Ready to Book a Trip to Disney World? Don’t Miss these Insider Tips from a Former Cast Member

I always wanted to work at Disneyland, but it took me being a few years out of college before I finally applied for the Disney College Program. Because of Covid-19, I was able to get into the program even though I was no longer in college, but unfortunately only Disney World was recruiting. Though Disneyland was much closer to home, I decided to accept and join the program.

Typically, interns find out what their role is just a few days before their report date (probably to prevent people from dropping out if they get a job they didn’t want) and I was hoping to get cast as someone who assists characters. I had a funny feeling, though, that I would get cast as a custodian… Maybe it’s the blogs I read of people getting that role and then loving it and thinking, “sure…,” or maybe it’s just because I was looking for reasons to not go.

The day finally came when I figured out my role and… I was right! I got cast as a custodian! Let me tell you—the only reason I didn’t drop out right then was because of the location: I was going to be a custodian in Magic Kingdom—not one of the hotels or Epcot, which don’t feel quite as magical and nostalgic to me—but the center of it all, right under the Cinderella Castle.

Once I started the program, I quickly found out that being a custodian at Magic Kingdom had its perks. While my roommates were stuck in the same store as sales clerks day after day, I got to roam the parks as I pleased! My costume was white, so I blended in wherever I went.

And boy, did I explore. I confess that I was probably not a very good employee because I definitely spent more time walking around and seeing everything than I did standing in bathrooms and cleaning toilets (sorry, Disney), but at least I always had my broom and pan with me, so I cleaned up messes as I wandered!

Plus, I was constantly helping visitors to the park experience their own magical trip to Disney World—whether that was giving kids stickers, giving parents tips on navigating the park, helping people find rides and restaurants, or replacing their spilt ice cream (and then cleaning it up).

Now that I’m no longer working at Disney World, I’m here to help you plan the best Disney trip vacation possible! Read on to learn the ins and outs of Magic Kingdom, including the best rides, character meet-and-greets, food, and fireworks spots.

For a full itinerary and tips from a visitor perspective on Magic Kingdom and the other parks, see my Disney World Itinerary.

Ask a Magic Kingdom Cast Member

What’s the best order to ride attractions to avoid long lines?

You don’t have to be a cast member to know that Disney World is crowded and the wait times for rides can be excessive. However, not many people who are booking their first trip to Disney know which rides are worth the wait and how to even avoid long waits. So, let’s get into it!

Not all rides are created equal, so I suggest reviewing the Magic Kingdom rides ahead of time and deciding which ones matter most to you. Of course, there will likely be the main thrilling ones, like Space Mountain and The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but also consider ones that you care about that not everyone will, such as Peter Pan’s Flight or the Jungle Cruise.

Create a tiered list of the rides you want to go on. For example, my list would look something like this:

Tier 1 - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, TRON, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, etc.

Tier 2 - Jungle Cruise, “it’s a small world”, Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor (which is actually hilarious), etc.

Tier 3 - Astro Orbiter, People Mover, Peter Pan’s Flight (sorry, not sorry—I don’t understand why this one is so popular), etc.

Next, look into which Magic Kingdom rides offer Single and Multi Pass Lightning Lane passes and book three of your Tier 1 and 2 rides up to three days in advance.

Lastly, get to the park as early as you can and whatever you don’t get a pass for that is on your Tier 1 list, ride that one first before the lines get too out of hand. For the rest of the rides you don’t have rides for on your tier one and two lists, you will just have to wait in line, but riding during fireworks and parades can potentially give you slightly shorter wait times.

How do I find rare character meet-and-greets or surprise interactions?

There will be plenty of opportunities to meet characters on your Disney vacation, including a lot of classic characters within Magic Kingdom, from Mickey Mouse (Main Street Theater) to the princesses (Princess Fairytale Hall).

The best Disney World character meet-and-greets, however, are the unexpected characters that you can have unique interactions with. I had some of those unexpected moments with Tiana in the cast member cafeteria, seeing Mickey and friends behind stage after parades, and talking to Cinderella in a tunnel elevator.

You may not have moments quite like that, but there are plenty of unplanned opportunities that don’t require getting in line. For example, Cinderella’s step-sisters, Drizella and Anastasia, are often seen in Fantasyland near Cinderella Castle. They are a hoot to banter with! Gaston is another who can frequently be seen in front of his tavern in Fantasyland and interrogating him about Belle is highly recommended!

