Oversized Strollers & Smoking Banned at Disney World & Disneyland
Late last night, Walt Disney World and Disneyland quietly announced a number of polarizing rule changes, regarding smoking, stroller sizes, and loose ice in the parks. Although we covered some of this in our “WDW News & Rumors: Beauty and the Beast Bar, Stroller Restrictions, and More” post yesterday, there’s much more to the changes, so we’re dropping in with another update today.
Let’s start with smoking. Beginning May 1, 2019, smoking areas will be eliminated inside Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports, and Downtown Disney in California. Designated smoking areas will be available outside the park entrances, at resort hotels, and Disney Springs.
An all-out ban on smoking at Walt Disney World and Disneyland seemed like an inevitability, especially as American societal norms have rapidly changed. Real world smoking restrictions have become more stringent, with a growing number of states and cities, enacting laws that require all workplaces and public places to be smoke-free. While some Disney fans are lauding this change, I’m a bit apprehensive…
I’ll start by saying I’ve never smoked and question why anyone would start vaping or smoking in 2019 knowing what we know now. However, our societal views about smoking are only a little over a decade old, and there are still plenty of older smokers who predate America’s more “enlightened” attitude towards smoking. Moreover, smoking is still viewed very differently throughout the rest of the world, and many guests visit Walt Disney World from those countries.
Like many non-smokers, cigarette smoke bothers me. I rejoice at the prospect of walking my favorite trail in Grizzly Peak at Disney California Adventure without having the serene sense of nature spoiled by smoke. I’d love to never smell cigarette smoke in the parks again.
However, I’m also a realist. I question to what degree this ban will be effective and to what extent smokers who previously were willing to jump through some hoops to light up will now just say “screw it” and smoke wherever. Out of my own self interest, part of me wonders if we’re better off with avoidable in-park smoking areas than an outright ban with guests violating that ban.
I also have a bit of empathy for the older generation, that started smoking decades ago and has been unable to kick the addiction. Yeah, it’s gross, annoying, etc., but for many people it’s not quite as simple as “just saying no.” I can’t think of an example of any popular habit about which public opinion has soured quite as quickly as smoking.
Despite many addicts taking up smoking before we knew the extent of its addictiveness, smokers are now vilified in a fairly unprecedented way. I’d hazard a guess that this is due to the unique second-hand effects of smoking, coupled with misplaced anger over how Big Tobacco deceived the public for so long. That’s all well beyond the scope of this post, though.
Anyway, I can already foresee the comments section of this post having a strong anti-smoking slant. I can also foresee a smoker chiming in, feeling upset or ostracized. Before piling onto that person, pause for a moment of empathy…and if you can’t muster that, at least pause to think about whether you’re truly better off with people breaking the rules and smoking wherever because they have an addiction and feel the new restrictions are too onerous.
Next up, there’s a ban on loose or dry ice that has been implemented starting today. This means that if you plan to bring a cooler or cooler bag to store snacks and drinks for theme park or water park adventures, you need to use reusable ice packs instead.
My first reaction to the “no loose ice graphic” was huh?! I didn’t realize this a problem, and thought maybe I missed some news about the social clubs of Disneyland having turf wars with ice cube fights at Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port.
In reality, it seems this rule is being implemented so cooler checks are easier for security to conduct at bag check. Apparently, it’s difficult to check the contents of a cooler with a bunch of loose or half-melted ice. This makes sense, and I can’t imagine many people being outraged over this one…but I’m sure there will be a few people.
Finally, the big changes about strollers. We reported this as a rumor yesterday, but got a few of the details wrong, as the new restrictions will be even more stringent than we anticipated.
Beginning May 1, 2019, Walt Disney World and Disneyland are adjusting rules on stroller sizes, which will require them to be no larger than 31″ (79cm) wide and 52″ (132cm) long. Additionally, stroller wagons will also no longer be permitted, which presumably does include the Keenz strollers we mentioned as an example in yesterday’s post.
