The Dangerous And Disgusting Mistake Tourists Make At Disney Parks

Tourists flock to Disney parks expecting fairy-tale experiences and a stress-free Disney vacation, but there's one nasty mistake many make that can leave them regretting every dip: touching — or worse, drinking — the ride water. Despite its sparkling looks, water in Disney ride troughs, fountains, and lagoons isn't pristine, so that charming "just dip your toes" impulse can be dangerous and gross. 

A viral TikTok by user @nostalgiamountain warns against touching the water on attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and It's a Small World. It cites multiple issues, from metal machinery underneath that can rust, to reports of people sprinkling ashes of their loved ones into the pools. It also mentions "brain-eating" amoebas in ride water (as well as in nearby lakes), which serves as a chilling reminder that Disney's waterways can harbor serious pathogens. A 2013 study of public pools from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that 58% of public pools tested positive for E. coli, signaling fecal contamination. It's a reasonable assumption that Disney ride water, even heavily treated for cleanliness, can harbor similar microbial risks when guests unknowingly introduce contaminants.

It's not just germs in the water — physical harm is a real possibility too. Ride vehicles are meant to keep guests safe, and every ride announcement tells riders to keep "your hands, arms, feet, and legs" inside the ride vehicle until it comes to a complete stop. Water rides can often appear less threatening than the roller coasters in Disney Parks because they typically move slowly, but there is always the potential for pinched, or even severed, fingers or toes if someone decides to test the space between a ride vehicle and the sides of the ride. 

Another way guests could be physically harmed is by the dye used in the water at attractions like the iconic Jungle Cruise ride. According to former cast members (the term for Disney parks employees), dye is used to hide ride vehicle tracks and disguise "surprise" features in attractions. A study published by the CDC in 2011 shared that dyes can cause temporary skin damage, such as dry, cracked, or peeling skin, or even permanent damage, like skin color changes. Even bromine, the chemical Disney uses to sanitize its ride water, is not healthy if ingested, so you don't want to drink the water even if it seems clean.

The number one way to avoid the pitfalls of Disney's non-drinkable water is to do just that: don't drink it. Resisting the urge to touch it will help you resist the urge to consume it, and doing just those two simple things will keep you safe from germs and injury. When it comes to Disney's water parks, it is important to follow all posted signage information as well as cast member instructions. Failure to do so, whether in the theme parks or water parks, can result in physical harm (and possible expulsion from the park too).

That picturesque moat at Sleeping Beauty Castle, the gentle ripples on Jungle Cruise, the scenic falls on Pirates are all visually enchanting, but deceptive. Disney ride water is not guest-ready for physical contact. Between microbial threats, rust hazards, and real injury incidents, what looks like a rookie mistake at Disney World can quickly become disgusting or even dangerous. Next time you're in line at Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Kali River Rapids, or Grizzly River Run, keep your hands dry and your feet out of the trough.