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Last week, Disney announced the most significant Disney Parks rule changes that they’ve made in several years.  The new rules are effective May 1, 2019.  The new rules effect the US theme parks (Walt Disney World and Disneyland/California Adventure) only.  When the announcement was made, the internet went a little crazy.

You may have already heard about these changes—many news outlets have reported on them. I wanted to post about them here for those who haven’t heard or want more information.  I also want the information here on my site for my travel clients that want a quick reference.

No Smoking Inside Any US Disney Parks

Effective May 1, 2019, no smoking will be allowed inside any US Disney theme parks.  This includes Walt Disney World in Florida, Disneyland and California Adventure in California.  Also included in the smoking ban are both water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach) and ESPN Wide World of Sports in Florida and Downtown Disney in California. Disney has been gradually working up to this smoking ban, in response to consumer health concerns for many years.

A few years ago, Disney made headlines when they banned smoking in most park areas, limiting smokers to a few specific “smoking” areas in each park.  Initial response to that rule change was similar to the response to this one—lots of drama and hand wringing and threatening to not visit Disney parks any more.  Eventually, however, the vehemence of the response died down, and people seemed to adapt to the new rules.

I think it helps that many states have also passed laws prohibiting smoking in public areas.  People have become more used to these kinds of rules.  In addition, more people are choosing NOT to smoke these days as they learn more about the health risks.  The high cost/rising cost of cigarettes has also contributed to many people choosing NOT to smoke.

After May 1, smokers will have to exit the theme park and go to a designated smoking area outside the park to smoke.  As with the previous rule change, Disney will most like ramp up enforcement of this new rule over time.  However, don’t buy into the popular speculation that Disney will not enforce this new rule.  They absolutely WILL enforce it.  Disney states this rule change is in response to consumer health and safety concerns, and secondarily in response to guest demand.  Personally, I believe there is also a financial consideration for Disney, as there almost always is.

Potential Financial Considerations

If you’ve ever spent time in the approved smoking areas, or even wandered through them, you may have noticed that for every responsible smoker that disposes of their cigarette butts properly in the provided disposal units, there are two that put their butts out in the landscaping or on the ground.  In the areas with buildings immediately nearby, the smoke discolors the building materials over time.

Disney will save money on janitorial/clean up in those areas and they will protect their scenery, and reduce the need to clean and or repair those areas.

With the increased number of adults and children around the world suffering from asthma, severe allergies and lung disease related challenges, I think the smoking ban does make sense from a public health perspective.  I know that those who chose to smoke vehemently disagree on this issue.   I respect their right to their opinions and feelings on the issue; however I personally feel this is one of those times when the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.  Few, of course, is relative, in this case, as there are many people who choose to smoke.  However the scientific evidence of the risks to both the smokers themselves and the risks of those around them impacted by secondary smoke cannot be refuted.

As the parks become more crowded, it becomes increasingly difficult to protect guests from secondary smoke.  The smoking areas are becoming more crowded, and the number of people “cutting through” smoking areas has also been increasing in response to crowds.

Bottom line: the rule change is coming May 1.  Disney is not going to reverse this decision.  They recognize this may cost them some visitors; however, they seem willing to accept that.  Smokers will need to exit the parks to smoke after May 1, and then re-enter the parks after their smoke breaks.

Vaping Banned in US Disney Theme Parks

Many smokers have turned to vaping as an alternative.  However, vaping will not be an acceptable “workaround” solution at US Disney theme parks after May 1, 2019.

E-cigarettes and vape pens are being banned inside all US Disney theme parks, right along with smoking, and will have all the same restrictions that the smoking ban has.  Vapers will have to exit the theme parks to vape, just like smokers will have to exit the theme parks to smoke.

Again, there has been some speculation that Disney may not enforce this rule—don’t buy into that.  They absolutely WILL.  Florida has also recently passed a law banning e-cigarettes and vape pens in public areas, so Disney cast members can also reference state law, as well as Disney Parks rules when enforcing the new rules, at least in Florida.

No Loose Ice or Dry Ice Allowed in Disney Theme Parks (US)

Disney has always allowed guests to bring in their own food and beverages.  This is something that makes them stand out from many other theme parks.  This new ban on loose ice and dry ice in US Disney theme parks does not change this rule; however, you will have to use reusable ice packs to keep your food and/or beverages cold.

There are a couple of reasons for the “Ice Ban”.  People used to bring in very small personal coolers.  Over time, the coolers have been getting larger and larger.  As crowds levels increase, the larger coolers become difficult to maneuver in the crowds.  In addition, there have been increasing numbers of people that dump out their ice onto the ground to lighten their cooler load.  This has resulted in piles of ice and later puddles around tables and in pathways and high traffic areas, causing safety and maintenance concerns.

Finally, from a security perspective, it’s easier, faster and safer to look through a cooler with reusable ice packs than one filled with loose ice.

Stroller Wagons and Extra Large Strollers Banned at US Disney Theme Parks

In response to growing crowd congestion at the theme parks, Disney’s rule change regarding strollers is aimed at the ever growing stroller as small vehicle market.  Over the last few years, strollers have been getting bigger and bigger.  The popularity of stroller “wagons” has increased among park visitors.

The super max strollers have significantly contributed to the crowd congestion levels, and with crowds expected to increase with the upcoming opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at both Disneyland (May 31) and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (August 29), Disney has taken aggressive action to reduce the impact of extra large strollers and stroller wagons on crowd movements.

Effective May 1, 2019, stroller wagons, including the popular Keenz wagons, will no longer be allowed inside US Disney theme parks.  Guests will be stopped at the gates and asked to either return the wagons to their vehicles, or to check them at the gates. 

Also effective May 1, 2019, stroller dimensions will be restricted to widths of 31 inches and lengths of 52 inches. Similar to the wagons, guests with larger strollers will not be permitted to bring them into the parks.  Guests will be asked to either return the strollers to their resorts or vehicles or to check them.

Disney bus transportation already restricts strollers that are not collapsible.

Disney will continue to rent strollers inside the parks.  If you plan to bring your stroller from home, or to rent one from a third party vendor, measure your stroller so you don’t get stuck having to check it at the gate.

Crowds, Crowds, Crowds

Basically, all these changes come down to the same thing we have been talking about for a while.  Crowd levels have been increasing for the last few years, and there are rarely slow periods any more.

Once Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens, crowd levels are likely to skyrocket.  The level of interest in this new “land” is unprecedented.  In addition, the fan base for the Star Wars franchise is arguably one of the largest fan bases in the world.

At their core, I think all of these changes have at least an element of crowd congestion improvement involved.  Removing designated smoking areas inside the parks frees up more traffic space.  Disallowing extra large strollers and stroller wagons reduces crowd congestion.  Eliminating loose ice and dry ice will speed up and streamline security line congestion, and may also have a side effect of encouraging smaller coolers.

How to you feel about these changes?  Overall, I support anything that may help with congestion, as I believe park congestion is going to continue to get worse.  As a result, ticket prices will continue to climb.  I like to see Disney taking measures to improve congestion that don’t necessary stem from price increases (although they did THAT a couple of weeks ago, too!)

What are your thoughts about these Disney theme parks rule changes?  Please comment below!

If you’d like to review the current Disney theme park rules and regulations, click here.

Happy dreaming!

Brooke