Disney parks ban the selfie stick

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Photo Courtesy of Moviepilot.com
Disney bans selfie sticks from all domestic parks beginning June 30.

If you want that perfect selfie of Micky and Minnie Mouse you are going to have to take it without the selfie stick.

Selfie sticks were banned from inside all domestic Disney water and theme parks as well as gaming centers and downtown Disney locations. This ban took effect July 1 in Disney Paris and Hong Kong and June 29 in all other Disney parks.

The selfie stick has become a major safety issue at Disney due to large crowds and heavy foot traffic.

The battle of the selfie stick has been ongoing for Disney. Previously, Disney had a policy of allowing selfie sticks in the parks, but not on rides; due to safety concerns Disney decided to ban the sticks from the parks entirely, according to Melanie Vogel, Disneyland media relations representative.

“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,” said Suzi Brown, Disney spokesperson.

In May, Disney began to crack down on selfie sticks on rides by placing “no selfie sticks” signs by the entrances of all major attractions and rides. According to Disneyland officials, park guests are supposed to store all their belongings while rides are in progress.

However, a man pulled out his selfie stick at the top of Disneyland California Adventure’s California Screaming ride to try to take what could have been a deadly and extremely hazardous selfie. The ride was shut down for more than an hour.

“There are plenty of appropriate places to use a Selfie On A Stick, but Space Mountain in not one of them,”Jacqueline Verdier, CEO of Selfie On A Stick, said in an email to The Universe. “When using a Selfie On A Stick, you just need to be aware of others around you and your environment. We always encourage our customers to follow the rules and regulations of whatever establishment they are visiting — there are plenty of totally appropriate places to use a Selfie On A Stick!”

Lauren Burgess, a former Disney World character performer, is relieved that the selfie stick is banned from Disney attractions.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have walked into a selfie stick because I couldn’t see it through my costume,” Burgess said. “I don’t think people realize that when they stop to take a selfie in a crowded place like Disney that they are holding up traffic and causing congestion.”

Bags will be checked for selfie sticks upon entering the park, per Walt Disney Resort Park Rules. Guests with a selfie stick will be asked to return them to their hotel or car, or leave them to be picked up later. Signs in parking lots and hotels will encourage and remind patrons to leave their selfie sticks behind.

Disney now joins a list of other high-traffic, high-volume venues, such as Coachella, the Kentucky Derby, and Smithsonian Museums, that have banned the selfie stick from their premises.

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