The banishment of Selfie Sticks from the Happiest Place on Earth


NOTE: My Opinion is mine alone and does not reflect the opinion of the Walt Disney Company and other Disney fans.


In case you haven't heard, Selfie Sticks are officially banned from Disney Parks in California, Florida, Paris and Hong Kong. The ban comes after multiple complaints from fellow guests that got hit by people using the sticks and cast members who work attractions due to guests using them on attractions when they're not supposed to. Originally the ban was just for attractions and selfie sticks could still be used around the parks. But now they're not allowed in the parks for good. Signs are everywhere where guests arrive when they come to enjoy the parks. Theres even pamphlets handed out at the parking lots to inform guests that the sticks are now prohibited. Anyone caught with the sticks will have the stick sent to Guest Services to be held until the guest is leaving for the day where they can pick it up on the way out.

I personally never got into the fad and had no desire to buy one. Of course if I did had one, I'd use it responsibly. I can see how this is disappointing to those that use it and love it. But ultimately, its the ones that used it in a way that endangered the safety of others in a ride that caused this ban among other reasons. Look at California Screamin when it closed because of a selfie stick. Thats an accident waiting to happen. If some aren't going to follow the rules, then just take the privilege of bringing a selfie stick away. Then the use of it in shows. That actually defeats the purpose of having a selfie stick in the first place. People were using it as a substitute for a monopod (which BTW is still allowed) and it was annoying people and at the same time, a safety hazard. Disney puts safety first and i'm glad Disney took the right step.

The announcement of the ban could also lead to other theme parks and venues to enforce a ban that hasn't done so yet as Disney doing something big usually causes others to follow suit. No question that this is one of the best decisions this year and it was in the interest of safety.

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