TOP 5 Things That Disney Nerds SHOULDN'T Do!

I love a good ‘top 5’ list! Being the first of its kind on this blog, I wanted to address a very important subject that is dear to my heart- fellow Disney fans (Disney Nerd, of course). You see them everywhere; a person who can name at least one of the nine old men, could tell you the opening date of their beloved Disney theme park rides, or can belt any Disney song on command. They will tell you exactly what you need to know before making your way to the resort: where to stay, where to eat, what to ride, etc.

    As a travel agent, I work with many different types of vacationers, those who are season veterans and those who are new to the whole game. I’ve had to really watch my language and behavior around those who aren’t as crazy about Disney as I am. It’s important to remember that a memorable vacation can be destroyed if you don’t pay attention to the guest’s needs and wants. SO! That being said, here are my top 5 things that Disney Nerd need to keep in mind when dealing with non-Disney Nerd.

Top 5 Things that a Disney Nerd should know before traveling with non-Disney Nerd:

1.       Your Don’ts might be someone else’s Do’s

The worst thing you could do is withhold important information just because you don’t find it interesting. We understand that ‘Stitch’s Great Escape’ is not the best ride on property but it might be someone else’s favorite attraction. Let them decide for themselves and let them experience everything before the rides are inevitably gone forever.

2.       Don’t do all the talking!

When working with someone who is taking a trip to Disney for the first time, the last thing you need to do is flood them with everything you know. People start to lose focus and don’t even take in the information, or worse, they start feeling a little bit overwhelmed. It’s more important to hear what they have to say. You will get to know that ‘someone’ a little better and may be able to discover a great magical moment you can add on to personalize their vacation experience.

3.       Don’t be afraid to show the ugly side!

It’s never a good idea to sugar coat anything. There are going to be meltdowns, there are going to be bumps along the way. Not all travelers will enjoy the atmosphere, you’re going to run into sour individuals who get under your skin. The happiest place on earth is not going to be for everyone and it’s definitely not going to be perfect. Food will taste bad, the lines will be long, planes will be delayed, and so much more. It’s ok for it to not be like a fairy tale; if it was… it wouldn’t be an adventure- and isn’t that better?

4.       Don’t reveal all the magic! Let them make some discoveries on their own!

Don’t spoil their fun with giving away the ending! Some of the best magical moments happened upon my own discovery. Like I said in number 2, don’t overload with information, keep some things to yourself. This will allow the first timers to experience the park like you did when you first went, completely spoiler free. Sure they might miss out on some things, but wouldn’t it be so much more rewarding if they came back with stories that they can’t wait to tell you?

5.       Don’t hide your Disney Nerd side! 

First timers will make this statement- WOW! You sure do know a lot about Disney. Naturally! But don’t take that as an insult. Everyone has an interest. Some find passion in sports, food, outdoor activities, etc. We just find our passion in a world of art and entertainment; that’s what it boils down to. So let that DISNEY NERD side out to shine. It’s what makes you…YOU. And that’s something you should never cover up.