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Disney Bans Beloved Gen Z Accessories
Disneyland is cracking down on certain behaviors causing disruption in their theme park, which has some visitors crying foul.
The biggest rule update causing an uproar is a cell phone policy nicknamed “Stow it, Don’t Show it” that would require guests to fully put away their phones when going on certain rides, including Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad and the Incredicoaster, as reported by the Disney-focused site Inside the Magic.
Another item guests won’t be able to bring on the ride is heavy insulated tumblers. This rule is popularly known as “the Stanley ban,” referencing the popular brand-name cup. It was implemented as a reaction to an increase in “unplanned downtimes” for rides last year, per Fox News, which was all due to security incidents related to guest behavior.
It all comes down to common sense. Phones and metal cups can become projectiles during high rates of speed on these and other rides, which poses a potential safety threat to riders. Cast members have been instructed to conduct visual checks and refuse to dispatch the ride if phones or cups are visible, the outlet noted.
There will also reportedly be cast members searching bags before guests get in line for the rides, specifically looking for oversized cups.
Natalie Katzka, director of attractions engineering services at Disneyland, spoke at a briefing on the updates. “Handheld filming is no longer permitted on these high-motion rides. … Phones must be fully secured in a bag or pocket before boarding,” Katzka confirmed.
Disneyland will reportedly be providing cubbies and storage lockers for phones and other loose items.
Beyond just posing a risk of flying through the air and hitting someone, Inside the Magic noted, phones and big cups could cause other problems. A dropped phone could trigger an “E-stop,” or emergency safety stop of the ride, while liquid from a spilled cup could mess with magnetic and electrical components of the ride and cause delays. These disruptions have larger repercussions across the park as staff would have to spend time addressing these issues and wait times for other park visitors would increase.
While the changes make logical sense, some Reddit commenters are mad about the cell phone policy in particular because the app is required for ride access and payment throughout the park.
“Their entire ecosystem … requires you to use your phone for everything. This is laughable,” one Reddit user wrote.
“Disney makes everything as app-based as possible … then complains about people being glued to their phones,” another commenter agreed.