Disney may be where your dreams come true, except for your epic selfie dreams.
In March this year, major music festivals in US such as Coachella and Lollapalooza announced a ban on selfie sticks as the organisers simply find the extendable smartphone attachments annoying in addition to being potentially dangerous.
Selfie sticks are elongated sticks that attach to a camera or phone to aid photo-taking. Yup, you may have seen one or more jutting high above in crowds, with some threatening to drop smartphones on/knock people’s heads. The sticks were among the best-selling gifts of Christmas 2014 but have been outlawed from a number of venues on health and safety grounds.
We knew that it wouldn’t be long before others followed suit, starting with Disney. A new report states the world-famous theme parks will start banning selfie sticks beginning 30th June for all American Disney theme parks with the rest of the world (Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Hong Kong) following on 1st July.
Yes, it’s true – the news comes courtesy of a leaked internal e-mail, which was later confirmed to the press by Disney.
The e-mail stated:
We strive to provide a great experience for the entire family, and unfortunately selfie sticks have become a growing safety concern for both our Guests and Cast. The use of selfie sticks also compromises our ability to deliver on The Four Keys: Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency.
According to The Wrap, as such, the parks’ parking lots will now feature signs that encourage Disney’s visitors to leave their selfie sticks in their cars or hotels. Those who opt out will have to surrender their sticks at the main gate and pick them up on their way out. The Verge wrote that beginning next week, Disney’s employees will start looking for selfie sticks during bag checks.
Disney will also spread word of the ban through announcements at its own hotels and audio messages that can be heard in the parking lots.
Are selfie sticks a safety hazard? Could a selfie stick be used as a potential weapon? Do you think the ban should be applied across all recreation venues and events? Would you want these other theme parks to implement the “no selfie sticks” rule too?
Feel free to discuss that in the comments box below!
Sources: The Verge, Android Authority, Scribd, The Wrap / Featured image from Attractions Magazine.
