In addition to the changes to Disney’s domestic parks smoking policy that we reported earlier, Disney World and Disneyland Resorts have announced several other policy changes in anticipation of this summer’s crowds.
Effective May 1, new stroller guidelines will go into effect. Strollers permitted in the parks will be restricted in size. They can be no larger than 31″ (79cm) wide and 52″ (132cm) long. Note that many strollers already meet these guidelines — so double-check yours before you panic and run out to buy a new jogging double-stroller!
In addition, stroller wagons will no longer be permitted in the parks. (Regular wagons have not been permitted in the parks for some time now.) Disney notes that these changes in policy are being made to help the flow of guest traffic and ease congestion, which in turn should make visiting the parks more enjoyable.
Check out our Stroller FAQ for more about strollers in Walt Disney World!
Another policy change, which goes into effect today, is a restriction on loose or dry ice. For those who carry their snacks and drinks in a cooler or cooler bag while at theme parks or water parks, loose or dry ice is no longer permitted. This means that you will instead have to use reuseable ice packs to keep your things cool.
If you rely on having loose ice in your cooler for drinking, remember that you can visit any quick-service location for a complimentary cup of ice or ice water. But please, don’t filch ice from the open bins holding beverages at kiosks or other snack carts – it’s not sanitary! Ick!
If you want to read the official policy changes directly from Disney, click here for Walt Disney World , and click here for Disneyland.
What do you think about these new guidelines and policy changes? Will they affect the way you tour the parks? Let us know with a comment below.
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Why can’t you have ice into a water bottle? What harm is this? One has to wait forever to get a cup of ice! Seriously ! You can drink but can’t have ice- which will probably melt in minutes.
Hi Pam, the restriction is not on ice in a cup of water. It’s on loose ice that some people may carry in a cooler. Ice in a cup is not a problem 🙂
My family doesn’t smoke any more but I think banning smoking from the parks is going too far. They’ve restricted the areas where people can smoke in the parks over the years and they were never where the general public is. If they’re going to ban smoking, they should ban drinking too because drunk drivers kill more people. Also, there are some really nasty drunks out there. Disney has no clue as to who are drinking up a storm in the parks and then driving. People smoke (and drink) sometimes to release stress. Having to walk outside the parks to smoke will only increase their stress level.
I do agree with limiting the size of the strollers and no longer allowing wagons. Besides the size of the wagons, parents have to pull them and end up rolling over peoples feet.
I’m a little confused on the ice ban. How are we supposed to freeze the ice packs? Disney keeps raising their prices of admission and food which is why a lot of people bring coolers in. Some families can’t afford park tickets AND then buy the food in the parks.
Disney keeps changing but I don’t think the changes are for the better. It’s no longer “The Happiest Place on Earth”.
I’m so glad about the stroller changes. When we were here last, triple wide strollers were very hard to get around. Also no one else could get on the elevator with them.
walking about a park armed with a cell phone in use and not paying attention to your surroundings is another hazard Disney needs to consider…suggest “cell phone usage zones” be established. I cannot count how many times people have violated “my space” while doing so… No acholic beverages served between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 pm…drinking and walking contributes to a massive amount of injuries…suggest sobriety checkpoints throughout the parks…and to think these suggestions all started with the “No Smoking” edict declared by those Disney downers.
Ice packs are great, but are they going to put freezers in the resort rooms? How else will we freeze the icepacks?
As guests who are sensitive to smoke, we are so happy about the new non-smoking policy. Yes, there have been designated smoking areas, but smoke can’t be contained in those areas and the surrounding areas end up full of smoke also. Not to mention those who choose to ignore the smoking areas and smoke wherever they feel like.
We’re also happy about the size reductions for the strollers – trying to get around with the double-wide jogging strollers is just about impossible some days. I’d hate to see what happened if there were a fire or other emergency in a store.
Yes, there are those who are being discriminated against, but the new rules are taking everyone’s health and safety into account.
I and family have long been season pass holders – no longer!
There were already so few allowed smoking areas (which always were packed, so that obviously means there are many who do smoke). To require paying guests to exit the park to smoke, without having to leave the attraction areas [previously only 2 smoking allowed sites] is discriminatory. Even so, many times non-smokers would sit or stand in a designated smoking area … just stay away from those two small designated areas if smoking bothers them. Important FACT, Disney: Smoker’s spend money, on entrance fees and drink/food/souvenir items. Disney will no longer get my income.
TIME TO QUIT….THINK OF THE MONEY YOU WILL SAVE
He’ll save so much more not giving his money to Disney.
I wish they would have addressed the issues with the motorized scooters which are a much bigger issues for congestion and a danger than the strollers. I have been nearly hit multiple times by people driving too fast or aggressively on the scooters. My husband has been hit more than once. They should limit size and speed of these and have a scooter lane getting them out of the foot traffic. Also, limit them to the disabled person and not have the very unsafe practice of having other sitting on laps or other unintended ways.
I am a regular ecv user. I agree with you on speed limits, and aggressive driving. But how are you going to define disabled?
I understand, that being said I have witnessed numerous times where trucks will pull up to a resort and everyone in the family gets an ecv. I believe that people should have to have a sticker like they do in a handicap spot anywhere else.
You’re kidding, right? What Disney park have you been visiting where a motorized scooter operator has enough space to drive ‘too fast or aggressively’? My mom uses one of these and can barely get through the parks with it at a very slow pace. If you and your husband are getting hit by scooters, my bet is that you are probably one of the many people who just walk right in front of a moving scooter or wheelchair without even looking. Also, disabled people are not the only ones that need motorized scooters. Many people (including the elderly) use them because they cannot physically handle all of the walking necessary to get around the parks. As someone who has to visit the parks with both a scooter and wheelchair user, I would like to let you know that you should be grateful that you are able to get around without either. It is not a fun experience.
Ok, so then will you take legal responsibility if it causes an injury to someone else or blocks the exit during an emergency?
I agree with Michele here, as I too have witnessed entire families getting scooters. I’ve seen elderly with their grandkids sitting on their laps while driving. I’ve seen people run over others ankles in them. I’ve also seen them block aisles and get stuck in doorways.
That’s the real question. People complain that they NEED something so bad, but then are unwilling to deal with the consequences if something goes wrong?
You can’t have it both ways. Believe me, if a scooter or stroller run in to the back of my ankles in the park.. you wont be having a magical day.