10 Things Tourists Do At Disneyland

Tourists at Disneyland are the best! They’re the heart and soul of Disneyland, and they very well may be the reason Disneyland is still around today.

That being said, the Disneyland tourist is a unique species. Sometimes to locals they’re strange, mysterious and downright funny. But deep down, there is reason to why tourists are the way they are. You’d act that way too if you had limited opportunities to be at the Happiest Place on Earth!

So today we want to share with you ten touristy things that tourists do at Disneyland – and why they may be justifiable.

10) Wearing ridiculously comfortable shoes

Probably chunky, comfy sneakers. Maybe Crocs. But come on, if you’ve ever spent a day at Disneyland, you know your feet will feel like falling off by the end of it.

Admit it: sometimes you’re jealous of the tourist tennis shoe.

9) Randomly stopping and staring at rides/decorations/other tourists

It’s funny how amazed people can be when they come to Disneyland for the first time: “Honey look! Another rock! Is it a hidden Mickey?!”

But Disneyland is a beautiful place, and there’s no shame in stopping to enjoy the view once in a while. But tourists, please be aware of where you’re stopping – you may be causing that 70 minute delay at Splash Mountain.

8) Taking pictures of EVERYTHING

Their children on main street. The funny signs in Jungle Cruise. Random families in line. Pitch black selfies in space mountain. Trash cans.

Tourists take pictures of EVERYTHING and while it gets a little weird sometimes, it might be ok – after all they don’t get to go to Disneyland as often, and probably want to make sure they capture the memory, even if it is just a trash can.

7) Using huge backpacks

Huge. Colorful. Big enough to smuggle a child in. Tourists only have about one or two days to spend at the Happiest Place on Earth, and they will be ready for an emergency. We should all be thankful for this – if anyone ever scrapes their knee at Disneyland it might be a tourist with a pre-packed mega first-aid kit coming to the rescue.

6) Having misconceptions about wait times

“Forty Five minutes for Space Mountain?! That’s waaayy too long”

I’ve actually heard this before, and I’m pretty this person didn’t realize that a 45 minute wait without a fast pass for Space Mountain can actually be ~*amazing*~

Tourists unfortunately don’t know much about how long waits may be – they can be shorter than the posted time, and it can actually be really fun standing in line (Indiana Jones is a great example, and games like Heads Up are always a crowd – I mean, line – pleaser)

Then on the flip side you can have the “YES TWO HOUR WAIT, THAT’S NOTHING” tourist. Sometimes a wait really is just too long. You have to be smart about times!

5) Stand only in the front line for Dole Whip

I almost didn’t want to include this. I love the back line at the stand because it’s always, always so short, but I feel like you all have a right to know: there is another line. Take advantage of it!

4) Carrying around a big blue bag

Let’s face it: Disneyland merchandise is expensive. If you’re a local you can probably resist – do you really need that Mickey hat or that Ariel mug? You can probably find a cheaper one online or at a nearby Disney store.

But if you’re a tourist you HAVE to have that mug because it’s DISNEYLAND and it’s the PERFECT SOUVENIER and suddenly you’re walking around with your new, expensive items stuffed in an iconic big blue bag. Don’t worry too much about it, most of your fellow tourists are doing it too. You do you, tourists. Don’t be afraid to treat yo self.

3) Wearing matching/coordinating family outfits

Huge families with matching shirts that scream “3RD FAMILY RENUNION – DISNEYLAND”. But (I am ashamed to say this) my family’s done this too. And we live in Anaheim. We have no excuse.

2) Using a Fanny Pack

Whenever I think “does anyone even own a fanny pack anymore?” someone at Disneyland is always there, affirming that the fanny pack is indeed still in fashion (at least for the Disneyland tourist)

1) Using strollers to part crowds

Ok, I’m not sure what the excuse is for this one. Yes, strollers are necessary when you have little kids whose little legs can’t carry them all day – I get that.

What is harder to understand is how sometimes Disneyland can become a DANGEROUS PIT OF DOOM as parents use strollers to literally scatter crowds out of their path. It’s amazing how much damage a stroller can do.

To those with strollers: please watch whose feet you’re rolling over! To those without strollers: watch out for those screaming plastic death traps!

So next time you’re astounded by someone at Disneyland, give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it’s their first time there. Maybe they haven’t been there in a long time. Maybe they just really love Disneyland – and we all have that in common, right?

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Are tourists and locals more alike than it seems? How else can you tell someone’s a tourist? Would you like us to make a list of ten things locals do at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments!