When you’re packing for your next trip to Disney World, there are some things you might want to leave at home!
Epcot
Disney is notorious for going the extra mile to make guests happy. But that doesn’t mean you’ll never hear the word “no” in Disney World! There are several things that Disney has BANNED from the parks. You won’t get these things through the gates no matter how much you sweet-talk security!
Drones
Thinking about bringing your drone to snag some awesome aerial shots of the parks? Think again! Some parts of Disney World including the Magic Kingdom, sections of Epcot, and some of the resort areas are official no-fly zones. But even if you’re not located in one of the no-fly zones, security still won’t allow guests to fly drones on property!
Disney World
The ban is due to security concerns (which is a trend you’ll see with many items on this list). So, leave the drones at home and stick to photos you can capture from the ground!
Click here to see how else Disney is working to make sure guests stay safe!
Political Signs
Another no-no in the parks — political signs! Disney doesn’t allow guests to display any political banners on property. And don’t try to get around it under the guise of a Mrs. Banks costume! Costumes aren’t allowed for guests ages 14 and older (with the exception of some special events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party)!
©Disney
While this might seem like a ban that goes without saying, there have been instances of guests violating this rule in the past. So keep your campaign materials at home, we’re pretty sure Magic Kingdom is in good hands with Cinderella and Prince Charming at the wheel!
Here are some essentials you SHOULD pack in your park bag!
Selfie Sticks
When selfie sticks first made their debut, guests were able to bring them to the parks. And boy, did they! But, as the trend grew, Disney realized the issues with tons of guests waving around metal rods. So now, selfie sticks are banned from the parks!
Mickey Mouse
Think about a guest pulling one out on a thrill ride like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or Expedition Everest — YIKES! Even if you’re not on a high-speed attraction, you could still end up with a pretty decent bump if someone is waving one around in a crowded area!
Folding Chairs
If we had a dollar for every time we found ourselves wanting a chair while staking out a viewing spot for Enchantment, or Festival of Fantasy, we could book our own VIP Tour! But there’s a good reason we haven’t given in to the temptation. Guests aren’t allowed to bring folding chairs into the parks!
Festival of Fantasy
As harmless as a chair may seem, they cause a potential tripping hazard and block walkways (which are already congested)! If you want to get a good Enchantment viewing spot without having to stake it out for hours, consider a Fireworks Dessert Party!
Click here to learn more about the Fireworks Dessert Party options!
Glass Containers
Guests are allowed to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages into the parks as long as they aren’t in a glass container! Of course, the concern here is the potential danger of broken glass. Disney does make an exception for small containers, like baby food jars.
Skyliner Water Bottle
Glass containers are fine in the hotels (but not by the pool!), so they aren’t completely banned from Disney property. Just make sure to leave them out of your park bag!
Check out our ultimate Disney packing list here!
Skateboards and Rollerblades
Leave your wheels at home! Skateboards, scooters, in-line skates, and shoes with built-in wheels are all off-limits on Disney property. But if you want to go for a leisurely ride, bicycles are permitted within designated Disney Resort areas. In fact, you can even rent bikes at some Disney hotels!
Surrey Bike
Disney doesn’t want guests to take a spill or run into other guests so these pieces of extreme sports equipment aren’t welcome on property!
Check out these ideas for spending a day outside of the parks at Disney!
Weapons
This might be the most obvious item on our list. Weapons of any kind are prohibited throughout Disney property. That includes firearms, ammunition, and knives, as well as self-defense and restraining devices like pepper spray and tasers.
Blue lightsaber
This ban also includes toys that look like weapons, so if your kiddo is dressing up as Sheriff Woody, be sure to leave the cap gun at home! The one notable exception to this ban — toy lightsabers are allowed. And oddly enough, toys that look like weapons are sometimes sold in the parks.
See what it’s like to build your own lightsaber in Galaxy’s Edge here!
Artificial Noise Makers
There’s already a lot going on at Disney World without guests adding their own soundtrack! So it’s probably for the best that Disney has banned horns, whistles, large megaphones, and artificial noisemakers from the parks. Noise makers could seriously take away from the parades, fireworks, and entertainment that Disney works so hard to deliver. So we can definitely get behind this ban!
Guests can enjoy tons of entertainment at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Check it out here!
Pets
Disney does offer a few pet-friendly hotels, but animals aren’t permitted in the parks! They do make exceptions for service animals, but emotional support, comfort, and companion animals DO NOT meet the criteria to enter the parks.
Hi Pluto!
So if you see a furry friend in any of the parks, that doggy must be on duty!
You can get your animal fix in Disney World with this AWESOME tour!
Smoking
This is a relatively recent ban, so if you haven’t been to Disney World in a few years, you may have missed it! As of May 1, 2019, smoking was banned inside all of the Disney World parks. But that doesn’t mean there’s no smoking allowed anywhere on Disney property! There are smoking areas provided outside the main entrances of the theme parks, at the hotels, and in Disney Springs.
No Smoking Sign
When you’re packing your park bag, don’t forget this list of things behind! We appreciate that Disney does their best to keep all of their guests safe and happy, so we’re definitely willing to respect these rules!
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I am so glad I got my last trip to Disney of 10 days in, 2 weeks before the no smoking in the parks took effect..I guess Disney thinks we are low class guests and have no rights. Even though we pay as much money as everyone else. I love Disney but I won’t be back again to be treated like a sub-human person.I guess the dictatorship doesn’t want our money anymore.
Unfortunately those who broke the rules made it that way for people who did comply .
A different look at Gordys view.
I am so glad they ban smoking in Disneyland parks as well as Disney World. For people that cannot stand the smell of cigarettes, cigars and pipes people shouldn’t be forced to smell your non medically needed habit. It’s a choice to smoke and you can do it if you’d like. But it is not a choice not to smell your second hand smoke. And that’s not even getting into the fact that there are people with asthma, COPD other lung and breathing issues. They all have to be trapped by your choice.
What about those folding chair Canes that older folks carry around.
It’s basically a cane with 3 legs and a small circular seat.
I would hate for my grandfather to bring his and be turned away at the gate.
The smoking rule is something that I don’t understand….. They always had area off the beaten path where someone could go and have a cigarette. It wasn’t near anyone so I don’t know why they stopped it… I don’t smoke but it never bothered me the way they had it… If they start loosing money I bet they would allow it again…
So emotional support pets are banned from the parks? I’ve seen this rule been broken several times at most of the parks here in Florida. A few of the pets were even being carried by their owners.
As far as the smoking ban, I can say that it may be due to the litter of stubs that cast members need to clean up. Not to mention the ashes and such. Plus it may be to limit flammable in the parks. Why carry matches or a lighter around and risk accidentally setting a fire. While the risk may be extremely low, why risk damaging the parks because of a bad habit?
Disney has created a monster with electronic information, I can be run into several times a day by people paying more attention to their electronic devices than where they are walking.
I am allergic to cigarette smoke and even just smelling it, triggers an allergic reaction in me. Including a migraine, stinging eyes, blocked up nose and airway. A person should be able to go places without inhaling toxic fumes. If they put a smokestack up spewing these toxic chemicals, everyone would be outraged. Smokers need to get over themselves thinking that they are somehow a victim. You wouldn’t go up to someone that is allergic to peanut butter and put it right in their face. But that is what smoking does. It travels a great distance and even with the smoking areas, it was impossible to get through the day without smelling it. And let’s not forget all of those who just smoked wherever they wanted anyway. Having an allergy to cigarettes is horrible. I can’t even go to the grocery store without running into someone who just has to get in their last puff right by the door. God forbid you go without a cigarette for 20 minutes while you are in the store. Gordy, my Mom had the same attitude that you did, that it was somehow her right to smoke when and where she wanted. But this ban won’t be a problem for her since she died 10 years ago at the age of 62 of lung cancer.
I didn’t even realized there was smoking at Disney World until I accidentally walked into a smoking area several years ago.
That’s funny. I still walk in to smoke filled areas even though it’s been banned for a over a year.
I don’t smoke, but smoking has never bothered me at Disney. The smoking spots are out of the way and can easily be avoided. I have never even smelled smoke at Disney and we have been there right at 50 trips times.
Lisa Weaver, your are fortunate to be one of those that cigarette smoke does not bother you. There are many people like myself, whom it not only “bothers”, but are allergic to it. I can smell smoke from quit a distance and it gives me an immediate migraine and it also blocks my nose and throat. It is a legitimate, dangerous allergic reaction. And many of the old designated smoking areas where in places along the main paths that you could not avoid. For example, the one over the bridge by EE in AK, the one on the path to the international gateway(which you could not avoid if you stayed in those resorts). This allergy is no different then something like a peanut dust allergy. If you or your child were severely allergic to peanut dust, and people would puff away and disperse it in the air, you can be sure that more people would be up in arms about it because of the dangers. Especially in a child friendly place like a theme park.
I was in the MK during New Years Eve 1975. They gave away party horns to all entrants starting about 2:00 pm
Dear God, I can STILL hear those horns bleating. (LOL)
Their being banned isn’t a bad thing.
You shouldn’t need a smoke! You’re at the Happiest Place on Earth!
Can you take medication tabs & in a 100ml glass bottle?
What about wagons? I’ve heard only strollers are allowed but not wagons.
To Gordy: WHY should other be forced to smell your smoke, notwithstanding the health hazard that second hand smoke presents! Oh, by the way…I quit smoking 12 years ago!
Still waiting for the dining plan to return!
Another odd one is ice! For coolers for little ones/babys, you can bring ice packs but they dont allow loose lice to be in coolers
How about banning politically motivated t shirts and hats!
Unless it’s obscene, not likely Disney would ban a politically oriented shirt or cap.