In Tomorrowland, my favorite characters to meet were Mike Wazowski and Sully during a dance party by the stage. It was a rare sighting, so you’ll have to keep your eye out for those unexpected moments. Buzz Lightyear and Stitch also frequent Tomorrowland.

On the other side of the park, some regularly-occurring character meet-and-greets include Aladdin and Jasmine (Adventureland), Mary Poppins (Liberty Square), and Captain Jack Sparrow (Adventureland).

The most expensive option for meeting Disney World characters in Magic Kingom is to dine at a restaurant. For example, see the Beast sulking around his castle at the Be Our Guest restaurant, or meet all the residents of The Hundred Acre Wood at the Crystal Palace.

Which snacks are worth hunting down? What’s the best quick-service food that won’t feel like theme park fare?

Besides rides and characters, I think the most sought after Disney trip experience is trying all the fun food! While Magic Kingdom does have a lot of food that is typical to theme parks (like burgers and corndogs), there are so many unique and tasty things to try. And feel free to skip the popcorn…it’s inevitable that some will spill and the custodians’ pans are full enough of popcorn.

Here are some Disney snacks worth hunting down:

1. Pineapple Dole Whip in Adventureland is a little too sweet for me, but people rave about the soft serve ice cream and pineapple swirl.

2. Mickey-shaped anything (waffles, ice cream bars, ice cream sandwiches, pretzels, etc.) can be found throughout the park.

3. Cheeseburger spring rolls at the entrance to Adventureland are a unique favorite worth trying.

4. Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street is the perfect snack while watching fireworks.

5. Cheshire Cat Tail at the Cheshire Cafe is a colorful long doughnut that is really fun to try.

And here are some Magic Kingdom quick-service restaurants that beat regular theme park junk food:

1. Waffles with fried chicken or fruit and hazelnut spread from Sleepy Hollow (just please don’t order the funnel cakes—the powdered sugar was a constant nightmare to clean)

2. Seafood, including clam chowder and lobster rolls, from Columbia Harbor House

3. Salads and flatbreads from Pinocchio Village Haus

There are many restaurants beyond those, which you can check out on Disney’s Magic Kingdom dining page.

Which restaurants are overrated or hard to get into without a reservation?

There are many restaurants throughout Disney World that are really great and require a reservation (some of my favorites include Sanaa and ‘Ohana) but within Magic Kingdom, three really stand out and a reservation far in advance will definitely be needed for each.

1. Cinderella’s Royal Table - this epic restaurant inside Cinderella Castle is an unforgettable experience that will require a reservation far in advance. You meet Cinderella in her castle before going up to the second floor restaurant where you can meet other royal characters throughout your meal. When I was assigned to clean the bathrooms there (because, let’s face it—I can’t afford to eat there or even get a reservation there), I got a wand for a keepsake that they give to all people dining there.

2. Be Our Guest - dine inside the Beast’s castle and see him walking around. Seating is in both the large ballroom and the forbidden West Wing. The three-course meal is actually really good and a fancy option for a special occasion. The grey stuff is of course included in the dessert section! My only gripe is that the ballroom can get very noisy.

3. Crystal Palace - get into the park early with a reservation to a breakfast buffet here, including Mickey-shaped waffles. Under the beautiful glass walls, you can meet Winnie the Pooh and friends, and enjoy a great view of Cinderella Castle before all the crowds arrive.

There are other Magic Kingdom restaurants that require a reservation, but the ones listed above are the only ones with character meet-and-greets and what I would consider to be one-of-a-kind experiences that you can only find on your Disney trip vacation. However, each restaurant in Magic Kingdom is themed, from pirates to romantic Lady and the Tramp vibes, and many offer much better food than typical theme park restaurants.

What’s the best way to avoid bottlenecks during fireworks or parades?

Certain parts of the park get extremely crowded during parades and fireworks. Everybody gathers on Main Street and very clear walking paths are established that no one is allowed to stop along.

Working Main Street as a custodian during fireworks was my favorite for two reasons: 1) since it’s so crowded, you just stand somewhere out of the way until the fireworks are over and get to watch them and 2) you can get chosen to be on the main cleanup team which means two crews do a blitz cleanup of Main Street and within minutes get it all cleaned up. It’s a rush and the teamwork is usually really fun.

