydration, water from any drinking fountain will do.

I never understood those skate-shoes with a single wheel, in the heel. If I wore them and tried to skate, I'd be down on my rump with my feet up in the air in front in no time.

The printed rule prohibiting food has no value other than to protect restaurant sales. I believe this rule is never enforced. Sandwiches and most prepared food should not be left in the hot car for any significant length of time.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[snyderla]

In Sept 2005 my brother was stopped at Disney Studios while he was carrying my niece on his shoulders and was told they do not allow that in the parks. They said it was dangerous. I guess it could be bad if she fell. But we had never experienced that anywhere. There quite a few dads carrying kids on their shoulders.

Lori

 

[BroadwayGirl]

However there were LOTS of rolling backpacks when we were there in May, so they don't always enforce the rules.

Unfortunately, some guests can be told that something is prohibited several times but as soon as a CM is out of sight they are breaking the rules again.

Just like those ridiculous and dangerous wheelie shoes. Roller skating is not allowed in the parks but those wheelie shoes make it very hard to enforce. A CM can tell a brat, er kid, to stop, however, once again the kids will be skating away as soon as the CM's back is turned. Sadly, most of their parents don't seem to care whether their offspring follow the rules or not.

 

[DanenRox]

You know all of the outside booths in World Showcase that sell cocktails and beer? Well, many a WDW evening has been spent visiting these booths, making small talk with the CM's from foriegn lands, tipping them for their services. When we went to the "America" booth, however, and tried to tip, the CM's said "Oh, we're not allowed to take tips." We asked why the other countries could accept tips and they replied "they're not supposed to".
Hmmmmm.

 

[luvthatduke]

Last year someone posted that you don't have
to worry about finding the exact same item
cheaper somewhere else in the World.
Said that if one item is $____ at Epcot,
it's the same in the MK, same at resort store, etc.
DH and I remembered this and discovered it was true
for the few things we thought about and noticed.
I liked this tip because it kept me, the chief bargain-hunter,
from wasting time seeing if I could save a couple of bucks!

 

[Hockeymommy]

Unfortunately, some guests can be told that something is prohibited several times but as soon as a CM is out of sight they are breaking the rules again.

Just like those ridiculous and dangerous wheelie shoes. Roller skating is not allowed in the parks but those wheelie shoes make it very hard to enforce. A CM can tell a brat, er kid, to stop, however, once again the kids will be skating away as soon as the CM's back is turned. Sadly, most of their parents don't seem to care whether their offspring follow the rules or not.

I have to say I really am offended by your snide remarks! First and foremost my children are NOT brats due to the fact that they wear Heelys. Secondly, you should not assume that most parents don't care if their children follow rules or not. Both of my kids have these type of shoes, they love them! As with all of their things they come with rules which must be followed at all times or they will have a consequence. I not only care that my children follow my rules but also the rules of anyone else they are with or anywhere else we go. Kids will be kids, have you heard that one before? For them it's all a learning curve at this point, you know learn as you go. By the tone of your post I would venture a guess that you don't have any children, either that or you don't like the ones you have.

If kids are that bothersome to you why are you going to WDW? Typically there tend to be a lot of families there. I hope all of the ones you come in contact with are as perfect as you must have been in your younger years.

 

[SueM in MN]

Secondly, you should not assume that most parents don't care if their children follow rules or not. Both of my kids have these type of shoes, they love them! As with all of their things they come with rules which must be followed at all times or they will have a consequence. I not only care that my children follow my rules but also the rules of anyone else they are with or anywhere else we go.

I like how you stated it, and it would be nice if everyone did the same.
But I think the poster who made the kind of snide remarks has seen things like I have seen repeatedly and was reacting to that. Things like:

• - children with heelies stop rolling when the CM tells them to, but then start again if the CM is in view. i have even seen the adult with them (maybe parent, maybe not) warn the child when a CM is coming so they can temporarily stop.
• - children sitting on lean bars; told to get off by a CM, they do, but as soon as the CM is out of sight, the adult with them even helps the child to get back on the bar
• - adults with rolling backpacks or even full sized suitcases being told that rolling it is not allowed, as soon as the CM is out of sight, they put it down and roll it again. That's a pretty powerful message to the children with them that rules don't have to be followed.

 

[SueM in MN]

I thought they stopped giving away cups with ice or water for free -- but I suppose they don't want to serve the ice or water into a possibly unclean guest-owned container. Whereas if they supply the cup, they don't have to assume responsibility for what the guest does next.

The concern with filling a guest's container right from the ice would be that the container is not necessarily clean and the ice dispensor could get contaminated from the guest's container. By using a clean cup or conainer, they cut the risk of contaminating the rest of the ice.
So, if they are not using a clean cup to get the ice, they are doing it wrong from an Infection Control standpoint.

You don't need ice to prevent dehydration, water from any drinking fountain will do.

In fact if it's very hot outside, drinking water that is too cold can cause cramps.

The printed rule prohibiting food has no value other than to protect restaurant sales. I believe this rule is never enforced.

The 'official' reason is that they don't have any picnic facilities (which they probably don't provide to 'encourage' use of the restaurants.
I do remember in the 1980s going into restaurants and seeing a lot of the tables filled with people who were basically picnicing and had not bought any food. CMs would tell them that the tables were for use of guests who were buying food at the restaurant.
What I've seen more recently is guests who have a mixture of food they have brought in and food they bought at the restaurant. That's perfectly acceptable from what I can tell.

Sandwiches and most prepared food should not be left in the hot car for any significant length of time.

or in hot lockers either.