Selfie sticks - is this a thing at WDW yet? Disney clarifies policy

[OliveMcFly]

I was in OBX with my whole family last week and my niece found a selfie stick that the previous renters left behind. After 5 minutes I was ready to throw the thing in the ocean. Not to mention they can be a safety issue, so I'm glad they're not allowed.

 

[bethymouse]

This knucklehead should make an in memoriam for his stupid sunglasses and scarf. He looks like a 70's wanna be pimp.

The stick is still in the hand, and is seen in the pictures. I just don't get it unless you can "photo shop" the stick out of the picture. I guess I'm just too old to appreciate the phenomenon of the selfie in general.

 

[bethymouse]

I'm glad to see this happening but not looking forward to the bag check lines over the next few weeks until this all settles in with people. Security will inevitably be doing extra careful bag checks looking for hidden selfie sticks which will slow things down. Security lines on July 4th are always crazy, this will likely push them to insane.

once everyone gets used to it, things will be fine but in the early weeks when everyone plays "I didn't know" and wants to argue it's likely to be a little annoying.

There is an older man security guard at EPCOT who always takes his time checking large backpacks. He actually takes almost all of the things out of the bags! Kudos to him for doing his job well. Most people get very annoyed, but he is doing his job. I noticed on my recent trip that all security guards were doing a more thorough job of checking those huge backpacks! One lady actually commented " I must feed 5 kids!".

 

[bethymouse]

Yep. The proof is all over youtube.

There were people taking it on Big Thunder and Everest, of all things, and waving them around like self absorbed buffoons. While the videos are neat, I must admit, it's not something I'd like to see the average guest doing. Now, a professional photographer with Disney approval and appropriate safety measures taken, and Disney Parks could make some neat videos that way.

But, John Q. Public on the ride waving around a nine iron with a camera on the end? No thanks.

nine iron That is the best description of a selfie stick I have ever heard!

 

[Timekeeper]

 

[ABQ]

Yeah, that's now the 3rd time that video was posted in this thread? It is funny though.

 

[Crystal J]

For those who are curious - I called awhile ago asking what was considered a "Large Tripod" and was told any larger than 24" when folded, since the largest bag allowed is 24" long. I am a photographer and carry a tripod, and have never had an issue in the parks with disturbing anyone. But on rides I don't use a flash and have my rear lcd turned off (other flash users mess up my pictures and annoy me also).

Actually - I have a bigger issues with people coming up to me and handing me their photopass card - one time the lady didn't speak English and I don't speak Spanish - so that was entertaining trying to explain I don't work for Disney. (I will generally take people's pictures for them with their camera)

Fireworks/Parades/Shows - I HATE iPads! In December I got all set up (My tripod is 64" tall fully extended - so with camera on it - about 67" - I am 68" tall - so it bothers no ones experience - and I turn off the rear LCD) - then the show is about to start and a stupid lady with an ipad gets right in front of me and filmed the whole thing - ruining not only watching the show, but even any hope of getting a single picture - and it was the Christmas party on top of it. Funny thing - it swayed so much a person trying to watch that video would get motion sickness.

 

[FigmentsFangirl]

Saw two tour Brazil tour groups, one of them, half the group still had the stupid sticks {never calling them selfie sticks anymore, they're just really stupid items these days that should be banned from earth, period} Security was on hand collecting the sticks and giving tickettag numbers to those being 'removed from' the stupid sticks, It was actually kinda silly seeing how these people were acting when they had to give the things up though, these are grown people, has humans really stooped THAT low to actually want something that useless ?

 

[ULPO46]

Saw two tour Brazil tour groups, one of them, half the group still had the stupid sticks {never calling them selfie sticks anymore, they're just really stupid items these days that should be banned from earth, period} Security was on hand collecting the sticks and giving tickettag numbers to those being 'removed from' the stupid sticks, It was actually kinda silly seeing how these people were acting when they had to give the things up though, these are grown people, has humans really stooped THAT low to actually want something that useless ?

Sadly yes. I mean I like taking pictures at the parks who doesn't. But is there a need of walking with a stupid stick all day. I am grateful that they are banned, they should have never been allowed in the first place!

 

[FigmentsFangirl]

Sadly yes. I mean I like taking pictures at the parks who doesn't. But is there a need of walking with a stupid stick all day. I am grateful that they are banned, they should have never been allowed in the first place!

I agree, its been what, one year or so since the things really started to catch on and become 'the thing to need at a theme park' and rather then wait until they're swamped with the things, Disney took the initative and banned them, why can't we just ban the things from Easth outright and be done with it ?