Most strollers on the market, including some double jogging strollers, fit within these size guidelines. Of course, Disney’s rentals on both coasts fit within the parameters, and we’d assume third party stroller rental companies will scramble to add and remove strollers to their fleets to ensure full compliance.
Disney indicates that these updates are designed to help guest flow and ease congestion, making the parks more enjoyable for everyone. We’ve heard that, more specifically, Disney is aiming to tighten up operations and smooth traffic flow for the crush of crowds that will accompany the debut(s) of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
For additional information about Disney’s park rules, see: DisneyWorld.com/RulesFAQ and Disneyland.com/RulesFAQ.
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Your Thoughts
Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Every meritorious point on all sides of these debates that could be made, has been made.
At this point, the comments are at best therapeutic venting and at worst vitriolic, with plenty in between falling into thinly-veiled attack territory. As such, I’m closing the comments.
I must use an ECV at home and at Disney. I must say that after using an ECV for 23 years I feel that I am an expert. I have never hit anyone with a scooter although many people have run into me. Most guest apologize but some blame me. I have no problem answering questions of why I need a scooter (spinal cord injury) I can walk a few feet at a time but the scooter is a must. I am so thankful to Disney for allowing me to visit my favorite place on earth. Disney makes everything accessible to me bus, boats, monorail and mini vans. If they take that away from me, I would never be able to visit again. Most guest are understandable but I can understand those that don’t want to understand. It is not their fault that I am injured and they should not have me inconvenience them.
I am going to ride my scooter and smoke a cigarette when I go in July. They already said no one will be told to leave for smoking. I am sick of being a second rate citizen because I smoke. Alcohol has harmed more children than any cigarette ever invented. My wife and I hate drinking. I run into rude drunk people, they constantly ask me if I want a drink when I sit to eat, and its mind altering ! Lets ban alcohol ! OH wait, they make money from that, it must be okay. Be careful what you wish for non smokers. Now I will smoke anyway, anywhere. I also paid for my ticket.
I understand the ‘no smoking ‘, and as I live in a Canadian province than does not allow smoking in any public building , I also understand the issue for those who do smoke. I remember the problems that happened the first week of January (way back then) when ‘suddenly’ no smoking was allowed in our offices. The front entrances had a steady stream of outside smokers. This is not the same thing for a Disney park. Most areas of the park are not a couple of steps away from an exit, so should smokers only go a short distance from the entrance? Disney entrance areas require a ticket used for a single entrance…so if you want a smoke, do you pay for your entrance again? Unfortunately, smoking is an addiction, that for some people will never be kicked. I have travelled to Disney more than 40 times in the last 20 years, and have never experienced issues with smokers in the Parks–but I have had issues with smokers in the resorts. I don’t know why this has become an issue to deal with at Disney.
Disney policies are changing–no smoking in the parks and alcohol on the dining plan!
When I heard that Disney allowed liquor, I thought that was wrong. There are some who drink a little too much and it could be ruined for others. If you want drink, go to the corner bar.
Agreed !!!!! I do not drink but I smoke. Where is the respect for me when it comes to alcohol ?? I hate alcohol ! I don’t want my kids around it. Oh that’s right !! It makes money, so much for Disney giving a crap about kids and family. Hypocrites.
WOW!! What a response to this issue. My in mail is filled. Hope Disney is seeing this. Maybe the DSA should be returned to every ones benefit .
Our last visit was December 2018, and just as children get cranky so do parents trying to get on the buses, hold a child and move a stroller so big it blocks the isle preventing single people from coming on board. In addition these people want to stay close to the front door so they can get off fast and stop to put kids back in, however they don’t move aside to do this either. I have been hit and bruised many times by strollers too big for the parents to hold onto. They are massive and not necessary to be that big. If such huge equipment would be available to rent at the park, at a modest cost, with most of the rental fee returned upon returning the equipment the buses would be a safer place. We honestly saw a family with two double wides, tumble like dominoes. Another parent so fed up got on the bus and literally threw the stroller down when she reached the wider area for the ramp, and left it unattended until her hotel stop. What’s wrong with the umbrella strollers as sold by disney.
