This Banned Travel Item Could Get You Kicked Out Of Disney Parks

Disney parks are designed to welcome everyone — and for the most part, they succeed. Designers have gone to great lengths to accommodate every kind of physical disability, special need, and type of neurodivergence in existence, and they're constantly finding new ways to refine their hospitality. You can bring your own snacks and water, or an entire picnic, as long as there's no alcohol and the meal is low maintenance. Most attire is welcome; guests are simply asked to wear shirts and shoes and avoid offensive messages and revealing clothing. You can photograph (and shoot video of) just about anything in the park, as long as it's for personal use. Certain service animals are permitted as well, including dogs and miniature horses. There's actually a whole list of things you should pack for Disney that you might not pack for other theme parks.

That said, the management at Disney parks has pretty clear rules, and some of them might surprise first-time visitors. If Disney World seems like a perfect environment for adult cosplay, think again; costumes are not permitted on the premises, unless you're age 13 or younger. Balloons, plastic straws, and folding chairs are all forbidden in Disney parks, as are drones, fireworks, and pepper spray. Any of these might seem cool or useful, but they must all remain at home.

One prohibited item is especially surprising: Disney parks won't let you pass through the main gate with a selfie stick. That helpful tool for shooting self-portraits is a no-go in any of the Disney properties, and if you want to photograph yourself in front of Cinderella's castle, you'll have to find a lower-tech solution. The stick's no good here.

The rule makes sense, of course; selfie sticks aren't necessary to have a good time at Disney, and these telescoping rods can be a real liability in confined and crowded spaces. In theory, such sticks could be used as a weapon, but it's more likely that selfie-snappers will get in others' way, smack strangers by accident, and generally annoy nearby patrons. Selfie sticks are used more and more for video as well, which enables vloggers and influencers to monologue to their cameras in photogenic locations, often to the detriment of others. The same way the popular Italian town of Portofino has cracked down on mindless tourist selfies, Disney parks have tried to corral narcissistic documentarians.

If you simply must take a picture of yourself at Disney parks — which most of us will happily do, if only to commemorate our visit — there are lots of ways to get the shot. The simplest is to take a traditional selfie, holding the camera aloft and aiming it at yourself and your company. You could also ask someone else to take a picture of you, either a passerby or a Disney staffer; in the happiest place on Earth, it's unlikely anyone would walk off with your camera or phone. Finally, there's the trusty tripod; Disney parks may have banned selfie sticks, but you can carry a reasonably sized stand for your device, then use a timer or remote control to activate the shutter. Note that tripods can't be used just anywhere in the park; make sure to check with an employee before framing your shot. If you're hoping to up your imaging game, this unexpected tip will have you taking the best travel photos of your life.