Poll: Should Disney Ban iPads From the Parks?

[luvmymouse]

In one day at MK we had two shows destroyed by an ipad, my child couldn't see a thing. It's awful that people are so rude, and I wish they would at least attempt to discourage the use at all shows. They could have an announcement asking people to be considerate and not to hold their screens up blocking others. I'd prefer a ban but if that's not happening, then at least an attempt to remind people they are not alone in the parks would be something. It stinks to wait an hour for a show and have it destroyed like that. Many public places, schools, auditoriums do this now. I am sure rude people would still do as they pkease but maybe those who do it without realizing the problem they cause would think twice.

This is what my DD and I have thought for years! The least the parks could do before shows is ask guests to be considerate of other guests around them by not blocking their views with phones, cameras, computers, and children placed on the shoulders of adults. This would allow cast members to speak to guests and perhaps make more people feel comfortable speaking up.

 

[Magpie]

Banning bubbles? Never intended to go there! My post was about speaking up respectfully!

Hey, no joke. Banning bubbles has come up as a topic here in the past. The last time I read a heated thread on the topic, there were folks weighing in who claimed to have severe allergies to bubbles, such that one bubble landing on their skin would cause welts and blisters. Fortunately, another poster was considerate enough to respond with a post listing all the rides and areas of Disney World that they should avoid. Thanks to this discussion, every time I go to a show with bubbles, I now scan the audience looking for someone with their head and arms pulled into their shirt.

 

[maxiesmom]

So sad that we can't just ban bad manners.

Very true!

So people, where do we draw the line on banning stuff that blocks other people's view. Do you tell people they can't wear high heels if they are already over a certain height? No tall hair updos? Only people under 5'5 can wear Mickey Ears? No more selling light up toys as they irritate some people?

I think there is a massive difference between banning something for safety's sake and banning something that annoys other guests. Because let's face it, we all probably do something that annoys other guests at some point during our trips.

 

[GotLabradors]

As much as I want to capture memories of our trip, I don't want to spend it behind a screen either. Be courteous and live in the moment with your family.

 

[luvmymouse]

Very true!

So people, where do we draw the line on banning stuff that blocks other people's view. Do you tell people they can't wear high heels if they are already over a certain height? No tall hair updos? Only people under 5'5 can wear Mickey Ears? No more selling light up toys as they irritate some people?

I think there is a massive difference between banning something for safety's sake and banning something that annoys other guests. Because let's face it, we all probably do something that annoys other guests at some point during our trips.

Not everyone on here voted to ban iPads from the parks. Many would like to see them not used during parades and shows where they block views. Others would like for an announcement to be made asking guests to simply be considerate of others.

There are many places where behaviors are prohibited for reasons that don't involve safety. Rules based on clothing, noise level, use of cameras or music players, and eating and drinking are usually based on what people find to be bothersome, annoying, or offensive. These kind of "rules" can be found at restaurants, theaters, shopping malls and many other places.

I'm certain if the person sitting in a movie theater next to you opened up his iPad or turned on her phone during the movie to play games or text friends you would be happy that the theater has a rule to prevent this from being an annoyance to you so you could enjoy the show.

 

[DisneyBelle27]

Very true!

So people, where do we draw the line on banning stuff that blocks other people's view. Do you tell people they can't wear high heels if they are already over a certain height? No tall hair updos? Only people under 5'5 can wear Mickey Ears? No more selling light up toys as they irritate some people?

I think there is a massive difference between banning something for safety's sake and banning something that annoys other guests. Because let's face it, we all probably do something that annoys other guests at some point during our trips.

A big difference between these types of things and the iPad phenomenon, though, is that people aren't waiting until the last minute to suddenly put their high heels on, do up their hair in a beehive, or grow 6 inches. A person in heels and a beehive is going to be that way from the moment they line up for something, so I can choose not to stand behind them. As a pp said, unless someone is standing there holding their iPad up in the air from the minute they start waiting for something to start, I have no way of basing my location on the fact that they are going to be blocking my view once the show starts.

 

[Jennasis]

I hate them and think very little of inconsiderates who hold them up during shows etc...but i would settle for a pre-show/parade announcement to please not hold up your cameras/tablets etc and do not put children on your shoulders.

 

[3CW]

Considering we were just there this weekend and saw a ton of selfie sticks in use, I doubt a tablet ban would be any better enforced. (Edit - Apparently the ban doesn't start until 6/30. So maybe there's hope.)

I hate all such rudeness like this, including video/flash photo on dark rides, but I feel like it's increased in frequency like 500% over the last couple of years, sadly. We're losing a basic sense of courtesy in this society.

