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December 10 Change: Disney Overhauls Park Entry System After Guest Abuse

Shanghai Disney Resort
Credit: D23

One Disney theme park has just updated its park entry rules after reports of guests abusing the system en masse.

Next year marks the 70th anniversary of Disney’s theme park empire, a milestone shaped by significant transformations over the decades. Gone are the days of $1 entry—by 2025, a single-day ticket to Disney World will cost as much as $199. Meanwhile, rides have evolved far beyond the simple attractions of 1955, offering guests more immersive and high-tech experiences than ever before.

A family poses with a person dressed as Daisy Duck at an outdoor location. Two young girls stand on either side of Daisy, making peace signs, while a woman stands to the left, smiling. A man is taking a photo of the group with his smartphone.

Credit: Disney

As the world changes, Disney has had to introduce new rules to keep up. Some, like the short-lived mask and social distancing mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, were temporary. Others, such as the permanent ban on selfie sticks at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, reflect the park’s ongoing evolution to maintain the magic while adjusting to modern demands.

Electric Wheelchair Abuse Sparks Major Rule Change

The latest rule change comes in the wake of reports of young guests abusing electric wheelchair rentals at one Disney park.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in colorful festive attire pose in front of a large, ornate castle at Disneyland. The sky is clear, and the surroundings are beautifully landscaped with trees and bushes, creating a magical atmosphere.

Credit: Shanghai Disney

As Inside the Magic previously reported, young parkgoers are renting electric wheelchairs “as a means of transportation in the park, driving around the park with laughter, and even playing ‘bumper cars.’”

According to the Yangtse Evening Post, this issue stems from the fact that businesses near the park are providing electric wheelchair rental services and, in order to deal with the inspection when entering Shanghai Disneyland, they can provide an “inspection form” that will ensure they’re given access.

That’s despite the Shanghai Disneyland website stating that electric wheelchairs are “to be used only for the purposes of carrying guests with assisted mobility needs due to disability, advanced age or relevant medical conditions.”

The image shows a Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride at a theme park. People are seated in flying elephant-shaped carriages as they spin around. A castle-like building is visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Credit: Shanghai Disneyland

Guests aren’t happy about this latest trend, with the Yangtse Evening Post quoting recent visitors as complaining that “I originally brought my children to Disneyland to enjoy a happy parent-child time, but I didn’t expect these electric wheelchairs to disrupt my plan,” and that “yesterday I was in a hurry to go to the toilet, jogging all the way, and when I turned at the back door of Sweetheart, several electric wheelchairs rushed out and blocked the road!”

Now, Shanghai Disneyland has reacted by clamping down on who can enter the park with an electric wheelchair.

The park released a statement yesterday stating that, as of December 10, guests can only enter the park with electric wheelchairs if they’re required due to limited mobility.

A group of Disney characters, including Goofy, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Chip, and Dale, stand together in colorful clothing under an archway in a theme park, smiling and posing for the camera.

Credit: Shanghai Disneyland

As per Shanghai Hotline, this includes guests who are disabled or elderly, have lower limb mobility impairments, or have certain health conditions and limited mobility. Guests must register through the Shanghai Disney Resort Reservation Center before 8 p.m. two days before their visit.

Once in the park, guests must also travel at walking speed, with a maximum speed of no more than 6 km/h.

Guests ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at the Disney park Shanghai Disneyland

Credit: Shanghai Disneyland

Other New Disney Park Entry Rules

These aren’t the only new rules coming into effect at Shanghai Disneyland this month.

Disney’s newest theme park – home to the likes of TRON Lightcycle Power Run (which has since been cloned at Magic Kingdom Park), Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, Fantasia Carousel, and Roaring Rapids – has switched up its ticket rules, effective December 23.

From this date, all guests will be required to use an ID to book their ticket. This ID must match their name and be presented at entry. Each ID can only be used to purchase one ticket, with the restriction introduced to battle the increasing issue of ticket scalpers at Shanghai Disneyland.

Two guests ride Jet Packs at Shanghai Disneyland

Credit: Shanghai Disneyland

Children’s tickets will now also be sold based on age rather than height. Previously, kids under three years old—or shorter than one meter tall—received free park admission on the day of their visit. Meanwhile, those aged between three and eleven, or between one meter and 1.4 meters tall, received a 25% discount on their ticket.

Once the new rules kick in, guests under the age of three will continue to gain free access. Those aged between three and 11 – regardless of height – will now be eligible for child’s tickets, which will be priced lower than adult tickets.

What do you think of Shanghai Disneyland’s new entry rules?

About Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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