"Selfie Sticks"

[JRocker]

Gah! Now I have another accessory to purchase before the trip.

I'll be wearing a fanny pack to hold up my jorts, pushing a double wide stroller from my scooter while holding up a brand new, top of the line, selfie stick.

It's getting more and more difficult to keep up with my tour group.

[azcavalier]

I think the reason I noticed them this last trip is because I had one, too! Have the rest of you ever had that experience that when you buy a new car, then you noticed all of the other cars on the road that are the same model as yours? Same phenomenon.

[EeyoresBestFriend]

I didn't know what they were either.

After two days in the parks though, at a busy time, and you could not help but notice them since they almost hit you in line on a regular basis.

Narcissism at it's best.

[TinkerbellT421]

I did not know what they were until this past January trip. I infact didn't know what it was until I saw someone using it, after of course they whipped it out in front of me and clothes-lined me in the throat. So, yes, you can't help but notice them, whether you know what they were or not, because for every ONE person using the iPad there were FIVE more using the selfie stick. After being whacked in the head, one to the throat and poked in the back in line, my tolerance for them was dear I say, ZERO. By the fifth one I saw I wanted to break every one I saw. I was bitter to say the least.

[nicholsbears]

Especially difficult when your'e walking with your head down, eyes glued to your cell phone.

[Wayne]

Gah! Now I have another accessory to purchase before the trip.

I'll be wearing a fanny pack to hold up my jorts, pushing a double wide stroller from my scooter while holding up a brand new, top of the line, selfie stick.

It's getting more and more difficult to keep up with my tour group.

[lawgirl]

Oh my gosh I sure hope so. Those things are so obnoxious...I get if you are on Mt. Everest (the real one) or something "once in a lifetime" spectacular, but come on. I appreciate a great photo op, but please! I wish people would just "be" in the moment, and not have to take a pic of themselves ever 5 seconds.

[Main Street Jim]

"Selfie sticks" are now officially banned on all rides and attractions, including shows:

It has been a long time coming, but Walt Disney World today officially notified all cast members that selfie sticks being used on rides and attractions will no longer be tolerated.

The elongating sticks that guests use to take cell phone “selfie” pictures have been a huge problem since their introduction, with many guests sticking the rods out beyond ride vehicles and such at the parks, posing a major safety threat to themselves and other guests.

Cast members at greeter positions in front of attractions are now instructed to ask any guest with a visible selfie stick to stow the item for the duration of the experience. A guest using the stick while enjoying a ride or attraction will be asked to stow the item over the attraction’s PA system or the attraction will be stopped immediately by the cast members according to the policy.

While not really a new policy, this is the first step by Disney to make sure all cast members handle use of the selfie sticks by guests in the same manner. Disney’s rules about sticking any items out of a moving ride vehicle have always been the same; it is completely prohibited. The memo to cast members today simply ensures that all of the employees know about the issue and are trained to resolve it.

Selfie sticks are still allowed at Walt Disney World theme parks outside of rides and attractions.

[MrPeetrie]

Thank you for the update, Main St. Jim. I am glad to see this in print.

[nicholsbears]

It's a great start...now to confiscate them at the gates.... They are a hazard to everyones safety when people walk around with their eyes glued to them. There seems to be a direct correlation between irresponsibility and "selfie sticks."

[MrPeetrie]

...There seems to be a direct correlation between irresponsibility and "selfie sticks."

I LOVE this statement! So true.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I wouldn't hold my breath on this being enforced what so ever... Just like how they enforce no flash photography on attractions... Oh right, they don't... Or rarely do...

[Speedy1998]

I wouldn't hold my breath on this being enforced what so ever... Just like how they enforce no flash photography on attractions... Oh right, they don't... Or rarely do...

I think the problem is the number of people that break the "No flash Photography" rule. What are they supposed to do? Kick everyone who takes a flash picture out of the park, it would be a public relations nightmare.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I think the problem is the number of people that break the "No flash Photography" rule. What are they supposed to do? Kick everyone who takes a flash picture out of the park, it would be a public relations nightmare.

The rule is in place so that people can enjoy the ride without it being disrupted by flash photography, plus, many of the dark rides have the no flash pictures rule because it ruins the "magic" of the set/show scenes... If someone is breaking that rule, stop the ride... give a warning over the loud speakers... if the knuckleheads do it again, security can be waiting for them at the end of the ride to yes, escort them out or take away their camera... If you have a rule, and don't enforce it, then why have it to begin with?