And I am another one who doesn't speak up. I used to, but then an attempt to politely ask someone in our boat on Pirates to stop videoing with a bright light led to his angrily shouting at us through the rest of the ride, and his attempt to start a physical fight with me in the gift shop afterward. I refused to engage and instead headed to the cashier and struck up a conversation with him until Crazy Jerk left...but good grief, never again.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

I don't beleive ipads will ever be completely banned at Disney. They are becoming more and more popular as a means of augmentive communication for non-verbal children/adults for way cheaper then communication systems. But I do wish there was a way where they could be made to not disrupt parades and rides though.

 

[Sweettears]

If only.......

I wonder how that training would go..........

I'm not sure but I would be willing to help.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Why does anyone want to tote one of those around the parks?

That's what I was thinking. I own one, but would never consider carrying one with me to any venue for that matter. The picture quality is poor, and I can't imagine not having any other source with which to access MDE. I'm sure there are some who only own an ipad; it just seems to be risky to take one. I wouldn't want to take a chance on getting it lost, broken or taken. A phone fits neatly into a pocket or cell phone case.

 

[DisneyBelle27]

Actually, the more I think about this issue, the more I think it is directly equatable to cell phones in movie theater policies. Do movie theaters ban cell phones? No. Do movie theaters require you to even completely shut them off? No. They merely require that you silence them. I don't think the issue of people using iPads in ways that disrupt others' viewings of shows/fireworks differs at all from this. The reason for the movie rule is to protect the customers' viewing enjoyment. Creating a policy for iPad usage would be identical. I don't really see anything controversial about this. I mean really, do you know anyone who thinks the movie theater rules are awful? Know anyone who says, "How dare the movie theaters take anyone else's happiness into consideration!?" Because I certainly don't, lol. And if I did, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be friends with them.

 

[aVASTGrl]

Oh please yes!! At least for the fireworks and parades. I can't tell you how many times I've had to step around in front of people holding up their big squares blocking everyone's view. I think it's so rude. Buy a camera. Or use your cellphone.

 

[momtosam]

Just the ones that never work right when trying to get a FP+ from a CM.

 

[Boo Bear]

I voted other because I think they should enforce rules of courtesy. I don't think they'd be able to ban iPads altogether, but I think that if a CM sees a person with iPad usage that is disrespectful of other guests, they should be asked to adjust their actions accordingly. I can see wanting to work on my iPad during DSs stroller nap, or using it to modify FP or something, but I'd never use it as my camera. That's just rude.

 

[shm_helene]

You've seen what happened to the selfie sticks -- safety concerns from the occasional lapse in common sense resulted in a total ban from Disney parks.

Now, let's look at iPads. Not smartphones, not mini-tablets, I'm talking the full-sized iPads and their clones that are as big as a sheet of paper, and which people seem to have no compunction about holding up to video entire parades or ride sequences.

Since they take up much of the view they're trying to capture, should Disney go the next step and ban them as well?

Vote in the poll and discuss in the spaces below...

I have an iPad, no iPhone. Just wanted to add another one

 

[Praying Colonel]

No, unless iPads start having an effect on attraction/guest safety that selfie sticks had become.

I find iPad viewscreens highly annoying in dark attractions/events, and I find flash photography even more annoying. But neither has an effect on attraction safety, which was the apparent concern with selfie sticks.

 

[DisneyBelle27]

No, unless iPads start having an effect on attraction/guest safety that selfie sticks had become.

I find iPad viewscreens highly annoying in dark attractions/events, and I find flash photography even more annoying. But neither has an effect on attraction safety, which was the apparent concern with selfie sticks.

Yet Disney doesn't allow flash photography on many indoor rides. That's not for safety, it's a courtesy issue. How is this any different? It's like movie theaters having silent cell phone rules. Again, not a safety issue, just a courtesy issue.

 

[JimmyBean42]

I have no problem with someone recording with an iPad as long as they don't block the view of someone else. Stand towards the back of an area where no one else can stand behind you (against a fence, a wall, etc.) and I'm fine. Sure the glare is annoying but if it's not blocking my view, I'm fine with it. I can focus on what's in front of me. Like everyone said - just be considerate. It's not that hard really but in today's day and age so many are so self obsessed they forget about their surroundings. I don't put my kids on my shoulders so they can see the parades up high so don't block my view with your tablet.

 

[Virtucomp]

Phone screens are getting larger and some tablets are smaller than a full size iPad. I don't see where you can draw a line.
I can be just as annoyed by a person holding up a large cell phone in a darkened theater as I would by an iPad. Looking into a bright screen while I'm trying to watch a show is kind of difficult.

Disneyland California Adventure has banned tablets for the Aladdin show. They made announcements in multiple languages before the show informing people that they would be asked to leave if they are found using a tablet.