“For your safety and the safety of others please keep your hands, arms, and legs inside the vehicle at all times. Young children should be accompanied by an adult.” We hear this announcement at Disney Parks all the time while scurrying onto a ride and throwing our bags at our feet or under an attraction seat. This request is made is to ensure that riders and equipment don’t get hurt or damaged while the ride is in motion, as well as to make an evacuation easier if needed (just like on a plane) and to prevent injuries like the ones that occurred in Spring 2014. Late last night TMSM was flooded with private messages from readers about articles saying that the Parks were going to either ban selfie sticks from rides and/or the parks. Technically though selfie sticks shouldn’t have been in use in rides to begin with as they violate the attraction safety rules, and become a possible hazard, and in some case a distraction on the attraction.
Today a Disney Spokesperson confirmed to the Orlando Sentential that Selfie Sticks were not being banned from the parks, but that the parks were going to better enforce the existing rules about items needing to be stowed on rides*. The official quote from Disney’s spokesperson per the Orlando Sentinel was “The official policy has not changed, guests riding attractions, trams and other moving vehicles are already asked to securely stow any equipment such as cameras, canes and other personal belongings — and selfie sticks are in the same category.” So be prepared to hear “Please securely stow all personal items such as cameras, bags, hats, selfie sticks and of course “these little beauties.” the next time you ride Soarin’.
While we know the Selfie Stick fight is just as passionate as the Pro and Anti Disney Dining Plan fight, we want to remind those park guests that use selfie sticks to be aware of others when using them.
~Please don’t raise them in the air above crowds blocking the view of those behind you, while creating a bright screen mark in their field of vision. If you must raise it up in the night sky turn the screens display lighting down or off.
~Please pull over to the side of the “road” in the parks to take your selfie, don’t stop right in a walkway.
~Make sure when extending your selfie stick to watch for others who may not see you to avoid their being injured.
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