Disney Bans Smoking in Theme Parks and New Stroller Restrictions
A big change was announced to the Disney theme parks this morning. Starting May 1, Disney is eliminating all smoking areas inside Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex or Downtown Disney in California.
While smoking will not be permitted in the parks, there will be designated smoking areas available outside the entrances of the above listed areas and at Disney Springs in Florida. Only Florida was mentioned so we're still confirming whether or not this will also be available in the Disneyland parks in California.
Smoking will still be allowed in all the Disney hotels, and guests who are staying in a room or have dining reservations can used these designated smoking areas at their leisure.
So the first thing that sticks out to me is that we could see these changes coming a mile a way. For some time Disney has been phasing out smoking in the parks and this shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.
Just last year they got rid of the smoking area in the UK Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase, which at the time brought the total smoking areas in Epcot to 5. I'm not sure what percentage of park goers smoke, but obviously some people are going to be upset about this.
I think this also fits the cleaner, green image that Disney has been trying to give for some time and for that reason and complaints they realized the benefits would outweigh the complaints from smoking guests.
Stroller Changes in Disney Parks:
Also starting May 1, there are some big changes coming regarding stroller restrictions in the parks.
Disney is adjusting their guidelines on stroller sizes, which will require them to be no larger than 31″ (79cm) wide and 52″ (132cm) long. This isn't too bad as the majority of the current strollers on the market are within these measurements, even many double jogging strollers.
Also beginning May 1, stroller wagons will also no longer be permitted in the parks either.
All these changes are to make the guests experience better for everyone coming to the Disney Parks and the updates to the stroller guidelines will help clear up some of the congestions that is found on the paths inside the parks.
In fact the pathway behind Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom is already getting worked on to become wider and allow more people to walk freely in an area that's traditionally difficult to navigate when there are lots of families.
Even though theses new restrictions on strollers might seem harsh, it's actually better to use a smaller one when at all possible. Even the driver of the stroller will find it easier to navigate around the parks and get in an out of spaces that are often tight.
The good news is that if you need a stroller, Walt Disney World already offers a double stroller rental, and very soon the Disneyland Resort will soon offer one too!
Your Thoughts:
I want to know what you think about Disney banning smoking in the parks and the new stroller guidelines...
- Should smoking be banned in the parks?
- Are you happy about these changes?
Let us know in the comments section below!
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My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.
I think this is a darn shame but they are bringing more alcohol into the parks. Huh, doesn’t make sense to me!
Thanks for commenting Debbie! Keeping the drunk people wandering Epcot certainly needs to be made a priority I agree 100%!
It’s about time they did this it’s been along time coming when everywhere else abides by these rules
Thanks for the comment Lee. I'm sure the majority of people feel that way, that's why they must have felt good enough about the change
Total crap! I use a wagon stroller to bring A cooler into the park with 2 children and one of them being autistic. It’s actually smaller than my double stroller
Thanks for commenting Kim! I'm sorry about that, I understand why you're upset. I hope you are able to find a solution for your kids!! 🙂
Yeah!
thanks for commenting Ernest, I'm glad you're happy! 🙂
So happy about this!! About time. However will it be strictly enforced? I was the in OCT 2018 and saw people walking around smoking. The stroller doesn't matter to me either way.
Thanks for commenting Ashton. That's a good question and valid point because I've noticed the same thing at times. Let's hope they crack down a little harder on those breaking the rules
Upsetting to me...and for that price I will NOT visit another Disney park. It's outdoors and the smoking sections are small enough. I am also a respectful smoker who only smoked in the designated areas. I am a legal adult partaking in a legal activity in which NO CHILDREN are stinkin' around. More Europeans smoke than Americans....and they visit a lot of Disney. I love Epcot...but won't be going back..
Thanks for posting Mora. I do understand your point, it is an expensive place and hard to please everyone. Unfortunately sometimes it happens that way...
We just got back from Disney and we were almost knocked down by some very wide strollers. They also cut us off a lot. I commented to my husband that they were using the strollers as weapons. I am very pleased with this announcement.
Thanks Stephanie for your comment. Hahaha, you're not the only one for sure. You don't know how many times I've almost been taken out by them too!
The smoking sections were way off the beaten path, myself am a smoker, unfortunately. 2 years ago there were only 2 places at the Magic Kingdom. Was always a place to meet other people and relax for awhile. I do think that we are the minority of people. So......
Smoking is disruptive to the people around. And very unhealthy. And kids shouldn’t have to grow up with second hand smoke. Plus it will keep Disney cleaner.
I think they should worry more about the drinking in Epcot than smoking !! We went and people were doing bar crawls around the countries which was annoying and they were obnoxious!! On the bus they were totally disgusting screaming and singing. Cursing ? with small children in the bus. Disney needs to cut people off and not allow them on the buses that drunk . I also think smoking should be in one section of each park out of the way outback they are going to lose a lot of people.
Thanks for commenting Melissa. Yeah this is 100% true and some of the guests get completely out of hand I Epcot, especially during the festival periods (which is always basically!). I've seen people get on the ground and try to stand on their heads, just crazy stuff and Disney needs too crack down more on this behavior!
Smoking should be allowed in one area of each "Land" in the Magic Kingdom and one location in each of the other parks. More in Magic Kingdom because it's more popular. If you've got to exit the park completely each time you want a cigarette, then fight the crowds to get back in, and try finding which narrow walkway your family are pushing their strollers in a race to see who can hit the most people or ramming into Disney Characters, only then having to turn around again and exit the park for a cigarette to do it all over again because you're kids are driving you and everyone else crazy. Next time, leave the kids at home so you can pop over to Epcot, grab an alcoholic beverage or two and relax ... enjoy the Parks!
Thanks for commenting Kaniela. it is an inconvenience I know
I don't see how I could visit Disney either. I'm a smoker. It is outdoors. I knew something was wrong Sept 2018 when they were NOT cleaning ashtrays. I think it should be illegal and am looking for a class action lawsuit. It's descrimination.