Selfie sticks no longer allowed at Walt Disney World

[smjj]

We were there last week and boy are they annoying and dangerous. We were almost poked and prodded more than once. They are a long stick that people carry around just waiting to poke or injury someone. I for one am glad they are banned...smjj

 

[winthropf]

Not exactly sure how. If you have a hand to hold the selfie stick with, then you don't need a selfie stick. But people always come up with crazy things to sue theme parks for...

My guess is they would claim some mental or emotional disability.

 

[klo1335]

*cough, cough* ipads......

My father in law came to my DD4 pre-school graduation and filmed it with his ipad. I made sure he was at the back and not blocking anyone else's view. I also made fun of him for a long time after it.

I haven't been to Disney since 1998 before cell phones and digital cameras. It will be interesting to see how it is when we go in August. We actually have a GoPro and I planned on using my hand grip in the park but I keep it close to my body. Actually holding the GoPro to your chin gives you a more steady shot with it and it won't look shakey. When I first got the accessories for the GoPro I opened them all up and was surprised at how small the selfie stick was. Until my DD8 showed me how it opened up. I asked her how she knew that and she shrugged her shoulders.

 

[perkinsrose]

So needed. I noticed 5 or 6 sticks. Twice I had issues. Once was on The Great Movie Ride. A man held a stick out over my son's head and nearly hit him (twice!). The CM told him no and asked him to put it down. The second issue was in the boardwalk area. A large group filled a Surrey bike and was riding fast with a selfie stick extended out into path while riding! The egocentrism and lack of awareness of others in order to take a picture astounds me...

 

[yeheyprincex2]

When you get continually banged into, as you walk, by those using the selfie sticks, then yeah, it's time to do away with them. I'm not sure why so many people feel the need to document their walking in the parks. Try living in the moment!!! There are plenty of people out there who will gladly take a group photo of you....just ask. And the fireworks and parades? It would seem that everyone is 'entitled' to a perfect view...even if it compromises someone else's view. Can't tell you how many of those sticks are in my fireworks shots!
Not to mention the time, last month, that I watched a dad put his daughter up on his shoulders. He then took out the selfie stick...he shot himself with his dd on his shoulders....all during the fireworks. Seriously??? Just a video of your child watching the fireworks...no fireworks, that I could see, being taped!!!
So glad Disney has done this.

some one using a selfie stick bumped into me (hard) when I was at the park back in April. I'm five foot even and this person was taller, bigger than me.

 

[UpstateMick]

Maybe this will keep the "selfie-stick-types" out of the park all-together. Not to say everyone I have encountered using a selfie-stick at Disneyworld has been a nuisance, wait...actually, everyone I have encountered with a selfie-stick in Disneyworld HAS been a nuisance.

Kudos Disney. Now fix Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

That stinks. Did you try saying something to an usher?

It's hysterical that they mostly say no DSLRs at those events, but will let in an ipad. My DSLR has to be held up to my eye to use, unlike the ipad which usually causes all sorts of issues for people behind.

Yes I did, plus the usher watched her recording but said something to my husband when he tried to take a picture with our camera. Other people were recording with their cell phones but nothing was said to them either.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I don't have a problem with them and think completely banning them is a bit too much. It's unfortunate that a few people have ruined something fun and normally safe for many.

1) How do you stop careless or rude people from hurting others?
2) It only takes a few people to spoil it for everyone.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think it was easier to just ban them from the park than to try to enforce banning them on the rides. Now if they see people using them around the park (if they get through security) they can take it from them before they get on another ride. Just another layer of enforcement really.

Back in February, Universal was selling selfie sticks in the gift shops, which I thought was interesting. I wonder if they will change their policy now too.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I would rather deal with walking around someone using a selfie stick or cell phone out in the park than worry about ride stoppages and injuries with them on rides. Much less potential for injury and litigation.

They tried banning them just on rides. It appears they quickly found out if people have them along, they do not have the restraint to not use on rides. I think Disney is doing the only thing they can.

And it think we all know they're not banning cell phones. They are too integrally involved in the use of MDE.

Well, if banning cell phones means the end of MDE, I can get behind that.

 

[W.E.D.]

best news i have heard all day!

Indeed!!!

 

[Disney44please]

Yay! Good news on gay marriage and selfie sticks in one day... I must be dreaming!

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Totally depends on the camera and the settings used. Some cameras take very good pictures in low light. Cheaper cameras generally do not.

My iphone 6 plus actually takes decent pictures and I often am able to get good pictures, though on rides I almost never do. If I want a picture or video of a ride I'll just go on youtube.

 

[LanaBear-ox]

I wondered when this was going to happen!

 

[Bullseye]

I don't even own one, but I can't figure out why people hate them so much. We're at Disney every weekend and I've never seen someone hit by one nor have they ever bothered me. I just see people having fun taking fun pics of their family all at once.

I find it hard to believe that they're going to escort each person with one to guest services. Seems over kill and silly to me but I'm sure many people will quote me and tell me wrong I am. lol

Me either...we were there a couple of weeks ago and people were using them and I didn't see any problem whatsoever. We had heard the rumor that they were going to ban them and we did even notice a sign in BTMRR queue prohibiting them. But, I don't see what the big deal is. I don't think there's any more of a danger factor than someone using an umbrella.

 

[JimmyV]

I didn't see any problem whatsoever.

One must always be careful not to fall into the fallacious reasoning that: "if I didn't see it, it didn't happen." Just as one must be careful not to fall into the converse trap of: "If I saw it, it always happens."

This very small community of posters has already posted several photos of people using "look at me" sticks on rides, so we know it is a problem. How big a problem? That is up to Disney to say. If they want a zero tolerance policy against "I'm blogging about my vacation in real time" sticks, that is their prerogative.

 

[22Tink]

Me either...we were there a couple of weeks ago and people were using them and I didn't see any problem whatsoever. We had heard the rumor that they were going to ban them and we did even notice a sign in BTMRR queue prohibiting them. But, I don't see what the big deal is. I don't think there's any more of a danger factor than someone using an umbrella.

People don't generally take umbrellas on rides though, or open them up if they do. I think the issue is the ride safety.

 

[JimmyV]

People don't generally take umbrellas on rides though, ..

Only on TGMR.

Though some people show greater decorum and restraint:

 

[Bullseye]

One must always be careful not to fall into the fallacious reasoning that: "if I didn't see it, it didn't happen." Just as one must be careful not to fall into the converse trap of: "If I saw it, it always happens."

I agree, we were there for 10 days and like I said I didn't see a problem, but that doesn't mean it's not happening. In fact I have to believe that incidents have happened on a number of occasions for Disney to out-and-out ban them. Either way... doesn't really matter to me, between Memorymaker and "arms length" selfies we always have tons of pictures.

 

[Bullseye]

People don't generally take umbrellas on rides though, or open them up if they do. I think the issue is the ride safety.

Wow I never even thought of that people do it on the rides....that I did not see. Holding a stick out in front of you on a moving ride seems like a recipe for tragedy.