I now have two encounters under my belt. I more or less survived the first one (barely) although overwhelmed beyond all comprehension. these people know that park like the back of their hands. the 2nd, I knew to wear walking shoes, a bucket-o-sunscreen and watch for the tallest members in the crowd...as these folk move thru the oceans of patrons with expertise unsurpassed. (that and most folks heard/saw us coming a mile away and ran for cover)
uh...I still got lost at least 4 times. good thing the 'no (man) left behind' rule applies.
my best survival advice for you first timers
1) abandon all hope of escape.
2) learn, in detail, the words to 'Yo Ho a pirates life for me' (not as easy as one would initially think)
3) be prepared to encounter things and places and factoids in the park you never knew existed...like the backstage areas behind PoC, the exact riding depth and weight tollerance of any ride that uses a boat etc.
4) forget ANY hope you might have of trying to stay unnoticed in the park....just ain't possible.
remember, once assimilated you are forever one of the LoT special forces. no ship unsinkable, no line un-waitable, no meal too large (or aparrently too slow) and no obstacle un...uh...get-aroundable.
resistance is futile