13 Reasons Why You Might Be Turned Away From a Disney Theme Park
Over the past few months here at MickeyBlog, we’ve noticed a handful of stories about guests being denied access to the theme parks for a wild myriad of reasons. While some can be simply chalked up to policy and poor planning, others are shocking and downright unthinkable.
With that in mind, we thought we’d rustle up a baker’s dozen of instances where guests have been turned away for various reasons. Let’s take a look.
Drunk Around The World
Though a highlight of a visit to Epcot for many twentysomethings is to test out the incredible beers, wines and cocktails found at each of the countries in the World Showcase, remember all good things in moderation. Overdoing it is typically a one-way ticket to being asked to leave the park. Just like the fella in the image above who back in 2015 decided that it would be a good idea to climb the pyramid in the Mexican Pavilion. Needless to say, it didn’t last long.
Screengrab: Inman Entertainment YouTube
Family Feud
When altercations happen, you can expect Disney security to intervene quite quickly and they will often ban the offenders from the parks. However, last year at Disneyland, they didn’t get there quite soon enough. Last July at Toon Town in Disneyland a family squabble quickly escalated into violence in a video that quickly went viral. Charges were eventually filed against the family with Orange County Sheriff’s department releasing a stern statement that domestic violence and child endangerment would be dealt with swiftly at the theme parks.
Armed and Dangerous
Though many people complain about the long security lines at the theme parks, I am eternally grateful for Disney’s incredible security team for keeping us safe in and around the theme parks. It seems like every month we’re reporting on guns being found during check-ins at the theme parks. Disney has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to firearms. Most recently, a man was arrest at Disney Springs at the beginning of January when he was found with a 9mm gun and 14 rounds of ammo. Luckily a gun-sniffing security dog managed to find him quite quickly. For more information on this story check out this article.
Bye Bye Wagon Strollers
Last year, Disney made a notable change to their stroller policy banning trendy stroller wagons from the theme parks. They were becoming more and more of a common occurrence at the parks and though they were a fantastic “hold-all” for parents the fact that the sizes were expanding rapidly with many looking like twin beds on wheels meant Disney needed to crack down. Now strollers must be 31″ or less wide and 52″ or less long to be allowed into the park. Otherwise, expect to get turned away at the gate!
No Smoking
If you’re a smoker and its been a while since you’ve been to Walt Disney World, it’s worth noting that smoking is no longer permitted in the theme parks and there are no longer designated areas inside the theme parks to smoke! Guests can leave the park for a smoke break but if you are caught violating this policy and smoking within the park then you may be asked to leave.
Capacity Crowds
Though it doesn’t happen very often, there are instances where guests may not be able to enter a theme park because it has reached capacity. This happens most commonly around popular holidays like New Year’s Eve, Christmas and 4th of July. When this happens Disney implements what they call a phased closure. They will start to prohibit certain guests from visiting the parks in stages to eliminate congestion.
For more information on phased closures check out this article.
Getting Too “In Character”
If you have plans of showing up to the Magic Kingdom dressed as Belle or to Galaxy’s Edge as Kylo Ren, think again. Disney has a very strict costume policy in effect for adults. Guests are only allowed to dress up in costume during special events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party. The rest of the year, though you can dress in the Disney spirit, costumes are not allowed. Disney put this in place to stop guests from thinking a costumed guest is actually a Disney employee! Weapons of any kind (with the exception of lightsabers) are also banned as are full facial masks. Not adhering to these guidelines may mean you won’t be allowed into the park.
For more info check out this article on Costume Policy
CBD- Careful
Though CBD oil and products are having their day in the sun, regulations and policies regarding its use can still be a bit sketchy state by state so exercise caution. As we reported last year, a grandmother was turned away from Walt Disney World and arrested when she tried to enter the Magic Kingdom with CBD oil. Charges were later dropped but it certainly put a damper on her Disney day. So if you can, leave these items at home!
For more information on the CBD Oil arrest check out this article.
Oh No You Didn’t
I’m pretty sure that it goes without saying that urinating in line for a Disney ride will most definitely get you kicked out of the theme parks. Yet, that’s an actual incident that was reported by Disney in 2019. A 22-year-old Peruvian woman reported being urinated on while waiting in line for Flight of Passage. According to reports, the woman was standing in line for the Avatar-based attraction notorious for long lines when she felt something wet on the back of her legs. Turning around she realized that a 46-year-old man from Brazil decided to urinate in the queue. The woman reportedly waited 20 minutes after the incident to report it to the nearest cast member. According to the Sheriff’s report, the man was banned from Animal Kingdom for the rest of the day and the woman was given a change of clothes.
For more information on curious incidents at Walt Disney World in 2019 check out this article.
Leave the Ice to Elsa
For those thinking about bringing a cooler to Walt Disney World, its worth noting that loose ice or dry ice is no longer permitted in the theme parks. Reusable ice packs can be brought through but that’s it. Show up with ice and security will ask you to dump it before you enter the park!
Photo credit: Sunnyskyz.com
No Selfie Sticks
Everyone at Disney these days is trying to capture the perfect selfie. Though we encourage you to snap away, you will need to leave those dreaded selfie sticks at home. At the height of their surge in popularity guests at the theme parks were getting hurt by other guests absentmindedly walking through the parks with the big sticks in hand. If you bring them, expect security to take them from you when you arrive at the parks!
Show Characters a Little R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Unfortunately, there’s been a few stories over the past year about guests getting kicked out of the theme parks for touching characters inappropriately. Most recently a Florida man was arrested and removed from the park for a character interaction at Ariel’s Grotto in Magic Kingdom that went incredibly awry. Disney was swift to remove the visitor from the park and he was taken into police custody.
Click here for more information on this story.
Don’t Jump In the Water
Yes. We’re aware that sometimes it gets gosh darn hot in Orlando, and with a couple of drinks, the moat surrounding Cinderella’s Castle might look mighty refreshing. However, going for a dip in the moat, The World Showcase Lagoon, Rivers of America etc is a sure-fire way to bring your Disney days to a rapid close! Not only is it simply not safe but its a big no-no!
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