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Credit: Inside the MagicFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill that could impact thousands of parents bringing their children to Disney parks. The law imposes up to a $150 fine on anyone aged seven and older who releases balloons outside in Florida, including at Walt Disney World Resort.
This is the latest in a slew of legislation that indirectly impacts Walt Disney World Resort guests and cast members. One law restricted local protections for hourly employees, banning municipalities from requiring water breaks and more. Another banned unhoused Floridians from using specific public spaces, impacting hundreds of homeless Walt Disney World Resort cast members.
Of course, these laws came months after DeSantis’s direct legal action against The Walt Disney Company. In 2022, former CEO Bob Chapek publicly condemned Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act (“Don’t Say Gay”). Weeks later, DeSantis appointed board members to take over Walt Disney World Resort’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, now called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
Disney CEO Bob Iger threatened to pull billions of dollars in investments from Florida and lead a lawsuit against DeSantis. Ultimately, a judge dismissed the initial lawsuit, and The Walt Disney Company continued to expand at Walt Disney World Resort. Residual legal battles are ongoing.
On Wednesday, concerned parents spoke out on Reddit after Gov. DeSantis signed a bill banning those seven and older from releasing a single balloon outside in Florida. The law replaces a ban on intentionally releasing ten or more balloons simultaneously. Violators could face up to a $150 fine.
The updated ban protects wildlife, including sea turtles and marine birds, that are at risk when popped balloons enter the ecosystem. It also removes a previous exemption for biodegradable balloons, which still harm aquatic life.
Balloons are one of the most popular souvenirs at Walt Disney World Resort and a staple at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park already bans balloons for the safety of its animals.
“Will I be fined now if my kid lets go of their balloon in MK?” Redditor u/Whole_Inspection2697 asked. “If my kid intentionally throws a meltdown because Seven Dwarves Mine train is temporarily closed and releases it would be my worry…I can imagine his vigilant team looking out for those ‘intentional’ releases…”
Though the ban only excludes those under seven, it’s unlikely that Florida law enforcement officers will patrol Walt Disney World Resort punishing rogue balloons. Still, that doesn’t mean Disney Park guests shouldn’t be cautious.
Most balloons sold at the Disney parks and Disney Springs come with a weight, which allows parents to grab them before they float away. Tie your Mickey balloon’s ribbon around a stroller or other heavy object–it makes finding parked strollers much easier, too!
“Just tie them to their wrist or bring something to use as a weight,” said u/Sad_Milk_8897. “Letting them release them would be incredibly negligent and borderline malicious, regardless of the fine, which — yes, you may be fined.”
Related: Disneyland Resort Officially Bans Filming, Effective Immediately
Still, the Disney Parks fan was concerned that DeSantis’s new law would negatively impact well-intentioned families.
“I just feel bad for the unsuspecting parents [whose] kids throw a fit when the cart runs out of cheeseburger egg rolls and have a ‘flyer’ on their hands,” they wrote.
Should Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s ban on releasing balloons extend to Walt Disney World Resort guests? Share your opinion with Inside the Magic in the comments.