Anyone that visits Disney World knows that there is plenty to do, and no matter how long your stay is, there doesn't seem to be enough time to do all the things on your Must-Do-List. As a cast member, your stay in Disney World is indefinite. You have the luxury of choosing whether to use small increments of your day to do one thing at a time or to cram a full-blown adventure into your day off. Whichever way you decide to use your maingate pass, here are some of the things you as a cast member have the advantage of doing whenever you want.
1. Visit the Magic Kingdom for the sole purpose of watching a parade.
Nothing compares to the magic that comes with watching your favorite characters smile and wave on top of these beautiful floats. Some families plan their entire trips around this 3 o'clock spectacle, but you are lucky enough to stop in and catch Rapunzel float by with her frying pan on your way home from Wal-Mart. I beg you, though, if you happen to catch the parade often, then don't forget to make some magic for the little princes and princesses by giving up your favorite viewing space...just once.
2. Enter the park without a to-do list.
There is simply too much to do in Disney World to walk through the gates without a game plan. There are so many new attractions and old favorites that can overwhelm a family that is trying to "do it all." As someone that basically has unlimited access to the parks, you can wander around aimlessly and hum "Hakuna Matata" while you munch on your Mickey Pretzel and follow your own spontaneous schedule. Maybe you'll meet all the princesses today. Maybe you'll ride every ride. Who knows? You sure don't, you lucky duck.
3. Stop and smell the flowers.
Yes, there are smelly flowers all over Disney World, even when the Flower and Garden Festival isn't around. Most people are running around hoping to catch Mickey Mouse before he takes his cheese break, but you've got time to admire the beautiful architecture and landscaping of four of the most beautiful theme parks in the world. According to Walt Disney World News in 2007, there were 3,000 species of plants represented in the parks. Although they aren't the main event, I'm sure they'd love to be appreciated by someone who has the time.
4. Follow Mickey Mouse around.
We all know the mouse in charge has a very busy schedule. Every day he has several shows to perform, guests to meet and magic spells to cast. Most guests are lucky to catch him once during the day, either dressed as himself, as his starring role of the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" or in one of his other dozens of costumes, but a cast member has the ability to meet him at every one of his scheduled stops.
5. Visit Typhoon Lagoon for a midnight swim.
This is something that only College Program cast members are lucky enough to be a part of. Once a year, the mouse opens the gates to his favorite water park overnight for his employees to play in. There is a DJ that turns the "beach" in front of the wave pool into a dance floor. Select rides open with virtually no wait. The shark tank stays closed, though... even sharks need their beauty sleep.
6. Visit Cinderella's castle whenever you need a pick-me-up.
Let's all try to remember the first time we laid eyes on Cinderella's castle. This breathtaking building brightens up Main Street, U.S.A. in the best way. As a guest, the castle might be something you overlook; you might walk past and think, "Wow! How neat!" If that's all you do, though, then you're missing out on some of its subtle magic. For example, the works of art inside the arch of the castle are mesmerizing enough to stare at for hours. For a cast member, there is nothing quite like walking through that arch and looking at the castle in all its glory, no matter how many times you see it.
7. Go hotel hopping.
When (as a guest) you choose a hotel, there are plenty of options at your disposal. Would you like to try out a bungalow at Disney's Polynesian Resort? Are the rooms at the Grand Floridian too beautiful to pass up? Which hotels have the best restaurants? How do you decide which hotel will best fit your family? As a cast member, a day off could mean a grand tour of more than 20 different hotel options. While it may be frowned upon to use the pools at the Beach Club Resort, there is nothing wrong with checking out the resort-exclusive merchandise (and pins) in the resorts' gift shops!
8. Celebrate the Magic.
As a cast member, there is a certain level of understanding in Disney World that simply cannot be obtained by simply visiting the parks. Experiencing the magic is, well, magical, but the experience that comes with making a magic moment for a tiny princess or hearing the most magical words on earth, "You just made our vacation!" is something that makes the job worth it. Part of the joy cast members experience in the parks comes from simply watching their fellow cast members make magic for other guests because we understand just how special it makes us (and you) feel.
