Sometimes it isn’t easy to find the answers to all your questions before your Walt Disney World Vacation. We have gathered useful information about Walt Disney World, which you will not find elsewhere on Modern Life is Good. Our Walt Disney World Useful Information, updated for 2023, will answer many of your queries. The guide has been updated with all the latest reopening information.
Walt Disney World Useful Information Contents
The links will take you to the advice if you are looking for specific information.
- Tipping at Walt Disney World
- Guest Relations at Walt Disney World
- Theme Park Rules & Prohibited Items at Walt Disney World
- Dress Code at Walt Disney World
- Strollers at Walt Disney World
- Locker Hire at Walt Disney World
- What you should pack in your Walt Disney World Park Bag
- Walt Disney World Tours
- Disney’s VIP Tour Services
- Walt Disney World Firework Cruises
- Payment for Goods at Walt Disney World
- Baby Care Centers at Walt Disney World
- Lost Children at Walt Disney World
- First Aid at Walt Disney World
- Accessing the Internet when visiting Walt Disney World
- Lost & Found at Walt Disney World
- Smoking at Walt Disney World
- Charging your Mobile Phone at Disney World
- Celebrating birthdays at Walt Disney World
- Walt Disney World’s Celebration Buttons
- Gifts, Flowers & Cakes at Walt Disney World
- Ears to the World, Disney Show Translator
- Additional Information for guests who are not fluent in English
- Ricoh Business Centers
- Pregnant at Walt Disney World
Tipping at Walt Disney World
Tipping when visiting Walt Disney World can cause guests confusion, especially for guests visiting from countries where tipping isn’t customary.
However, tipping is expected at Walt Disney World in several situations and should be budgeted for in your vacation planning. We have created a Guide to Tipping at Walt Disney World with all the necessary information.
Guest Relations at Walt Disney World
Guests Relations are located at all Walt Disney World parks. Guest Relations provide assistance to all guests visiting Walt Disney World, including help with reservations and general information.
The following specialist support is available from Guest Relations:
- Accessibility information
- Ticket Questions
- Concerns and Complaints
- Foreign currency exchange
- Lost and Found
- Lost Guest retrieval
Guest Relations is available at all four theme parks, both water parks, Disney Springs, and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. You can locate Guest Relations on park maps, the Walt Disney World My Disney Experience App, or ask any Cast Member.
In addition, always check the My Disney Experience App, which can answer most questions.
Theme Park Rules & Prohibited Items
Walt Disney World Theme Parks have several rules to ensure guest safety and protect the park environment. Also, there is a list of items that you are prohibited from bringing into any park.
All guests and their bags are subject to screening before entering a park. Visit our guide to learn more about what is banned at Walt Disney World.
Dress Code at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World reserves the right to refuse admission to guests who they feel are dressed inappropriately.
Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must always be worn. Perhaps surprisingly, this includes wearing costumes by all guests over 14.
Strollers at Walt Disney World
If you think the kids might need a stroller, bring your own. Walt Disney World includes a lot of walking and late nights. Even the most independent small person might get tired at Walt Disney World.
If you need a stroller after you arrive, hire is available at all Disney World parks. Current charges are $15 a day or $13 for multi-day hire. Double strollers are available, priced at $31 a day or $27 for multi-day hire. Strollers cannot be removed from a park, but when arriving at a new park, your ticket will obtain a new device.
New rules have recently been introduced if you are bringing your own stroller. Wagons, including stroller wagons, are now prohibited inside parks. Also, strollers should be no larger than 31” wide and 52″ long when measured across the widest and longest points.
Locker Hire at Walt Disney World
Most guests do not need to take much into Walt Disney World parks. The only exceptions are if you have a medical problem or are traveling with a baby/toddler.
Lockers are available near each park entrance if you must take items but do not want to carry them. All lockers are subject to availability and come with the following daily charge:
- Small $10 a day (12″ x 10″ x 17″)
- Large $12 a day (15.5″ x 13″ x 17″)
- Jumbo (Magic Kingdom park and EPCOT only) $15 a day (17″ x 22″ x 26″)
Standard and large lockers are available at the water parks, priced at $10 or $15 daily.
What you should pack in your Park Bag
Not sure what you should bring into the park at Walt Disney World?