For fireworks, if you want to see the lights on Cinderella Castle, you pretty much have to be in front with all the crowds, which means staking out a spot waaayyy before the fireworks even start. If you’re okay with a partial view of the castle or just care about seeing the fireworks, here are a few alternatives:

1. Ride Astro Orbiter during the fireworks! When I was stationed in Tomorrowland as a custodian, I would wait to collect the trash bags at the top of Astro Orbiter until the fireworks started because it is a great view from up there.

2. Stand on the bridge between Liberty Square and the front of Cinderella Castle for a partial view of the castle. I have stood there many times while working because it is a good spot to be out of the way, watch the fireworks, and kinda pretend I was working.

3. Sometimes a path opens up between Tomorrowland and Main Street that leads mass crowds out of the park after fireworks. This corridor can be an okay place to watch the fireworks with a partial view of the castle.

4. If you want to beat the crowds, watch the fireworks from the Transportation and Ticket Center at the park’s entrance. You’ll still get a good view, but without the accompanying music and no view of the castle. However, you’ll also be way ahead of the crowds exiting by the time fireworks are over.

5. If you can afford it, book a fireworks viewing party, either on a boat on the lake in front of Magic Kingdom or at Tomorrowland Terrace.

You could also just…skip the fireworks! What makes them unique is the music and the screen projection on the castle, so if you are avoiding crowds anyway, then you may be better off just taking advantage of the time where lines for rides may be shorter! Haunted Mansion is so fun at night, as well as Big Thunder Mountain, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

For parades, I actually recommend avoiding Main Street altogether and instead viewing the floats from the path between Adventureland and Frontierland, where the parade starts. I found this location to be more chill and less crowded. Plus, it’s at the beginning, so you can have the first look at the parade and get back to rides sooner than other people watching on Main Street.

The picture above is on Main Street and shows how crowded and busy it can be. And no, my name is not Lorena, but I forgot my name tag that day!

What are the quietest spots to relax in each park? Where are the quietest spots to take a break or let kids nap?

With the crowds, the noises, and the overall stimulation throughout the park, sometimes you need a break to reset. As a custodian, I could always go backstage when I needed a break, but I still know several good spots that didn’t usually get very dirty…because fewer people are in them.

1. My number one spot for peace and quiet is the back of the Storybook Circus, behind the splash pad and the dining section. There is a huge covered area with tables and chairs that I hardly ever see people at. It is also near a service animal break area.

2. The best ride to relax on is the People Mover. For ten whole minutes, you get great views of the park on a slow ride above Tomorrowland. If there is a long line, instead opt for just sitting behind the stage in Tomorrowland in the shade on a bench away from the crowds.

3. Sometimes waiting in line can be the most exhausting part, so if you want to go on a ride, but not have to stand on your feet for too long, consider less popular rides such as The Barnstormer, Astro Orbiter, and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin.

4. A few attractions are almost like movies or shows where you can just sit and zone out if you need to, plus they’re pretty boring and make for a great nap location: Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, and Mickey’s PhilharMagic.

5. If you find yourself in the middle of the park and in dire need of a break, Cinderella Castle is often a surprising quiet spot, especially in the alcove under the main tunnel, or near the Cinderella Wishing Well. I’ve even spotted someone doing their daily prayers on a rug there.

6. Lastly, the Walt Disney World Railroad is slow and easy and will transport you around the park while you rest.

Are there hidden bathrooms or less crowded ones near popular rides?

I know this may sound weird, but as a custodian I definitely had some favorite bathrooms to clean! What made them my favorite is that they are cute and theme-y, and they are off the beaten path, which means they don’t get used as regularly and cleaning them was usually super quick!

Here are my top bathrooms in Magic Kingdom, great for those looking to avoid crowds:

1. The one by Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland: it’s tucked away in the back corner of Adventureland and many people don’t know about it. Plus, it is pirate-themed and who doesn’t want to think about pirate’s booty when you’re making your own kind of treasure?

2. Bathrooms inside sit-down restaurants: these bathrooms are unfortunately only for diners at the restaurants, so if you are dining, I highly recommend using the bathrooms at the restaurant because they will likely be slightly less crowded and usually have cute themes that match the rest of the restaurant—especially the one at the Be Our Guest restaurant.

