The rumors have been swirling, but we wanted to wait until we heard it from the Mouse’s mouth…. Yes, it’s confirmed, Disney is banning selfie sticks altogether. Previously, the infamous selfie sticks had been banned from just attractions, but now they won’t even be allowed into the parks due to safety concerns. Here’s more from the Orlando Sentinel~
Under a new policy, which takes effect Tuesday, the poles won’t make it past the bag check at any Disney World theme park. The sticks also won’t be allowed in Disney World water parks or DisneyQuest, a gaming attraction at Downtown Disney.
Selfie-sticks will also become forbidden at Disneyland Resort in California on June 30. The prohibition kicks in at Disney’s parks in Paris and Hong Kong on July 1.
Guests will be checked for the equipment during the routine bag check that happens near the parks’ entrances. They will have an option of turning in their selfie-sticks for pick-up later or to go back to their cars or hotel rooms to stow them.
Visitors will be told of the policy in locations such as the parking lots and at the resort’s hotels. The prohibition will be added to the park rules post on Disney World’s website.
The issue has been building at Disney. Previously, the sticks were prohibited from its rides, and “no selfie-sticks” signs were at select rides, such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom. Cast members have given verbal warnings to rule breakers.
Several incidents preceded the change, but officials have been discussing the rules for some time, Disney said. This week at Disney California Adventure park, a roller coaster was halted after a passenger pulled out a selfie-stick. The ride was closed for an hour.
Selfie-stick users put smartphones and cameras on the ends of poles to extend their reach, frequently capturing theme-park moments through self-portraits. The tools have been banned in public places – including some museums and stadiums – worldwide for obstructing views or causing safety issues
So, what do you think of the news? Do you agree that selfie sticks needed to go? I think this is a good new rule! Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!
Thank you to the Orlando Sentinel for the confirmed information!
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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yes… i agree. my whole fireworks show was ruined by someone filming it. camera was blocking my view. just Enjoy the show people!! just saying….
As a weekly visitor to the parks I have witnessed the sticks being used irresponsibly dozens of times per visit. It’s not just a few bad apples misusing the devices — everywhere you turn you see them being used in crowds, in lines, on rides and you see people getting whacked with them all the time. Many of the sticks are heavy-duty aluminum and even folded up they are big enough to stick out of backpacks and cause damage when people rush through the parks. But damage isn’t limited to people. Imagine what would happen if someone dropped a stick on a roller coaster track — it is a disaster in the making. I’ve stopped going to parades and outdoor shows at the parks because I’ve seen some guests get really hot under the collar with each other because their view is being blocked or someone got smacked with a cell phone — I was worried a fight would break out. Yes, it is time for them to go.