This Common, Last-Minute Ride Hack At Disney Sparked Debate Among Social Media Users

It's no secret that a visit to any of the Disney properties is a costly and possibly very crowded trip. With park hopper tickets for Disneyland reaching upwards of $280 per person at times and attendance at the Disney World parks alone reaching almost 50 million people annually, there's no shame in wanting to maximize your time to experience all the attractions. From hacks that help you avoid long food lines at the Disney Parks to tricks that save on parking at Disney World, experienced parkgoers have all the tips to make your Disney experience more worth it.

TikTok specifically is filled with internet theories on Disney hacks. While visiting Disney World's EPCOT, Disney content creator, themouselets, posed a conversation-starting prompt on the platform: "tell me your best Disney tip that you swore you wouldn't share [because] it's that good." Avid Disney goers wrote hundreds of comments, but user ellie responded as "an ex-CM" ("cast member," Disney lingo for an employee), her best hack was to join the line for popular rides just a few minutes before the parks close. Allegedly, Disney posts higher wait times when it gets near closing to encourage guests to wrap up their nights, even if the wait isn't all that long. "Usually, it's a walk on," ellie says, shedding light on the reality of the situation; her comment garnered over 7,000 likes.

However, TikToker Tyson Blatter, known on the platform as t_blatt, clarifies in a post that this may not be as much of an under-the-radar trick as some think, explaining that he believes everyone already knows the hack. A cast member himself, Blatter does confirm that riders can join the line up until the literal last minute when the parks close. But some users expressed concern that doing this was disrespectful to cast members since it meant a longer night for them. 

Blatter does provide further clarity, explaining that these employees are scheduled to work later hours than others on attractions that aren't as frequented. The example Blatt gives is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train versus the classic Spinning Tea Cups attraction; the former always experiences longer wait times due to its popularity, so in anticipation of this, cast members assigned to said attraction will have a later-ending shift, while those working the Tea Cups will have an earlier end time. Joining the queue late at night doesn't really force cast members to stay longer than expected since Disney has already accounted for that time. 

Cast members in Blatter's comments point out that they don't mind last-minute riders at all, but it's those who try to argue their way onto the ride when the park is closing that often get the hard no. "My Disney hack is: be nice," user emily comments referencing a time when cast members let her family ride Space Mountain even after the park closed because they didn't make a stink about it. "[...] in fact, many of us would egg people on to join the line before we close it," former cast member andydisnel adds, a story corroborated by other similar comments. 

If you're stressed about playing the last-minute ride game though, there are some guaranteed ways of getting extra time in the parks that don't require hacking the system. Disney Resort hotel guests, for example, get a half-hour early entry privilege across various Disney properties, allowing you and your family to get the jump on general visitors and join queues for popular attractions. Those staying in Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels or Disney Deluxe Villas — like the Animal Kingdom Lodge or the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Disney World — get a perk of extended evening hours as well. Be sure to check which attractions will remain open during these special hours though, since some experiences may still close with regular park hours, but with that said, it's still helps you make the most of your Disney Hotel room benefits and your time in the parks.

Of course, if you want to experience more of Disney at night, you can also purchase tickets for special late-night events, such as Disney After Hours at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios at Disney World. These tickets are limited capacity but offer three extra hours at night in the parks. Other activities like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party offer themed evening experiences after the park's normal hours. Prices start at $85 per adult depending on the park and special event, but this could be well worth it if you anticipate needing extra time. Whether adding additional hours to your ticket or trying out the last-minute rider hack, you can be assured that the cast members at Disney parks will try to make the magic happen — just remember to be nice to them back!