Comments on: 8 Things Disney Parks Have Banned

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:05:17 +0000

A few decades ago I was behind the scenes at Disneyland while negotiating a deal with one of the high-level employees. Camera in hand, I was allowed to take photos, in general, but was “banned” from photographing any character not in full costume, e.g., Mickey Mouse with his human head.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:35:07 +0000

Couple of things… Costumes are allowed for the parties (the picutre of me as above,was acutally taken in the parks at one of the previously mentioned parties.. check out the MNSSHP wristband :)

Fingerprints are not collected as mentioned. Easy way to prove this. Have you ever seen the biometric reader cleaned between Guest? If not, the fingerprints would all blur together.

Facial hair is not permitted on any Guest interaction Castmember. Backstage roles and third shift roles allow this rule to be in effect. If you work for the major parks, Disney Stores, Liquidation Sites, the DVC location in NY, the cruise line, Adventures by Disney, or the former Disney Quest, you would be considered in a Guest interacting role.

By: Kacey

Kacey — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:58:45 +0000

I’m actually surprised about the gum ban. I’ve been to Disney World several times and one of the memories I’ll never be able to forget is having someone spit a wad of gum toward me while waiting in line for Splash Mountain. Instead of stepping on it, it ended up in my hair. What a mess.

By: Former Cast Member

Former Cast Member — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:14:24 +0000

@Stew – as a former cast memember that worked the turnstiles at Epcot, I can tell you that it’s not fingerprinting. The system used is actually called biometrics. It’s essentially just a measurement of your finger. The data is recorded along with the ticket number which is flushed after the expiration of the ticket. It is to prevent anybody else from using your ticket. At least, this is the information we are told – I may be off on some counts. And with the millions of guests that visit Disney from all around the world yearly, I really don’t think there is any practical way they could store fingerprints even if they wanted to.

Sorry for the lengthy explanation – I had to explain this to guest after guest when working there. Biometrics is about as fun for the cast member running the turnstile(s) as it is for the guests who don’t understand the system (not that I blame them).

Anyways, interesting article!

By: belleshpgrl

belleshpgrl — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:23:50 +0000

I thought Steven Van Sandt was banned from one of the parks due to the way he dressed.

By: kate

kate — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:33:35 +0000

Smacks is being used correctly. It means to contain an element suggestive of something.

By: Mary Crawford

Mary Crawford — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:43:24 +0000

Re the facial hair thing. My husband when he was in college worked for a Disney owned entertainment facility that was not one of the big 2 US parks. Disney also banned facial hair at this facility. He was told that Disney was concerned that facial hair would scare small children.

By: Dillan

Dillan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:23:39 +0000

Okay…. wait a second…. “smacked” of racial profiling????? Something tells me that is not the right word

By: FlowerPower

FlowerPower — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:20:03 +0000

A couple of quick points:

Segways are banned, but only if they’re not Disney property. Disney actually offers Segway tours at Epcot.

Also, costumes are obviously OK for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (which I’ve been to in costume at WDW and was lots of fun).

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:42:20 +0000

@Maura

Yes, some disabled folks who find it more comfortable to use a Segway than a wheelchair. BUT, a Segway is not an certified medical mobility device that is subject to all the safety requirements as such. If whichever part of the Federal Government recognizes it as such, and it conforms to all the requirements and oversight that are required, then Disney will undoubtedly be required to allow them. As for now, Disney has every right to ban the use of ‘recreational vehicle’ by their guests.

Personally, as someone who travels with a disabled parent, I can see both sides of the argument. I even understand the earlier argument of doing away with scooters. People who don’t need them and rent them just for convenience infuriate me. Problem is, we live 1000 miles from Florida. If we fly, we need to rent a scooter as my mother’s electric wheelchair can’t fly with us. Her arthritis is too bad to propel herself in a traditional wheelchair, but a scooter (an approved medical device) provides as much mobility as is possible in the parks. (Universal is much more wheelchair friendly in our experience).

Also, the court case was neither a win nor a loss for Disney. The judge rejected their proposed settlement and completely dismissed the case, saying that “This case is not about necessary accommodation… The real question, it seems, is the extent to which the ADA can (or should) promote equal treatment and human dignity by requiring acceptance of new technologies.’’

Basically, the judge told everyone to go home until the Segway gets classified as an assistive device.