Disney bans selfie sticks. Photograph: Nick Hubbard / Flickr [Creative Commons 2.0]
Starting from next week, Walt Disney World will prohibit visitors from carrying selfie sticks into its theme parks. The company cites safety concerns as the reason for the ban.
Previously, the popular accessory, which allows cellphone and camera users to take photos of themselves at range, was allowed inside the parks but not on the rides. However, after a long internal debate and a series of incidents, one of which saw a roller coaster ride shut down for an hour after a visitor pulled out a selfie stick in the middle of a ride, Disney decided to ban the tool from its parks. On Tuesday, June 30th, the policy will come into effect at Walt Disney World and California's Disneyland. One July 1st, the same rule will start being enforced at theme parks owned by Disney in Paris and Hong Kong.
Disney World spokeswoman Kim Prunty said:
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.”
Once the policy comes into effect, staff members will be checking visitors for the popular accessory during routine bag checks near the parks' entrances. Guests found carrying a selfie stick will be asked to either leave it in storage for later pick-up or return it to their cars or hotels.
Disney isn't the first to impose a ban on the stick. Other locations, such as museums and stadiums, have similar rules disallowing visitors from bringing the tool. For example, this year the selfie stick has been banned from Wimbledon and the Cannes Film Festival.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
