What you need to know: These are things you can't bring to a Disney World park

When getting set for a Disney park, it’s natural to make sure you pack the right stuff. However, it’s also important to remember that Disney has some pretty strict rules on what can and cannot be taken into a park. Several of them make sense, but others might be a bit surprising, so here’s a quick look at what Disney prohibits from coming into a park. 

Note that Disney is pretty serious about this, as every park has a security check where the guards will go through bags before entry and even metal detectors. That might seem extreme, but with so many people inside the park, Disney wants to make sure guests aren’t in danger. Thus, it’s natural that several items are banned from use. 

Weapons

This makes total sense, as having a gun inside a Disney park is unneeded anyway. It’s not just firearms but also knives, ammo, and anything else classified as a weapon. That includes self-defense items like mace, pepper spray, or restraints. Frankly, anyone who thinks they need to be strapped when visiting a theme park has some issues, as Disney is meant to be a safe space. 

This also goes for any toys that may look like firearms. This is odd as Disney sells such items inside the parks like Toy Story/Star Wars blasters, but guests can’t take such an item inside, but that’s how it is. 

Smoking items

Even before places cracked down on smoking in public, Disney had rules in the parks. Many older guests can recall the “please no smoking” on ride warnings. Smoking is banned in the parks and only permitted in designated areas at the resorts. In fact, Disney will fine a couple of hundred dollars if they discover a guest smoking in their resort room or even on the balcony. 

Marijuana is automatically banned from the parks, along with any other illegal substance. That includes vaping pens as well as lighting up in any way gets you booted from the park and not allowed inside. 

Alcohol

For a long time, Disney parks were completely alcohol-free. Today, a few spots let you purchase them, but while water bottles are okay, anything with alcohol in it is banned. 

Glass containers

This may seem offbeat, but with the exception of baby formula, glass containers of any type are banned in the parks. It may simply be Disney is worried about them breaking and the shards cutting folks, so stick to plastic when you visit the park with containers. Glass ones are allowed in the resorts, however. 

Horns

Disney parks are filled with more than enough loud noises without guests adding more. Thus, horns, noisemakers, whistles, and large megaphones are all banned. The only ones allowed are used by park employees, and they don’t want guests mixing people up using their own. Plus, the last thing anyone wants to hear is some jerk blasting a horn in the middle of a show or line, so they can go with this one. 

Drones/Skates

Yes, the idea of having a drone overheard recording your Disney trip sounds fun, but it’s no shock Disney doesn’t like that. It’s not just drones as other recreational items like skateboards, scooters, remote control toys (even ones bought in the parks) and inline skate or skate shoes are all banned. Obviously, bikes count unless in specific areas in some resorts, so forget your dream of rollerblading down Main Street sometime. 

Larger wagons/bags

Strollers are a constant in Disney parks, but they have to be the right size. The top limit is 31 inches wide and 52 inches long. Anything larger is banned, and that includes the larger “wagon” type strollers or three-wheeled mobility devices that can’t maintain balance right. 

Also, suitcases, bags, backpacks, or coolers larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high are prohibited, as is dry ice. It’s a good idea to measure which bags you plan to take into the parks to ensure they’re the right size. 

Chairs

Why you’d want to bring a huge folding chair into a spot that usually has good seating around is confusing, but Disney still bans folding chairs from parks and resorts. 

Selfie sticks

This was a decision that made a lot of guests happy after too many cases of someone with a large stick on the phone to take a selfie caused issues. People even tried them on rides, which caused some shutdowns and so often hitting someone else with them. So, all selfie sticks are banned, along with tripods extending over six feet. That goes for flagpoles or other items that can count as Disney listened to guests not wanting these huge sticks around. 

Animal Kingdom bans

A few items are interesting in being banned only at the Animal Kingdom rather than other parks. This includes balloons and plastic straws. This is logical, given Disney doesn’t want any of the animals accidentally eating them and getting ill, so you’re out of luck bringing those into this specific park. 

Non-approved swim gear

This counts for the water parks as all items, especially flotation ones, have to be Coast Guard-approved, from noodles to gear. 

Your own costumes

This is another one that should be obvious yet amazing how guests will try it. Dressing in clothing with characters is one thing, but showing up in your own handmade Mickey or Donald costume, even for Halloween, is something else. So fans should just leave the costumes at home as the only ones allowed are worn by cast members. 

Clothing rules

Other types of clothing have their own rules. Anything with lewd or inappropriate imagery/wording will not be allowed so as not to annoy kids. Also, low-hanging pants aren’t allowed, and shoes must be worn. While face masks are obviously okay with the pandemic, full-on costume-like masks aren’t permitted. It's important to think on clothing choices before going through the gates.

Pets

The only pets allowed inside the parks are service dogs or miniature horses for visual-impaired or other disabilities. “Comfort pets” are not considered service animals and are likewise banned except in certain areas of some resorts.

Thus, Disney guests face some things that can’t be brought into parks, but many of them are logical and meant to enhance the vacation experience for guests. Follow those rules, and everyone has a good time to show these bans are meant for the greater good.