Hello. Former Disney World Cast Member here. Even two years after working in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there are still a few remnants of the job that stuck around. Yes, my old Cast Member nametag has a special spot on my desk. And yes, I still have a pile of stickers I took home after the job. (Bet you didn’t know there’s a pirate Mickey sticker, eh?) But one of the most useful things I kept was allllll the notes I took in my notes app on my phone. Wanna see?

As it turns out, when you work as a Disney World Cast Member, there’s a lot to remember. You have to keep track of showtimes, dates, stories, and all kinds of other information. It’s a lot, trust me. But even now, years later, some of those notes still come in handy! And now, I am passing my knowledge on to you, dear reader.

Even as a former Disney Character Attendant (a.k.a. a “blueberry — the Cast Member wearing the blue polo and khakis), I often approached character meet-and-greets with a completely blank mind. There’s something about meeting Mickey that literally makes me (and others; I KNOW I’m not alone here) so starstruck I have no idea what to say when I meet him in the parks.

So, finally, I got smart and made a list of “character openers” to mentally prepare myself when I meet characters in the parks. Behold: my list of go-to questions for Disney character meet-and-greets.

The questions don’t have to be complicated; all you need is a starting point! Disney characters LOVE to chat, but I know it can feel a little awkward to get the conversation started. That’s why it helps to think of those questions ahead of time — that way, you don’t feel like you’re on the spot when you’re in the parks!

Speaking of characters, I also keep a full list of character meet-and-greet times in my notes app. That way, I don’t have to fiddle around with the My Disney Experience app every time I want to meet a character.

I do need to point out that, unlike My Disney Experience, this list cannot magically update itself if a meet-and-greet suddenly changes, but it’s nice for a quick reference when I’m trying to plan my day. Some characters meet continuously, while others may come and go throughout the day! Make sure to double-check those times when you’re writing them down in your notes app.

Like every Disney expert, I also have a long, running list of all my favorite Disney snacks. Cheeseburger Spring Rolls are at the top of my list, but I am also partial to the Fried Chicken and Donuts at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, the Fanta Melon Frosty soda at Skipper Canteen (when it’s available, that is), and the Bavarian Pretzel at BaseLine Tap House. Can you tell I prefer salty, savory snacks to sweet desserts?

I also keep a list of new snacks and treats I plan to try on my next visit to Disney World. And during each seasonal EPCOT festival, I also make a list of all the food booths I plan to visit. Of course, I refer to the Disney Food Blog’s “Best of the Fest” list for recommendations.

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Here’s another hot tip: keep track of the TIME when you’re at Disney World. If you happen to catch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from a unique angle, make a note of the location and time so you know where to go next time!

I have a long list of the best times to ride all kinds of Disney World attractions. Here’s a peek at a few.

I took notes on the times I rode Big Thunder Mountain and Magic Carpets of Aladdin and got a GREAT fireworks view. The other times in my notes are helpful if you want to avoid long lines at the end of the day. Work smarter, not harder!

Even after YEARS of going to Disney World, there are plenty of times that I still need to consult my notes app. Even if your notes look a little different than mine, I highly recommend making some kind of cheat sheet for yourself when you’re on vacation. 

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I hope this little peek into my notes app was helpful! As I said, you may not need to record the same information, but hopefully, this will at least give you a little inspiration for your next trip. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

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Are you planning a trip to Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

The post I Was a Disney World Cast Member, and I’m Revealing the SECRETS I Have Stored in My Phone first appeared on the disney food blog.