Walt Disney World Resort Clarifies Policy on Selfie Sticks in Theme Parks
The next time you're ready to take the plunge on Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom just remember to keep your hands, arms, legs, and selfie sticks inside the ride vehicle at all time. Because, while selfie sticks haven't been banned at the Disney theme parks, they are prohibited on all attractions.
Keep the selfie sticks stowed on Disney attractions
The use of selfie sticks has grown in popularity at the Walt Disney World Resort (and everywhere else) in the last few years and Disney has recently clarified its policy on the ubiquitous accessory: the sticks must be stowed with all other personal belongings on all attractions.
This means the selfie sticks must be secured with your cameras, smartphones, backpacks, and anything else you bring on an attraction. You can't hold on to it, hoping to get that money shot as you plunge down the hill on Splash Mountain.
However, when you're walking through the theme parks you're still free to use the selfie sticks to take the best selfie ever in front of Cinderella Castle. Just be mindful of other guests.
How do you feel about the use of selfie sticks at the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
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Noelia wrote on Sun, 04/12/2015 - 15:04:
Well, everybody tries to sue Disney for anything so I understand their concern about selfie sticks in attractions. While nothing dangerous could happen on "It's a small world", other attractions that include a little more active rides like "Pirates of the Caribbean" or "Splash Mountain" could result in guests injured and equipment damaged (both the guests' and the parks'). So I understand Disney when they ban the usage inside the attractions.
Pamela wrote on Sun, 04/12/2015 - 15:58:
I hope Selfish Sticks (as I like to call them) will be banned altogether. I have been hit twice in the face and head with sticks while waiting in ride lines. I have bruises on my arms from a woman who only partially folded up her stick and left most of it hanging out of her backpack then she repeatedly poked people as she barrelled through a crowd. I saw a man whack a child pretty hard (a toddler who was on his father's shoulders) because he insisted on walking around with the fully extended Selfish Stick resting on his shoulder -- the father of the child nearly punched him in the face. My husband and I no longer attend shows or parades because they are now just a sea of Selfish Sticks and iPads being held up high to record the proceedings -- you can't get a clear view of anything. I really don't understand their use in theme parks -- I feel they are better meant to capture wide angle shots in open spaces. Users of Selfish Sticks are only getting shots of lots of strangers in the background of their pictures -- why bother when they can get great shots taken on their phone/camera of everyone in their party by Disney professional photographers for free? I notice that Disney is actually selling Minnie Mouse branded Selfish Sticks. I am guessing they will not be banned in the parks until someone gets serious injured or people get into fist fights over invaded space or injuries.
Lu wrote on Mon, 04/13/2015 - 01:42:
I agree with the rule. The sticks could be dropped while riding and someone could get injured. Hopefully, people follow the rule so that the right to use it in the park isn't taken away.
Jack wrote on Mon, 04/13/2015 - 10:55:
People are obsessed with technology....how many pictures of yourself does one possibly need? I predict that some one will get harpooned with a selfie stick while riding......Too bad we have to make rules to enforce common sense....but there are idiots out there who don't follow rules and have no brains.
Cindy Kay wrote on Tue, 04/14/2015 - 15:06:
While waiting for the pre-show at Test Track, two guys were extending their selfie stick behind me and it got caught up in my hair. I was nice about it, but I explained that not everyone would be as nice as I was and they need to be more careful. They looked at me like I had 6 heads and laughed about it. Maybe it's not the selfie sticks that need banned... it's the rude users.
Disfan wrote on Wed, 04/22/2015 - 02:49:
I'm in total agreement with Pamela. Watching a parade or Wishes is a totally different experience now that people have iPads, selfie sticks, etc. in the parks. I wish I could understand why people don't think about the guests around them when they block their view with these things. Are there really that many people who just don't care? I wish Disney cared and banned all of it from the parks or, at the very least, during fireworks and parades.
CueLannoo wrote on Sun, 05/17/2015 - 13:57:
So I am a new parent and owner of a gopro camera (and what is now known as a selfie stick as well as many other mounts for my camera.) I am also a responsible adult who uses the camera pole as intended (responsibly!) In a couple of months I will be taking my daughter to WDW for her first trip ever. I do not want to record Wishes or the parades or anything obstructing any other vacationer's experience. I want to document my child's first experience as my parents did for me. The only difference is that I now have the ability to be in those videos with her instead of behind the camera. There are many amazing videos on YouTube where parents with selfie sticks use them responsibly on ride vehicles keeping them strapped on and in their laps just documenting riding rides like BTMRR with their children. (Example: http://youtu.be/v0MZQvPTK9c) Do some people take this too far, absolutely! But I wouldn't knock every person in the parks who owns one. For some people it's a hobby and are trying to document amazing memories being made. Am I against idiots sticking a 40" pole out of a ride vehicle? You bet! But am I against them banning the thing for everyone? Not really. I hope this comment helps folks realize not everyone with these things wants to ruin your vacation. We just want to remember ours. If Disney offered on ride videos like some attractions at theme parks I may be inclined to buy that instead of bringing my GoPro. After all, I stopped bringing my DSLR and only use memory maker now just because I was tired of being behind the camera.
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