Even the House of Mouse Has Rules: 15 Disney Policies to Know Before You Go

by  Christine Dayao | Updated on Jun 29, 2021
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom / Photo courtesy of Christine Dayao

If you’re headed to Disney World, it’s easy to get caught up in a frenzy of booking hotels, buying park tickets, making dining reservations, and deciding what is (and isn't) worth your time. So we understand if you’re overlooking a few details. In fact, we’re pretty sure park policies are far from your mind during the booking process. Here are a few things you should know before you sprint through the park gates.

1. No smoking inside the parks

Walt Disney World does not permit smoking on park grounds. However, there are designated smoking areas outside the park entrances, as well as at Disney Springs and at Disney resort hotels. 

2. No straws, lids, or balloons in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Heading to Disney’s Animal Kingdom with a balloon or cup with a plastic straw and lid from another park? Those items are a no-no in order to protect the safety of the animals. Your best bet is to buy the balloon after visiting the park, or drop it off at your hotel. Quench your thirst by bringing a refillable mug. If you’re buying a drink at any quick-service dining location in this park, you might notice something different about the cups: they don’t come with lids, and the straws are made of paper, not plastic.

3. When hurricanes strike...
Unfortunately even “The Most Magical Place on Earth” isn’t immune to hurricanes. If Mother Nature threatens your vacation, there’s hope. Should a hurricane warning be issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area, or your place of residence, within seven days of your scheduled arrival date, you can call in advance to reschedule or cancel your vacation package and most room-only reservations booked directly with Disney. Doing this won’t result in any additional fees.

4. Silly rabbit, costumes are for kids.
Think twice before you pack your Minnie or Mickey costumes, grownups. While it’s okay for little ones to dress up like their favorite characters, guests ages 14 and older cannot wear costumes or clothing that are seen as representing a Disney character aren’t allowed in the parks. However, guests of all ages are welcome to wear costumes during the new-for-2021 Disney After Hours Boo Bash.

5. The Magic Kingdom is (mostly) alcohol-free.
Walt Disney wanted the Magic Kingdom to be an alcohol-free zone. Until 2012, the only spirits you could find in this park were in the Haunted Mansion – then Disney added a wine and beer menu to Be Our Guest Restaurant. This sent Disney purists into a tizzy, even though there are some restrictions. You can only order vino during dinner hours, and it cannot leave the confines of the restaurant. In 2016, the park began serving wine and beer at four more table-service eateries: Tony's Town Square Restaurant, Liberty Tree Tavern, Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen, and Cinderella's Royal Table. Alcohol is sold in the other parks.

6. Don't go into the water.
Venturing into any of the lakes on property is prohibited due to the threat of alligators, snakes, and bacteria. Following a deadly attack on a toddler in 2016, signs now warn guests to stay away from the water and to not feed alligators. Disney beaches open an hour after sunrise and close an hour before sunset.

7. Kids must be accompanied.
Children under 14 years old must be accompanied by a guest that is 14 or older when visiting the theme parks, and water parks.

8. Canceling a dinner reservation could have penalties.
When making reservations at a number of table-service restaurants, you’ll be asked to provide a credit card number. No-shows, and those who cancel after 11:59 p.m. on the day before their arrival, will be charged. Make sure to check the cancellation policies of each of the restaurants where you plan to dine.

9. Gum's the word.
You can find almost anything in the souvenir shops throughout the resort, but there is an exception: chewing gum. To keep the parks and resorts clean, chewing gum isn’t sold anywhere on property. So if you need to chew, make sure you bring your own gum. And always remember to dispose of it in a trash receptacle.

10. Once your ticket, always your ticket.
You overbought the number of days for your park ticket, so the best thing is to give your ticket to a family member or friend, right? Wrong. Once a guest uses their ticket to enter a park, all subsequent admissions are specific to that person and cannot be transferred to anyone else.

11. Leave the selfie sticks at home.
Want to whip out a selfie stick and catch the perfect shot of yourself zipping down Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? Well, you can't. The resort bans the use of selfie sticks in any of its theme parks or water parks due to concerns over safety. The devices aren't allowed past the security checkpoints, and if you're found with one, you have the option of turning them in to pick up as you exit the park or bringing them back to your car or hotel.

12. The Mouse ramps up security.
You'll have to go through security before you even hit the park: the main security checkpoint to the Magic Kingdom was moved from the front gate to the nearby Transportation and Ticket Center. There, guests will have to go through metal detectors before boarding the monorail or ferry to the theme park. Checkpoints have also been implemented at the monorail stations at Disney's Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian Village resorts. This comes after the park stepped up security in December 2015 in response to terror attacks and mass shootings, requiring guests visiting the parks on both the East and West coasts to pass through metal detectors; some are randomly chosen to undergo a secondary screening. You’ll also find additional local uniformed officers around property, as well as K9 units.

13. So long, toy guns.
Disney has halted the sale of toy guns at its stores, and guests are no longer permitted to bring toy guns, squirt guns, or toy blasters into the parks.

14. New stroller guidelines

To help ease congestion in the parks, Walt Disney World does not allow any stroller wagons or strollers larger than 31″ (79cm) wide and 52″ (132cm) into the park; however, many strollers on the market fit these guidelines. Disney hopes that these new regulations will help to ease congestion in the parks. If you don't want to buy a new stroller for your trip, simply rent one from Walt Disney World. 

15. Face masks

In the wake of coronavirus, the resort requires guests to wear face coverings while riding buses, monorails, and the Skyliner. Masks are optional in most areas for those who are fully vaccinated (though proof of vaccination is not required). Guests who are not fully vaccinated must continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations and when entering and throughout all attractions and transportation. 

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