The Disney World Rule You Probably Don’t Know You’re Breaking

Have you broken this seemingly obvious Disney World rule?

When visiting any of the Disney Parks or Resorts across the world, Guests must follow certain rules and regulations that when ignored, could result in getting kicked out – or even being banned – from the Parks.

There is one Disney rule in particular that seems to be broken more and more in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks, So, on your next visit to Disneyland in California or the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, make sure you don’t break this big rule, one that you may not realize you’re already breaking.

Credit: Disney

Rules are Disney Parks vary from no smoking, a long list of prohibited items, Disney dress code, unauthorized entry into backstage areas, and even spreading ashes.

We all know that dangerous articles like firearms, knives, and weapons, as well as illegal substances and alcoholic beverages, are not permitted in Disney Parks, and security Cast Members at each theme park entrance will find these.

Another well-known “no-no” when entering a Disney Park at Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resort is bringing in a folding chair or camping chair. These, of course, would obstruct ride lines and fireworks viewing areas.

Other actions we all know are not allowed include stealing, rude gestures and obscene language, excessive drinking, fighting, jumping out of a ride, and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, not wearing a mask.

But there is one big Disney Park rule that many of us don’t realize we are breaking – cutting in line.

Credit: Disney Tips

With Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane replacing the free FastPass service, Guests have become increasingly frustrated with the long wait times now found in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If you get caught trying to cut the lines at any experience or ride, you will get escorted out of the Park quickly.

Jumping over the barrier in a deliberate attempt to cut a 200-minute line is an obvious example of line-cutting, but what about those that cut the line to meet their family?

Have you ever had one person in your group wait in line for popular attractions such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, while you and the rest of your party go get food or sit on a bench? Then, when they text or call you near the front of the line, you shuffle through the line to meet them with the standard, “Excuse me, excuse me, my family is up ahead”?

Well, you’re actually breaking a Disney Park rule.

Credit: Disney Tips

If a Guest chooses to enter the queue, they will have to wait in the order in which they entered. This one may seem like a no-brainer, but believe it or not, it is broken frequently in the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

Cutting in line is completely unacceptable under any circumstance. This includes situations like having one member of your party holding a spot in line and then having everyone else meet up with them.

Line cutting refers to an individual or group shuffling their way through a queue at an attraction past other Guests, in order to meet up with the rest of their party. This could be one individual, an adult with a small child, or even a large family. And we’ve been seeing more and more of the latter.

If you ever hear yourself say, “You get in line and we’ll look in the store until you get close,” or “I’ll call you when you I’m near the front of the queue,” then your party is cutting the line.

Of course, there are times when a parent leaves a long queue on a hot day to fetch drinks for the family or moments when a child comes back from a restroom break, but Guests have been noticing larger and larger groups cutting the line to meet with one placeholder.

Credit: ITM

Disney has installed signs telling Guests to keep their parties together before entering the queue. This sign has been seen in Pandora for the popular Flight of Passage ride, at Kilimanjaro Safaris, at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (which is currently closed for refurbishment).

Next time you think about splitting your party up to regroup in line, think about the Disney Park rule you’re breaking. It may not be worth it if you get kicked out of the Park!