7. Keep the Magic Alive

Image: Disney

I was once working with Winnie the Pooh when a group of adults asked if Pooh was "hot in there."  I responded that Pooh just wears a small red t-shirt and that he was fine.  They rolled their eyes and asked again if Pooh gets hot wearing just a large costume.  I always hated these moments, because not only was I not allowed to comment on the character's costumes but because there were children standing in front and behind this group in line.  Luckily, it didn't seem that they heard our conversation, but I was upset that these adults could have potentially ruined the children's experience.

For some children, these characters are 100% real.  They don't understand  what it takes for these characters to come alive.  To them, Disney World isn't just a theme park full of rides; it's the place where Mickey Mouse and Cinderella live.  One day they will learn the truth, but until then let them believe in the magic of large talking mice and princesses in magical castles.  They may also still believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy.  If you know a child who still believes in all of this, help them believe as long as possible.  Once they stop believing, they may never believe again.

8.  Value Your Vacation

Image: Disney

This is something that people tend to think about the least, although it may be the most important entry on this list.  It is easy to go on vacation and stress about long lines, restaurant reservations, and the uncomfortable weather.  But for many guests, an Orlando vacation is so special they don't mind few lines and thunderstorms.

One thing every theme park employee sees on a daily basis is people who often express how happy they are to simply be in the parks.  Some people save for years to just afford it and may only have enough money for one family trip in their lifetime.  For some people, it's a gift for a major life event, like a graduation or wedding.

One free souvenir that Disney hands out are buttons that say a variety of things like "1st Visit!" or "Happy Birthday."  There are also green buttons that simply say "I'm Celebrating!"  During the time I worked at Disney I would often ask guests what they were celebrating.  Some people say that they asked for a button because of a fairly ordinary but exciting event, like getting a new job or being happy that their favorite sport team one a big game.  Others get one simply because they are celebrating being on vacation.

However, some of the best "celebrating" stories are the ones you can tell took a lot of hard times before the celebrating began.  Once, my co-worker asked a little boy why he had a button.  He looked at his parents, smiled and said, "I'm celebrating no more surgeries!"  Another time, a large family was getting a picture together with Tigger when the mother looked at her three teenage children and said, "We are celebrating a triple adoption!"

Another great sight to see is when children with the Make-A-Wish Foundation visit.  About 40 percent of a Make-A-Wish wishes are related to the Walt Disney Company, with a majority of those involving a trip to Walt Disney World.  These children and their families stay at Give Kids the World Village and get tickets to visit Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld, and can also request additional tickets to Legoland, Gatorland, and Kennedy Space Center.  All the children who are part of this organization are facing some sort of life-threatening illness, which means before their dream vacation they may have had to endure months, if not years of surgeries, medications, and hospital stays.

For some people, visiting Orlando is as simple as buying tickets and hopping on a plane.  For others, it takes much, much more.  If you get to visit Orlando regularly, be thankful.  When you have a bad day in the park where everyone and everything is getting on your nerves, remember that some people aren't as lucky to be on vacation.  Value the time you are spending together with your friends and family and value that you can all spend time together, whether you are in the parks for a day or for a month.  And even if you can't make it on a vacation right now, value what you do have, including your friends and family.  Remember that there are always people who have much less and are just as thankful.