Disney Aims to Make Selfie Sticks Disappear

Selfie sticks are no longer an accepted part of a magical Disney experience. The theme parks have announced a ban on the cellphone accessories starting June 30.

Selfie sticks are handheld devices that make it easier for people to shoot photos of themselves and others from their cellphones. By providing a little distance between the user and the camera, they enable better framed shots for the most part.

Regardless of their ability to add artistry to self-portraits, the projecting sticks have been deemed a safety hazard by Disney park officials. Earlier this year, Disney instituted a selfie stick ban on all its rides and attractions, but stopped short of prohibiting them from the parks entirely.

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That stand changes June 30 when park goers in Florida and California will find the devices are no longer allowed through the gates, the Orlando Sentinel reported. The new policy prohibits bringing selfie sticks into any Disney theme park, including water parks and DisneyQuest.

“We strive to provide a great experience for the entire family, and unfortunately selfie-sticks have become a growing safety concern for both our guests and cast,” Disney World spokeswoman Kim Prunty told Patch.

The new rules will also apply to Disney’s parks in Hong Kong and Paris starting on July 1.

Disney explains that while the ride-based ban went into effect in May, many visitors have failed to follow it. Despite signs that advise no selfie sticks and verbal warnings, popular attractions have been forced to face down time because of use of the devices, which disrupts guest experiences.

Guests will be asked to leave their sticks at home, take them back to their vehicles or hotels or simply check them at the gate for pick up later.

Bans on selfie sticks are increasingly becoming the norm at attractions and events. Many theme parks in Great Britain have also banned them as has the Smithsonian Institute complex. Selfie sticks have also been banned at popular sporting events, such as the Kentucky Derby, the Australian Open and Wimbledon, among others.

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