Disney Banishes Selfie Sticks from the Magic Kingdom

Starting next week, guests at Disneyland will be forced back into the Dark Ages when selfies were shot by hand.

Disneyland, DisneyWorld and Disney Paris are banishing the selfie stick from the Magic Kingdom.

As of June 30, neither Disneyland nor Disneyworld will allow selfie sticks in the park. Disney’s foreign parks will institute the ban on July 1. The stick, which allows users to snap selfies from more flattering angles, has become a growing safety concerning sometimes forcing the park to halt ride operations.

Guests routinely ignore signs warning them not to use the sticks on rides.

“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 Director of Media Relations & External Communications at Disneyland Resort.

Guests who violate the ban risk having their selfie stick temporarily confiscated.

“If a selfie stick is discovered in the park, we would explain the policy and escort the guest to a guest relations location where the selfie stick would be tagged and stored,” explained Brown. “And the guest could retrieve it upon exiting the park.”

Much like the selfie stick, itself, the ban on selfie sticks is a growing trend. Concert venues and museums such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, the Kentucky Derby and the Smithsonian all ban the ubiquitous device.

Photo: Patch Archive