A Disney World guest has shared their experience after "raw dogging" their time in the famed theme parks.
Anyone who has visited the "most magical place on Earth" in the last few years will probably advise against "raw dogging" the Disney theme parks.
Now, for the uninitiated, "raw dogging" isn't what you might think.
It’s a term that blew up on social media this year after some travelers started "raw dogging" long-haul flights - that is, simply sitting there without any distractions. No phones, no books, no laptops, no in-flight movies - just sitting there watching the flight map.
Now, one social media user has revealed their experience after "raw dogging" Disney World - that is, hitting the theme parks without a game plan. No restaurant reservations, no "Lightning Lanes", no shows booked - nothing.
It comes after Disney World has left guests relying more and more on their park app in order to get the best experience when visiting.
Taking to Reddit to share their experience, the Disney guest posted on the r/WaltDisneyWorld subreddit.
"I went to Disney World with zero planning," the user wrote. "No app. No lightning lanes. No virtual queue. Just raw dogged it and lived my life."
According to their post, they tackled the Magic Kingdom without any digital aids or fast passes and ended up riding 14 different rides, hitting one of them four times. Not too shabby, right?
The twist? They even took a mid-day break and returned to ride more during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, cruising through Tiana’s Bayou Adventure without the dread of virtual queues.
Disney insiders know that during this event, regular park hours end early, but with a special ticket, the night is yours to revel in thanks to the smaller crowds.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The adventurer noted that Disney’s Hollywood Studios was a tougher nut to crack with its longer lines, though they found solace in the breezier queues of Animal Kingdom. There, rides like the Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest had surprisingly short waits, thanks to a strategic early arrival.
This intrepid traveler’s story serves up a refreshing take on the Disney experience, shattering the myth that you need months of planning to enjoy the parks. They summed up their adventure with a spirited endorsement of going with the flow, saying: "Props to those who can handle the anxiety of schedules but if you’re worried you can’t do Disney because of all the planning involved, you still can! No plan required!"
Their tale sparked mixed reactions online. Some readers’ stress levels skyrocketed just imagining such a cavalier approach, while others admitted that ditching detailed plans actually reduced their anxiety.
"My stress level went up just reading this," one person commented.
"I am not driving 9 hrs and spending thousands for a trip and not planning and knowing I can do the stuff I want to. Props to you for being willing to wait in lines. I can’t do it," one person replied to the post.
Critics also argued that luck played a big role in the success of such an unplanned day, especially during peak times like Christmas when the parks are swamped.
"There is a stark difference in experience between no planning + rope dropping/park closing versus just no planning," another pointed out.
Now, as a Brit who has visited Disney World on a number of occasions over the last few years, I can confirm that I would never dream of visiting the parks without having as much as possible booked through the app. But that's just my experience.
Will you be up for "raw dogging" your next Disney trip?
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