Parenting at Disney: A Dad’s Guide to Proper Manners

There’s no doubt you work hard to instill proper manners in your kids at home, but what about on vacation? Do you let some of the rules slide? While there’s nothing wrong with giving kids a little more leeway in certain aspects while you’re on vacation, it’s also true that there are some hard and fast rules you should be sure they abide – some of which are specific to the Disney parks.

 

Line cutting is frowned upon

If you frequent the Disney boards you’ll quickly learn that one of the most hotly contested issues is whether or not it’s acceptable for one family member to get in line and for the rest to join them once they get closer to the front. While some argue that it’s fine, the consensus is that it’s not acceptable. One thing’s for sure – you’ll get lots of nasty looks if your try it!



Of course there are special circumstances. For example, if your family gets in line together and a little one needs to use the restroom, it’s fine to get out of line, take care of business, and join the rest of your party when you’re done. In some cases some members of the family have physical limitations that prevent them from waiting in line. If this is the case for your family, stop by Guest Services to see if you’re eligible for a pass that allows you to get a return time at each ride and then skip the line once your time comes up.

 

Joy is great – screaming is not

Your kids are going to be excited – and they should be – it’s Disney World! While the laughter of children is certainly expected and appreciated in the parks, don’t let your kids scream at the top of their lungs for the entirety of your stay. Remember that there are other people there, many of whom are tired and dealing with their own challenges.

Watch out for strollers

If your kids are old enough not to need strollers then you may not give strollers a second though. You should though. Why? Because there are still plenty of parents there trying to get through the crowds with their strollers. While some without strollers will get miffed at getting hit in the shins or stroller-clad moms and dads cutting them off, a much larger problem is people stepping in front of strollers without considering that they’re not the easiest things in the world to stop or turn on a dime.

 

They don’t have the run of the place

Keeping your kids in eyeshot is always a good rule of thumb, but remember that just because you can see them doesn’t mean they can run around bothering other guests. This is especially true in restaurants. If they need to work off a little steam, take them outside, find an out of the way walkway, and let them run to their heart’s content – without bothering anyone.