A Local’s Guide to Blending in With Tourists at Theme Parks
Much like how some people, on their grocery runs, attract the assumptions of working in a department store simply because they mistakenly wear the same colored shirt as the store employees, sometimes, locals have that “been here so many times that I practically live here” vibe. It’s one of the many delightful prices you pay for living near theme parks and other tourist traps. Sometimes, after what seems like the 366th visit to the parks in a single year, all a local might want to do is people-watch. But of course, there’s also a small portion of the local population using the parks for their social media following, but that’s a whole ‘nother blog post…
If you’ve been stopped one too many times in a theme park and asked by sunburnt Wisconsinites where the rat’s house is or where’s the magic school (despite being in a completely different company’s park), here's a guide to help you blend in seamlessly with the tourists and enjoy your day at the park, while also choosing when or how to hop into conversation with other visitors.
Dressing “Out of Town” Chic (While Staying Comfy in the Florida Heat)
It only takes a few visits to the theme parks or maxed-out daily step goals for locals to quickly learn the importance of comfortable, durable (and possibly waterproof) footwear. In the unpredictable Florida weather, it helps to prepare for both the heat and humidity, as well as sudden torrential downpours. In Orlando, our city motto might as well be, “Prepare for sweat and atmospherically soaked clothes.”
But remember, many people from out of town want to look fabulous in their once-in-a-lifetime vacation photos. They aren’t walking into the parks in their pajamas (unless that’s a bucket list item for them). So blending in may take more than throwing on an FSU or UCF tank top, gym shorts, and slides or rubbery flip-flops.
You don’t have to go out wearing your best Versace, but you certainly can’t forget the SPF 50, either. The only thing that ruins a cute outfit more than an overpriced ice cream stain is a scorching farmer's tan that screams, “I forgot the ‘Sunshine State’ was sunny!”
Oh, and deodorant! The most important thing you will wear all day. To be worn before leaving the house and reapplied after water rides. For the safety of those around you in line. Some would consider forgetting to put on deodorant before leaving the hotel and entering an internationally renowned theme park as an act of biological warfare. We wouldn’t want to be the person with the B.O. that is so horrendous that it launches WWIII.
Packing Light (While Staying Prepared Like a Wilderness Explorer)
Leave the Gucci Bag at Home!… Oh, who am I kidding? With the cost of living in Orlando? No local is bringing a Gucci bag to the theme parks. A LoungeFly from the discount stores outside the parks, maybe. But the keys to a local’s bag of choice for a park visit are Functionality and Practicality.
Unless you have toddlers in tow, resist the urge to prep a full bag like you’re going on a week-long backpacking trip through the European countryside. (Though the people who pack their bags like that are sometimes the people you want in your travel party in the event of dehydration, heat exhaustion, or hangryness. Every group needs that “Disney Adult Mom.”)
The Bare Necessities to Pack for Theme Park Survival:
Sunscreen & Deodorant (For reapplying throughout the day, as previously stated)
Refillable Water Bottle (Filled before you arrive at the park)
Snacks (Lines are the worst place for hangryness to strike.)
Portable Phone Charger (Locals have the Fuel Rod Station locations memorized, but it still doesn’t hurt to bring the wall plug.)
Compact Umbrella or Poncho (Sometimes, the heaviest Florida rain comes on the day when there wasn’t a single cloud in sight before leaving the house.)
Bonus:
Throw in a favorite book if you’ll be waiting in lines alone, but bring a backup park map so it looks like you are trying to memorize to routes to the next ride or to look like you’re still trying to figure out which castle is at which park.
Looking Lost in Wonder (While Navigating the Theme Park Like a Pro)
Few things make a local stand out more than how they navigate tourist traps. These people walk purposefully, not stopping every few feet and expressing awe at every squirrel or duck. Sometimes they can be spotted wearing headphones while on the monorail or speed walking with their eyes on their phones. (Though, some tourists do that as well.) Locals have a plan and know all the routes, accounting for in-park traffic during the busier seasons. Once they’ve stepped off the tram, they have a destination in mind. They’ve seen every nook and cranny of the park more times than the back of their hand.
On the other hand, tourists are stepping into their dream vacation for the first time after months, maybe even years, of planning. They intend to soak in every darn penny’s worth of the second mortgage they paid spent. Sunscreen-caked noses glued to the park map. Selfies every new icon, even the unique trashcan designs. And OMG, have you seen these cute bathrooms?!