If they want to ban these stupid picture taking selfie sticks, then they need to follow through... Warn one time, then either remove the person from the park if they don't listen, or confiscate the selfie stick/camera/phone...

[joonyer]

I realize that Walt Disney World theme parks is a far cry from the Augusta National Golf Club. Perhaps it is not the best analogy, but with the Masters Tournament coming up, I am reminded that if you are caught with a cell phone or camera on the course at the Masters, you will be escorted off the property and your tournament badge confiscated, no ifs, ands or buts. Therefore you don't hear cell phones ringing or cameras clicking at the Masters. Guests know without a doubt the rules are strictly enforced, and therefore they rarely have to be enforced. But when they are, the rules abiding patrons will generally applaud and cheer the club marshals for removing the rule breakers.

[MrPeetrie]

The rule is in place so that people can enjoy the ride without it being disrupted by flash photography, plus, many of the dark rides have the no flash pictures rule because it ruins the "magic" of the set/show scenes... If someone is breaking that rule, stop the ride... give a warning over the loud speakers... if the knuckleheads do it again, security can be waiting for them at the end of the ride to yes, escort them out or take away their camera... If you have a rule, and don't enforce it, then why have it to begin with?

If they want to ban these stupid picture taking selfie sticks, then they need to follow through... Warn one time, then either remove the person from the park if they don't listen, or confiscate the selfie stick/camera/phone...

I so wish they would enforce the no flash photography rule.

On our last trip, while riding the Pirates of the Caribbean, we had someone with a very sophisticated camera. He fired off in rapid succession, multiple flash shots of EVERY SCENE!!!

ga-SZEZH, ga-SZEZH, ga-SZEZH, ga-SZEZH! [FLASH], [FLASH], [FLASH], [FLASH]

So annoying! I joked he must have been a "LIFE" Magazine photographer.

ga-SZEZH

[PopPhan]

I so wish they would enforce the no flash photography rule.

On our last trip, while riding the Pirates of the Caribbean, we had someone with a very sophisticated camera. He fired off in rapid succession, multiple flash shots of EVERY SCENE!!!

ga-SZEZH, ga-SZEZH, ga-SZEZH, ga-SZEZH! [FLASH], [FLASH], [FLASH], [FLASH]

So annoying! I joked he must have been a "LIFE" Magazine photographer.

ga-SZEZH

For someone like that, you need a mirror on a selfie stick to put in front of their flash and blind them!!!

[DizneyFreak2002]

I so wish they would enforce the no flash photography rule.

On our last trip, while riding the Pirates of the Caribbean, we had someone with a very sophisticated camera. He fired off in rapid succession, multiple flash shots of EVERY SCENE!!!

ga-SZEZH, ga-SZEZH, ga-SZEZH, ga-SZEZH! [FLASH], [FLASH], [FLASH], [FLASH]

So annoying! I joked he must have been a "LIFE" Magazine photographer.

ga-SZEZH

It is very annoying... And yes they need the guts to finally do something... But they are too worried about people getting upset... and forget if a CM ever does follow protocol or the rule, management will reprimand that CM, at worst case fire him/her...

For someone like that, you need a mirror on a selfie stick to put in front of their flash and blind them!!!

Oh maybe you found the only good use for these annoying creations...

Disney needs to put in a park wide ban... when someone walks up to the front gate with one of those egomaniac sticks, they need to be taken away (the sticks not the person)... If that person puts up a stink, escorted off property... End of story... Don't like it, bye bye...

[manutd1]

It is very annoying... And yes they need the guts to finally do something... But they are too worried about people getting upset... and forget if a CM ever does follow protocol or the rule, management will reprimand that CM, at worst case fire him/her...


Oh maybe you found the only good use for these annoying creations...

Disney needs to put in a park wide ban... when someone walks up to the front gate with one of those egomaniac sticks, they need to be taken away (the sticks not the person)... If that person puts up a stink, escorted off property... End of story... Don't like it, bye bye...

I do agree with the statement that if Disney is going to have a rule....it needs to be enforced. I have not encountered the selfie stick issue....but, If WDW/DLR bans them..then YES..you bring it...you lose it!

[azcavalier]

Even though they are called "Selfie Sticks", they do not just serve the sole purpose of taking selfies. In fact, the reasons I bought one were to:

1. get a better angle for some video clips (I used mine ONLY with a GoPro)

2. be able to hold the camera more steady

So, not everyone who uses selfie sticks are narcissists.

I will also state that I had no intention of taking mine back to WDW, before it was banned. It was far more trouble than it was worth. Been there, done that, downsizing my equipment.