Guests have strong feelings about a particular item being allowed on Disney rides and attractions.
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Despite being called “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” the Walt Disney World Resort still has real-world rules and regulations that guests are expected to follow. Not only do rules keep guests and Disney employees safe, but they also allow the Disney theme parks to maintain their now-famous level of quality.
From dress code violations to inappropriate behavior, there’s a lot guests can actually do wrong during their Disney World vacation, though thankfully, Disney is incredibly gracious and understanding of most of these offenses.
Of course, this does not translate to more serious circumstances, such as guests hopping off attractions mid-ride or engaging in physical altercations with others, though these instances are incredibly rare.
However, some guests actually think Disney needs to be stricter when it comes to personal items.
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A discussion on the official Walt Disney World Reddit highlighted a growing concern among not just Disney fans but theme park goers in general: cell phones.
It’s been highly debated whether guests should be allowed to hold their phones while onboard rides and attractions. Disney takes a different stance on the issue compared to its competitors like Universal, Six Flags and SeaWorld.
Disney allows most personal items, including phones, to be brought on its attractions, though there are specific rules for select experiences. For example, guests are asked to place all of their belongings in lockers before riding TRON Lightcycle / Run, one of the resort’s newest rides.
However, this is the exception, not the rule, with guests feeling it’s time Disney made a change to its phone policy. The question about whether or not phones belong on Disney rides was asked on Reddit, a prompt that garnered a range of responses.
“What would be your thoughts,” asked the guest, “if some WDW attractions had ride vehicles with explicit ‘No phone’ policies?” The user shared their solution, coming up with the idea of every third ride vehicle on Pirates of the Caribbean being labeled as a “no phone” boat, allowing guests to choose what they’re comfortable with.
What are your thoughts on attractions having 'no phone' ride vehicles?
byu/thermal7 inWaltDisneyWorld
The post was met with a variety of reactions from several guests, with many agreeing that phone usage on rides is something that should stop. “I think this is a good idea in spirit, but it would be an operational headache and I have doubts the types of people that record rides would even follow the rule,” said user joahw.
Reddit user Mikehoncho2568 said, “Every vehicle should be a no phone vehicle.”
User Cocofluffy1 agreed, saying, “I’d be a big fan. We can start with every ride in the park being no phone.”
Reddit user SilverCamaroZ28 shared their own personal account of dealing with phone usage on rides, saying, “Had a jerk on Avatar boat ride with flash on the entire time. I like to think he had a medical condition, but I know he didn’t… Got off, waited for them to walk away, told a cast member, got instantly back on. We were inconvenienced for four minutes but who does that?!”
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It’s unlikely Disney will do a complete 180 and ban phones from all rides, though it’s possible the resort takes a second look at how phones are being used on its attractions.
While phones are not explicitly prohibited on rides, guests are encouraged to keep their hands free and their personal items secured in the ride’s baggage area.
As the debate rages on, guests should be aware of the items they actually aren’t allowed to bring into the Walt Disney World Resort and its theme parks. The following items are prohibited by Walt Disney World:
Prohibited Items
- Firearms, ammunition, knives and weapons of any kind.
- Self-defense or restraining devices (e.g., pepper spray, mace).
- Marijuana (including marijuana enriched products) or any illegal substance.
- Objects or toys that appear to be firearms or weapons.
- Fireworks or other similarly explosive and/or flammable objects, smoke machines or fog machines.
- Alcoholic beverages, except at the Disney Resort hotels. Wine may be brought in to Disney Springs to be consumed at select table service restaurants only, corkage fees apply.
- Glass containers (excluding small containers such as baby food jars), except in the Disney Resort hotels.
- Horns, whistles, large megaphones or artificial noise makers.
- Recreational devices such as drones, remote-control toys, skateboards, scooters, inline skates or shoes with built-in wheels. Bicycles are permitted only in designated Disney Resort areas.
- Strollers that are greater than 31″ (79 cm) in width and 52″ (132 cm) in length. Stroller wagons are also prohibited.
- Wagons are prohibited at any theme park or water park. Wagons are prohibited at indoor venues at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
- Any trailer-like object that is pushed, pulled or towed by an Electric Conveyance Vehicle, wheelchair, stroller or person.
- Wheeled mobility devices with less than 3 wheels or devices that cannot maintain stability and balance when stopped, unpowered and/or unoccupied. Training wheels and/or modifications are not permitted. Devices must be manually or electrically powered and operated at a walking pace. Devices should be single rider and not exceed 36″ (92 cm) in width and 52″ (132 cm) in length.
- Suitcases, bags, coolers or backpacks, with or without wheels, larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) are not allowed in any theme park or water park. Loose or dry ice is not permitted in these containers. Re-usable ice packs are recommended.
- Folding chairs are not allowed in any theme park, water park, or at Disney Springs.
- Selfie sticks, hand-held extension poles for cameras or mobile devices, flags and banners are not allowed in any theme park or water park.
- Tripods or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack or that extend over 6′ (182 cm) are not allowed in theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, or ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
- Balloons are not permitted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village and Jambo House).
- Plastic straws are not permitted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, water parks or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village and Jambo House).
- Non-Coast Guard approved flotation devices or swim noodles at any water park.
- Additional prohibited items at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- Generators
- Propane heaters
- Large misting fans (personal handheld misting fans are permitted)
- Flags/banners of any kind that are larger than 3′ x 5′ regardless of how the flag/banner is intended to be carried
- Metal flag poles. Flag poles must be made out of wood, plastic and/or PVC. Flag poles cannot be longer than 4′, have diameters larger than 2″, or have decorative or sharp ends.
- Coolers are prohibited at indoor venues, except for team coolers which must remain at the team bench.
- Folding chairs are not permitted in the stadium, indoor venues, or at select outdoor events
What do you think about this topic? Should Disney do something?