3. The one by Gaston’s Tavern: usually pretty quiet since it’s tucked away from major rides and the theming is decent!

These Magic Kingdom bathrooms can be good if you go at the right time:

1. The one near Storybook Circus: usually pretty quiet since that part of the park is quieter in general, but since it is a popular spot for young children, it seems like the changing station is always being used, which can get stinky and hard to maneuver around if there’s a line. Plus, there is a splash pad during hot weather, so the bathroom can get…wet.

2. The Tangled bathroom in between Fantasyland and Haunted Mansion: this bathroom is SO cute. I would rate it higher except for that it is usually pretty crowded, since it’s right off a major walkway. It is also the best bathroom near Liberty Square, which has no bathrooms.

3. The one by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: usually not too terribly crowded, since it’s tucked away in the back of the park, and has good frontier theming.

Avoid these Magic Kingdom bathrooms as much as you can:

1. City Hall on Main Street (unless in the middle of the day): gets super crowded at the beginning of the day when people first arrive to the park and again during fireworks until close when everyone leaves the park.

2. The one across from Tomorrowland Speedway: insanely crowded at all times and not very big. There is a quieter, bigger one at the back of Tomorrowland near Space Mountain that I would recommend instead.

3. The one at the crossroads of Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Park: this is the largest bathroom in Magic Kingdom, so maybe I just hate it because it takes forever to clean, but despite its size, this one seems to have a never-ending line.

What’s the best way to celebrate a birthday or anniversary in the parks?

If I ever went back to work at Disney World, one job I would be most interested in is providing Magic Kingdom VIP tours. These tours aren’t just for the rich and famous—anyone who wants to splurge for their birthday, anniversary, or other special event can book them, although they are pretty pricey!

If you’re not looking to spend all that money on a VIP tour, here are some less expensive ways to celebrate:

1. Get engaged in front of the Cinderella Castle! I saw so many proposals there that it lost its enchantment for me, but I’ll never forget the first one that happened my first week on the job. It was so cute and sweet to see the couple get totally lost in their moment.

2. Ask any cast member for a free birthday or anniversary pin! The pins are pretty big and the cast members will write your name on it. I’ve worn pins for several occasions and people throughout the park congratulated me or wished me a happy birthday all day!

3. Make a restaurant reservation—I mentioned a few restaurants above that make for great places to celebrate something special.

4. For children, visit Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to get a total royal makeover or get a magical haircut at Harmony Barber Shop. One of my roommates worked at the boutique and the highlight of her job was sprinkling children with pixie dust!

What else should I know now that I booked a trip to Disney World?

A few final tips I would give as a former cast member at Disney World include the following:

1. Florida is a very wet state—I worked there during the winter and spring and there were weeks on end where it rained every single day. And not just a light rain—full on thunder and lightning storms with pouring rain! Outdoor rides close during lightning storms, but the good news is that most of these showers were warm and only lasted 20 minutes or so in the afternoon before the sun came back out. So, bring a poncho or lightweight rain jacket, and be prepared to get wet, even if you’re not riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

2. Disney World is massive and it’s not hard to lose something when you’re there. If you do lose an item, just ask any cast member to direct you to the lost and found at the front of the park. I made lots of trips to the lost and found to log items I came across in bathrooms or while walking around, including sunglasses, water bottles, cell phones, and Mickey ears.

3. Lastly, if you want a fun, free, and no-line experience, ask a custodian if they can paint any water pictures! There is a training that custodians can take that involves drawing Mickey or another character with water and the broom they always carry with them. I never took the training formally (as you can tell from my picture…), but I did have friends who took it and taught me while we were on breaks backstage. It was always exciting to see my trained friends show off their unique talents in front of visitors.

Something I love about Disney parks is that they are nostalgic, but at the same time always changing! Magic Kingdom, for example, is already pretty different from when I worked there just a few years ago. Two new rides have opened, and an entire section of the park is getting changed.

Villains Land is coming within the next few years, along with a Cars-themed “national park” land in 2026. I am not a fan of Cars, but this actually sounds like a cool spin, combining my love for national parks and my love for amusement parks! To prepare for this new land in Magic Kingdom, check out some of my national parks blogs, including road-tripping Utah’s Mighty Five, exploring Hawaii Volcanoes, and camping in Great Smoky Mountains.

If you want to extend your Orlando trip and visit another great theme park, check out Universal Studios that has three parks, including a Harry Potter section in each one.

And lastly, don’t forget to read all about the other Disney World parks in this Disney World itinerary.

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