Our Guide to the Perfect Walt Disney World Park Bag has all the essential information.
Walt Disney World Tours
Walt Disney World runs several tours daily, which include opportunities to explore backstage areas. They offer a fun opportunity to do something different while on your Walt Disney World Vacation. Unfortunately, the number of tours available has been reduced since the resort’s reopening.
Walt Disney World Tours are not cheap; payment must be made in advance in addition to your theme park admission. Epcot’s Land pavilion’s ever-popular Behind the Seeds Tour is one of the cheapest tours. However, even this tour has increased dramatically; when we last edited this guide, it cost $25, but now it costs $35. Other tours can cost several hundred dollars.
There are also no guarantees how many other guests will accompany you on tour. These are not private tours; the maximum capacity can be quite high. However, when we did The Family Magic Tour, we were the only guests on the entire tour and benefited from “a VIP Tour” at a fraction of the cost. Sadly this excellent tour is no longer available.
Disney’s VIP Tour Services
Private Tours offers the ultimate experience of Walt Disney World if your budget can stretch out. Priced between $450- $900 per hour, depending on the season, your VIP Tour Guide will design the ultimate tour based on your preferences.
Disney’s VIP Private Tours are for up to 10 guests and last at least 7 hours. They are popular, and you must arrange them early despite the high price.
Disney’s VIP Tour Services also arrange several predesigned tours, which are more reasonably priced. However, these tours may be shared with other guests.
Finally, Walt Disney World has a price, including private character meetings! If you have a dream experience, ask.
Click here to learn more about Disney’s VIP Tours.
Walt Disney World Firework Cruises
There is now only one shared firework cruise available at Walt Disney World:
- Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise signature drinks and desserts are served as you watch the Magic Kingdom Fireworks from a Ferryboat on the Seven Seas Lagoon. This cruise is closed until July 5, 2023.
In addition, guests can hire a private charter to view the fireworks at either EPCOT or Magic Kingdom. Currently, there is only one advertised option:
- The 25-foot boat starts at $399 plus tax (seats 10 Guests)
Pricing is subject to change and may vary by time of day.
There used to be various luxurious specialty cruises, including an option to have a butler, but these are currently not advertised. Contact Disney if you have a specific request to see if they can create a magical experience.
Payment for Goods at Walt Disney World
Disney World has increasingly become a cashless environment. Cashless payment options include debit cards, Apple Pay, credit cards, and Disney Gift Cards. Guests staying in a Disney Resort can set up a charging facility for purchases inside parks & Disney Springs.
Disney Resorts and Guest Relations at the Theme Parks offer International Currency exchange. However, there might be limits on how much you can exchange, and rates are not usually good.
ATMs are located throughout Disney World and can be located on park maps and the My Disney Experience App.
Baby Care Centers at Walt Disney World
Baby Care Centers are located in all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks. These complimentary centers offer a comfortable environment to care for your little one.
Facilities at the Walt Disney World Baby Centers include:
- Private nursing room
- Changing room
- Unisex bathroom
- Feeding area with highchairs
- Kitchen with microwave, oven, and sink
- Main room with television, table, chairs, and sofa
- On-site shop offering formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications, and clothing for purchase
You can locate the Baby Centers on park maps & through the My Disney Experience App.
Lost Children at Walt Disney World
There are so many things for small children to see at Walt Disney World; some will inevitably wander away from their parents.
All Walt Disney World all Cast Members are well versed on what to do when discovering a lost child. The child will be taken to the park’s Baby Care Center to be looked after until their parent arrives.
If you should lose your child, alert any Cast Member who will assist, including making contact with the Baby Care Center.
First Aid at Walt Disney World
First Aid centers are available at all Disney World parks. Trained nurses staff the centers, and are open during regular park hours. Facilities available include over-the-counter medications, bandages, and other quick remedies.
Services are also available at all Walt Disney World Resorts, and you can access First Aid by dialing the front desk.
For more urgent problems, Disney World provides complimentary transport to the Florida Hospital Centra Care Walk-In Urgent Care Centers.
If there is a genuine emergency, dial 911 from any resort phone.
Accessing the Internet at Walt Disney World
WiFi is available throughout Walt Disney World. There are occasional black spots, e.g., in lines, but coverage is almost universal within parks & resorts.