Your right about us older age smokers. Tried many times to quit with no luck. I don’t smoke many a day but we are going to Disney in October and I’m gonna need some place to have one if we stay at the park all day.
In my time, we used the small umbrella strollers, had a small bag with milk, diapers, and some snacks and we survived, so did our kids. Not sure why there is such a need for these impossibly huge strollers.
As for smoking, I’ve been to Disney World and watched people (mostly younger) disrespectfully smoke/vape as they are walking around inside the park on more than one occasion. They are either trying to hide it or stare at you with that “I dare you to say something look”. The fact that people are being asked not to smoke in the parks will not change people who do not care what other people think or feel.
In either case, I think either of these will be hard to patrol, especially as I feel that those who purposely break the rules will be generally in your face aggressive and confrontational.
Until people adjust to these changes, I feel for the WDW attendants.
I hope the stroller rule is overturned or bites them in the butt. I <3 Disney and cannot wait to return, but we would've been lost without our double jogging stroller. Now families are going to have to bring multiple strollers and not have the capability to hold hands of older kiddos. We were efficient with ours and it made our life much easier! Are they going to get a tape measure out and kick people out with strollers over the limit? I'm also confused why the wagons would be a problem.
Many double strollers are still permitted – including several double joggers! Your stroller may still fit within the size requirements. Disney is not disallowing doubles, they are merely restricting the size to make it a more pleasant experience for all guests.
I understand that for many, venting can be therapeutic. Finding camaraderie or even getting to argue your side with someone who doesn’t agree can help you feel better about a tough situation. But I think people should adjust their expectations that venting is probably all you’ll get out of this. I doubt Disney is going to walk back any of these new policies. I’m sure they thought long and hard about the groups that would push back (the large stroller enthusiasts as well as the smokers) and implemented it anyway. They are expecting enormous crowds with Star Wars opening and will, no doubt want every available bit of space accessible to absorb those crowds as best as possible. That’s not to say the policies are right or wrong, good or bad. They just are. And I wouldn’t expect them to change even after Star Wars dies down, if it ever does. That would be similar to expecting prices to go down at some point. It will ultimately be up to each individual to decide what’s best for themselves and their group. If you can live without the wagon or carriage stroller, or if gum and patches and maybe a couple quick trips outside the parks for a cigarette can’t get you through your trip, then you’ll have to think of another vacation spot. And I think if tons of smokers and vapers just say screw it and smoke wherever,you can expect those items to go the way of the selfie stick and be banned from the parks entirely.
Never thought that smoking was that much of an issue. I think I only noticed once or twice passing a DSA on dozens of visits. I understand the concern but ultimately support the stroller regs. Whether you debate exactly how big or small they should be, I’ve seen many that are just ridiculous. Convenient for the parents since it’s practically rolling luggage but bordering on unsafe. Take an umbrella stroller for each kid or rent one. As someone else pointed out, the scooters are more of an issue than strollers are but even Disney wouldn’t dare tread there. People are so militant about their right to parking, comfort dogs, and scooters it doesn’t matter how capable they are to walk you’ll never win limiting them in the court of social media.
Disney should also BAN ALCOHOL IN THE PARKS. As non-smokers feel, this is not a kid environment with all the “winers” sipping their drinks. Went twice last year and perhaps those were our last visits. Yes one of us smokes. Also get rid of the scooters and use only in the event of medical necessity. I don’t use a scooter but I am an BK amputee. Disney should try a stroller & scooter lanes at the parks just like the guests with no bags at security.
HAVE A DISNEY DAY
Please don’t turn off the comments. There are many of us that are upset on all of these issues and need somewhere to vent and know that we are not alone! Also who knows maybe Disney will actually look at all this and try to be a little more accommodating with the strollers and the DSA’s. It is a family place, take whatever stroller you want. If you are a group of adults you can take your time, people with kids have issues with naps, snacks, heat and crabby kids. Can’t we all just try to be accommodating to everyone!
