Please welcome back guest blogger Curtis Stone.  Curtis is one of the cohosts (with his daughter, Lindsay) of the Geekin’ on WDW Podcast.  If you haven’t checked out this show, you need to give it a listen – Curt and Lindsay have a lot of fun and share great stories and tips.  Follow Geekin’ on WDW on Facebook here and follow Curt on Twitter here.

Being Goofy:  10 Ways To Goof Around At Walt Disney World

I’m mostly a serious, shy and quiet guy. I often was annoyed in college when kids were always goofing around.

On the other hand,

• I like to have a good time
• I like to be different
• Awkward silence/idleness bothers me
• When someone asks for volunteers, I raise my hand

I purposely sit in front in meetings or events.  I step out of my comfort zone all the time in crowds of people either for work, training or on vacation.

I think you should too if you’d like to enhance your Disney World experience.  My friends often comment that they want to go with us on vacation because our pictures prove we have a good time.

Here’s my 10 ways and opportunities for you to goof around at Disney World:

Goofing …

With other guests

People let their guard down on vacation.  It can be much easier to get into a conversation with other guests.  On our last vacation, we had some fun with guests.  One time was when we all wore our new Malestrom t-shirts.  First, we got lots of comments from guests on our shirts.  Second, one young man was wearing the same shirt, we took a picture together and rode the ride together.  We also ran into him again the next day and we plan on having him on the podcast.

Another fun time was at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.  Many guests dress up for the special event which is fun in of itself.  One group of five guests really caught my attention as they were dressed as the Flintstones and one guy was the Tooth Fairy.  I just had to interact with them and I did get my picture with the Tooth Fairy.  <Insert Picture>

With cast members

I enjoy chatting with the cast members.  One of my favorites was the doorman that used to work at the Beach Club.  My wife and I took our picture with him.  He was such an nice man. One of my favorite new things to do with cast members is to pin trade.  No matter where you encounter a cast member with pins, it an opportunity to chat and have some fun trading.

With street players

There are so many opportunities to join in the show.  Over the years, I believe my family and I have participated in just about them all.  I like the time my wife was picked in EPCOT as an old witch who casts a spell with the World Showcase Players. The Ziti Sisters had swooned over me in Italy.  My son’s girlfriend, on her first visit, played with the clown/juggler in Italy. We always look to be picked for all the shows.

With photo pass photographers

The big tip with the Disney photographers is to remember to ask them if they have a “magic” shot.  On our last trip, we purchased the Memory Maker package and we took advantage.  They had a ton of new magic shots that put the characters in your pictures.  You get a chance to act Goofy and then see what character they put in your picture after you get home and check the shots out online.

With hats and toys in the gift shops

When I was a child, my parents were strict.  For one thing, I was not allowed to touch items in a store.  I was always amazed that nobody bothers you as you get Goofy with trying on hats and taking pictures.  Put on a viking hat and put your finger up a trolls nose in Norway pavillion in EPCOT.  You can put on a pirate hat and have a sword fight after riding the Pirates of the Caribbean.  This last trip, I finally bought the hat and dreadlocks.  It was fun walking through Magic Kingdom as Jack Sparrow.  I got lots of looks and comments.

With characters

Even though our kids are all grown up, we still take time to get pictures with characters.  On the past trip, Tigger grabbed my pirate hat and put it on.  My wife and 21 year old daughter got hugs from Pooh and Eeyore.  Baloo is my favorite from my childhood.  I have a favorite picture with him.  I really like a picture my wife and I got with Mickey and Minnie in Magic Kingdom.  It was actually a very private moment and they were a lot of fun.

With attractions

If you jump up and down or get to some attractions early, you can participate in the show.  I’ve been picked to be Captain of the PT boat in the backlot tour, an extra on the Indiana Jones Stunt Show and I was just picked on our last trip to get on stage at the Flights of Wonder.  My only regret is that I one day want to be “That Guy” in the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor show.

In the queues

Disney World has improved waiting in line for attractions by adding things to do or see.  The Haunted Mansion on one of my favorites.  While posing for a picture in front of the Sea Captain, I was sneezed on by the Captain.  We got a lot of laughs in that queue.  Another of my favorite new queues is for the Little Mermaid in New FantasyLand.  There’s a lot of cool places to take pictures.  Try to wave to the little crabs in some of the caves.  The crab will see you and steal an object from the scene. It’s a lot of fun.

Make a face in ride picture

I’m usually caught smiling or screaming on the rides that capture a picture.  One fun thing you can do is plan a face or pose to show the camera as you go by.  The more you ride the more likely you’ll know where the picture is taken.  Splash Mountain is an easy one because it’s going to be where you take the plunge into the brier patch.  On our last trip, we decided to put our hands to our face.  Funny part of the picture was that Lindsay and I did it and Mom was taking a picture.  Now with Memory Maker, you get all the ride pictures included in your package.  The pictures often show some really funny moments you don’t want to miss.

Get your face painted or wear a costume

One great time we had this year was at the new Harambe Nights at Animal Kingdom.  Lindsay and I took advantage of the exclusive ticketed event.  It was a street party and a special Lion King theatrical show.  Before the show, we had some fun getting in the spirit by with face painting.  I forgot I had the paint on and wiped it off accidentally while wiping sweat off my face.  We had some laughs and luckily was able to get it touched up before the show.  I think it would be fun as a family for all to get their face painted while in the parks.  It would make for a great picture and you’d get lots of attention from guests and cast members.  I was surprised how much fun and reaction I had when I just wore my Captain Jack hat on our last trip.

There you have it. Ten ways to goof around at Disney World.

Disney World not only allows goofing around in the parks and “On Stage” but they encourage it. I say let your guard down, get in the mood and let loose.  You’ll have even more fun at Disney World.