 

[ULPO46]

I agree, its been what, one year or so since the things really started to catch on and become 'the thing to need at a theme park' and rather then wait until they're swamped with the things, Disney took the initative and banned them, why can't we just ban the things from Easth outright and be done with it ?

So true they are like tripods but annoying because they stick out at people. I lost count at how many times people would get smacked on accident by those pointless things. But as all trends go, this thing will die out eventually.

 

[Timekeeper]

Problem solved:

Disney bans lightsaber toys... Yeah, that'll be the day.

 

[afb28]

Actually - I have a bigger issues with people coming up to me and handing me their photopass card - one time the lady didn't speak English and I don't speak Spanish - so that was entertaining trying to explain I don't work for Disney. (I will generally take people's pictures for them with their camera)

I don't know how others feel but I really don't mind this. Just a simple "i don't work for disney but ill take your picture with your phone" suffices. I'm usually more helpful in that people stop and ask me where stuff is located when I have my tripod setup so it's nice to just help out.

The worst situation I ran into was setup on the bridge to tea cups shooting at the castle and using my 10 stop ND so it was a 30sec daytime exposure and a couple asked me to use their DSLR which then got someone next to them to use theirs and etc for about 5 different couples. All while photopass was setup maybe 20 feet to my right. But I think I get more joy out of helping those people than most because I know it's nice to have a quality photo with your family/SO instead of just straight selfies all the time and I never rely on photopass because I'm generally disappointed with their quality.

 

[Rider]

Photo from a few minutes ago. I don't know if there is a preferred stick to use for those flags but in this group all 10 or so of the flags were just selfie sticks with flags tied to the end.

Loophole found!

 

[NowInc]

Photo from a few minutes ago. I don't know if there is a preferred stick to use for those flags but in this group all 10 or so of the flags were just selfie sticks with flags tied to the end.

Loophole found!

Those flags are used by tour groups (usually international) and are held by the guide so the wondering followers can find them. Its like herding cattle. The guides are very careful to make sure they are held directly up at all times, as any incident created by the flag would be REALLY bad for their ability to do future business at WDW. If one gets bold to put a camera on the other end, I am sure it will be found out and dealt with.

I have heard that they are being VERY aggressively enforcing the new rules. This also refers to Tripods. Those cheap walmart bought atrocities that many have been bringing in are being stopped for being too big (they dont fold down). Maybe this will actually force people to upgrade to something a bit...safer..for their gear.

 

[ToyStoryMiss]

As I read the first few pages of this, I feel ashamed to own one.. (though I rarely use it)

 

[s8film40]

Selfie sticks fold up pretty small. If all they are going to do is check bags it's not going to work, bag checks are for show only not to actually catch things coming into the park. The only real way they can effectively ban these is to have a very strict stance on them and take serious action like removing people from the park and trespassing people when they are discovered then let word of mouth take care of the rest. Otherwise this whole thing is just a joke.

 

[G00fyDad]

I found one of these at the park near here today. Tossed it in the trash.

 

[wogwog]

Update time. From a neighbor who works in the Magic Kingdom. The following is not an official response by anyone with access with hard numbers but his guess. He says security at the front are being very aggressive at checking for sticks. The signs at the entrance are impossible to miss. His estimates after conversations with some of the Park Greeters (cast who validate your ticket and let you in), Security Officers, and Guest Relations Cast said that most guest showing up at front of the park security with sticks now have limited English language ability. Those with sticks are escorted to a table at security and have the stick put in storage until they leave. The Park Greeters he talked to have only seen a very few that have gotten past security and are caught trying to take a selfie at the Mickey floral in the front. Those guests are confronted by Guest Relations cast standing nearby and put the sticks in storage. A funny side note is a lot of the sticks in storage are brand new still in original packaging. Yes, most were Brazilian tour groups not staying at a Disney resort and would be most likely not to have gotten the news of a ban.

He has not seen any in the area of the park where he works since the stick ban started. I am sure a few sticks still might be smuggled in but he said every cast member working any attraction or the parades is being trained and encouraged to point out any sticks to a supervisor, manager or security.

 

[halltd]

Yes, most were Brazilian tour groups not staying at a Disney resort and would be most likely not to have gotten the news of a ban.

I'm surprised a Disney rep doesn't go on board the tour buses when they arrive. Every time I took a trip in school on a bus, a rep from wherever we were going would always come on board, give us a spiel about any rules they may have etc..., and then we'd unload for the visit.