However, the speed isn’t the fastest, and regular dropouts exist. We have noticed the service is less reliable when parks are busiest.
Lost & Found at Walt Disney World
It is easy to lose things at Walt Disney World, but perhaps amazingly, things often do get found. Although, nothing we have ever reported has been!
If you lose anything, it is important to report it straight away. Information on how to report your lost items is located here.
Smoking at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, water parks, and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are smoke-free and include vaping. Designated smoking areas are available outside the parks, but all internal points have been removed in recent years.
In addition to theme parks, smoking is not permitted within resorts, including balconies. There are small designated smoking areas inside all resorts. You face a hefty cleaning charge if you get caught smoking in your room.
Charging your Mobile Phone at Disney World
Kiosks are located throughout Walt Disney World, selling portable chargers. Currently, these kits cost $30. Kits include adaptors for all Apple and most Android devices.
Once your charger needs replacing, you can either:
- Charge it yourself later in the day.
- Replace it at any kiosk.
The situation over replacement chargers is complex, and there have been periods when replacements have been free or subject to a charge.
Another option is bringing a portable charger to the park daily, but you will have to recharge it every night and not have replacements during the day.
Celebrating Birthdays at Walt Disney World
Are you celebrating a birthday when at Walt Disney World?
Visit our Guide to Birthdays at Walt Disney World.
Celebration Buttons
Are you celebrating something during your visit to Walt Disney World?
A celebration button will let everyone know whether it is a birthday or just your first visit. Disney Cast Members will even pay you special attention.
The following buttons are currently available:
- Happy Birthday
- Happily Ever After
- 1st Visit
- I’m Celebrating:
To collect a celebration button, visit Guest Services or your Disney Resort reception.
Gifts, Flowers & Cakes at Walt Disney World
If you are celebrating while at Walt Disney World or arranging something on behalf of someone visiting, you can order gifts in advance. The gift options at Walt Disney World are impressive but not cheap.
If you are looking to arrange flowers or a gift to be delivered to your resort, visit Disney Floral and Gifts, the online Walt Disney World gift shop.
There are several options for arranging a birthday cake; not all have to be booked in advance. Most restaurants have cakes available at the podium, but you are advised to order in advance. You can also pre-order a cake from Amorette’s Patisserie. Check the Disney World website fro further information.
One thing you will struggle to purchase at Walt Disney World is a birthday card. Despite the many Disney-themed cards you can purchase outside of Walt Disney World, they are not available in the resort. We strongly recommend bringing cards with you on your vacation.
Ears to the World, Disney Show Translator
Translation devices are available at Guest Services to translate attraction narration. These complimentary devices translate for all the most commonly spoken languages. Over 20 Walt Disney World attractions have a translation available.
Additional Information for guests who are not fluent in English
While English is the official language of Walt Disney World, it does not mean you have to be fluent to have a great time. There are thousands of international guests visiting Walt Disney World every day.
Maps are available in Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and Japanese. The majority of restaurants will also have menus in different languages available.
Many cast members speak more than one language. Bilingual people have a tag on their badge to indicate what languages they speak.
Ricoh Business Centers
Can’t keep away from the office or have some urgent, unexpected business?
There are business centers inside the conference centers of Disney Convention Hotels. You do not have to be a guest of the resort to use the facilities. Services include computers, photocopying, posting, and other office services.
Rioch Business Centers are located at the following resorts:
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (shared)
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Pregnant at Walt Disney World
Pregnancy is not a reason to stop visiting Walt Disney World. However, there are a number of attractions in every park that pregnant guests are advised not to ride.
Signage posted at every attraction highlights which rides are unsuitable for expectant mothers. The signs also provide information on height requirements, health and safety advisories, and accessibility guidelines.
While the list can change the following attractions Disney advises against riding while pregnant:
- Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, The Barnstormer, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, TRON Lightcycle / Run, and Tomorrowland Speedway
- Epcot: Test Track, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind & Mission Space
- Hollywood Studios: Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, Slinky Dog Dash, Star Tours, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run & Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
- Animal Kingdom: Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safari.
You can still have plenty of fun at Walt Disney World if pregnant. You can call (407) 939-5277 for further information.
Learn more about Walt Disney World.
Visit our 2023 guide to Walt Disney World for Beginners for more essential tips.
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