Disney World vs Real Life — Things That Only Happen Here

When you go on vacation to Walt Disney World, "the norm" is thrown out the window and you see a new side of people.

There’s a handful of things that are considered normal in our day to day lives that we can explain without hesitation, from transportation to housing to eating habits. When you go on vacation to Walt Disney World, “the norm” is thrown out the window and you see a new side of people.

BIRTHDAY WISHES FROM EVERYONE

Personalized Birthday Button at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in the Magic Kingdom (Image: Dustin Fuhs / StepstoMagic)

Imagine walking down the street with a personalized birthday button on your shirt and having strangers wish you a happy birthday.

Crazy right? Well in Walt Disney World…it’s something that people actually expect!

WAITING 3+ HOURS IN LINE FOR AN ATTRACTION

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Image: Dustin Fuhs / StepstoMagic)

Have you ever thought about standing in line for anything in your day-to-day life, from the bank or the local amusement park…for more than three hours? Outside of Disney, I’m not sure that I’d wait more than 10 minutes for anything, including a restaurant!

…speaking of restaurants….

MAKING A LUNCH RESERVATION THREE MONTHS OUT

There are some of us who walk up to a restaurant in our hometowns with no reservations and expect to get a table, but will actually get up at 6am 90-days out from a vacation to get an Advanced Dining Reservations for Chef Mickeys.

Call you local diner and ask to get a reservation 3 months out and see what happens. I dare you! 😉


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WEARING MICKEY EARS

Mickey Ears (Belle and Disney International Program) Photo: Dustin Fuhs

I’ve got a collection of Ears (granted not a huge one), but they sit on the bookshelf in my office and collect dust. Why? Because I would never be caught wearing Mickey Ears in downtown Toronto!

CUPCAKES EVERYWHERE

Having a meal at Disney World is just better with a sweet cupcake on the side. In fact, I’ve been known to pre-schedule snacks in order to get things that I’ve found on Instagram. Does that happen in real life? Absolutely not!

HAVING YOUR KIDS BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION

Only at Disney will you expect folks to call your kids “princess and prince” without feeling weird! This is a huge change for first time visitors to Disney World because in real life…it’s the adults who are the focus of employees due to the buying power. Not the case in Florida!

Cast members are also trained to have conversations with kids, including using proper vocabulary and kneeling down to their level.


Hope this was helpful! If there are things that you think that I should add to the list, please let me know over at the Steps to Magic Facebook Page!

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Dustin Fuhshttp://www.stepstomagic.com
I’m Dustin Fuhs, a theme park fanatic that has created this platform to showcase my passion, tools and opinions to create a fun and interactive experience for everyone who visits. My goal is to help you and your family have the most magical experience at Walt Disney World. In reading my articles and ideas, I hope that you can find some fantastic ways to bring your dreams into reality!