The Walt Disney theme parks will ban selfie sticks throughout its theme parks starting next week, the company confirmed Friday.
Disney has a long-standing policy against the use of selfie sticks on its attractions, but the new ban would extend (no pun intended) to all areas inside the parks. "Selfie sticks have become a growing safety concern for both our guests and cast," a Disney spokesperson said.
The ban will go into effect at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts on Tuesday, June 30. Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland also will being banning the sticks by July 1. Wednesday at Disney California Adventure, operators shut down and evacuated the California Screamin' after finding a guest with a selfie stick on that roller coaster.
In a comment on our report about that incident, a reader who said that s/he was a former Universal Orlando team member questioned Disney's commitment to enforcing in-park restrictions such as a selfie stick ban. "The root of the problem is Disney, where they let guests get away with anything. They don't check children's heights, are lax about seating rules, and allow you to bring whatever loose articles on a ride. Just try to ride Pirates without someone taking flash photos or dipping their hands in the water. Did you know that Disney control booth operator can't spiel to guests for fear of 'bad show?' No wonder they're having PR problems being the 'bad guy' and enforcing rules now."
Another person raised concerns that tripods and other photography accessories would be included in the selfie stick ban:
Next thing you know, fan photogs are hijacking trash cans for long exposure photos (not a joke - that would seriously definitely happen)
— Mark Willard (@MarkWillard85) June 25, 2015Many other tourist attractions around the world, including the Smithsonian, the Palace of Versailles, and the Colosseum in Rome have banned selfie sticks on their grounds.
Update: And there's this:
Disney has a wonderful replacement for your selfie stick. It's called a "cast member," and he or she gladly will take your picture for you.
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) June 26, 2015You Might Also Like:
Two thumbs up to Disney for not only looking out for their park guests and the overall atmosphere and safety, but also for taking the lead in the destruction of one of the worst American fads in history.
Just as the old saying goes: "It only takes a few bad apples to ruin the whole bunch."
To me, I did not see this any different than your arm, You can't stick your arm out of a ride, why a stick?
I think it is terrible they are getting rid of it because of rude guests. There is plenty going on in the parks that I take issue with.
That being said, they seem more out of control at Disneyland.
One late evening I was THE ONLY rider on Star Tours in Walt Disneyworld and tried to take some still photos of the pilot and screen...lights came on and the effects stopped as the operator reminded me that photos were not permitted and if I persisted that the ride would be stopped completely.
Another time at Disneyland, I was going to attempt video filming on the Indiana Jones Adventure and the cast member loading us on the ride noticed, and forced me to turn it off and pack it all away before he would release the ride vehicle.
Disney does whatever it can to enforce the rules they've mandated. I've reported on smokers performing their filthy habit outside of designated areas (should be NO designated areas in my opinion, smoke at home or in your car) and security and cast members in most cases have no problem walking up to individuals and informing them that they can be removed from the parks.
The problem isn't really with selfie-sticks, it's that there are a high percentage of people who USE selfie sticks who lack any common sense on when it's appropriate to use one. This is akin to the people who like to climb up on thin railings over Niagara Falls for that "perfect photo" only to lose their balance and well become part of this famous attraction in a way they never dreamed (This actually happened in recent years)
Why a former Universal employee would be commenting on Disney security and enforcement of procedures is a laugh anyway. You see more people smoking throughout the Universal parks freely than anywhere else.
I've been going to Disney almost every year since I was 28 years old, and I can assure you that every ride loader does a thorough check to ensure that every seat belt is tight and secure, monitoring the sensors on each ride vehicle. But you can never underestimate the stupidity of an individual. If someone tries to stand up on a seated water ride, or put their hands in the water of Pirates of the Caribbean when logic suggests that there are hundreds of moving belts and gears and guides that are under the water surface, they are going to hurt themselves.
Safety is a religion to all Disney Cast Members, particularly those in charge of running the various attractions.
It's unfortunate that the "stupid" selfie stick users are cause of a park-wide ban, but Disney has to proceed with the notion that there are more of these people, than the ones with common sense. That's why they are constantly telling people to keep moving, use up all available space, and not to block entrances and exits...because common sense is not so common anymore!
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