I think people are commenting on the stroller issue without actually measuring what they have. This size limit does not eliminate double strollers, or even double joggers, in entirety. It appears many of the double joggers still fit.
This is just targeting the behemoths… and probably the Cinderella carriages that were not quite infringing on IP.
Agree with Jess. The stroller issue may also arise from the limited amount of space in the designated stroller parking areas. Last summer we took the grands and used a Disney rental stroller throughout all parks the entire trip. When it came to stroller parking it was always hit or miss but we’d find a way to squeeze in our humble plastic rental in between the limousines, the wagons and the jogger strollers. On heavy attendance days there were strollers spilling out of the designated parking into the pathways, especially at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The stroller “parking lot” nearest to the Frozen ride was on overflow, and some people get all uptight about strollers getting rearranged by a cast member. I’m sure cast member input from the extra policing of stroller parents has led to the stroller restrictions, which I fully support. As I have mentioned previously, I have always used Disney rental strollers all the way back to the 90s when I took my own kids there. The rentals aren’t fancy but they are sturdy, have storage and cup holders and in the long run a good value.
I hope the stroller rule is overturned or bites them in the butt. I <3 Disney and cannot wait to return, but we would've been lost without our double jogging stroller. Now families are going to have to bring multiple strollers and not have the capability to hold hands of older kiddos. We were efficient with ours and it made our life much easier! Are they going to get a tape measure out and kick people out with strollers over the limit? I'm also confused why the wagons would be a problem.
Have you measured your stroller? Our double BOB jogger would still be allowed.
These comments are bananas on all sides. Tom, I know it’s a not thing you usually do but maybe consider turning comments off for this one?
Or, just stop reading the comments. I find them entertaining!
It’s absolutely amazing how lives are affected by not being able to smoke / not bring a stroller / not bring ice into a park… Do these people even go out in public??? How do they manage to survive at the mall, at the grocery store, at a sporting event, concert, parks… with all… those… people there. Oh the humanity!
Yeah, I could stop reading. Totally fair . I only suggested turning off the comments because people seem to be getting hurt by what’s being said in this comment section (and in the comment section of virtually every article I’ve read on these policy changes). I’m unaffected by all of this on any surface level – I don’t smoke and we have a more economically-sized stroller for travel.
That being said, I’m amazed by the insensitive extremism from comments here and across the Disney internet universe – people are making insensitive comments (and when insensitive comments AREN’T being made, they’re being perceived anyway.)
Break out the nicotine gum! I quit close to 40 year ago and a day doesn’t go by where I could start again. I agree with the comment that the bathrooms will be overrun with those seeking a fix. They will resemble the bathrooms in high school. The stroller issue is a good decision except for the people who have more than one toddler. It will be tough on them. God bless.
I just want to say quitting smoking is harder than kicking heroin. That’s not an opinion it’s a fact. I do not smoke but have worked with people with addictions. You could be addicted to coffee, sugar, exercise, work and Disney. It’s not like a trip to the market or concert it is usually for days. It would be great if everyone could quit but really. I wonder if they thought about a ventilation system that blew smoke straight up?
Be prepared for smoking in the bathrooms. Smokers rarely follow the rules when they need a fix. Glad to see the double wides go. They block traffic.
I hope they put extra super sensitive smoke detectors connected to sprinklers in the bathrooms. I get and am sensitive to the fact that it’s a powerful addiction (one I once had myself), but we all know it’s one that has very serious negative health impacts on any non-smokers in the vicinity, especially children. So I hope Disney puts the full weight of their ridiculous amounts of money to enforce this rule for the protection of the non-smokers and children who visit their parks. 🙂
All the fog generators use the same compound as vaping, Ban all of them too! Mz.know best!