To blend in, locals can wander with intention. “Not all those who wander are lost.”
The Fastpass Secret to Waiting in Line Like a Tourist (But Riding Like a Local)
We, locals, have countless methods and techniques for dodging long lines and wait times. It is an art form perfected over an endless amount of time-tested visits. “The Early Bird Gets the Coaster” is the creed many locals and vloggers live by. The main goal is avoiding the Crowds and getting on the Best Rides First.
But what if you’re trying to blend in with “the common people,” those who may not have poured hours over videos of park vloggers before them?
You can still plan out your strategy of which rides to hit when or in what order, but rather than spending money to skip the line, wait in it. Keeps you humble.
Not So Small Talk After All: Chatting with Tourists (Without “Blowing Your Cover”)
The Number One Rule of Park Etiquette (from one local to another):
Don’t be “That Guy.” Don’t spoil the ride. Don’t ruin the show.
You know what I’m talking about. The person with the entire ride pre-show monologue memorized and insists on reciting it, nearly shouting it, along with the voiceover. Or the person who says, “Um, actually, according to the passholder blogs….” And don’t even get me started on what I call the “Easter Bunny Killers.” You know, the people who always have to loudly comment about “how hot it must be in that costume” or the believability of the animatronics on that character.
[Hi, My name is Dan, and I’m a Recovering “That Guy.” It’s been over six months since I last quoted the entire Ghost Host monologue.] - Just so you know, I’m not judging every “That Guy,”…But I might still judge the “Easter Bunny Killers.”
Instead, while waiting in line for an attraction or character meet and greet, start a conversation with the tourists around you. Talk about common interests or ask for recommendations for the park's must-see attractions. Avoid giving away your local status using local terms or revealing too much knowledge about the park. You never know; you might learn a new approach to visiting the parks based on the perspective or plans of someone who doesn’t get to visit every weekend.
Remember, you don’t HAVE to mention that you live in the area. You don’t HAVE to explain how often you’ve ridden Midnight Fright Drop or how many times you’ve met Fairy McPrincesspants.
If they ask where you’re visiting from, feel free to say your actual hometown. Statistically, most people who live in Orlando are from somewhere else. So if you’re a local reading this, I’m sure you have another place to talk about when asked this question.
The Benefits of Blending in with the Theme Park Crowd
So, What’s the point of blending in with the tourists? Why bother breaking your simple, efficient routine of quickly visiting the same rides every visit?
Growing in a New Perspective: By “becoming one of the tourists,” a local can experience the theme park from a fresh perspective. Travel off their well-worn path. They can see the rides, shows, and attractions through the eyes of someone who is visiting for the first time, which can be a fun and enlightening experience. It may even remind you of why you moved to Orlando or bought your annual pass in the first place. The perfect remedy for “Theme Park Burnout.”
Practicing Patience and Compassion through Experience: Theme parks are often crowded and busy, and navigating the crowds and long lines can be challenging. But by blending in with the tourists, a local can practice patience and understanding. This can also help locals develop empathy and compassion for people from different backgrounds and cultures. They can learn to be more patient with people who are new to the park and may need to learn their way around. This can translate into other areas of life outside the parks. After intentionally choosing to wait in enough lines at a theme park, sluggish highway traffic doesn’t seem so bad.
Fostering a Sense of Belonging in the Global Community: The typical local’s strategy for approaching a visit to the theme parks works out well for them, but it can kind of keep them isolated from the larger world of experience outside of their bubble. When a local chooses to blend in with tourists, they become part of a larger community of people who are all there to have fun and enjoy the show. It becomes a shared experience. This can provide great opportunities to meet new people, make friends, and learn about different cultures and backgrounds. It may even create a moment for the locals to become a part of the extension of the hospitality that Orlando offers, adding to the once-in-a-lifetime experience for the visitor and, who knows, maybe even inspire the guests to come back to visit again.
Following these simple tips we’ve explored together, you can enjoy a day at the theme park while blending in with the tourists. No more need to complain about the long lines or how “unenjoyable” the parks are when it’s too crowded. Remember: Dress comfortably, pack smartly, navigate strategically, wait patiently, and don’t be afraid to converse with other visitors. With these tactics, you can avoid standing out as a local and enjoy your day at the park to the fullest.