{"id":294339,"date":"2026-05-01T04:15:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T04:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/294339\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T04:15:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T04:15:26","slug":"disneyland-cracks-down-on-guests-with-sweeping-new-restrictions-sparking-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/294339\/","title":{"rendered":"Disneyland cracks down on guests with sweeping new restrictions, sparking backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is cracking down with a new &#8220;guest code of conduct&#8221; targeting a surge in ride disruptions.<\/p>\n<p>The changes, outlined in a recent operations briefing and detailed by the &#8220;Mickey Visit&#8221; blog, are aimed at improving reliability across increasingly complex attractions.<\/p>\n<p>Guest behavior accounted for 13% of ride shutdowns in fiscal year 2025 \u2014 up from a 10% historical average \u2014 prompting new regulations, according to Natalie Katzka, director of attractions engineering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/travel\/general\/disney\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:services at Disneyland;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">services at Disneyland<\/a>, who spoke at the briefing.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/news\/iconic-sections-disney-world-closing-110612698.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Iconic Sections Of Disney World Closing Down And Disappearing Before Visitors&#039; Eyes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Iconic Sections Of Disney World Closing Down And Disappearing Before Visitors&#8217; Eyes<\/a><\/p>\n<p>One of the rules getting a lot of attention? It&#8217;s a phone policy nicknamed &#8220;Stow it, Don\u2019t Show it&#8221; \u2014 as the &#8220;Disney Fanatic&#8221; blog reported.<\/p>\n<p>Cast members conduct visual checks and will not dispatch ride vehicles if a phone is visible, according to the same source.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS\/mvaj7wvj\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Read On The Fox News App;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Read On The Fox News App<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Sleeping Beauty Castle standing inside Disneyland Resort Anaheim California\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1242\" height=\"699\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/093665547528230704a775bce2e957b9.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is cracking down with a new &#8220;guest code of conduct,&#8221; targeting ride disruptions tied to guest behavior.<\/p>\n<p> (Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Handheld filming is no longer permitted on these high-motion rides. \u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/tech\/technologies\/iphone\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Phones must be;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Phones must be<\/a> fully secured in a bag or pocket before boarding,&#8221; Katzka said.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/news\/disneyland-may-scrap-long-standing-162541226.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Disneyland May Scrap Long-standing Park Rule That Frustrated Visitors;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Disneyland May Scrap Long-standing Park Rule That Frustrated Visitors<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The rule is being enforced on high-motion or technologically sensitive attractions like Mickey &amp; Minnie\u2019s Runaway Railway and the Incredicoaster, the &#8220;Inside the Magic&#8221; blog said.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Mickey and Minnie Mouse themed ride at Hollywood Studios\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1242\" height=\"699\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/9b85a72a51344db67ee811a5ab2e1c8e.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Handheld filming is no longer permitted on these high-motion rides,&#8221; a Disney executive said.<\/p>\n<p>Disneyland officials told Fox News Digital the company is always evaluating regulations to find ways to enhance the guest experience and create a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/travel\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:safe environment for all visitors;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">safe environment for all visitors<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/travel\/cheapest-days-visit-disney-heres-what-you-need-know-before-booking-your-trip\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Cheapest Days To Visit Disney: Here&#039;s What You Need To Know Before Booking Your Trip;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Cheapest Days To Visit Disney: Here&#8217;s What You Need To Know Before Booking Your Trip<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Select attractions may have posted signage with rules in their boarding area, and guests are asked to listen to cast members\u2019 instructions, the officials said.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/news\/disney-shuts-down-widely-used-191407730.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:crackdown extends to other;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">crackdown extends to other<\/a> loose items, including oversized insulated drinkware.<\/p>\n<p>The so-called &#8220;Stanley ban&#8221; targets large metal tumblers, which officials say pose storage and safety risks, according to Inside the Magic.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Tourists walking around Disney's California Adventure park at dusk\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1242\" height=\"699\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fb4acca0dd8ec9fa1880c21720173729.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Bag checks at Disneyland have become more intensive, with security teams conducting deeper inspections for restricted items.<\/p>\n<p>Disneyland introduced dedicated storage solutions like ride-side shelves and expanded locker use, while also adding more water refill stations, according to the &#8220;Mickey Visit&#8221; blog.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/lifestyle\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Click Here For More Lifestyle Stories;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Click Here For More Lifestyle Stories<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Loose articles,&#8221; said Katzka, include anything from phones and hats to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/food-drink\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:water bottles and backpacks;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">water bottles and backpacks<\/a>, all of which can trigger emergency stops if they fall from a moving vehicle or interfere with sensors.<\/p>\n<p>She also noted that behaviors like standing during a ride or extending arms beyond restraints have become problematic.<\/p>\n<p>Enforcement is tightening at park entry points, too.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/lifestyle\/quizzes\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Test Yourself With Our Latest Lifestyle Quiz;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Test Yourself With Our Latest Lifestyle Quiz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Disneyland has expanded a ban on selfie sticks to include any telescoping devices or gimbals. Security has been instructed to turn guests away rather than issue warnings, multiple blogs reported.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Michelle Mendez walking out of Tomorrowland playing Pokemon Go at Disneyland\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1242\" height=\"699\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/b663773569a810f37efcec5a5df2eac7.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Disneyland officials said they&#8217;re always evaluating rules to find ways to enhance the guest experience.<\/p>\n<p>Bag checks at Disneyland have become more intensive, with security teams conducting deeper inspections for restricted items, according to several blogs.<\/p>\n<p>The April update also marks the official rollout of facial recognition entry gates, replacing the long-standing photo verification system, Disney officials said.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/newsletters?cmpid=fnfirstnl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Click Here To Sign Up For Our Lifestyle Newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Click Here To Sign Up For Our Lifestyle Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The goal is to facilitate re-entry into the parks and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/news\/man-accused-smuggling-child-disney-113830983.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:help prevent fraud,;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">help prevent fraud, <\/a>Disneyland officials said.<\/p>\n<p>The technology converts a guest\u2019s face into a numerical biometric signature for park entry, which Disney says is deleted within 30 days unless required for fraud investigations.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Statue of Walt Disney holding Mickey Mouse's hand outside Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1242\" height=\"699\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bed35550e1760558c75f6b6315b3bb27.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The April update marks the official rollout of facial recognition entry gates.<\/p>\n<p>For the first time, guests can opt out via designated manual-entry lanes, according to the &#8220;Mickey Visit&#8221; blog.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/travel\/disney-fans-say-outraged-theme-park-eliminates-beloved-snacks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Disney fans descended on Reddit;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Disney fans descended on Reddit<\/a> to react to the limited cell-phone ban.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Click Here To Download The Fox News App;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Click Here To Download The Fox News App<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Their entire ecosystem \u2026 requires you to use your phone for everything. This is laughable,&#8221; a Reddit user said about the phone ban on specific rides.<\/p>\n<p>Another quipped, &#8220;Disney makes everything as app-based as possible \u2026 then complains about people being glued to their phones.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Original article source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/travel\/disneyland-cracks-down-guests-sweeping-new-restrictions-sparking-backlash\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Disneyland cracks down on guests with sweeping new restrictions, sparking backlash;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Disneyland cracks down on guests with sweeping new restrictions, sparking backlash<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is cracking down with a new &#8220;guest code of conduct&#8221; targeting a surge&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":294340,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,7,4926,125168,125169],"class_list":["post-294339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-california","tag-disneyland-resort","tag-guest-experience","tag-natalie-katzka"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=294339"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/294339\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/294340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=294339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=294339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=294339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}