When you’re visiting Disney World, you want to leave your worries behind, but sometimes new ones are waiting for you there!
You planned your Disney World trip down to the minute — you’ve got the dining reservations, the Lightning Lane strategy, and your packing list ready to go. But even the most prepared guests can get caught off guard by a few unexpected hiccups in Disney World. We’re talking about the things no one really warns you about… like surprise bee swarms at your coffee stop. So, before you head off to conquer your Disney day, let’s talk about the things you didn’t know you needed to worry about at Disney World.
1. Bees
Bees, wasps, yellowjackets— those bugs that fly and sting —they’re usually not a huge issue around Disney World. But over in EPCOT, especially during the Flower & Garden Festival, that’s a different story. With thousands of blooming flowers, it’s basically a five-star resort for bees. But funny enough, it’s not the flower beds where we’ve seen the most bee activity—it’s the Joffrey’s Coffee kiosks. All those sweet coffee syrups and sugars? Yeah, the bees are big fans! One of our reporters even had a bee show up inside her coffee once. (Thankfully, the cast members were total pros and replaced it right away—no questions asked.)
So here’s the deal: to keep the bees away, some Joffrey’s locations will temporarily pull their syrups and throw up a little “BEEware” sign. Not every kiosk might be affected so keep your eyes out! You can always try your luck at another stand. If you want a total bee-free experience, you can swing by Connections Café inside the park.
2. Germs
If you’ve ever come back from Disney World with a scratchy throat or mystery sniffles, you’re not imagining things. There’s a reason so many people call it the “Disney crud,” and unfortunately, it’s pretty common. With thousands of guests from all over the globe packed into one place, germs spread faster than a rope drop crowd at Magic Kingdom. The Cast Members do an incredible job keeping things clean, but of course, there will still be germs.
That’s why it helps to be a little proactive. Make sure you pack hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes in your park bag and use them often. Don’t forget to wash your hands with soap and water, because not all germs are killed using hand sanitizer. Think handrails, ride lap bars, counters, and definitely before you dive into that Mickey pretzel. Try to avoid grabbing the ropes in ride queues. Trust me, you don’t want to know what’s been on them. Germs are part of the Disney experience, whether we like it or not, but a little prep goes a long way in keeping the magic alive—and your medicine packed away.
3. Being Watched
There are cameras everywhere at Disney World— some in plain sight, and some tucked away. Even the rides are loaded with hidden cameras — and not just the ones that catch your mid-scream PhotoPass moment. Disney uses these to keep guests safe and stop anyone from doing anything wild.
But the cameras are only the beginning. Disney’s security team is next-level — and not all of them are rocking the “I’m security” look. Some are in full-on undercover mode, blending in with the crowds. And if you’re wearing a MagicBand or MagicBand+, that little wristband is packed with RFID tech. It’s not about spying — it’s about keeping the park safe. So as long as you’re following the guidelines, you’re in the clear.
4. Injuries
If you’ve ever felt like your hands were going to hit the bars on Space Mountain — don’t worry. Florida’s big theme parks are required to report the serious stuff — like when someone gets injured. In 2024, a total of 46 major injuries were reported across Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld combined.
A reporter of ours used to be a Cast Member at Cosmic Rewind, so she gave us some insight into these injury reports. They are less about major injuries and could even include someone feeling a little too sick from the ride — totally understandable as Cosmic Rewind can really take ya for a spin. This means that you will be less likely to get injured while on a ride as long as you’re following the safety guidelines.
5. Animals (Not the Safari kind)
People aren’t the only guests you’ll find in the parks. We have seen a lot of wildlife strolling around, taking in the Disney views. It’s more than just the cute Disney ducks we are obsessed with on Main Street. We’ve seen squirrels crawl onto strollers that are left unattended and start chowing down on someone’s popcorn. So, you might want to think twice about leaving those snacks lying around.
I can personally tell you that I’ve had birds try to take my food at EPCOT. You turn your back for a second, and those birds are swooping in for a fry. Even more terrifying, on my last visit to EPCOT, I saw a snake slithering by. Granted, it was just living its best Disney life and wasn’t bothering any guests, but it gave me goosebumps. All this to say, don’t be surprised if you have animal encounters outside of riding the safari at Animal Kingdom.
We hope these help you be better prepared for your next Disney trip. For more tips for your Disney World trip, be sure to follow AllEars.net.
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What is something you worry about while at Disney World? Tell us in the comments below!
I saw a snake in Blizzard Beach and a duck stole a whole Funnel Cake off my son in Epcot. We’ve been to First Aid in every park, including DLC because we’re a clumsy family. My last trip to First Aid in Epcot was when something (but not a bee) stung me on the back of my arm, outside the French Pavilion shop. The nurse was brilliant using something to clean it, something to sterilise it, something to take the pain off, put on a plaster, then attached an ice pack and gave me more gel to take with me. The next day when I showered I couldn’t reach the plaster to remove it, with it being on the back of my arm. I asked my husband for help and he whipped it off. The bite or sting was not to be seen but I had a red mark where my skin had come off with the plaster for another week! Ow!