Never Bring This Into a Walt Disney World Theme Park

Disney customer service is the stuff of legends. Anything a Guest needs, or wants, within reason, Cast Members do their best to accommodate. But that’s not to say anything goes in a Walt Disney World theme park. On the contrary!

To ensure the safety and happiness of the tens of thousands of people that could be in Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom on any given day, there are rules that Cast Members and Guests must follow. And there are several items that Guests won’t be permitted to enter a Park with. Here are some of the items banned from WDW’s Parks – and a few may just surprise you!

Weapons (or Toys That Look Like Weapons)

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t be comfortable entering a theme park that actually permitted weapons! Luckily, firearms, knives, ammunition, and weapons of any kind are banned from Walt Disney World, for the safety of Guests and Cast Members. 

What you might not know is that toys that resemble weapons are also not permitted. No toy guns are sold anywhere on Disney property, and you won’t be able to enter a Park with one. The one toy “weapon” exception? Lightsabers, which Guests can purchase and built at Savi’s Workshop in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Balloons

What kind of theme park doesn’t allow balloons, you might ask? The answer is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and ESPN Wide World of Sports. Balloons are also prohibited at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  

For some of these locations, the ban is to protect animals from the serious choking hazard they’d face if a deflated balloon made it into an enclosure. For the other parks, the rule is in place to protect Guests. But if you do arrive at one of these locations with a balloon from another Park, Cast Members can hold it for you until you leave.

Suitcases

Suitcases – what a weird item to ban in a Walt Disney World Park! But think about it – if every Guest could bring their suitcases into the parks, that’s a lot of tripping hazards (not to mention the parks would start to look like airports).

Along with suitcases, any bag, cooler, or backpack that is bigger than 24” by 15” by 18” won’t be allowed into WDW parks.

Glass Containers

Many Guests assume that bringing food into a Disney Park is not permitted. But actually, outside food is perfectly fine, as long as you’re not bringing in alcohol or something that needs to be reheated or kept cold.  We often bring fruit or prepackaged snacks into the parks to cut down on food costs.

Pay attention to the container you put your food or beverage in, though. Glass containers aren’t allowed inside WDW’s parks. Disney makes an exception for tiny glass jars (ie, for baby food), but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Folding Chairs

Imagine the nightmare that would ensue if every Guest brought a folding chair to a nighttime spectacle. Not pretty – or safe!  

It’s no surprise that folding chairs are banned from all Disney theme parks and water parks. They’re also not permitted at Disney Springs or Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

Selfie Sticks

It seems the popularity of selfie sticks has waned in the past few years, and we can’t say we’re sorry.  But just in case you’re currently packing your selfie stick to capture the best Cinderella Castle selfie of life – don’t bother.  Selfie sticks, along with any hand-held extension poles for cameras or phones, won’t be allowed into Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, or Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

Pool Noodles

If you’re heading to Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, think twice about bringing a pool noodle – it won’t be permitted inside. The same goes for other non-Coast Guard-approved flotation devices. Like other rules, this one exists for the safety and comfort of Guests.

Pool noodles at Disney Resort Hotel pools, however, seem to be a bit of a grey area – some Guests report using pool noodles with no problem, but others have had them confiscated.  

Tripods

Small camera tripods are allowed in Walt Disney World’s theme parks, but make sure yours fits in a backpack before heading to a Park.  Tripods or monopods that extend beyond 6 feet, or cannot fit inside a backpack, are prohibited.

Remember that wherever you are in Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Parks, you’re never far from a Disney PhotoPass Photographer eager to snap a fab shot of your family with the perfect backdrop.

Plastic Straws

Have you ever noticed that there isn’t a single plastic straw to be found inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? The reason is simple – like balloons, plastic straws can be harmful to the animals that call this Park home.  

There are environmental concerns, too. In fact, all Disney theme parks, Disney Springs, and Disney Resort Hotels are in the process of removing plastic straws as part of the push to eliminate single-use plastics. Guests won’t be allowed to enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Blizzard Beach, or Typhoon Lagoon with a plastic straw – but there are paper straws available should you need them.

Bottom Line

Most of the prohibited items at Walt Disney World theme parks are common-sense in nature and won’t be a problem for most Guests (although if you were planning on lugging a suitcase full of glass containers, toy guns, selfie sticks, and plastic straws around a Disney Park, I have some bad news for you). With a bit of planning, you can easily find alternatives to WDW’s banned items – and these rules will help to ensure that everyone has a safe and magical vacation.