Selfie Sticks Banned at Disney World

Selfie Sticks Banned in Disney Parks

It’s finally happened. Selfie Sticks will no longer permitted at Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks and DisneyQuest effective June 30, 2015. The same policy applies at Disneyland. Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland theme parks also will be included in this policy change, effective July 1, 2015.

When a guest arrives at bag check with this prohibited item, a Guest Relations Cast Member will escort the guest to Guest Relations. There, he or she will turn in their device and received a claim ticket for retrieving it upon exiting the park. If a selfie stick is discovered inside the park, Cast Members will explain the policy and escort guests to Guest Relations and the same practice will be followed.

Why Are Selfie Sticks Banned at Disney Parks?

For safety reasons, loose articles have always been required to be stowed when you are enjoying a Disney Parks attraction, but many guests seem to think this doesn’t include selfie sticks. Recently signs have been posted outside attractions reminding guests of this policy. But because these devices continue to be used on attractions despite the “No Selfie Sticks” signs and verbal warnings, many popular attractions have experienced down times.

In fact, just this week, California Screamin’, a roller coaster at Disney California Adventure, was stopped as it approached ‘the big drop’ because a rider extended a selfie stick. Riders had to be evacuated from the ride as it cannot resume motion after an ’emergency’ stop until various safety procedures are followed.

It seems that may have been the last straw for Disney Parks management as the new policy was being distributed to cast the very next day.

Can I Still Take a Selfie?

Of course! With your arm only though. For those of you with short arms and a tall husband to fit in the frame (like me), this can be a challenge. I’ll admit I’m disappointed to some degree because those who were responsible selfie stick users (i.e., never using it on an attraction, never using it to see above the crowd, and certainly never hitting other guests!) are the ones who are punished by the new across-the-board ban. Some of my favorite photos from our Disneyland trip were done with a selfie stick. See…

That said, I was growing tired of dodging careless guests wielding 4 ft extension poles wildly in high traffic areas. And having selfie sticks poking out high above the crowd at fireworks and stage shows was becoming a nuisance, too.

Alas, this is the world we live in today. Guests can’t be trusted to be courteous of other guests or follow on-ride safety instructions, so no selfie sticks it is. What do you think about selfie sticks banned at Disney World?

Note: If you are wondering “what the heck is a selfie stick?” A selfie stick is an extension pole with an attachment for a camera or mobile device. The sticks typically are extendible up to a few feet with a clamp on one end to hold the device in place.