Please, don’t do these things at Disney World restaurants.
Mickey at Chef Mickey’s
Look, we understand that for the vast, vast majority of Disney World visitors, a trip to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” is a rare occurrence, and a time to cut loose from everyday life. However, while that’s true, it doesn’t mean restaurant etiquette — or shoes — should be completely abandoned.
Let’s start with footwear. As our reporters have been out in Disney World’s theme parks, we’ve noticed a growing trend of diners removing their shoes while sitting down to eat.
©Disney
Yeah, we don’t get it either…
Again, we understand that Disney World is a vacation, that your feet may hurt, and that many of the resort’s restaurants feel like metaphorical — or, in the case of the 50’s Prime Time Cafe, a literal — home, but please keep your shoes on. No one wants to eat amidst a sea of strangers’ bare feet in the middle of a theme park.
Seating to the left
While these footwear faux pas are the first on our mind, they’re far from the only lapses in restaurant etiquette we’ve noticed recently.
Let’s start with kids. Just like above, we understand that young kids are going to be overjoyed to be at Disney World. In fact, seeing a child enjoy the magic of Disney’s parks is one of the best parts of visiting. However, please keep an eye on your kids and keep them with you in a restaurant. Don’t let that crawl around unsupervised over and under the tables of other guests.
On to character meals — and believe it or not, we’ve seen this from parties with and WITHOUT kids — don’t try and cut off the characters. If you’re having a character meal, they will make their way to every table; just be patient. Beyond that, if you truly feel like there’s a chance you may be skipped, calm and quietly wave down the character attendant. There’s no need to cut off other diners’ experiences.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
While Walt Disney World is a place to cut loose on vacation, there are still some restaurant etiquette rules that really should be followed. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World dining.
The NEW Rules You Have To Follow for the Disney Dining Plan
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Hi aj and dfb team,I whole hearted agree on the shoes and k8ds thing,disneyworld needs to try to enforce these rules by placing big signs in front of restraunts notifying customers of these rules.
There was a time, not so long ago, when none of this would even need to be stated.
People bemoan the fact that in his day, Walt didn’t want alcohol in the parks. Well, in Walt’s day, people would not have DREAMT of taking their shoes off in a restaurant, and children were well behaved or they didn’t get to go places, or were taken home if they started acting out. Walt was about my great-grandfather’s generation, maybe a little older, and my grandfather would tell you that there are a lot worse behaviors in the parks and other public places these days, which the rest of us just have to accept, than people who might be enjoying a drink. At least if someone does get drunk, and unruly as a result, there is a basis for getting them out of the park. And I absolutely recognize that there are people with special needs, and yes they deserve to be able to have WDW experiences also. But that’s not what’s behind the vast majority of the inconsiderate behavior in the parks or other public places.
I completely agree!!!
Besides your cute cherub bounding headlong into my knee, I once had the pleasure of sitting on a bench seat when the guy at the adjoining table on the chair side put his hairy feet on the bench seat next to my lap. No one needs to see your Hobbit toes while eating!!!
I was too appalled to say anything. These days, you’re liable to get a punch in the face for daring to object to their comfort. Want to eat barefoot? Go on a picnic in a field.
Eww. Just, eww.
Well well said julie