Get to Know Walt Disney World Property Rules

While Walt Disney World may feel like home, it is private property – a place of business with its own set of rules and regulations that apply to all visitors at all times. Some of the rules seem self-evident (don’t bring explosives to WDW), while others might be less intuitive until you know the reasoning behind them (no plastic straws allowed at Animal Kingdom Lodge – they’re a choking hazard to the on-site animals).

These rules are available on the Disney website and are posted at the resorts, usually on a small sign near the check-in or concierge desk, but it’s worth a refresher look, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve visited Disney World. Some of these items are new in the past several years.

Depending on the infraction, consequences for breaking these rules can range from minor, such as verbal warning or being asked to change your clothing, to major such as being tresspassed from property or being referred to law enforcement. Further, Disney reserves the right to deny admission or require a person already admitted to leave the Walt Disney World Resort without refund, liability, or compensation, for failure to comply with any of these rules.

Be particularly aware that some items that may be legal in your home jurisdiction, such as carrying firearms or possession of marijuana, are very much NOT legal at Walt Disney Disney World. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

GENERAL RULES

General rules apply to any area on Disney World property. Disney reserves the right to change these rules at any time without notice.

• All persons, bags, parcels, clothing and other items may be subject to screening/security checks. Disney reserves the right not to allow any bag, parcel or other item and to deal with any unattended object, bag or luggage in such way.
• Smoking marijuana or other illegal substances is not permitted at any time. The smoking of tobacco, e-cigarettes or other products that produce a vapor or smoke is allowed only in designated outdoor smoking areas.
• Children should be supervised.
• The sale of goods or services, or the display of goods or services is prohibited, unless prior written approval has been obtained.
• The distribution of printed or recorded materials of any kind is prohibited unless prior written approval has been obtained.
• Engaging with other guests or impeding operations while posing as or portraying any character in costume is prohibited.
• Engaging in any unsafe act or other act that may impede the operation of the Walt Disney World Resort or any part thereof is prohibited.
• Unauthorized access or entry into backstage areas or areas designated only for cast members is prohibited.
• Unauthorized events, speeches, or use of any flag, banner, sign or other material for commercial purposes, or as part of a demonstration is prohibited.
• Photography, videotaping or recording of any kind, or otherwise engaging in any activity, for unapproved commercial purposes is prohibited.
• Unauthorized solicitations of any kind, whether commercial, religious, educational or otherwise, or conducting any unauthorized commercial activities, including solicitations of money or other contributions or donations is prohibited.
• Obstructing sidewalks, entrances, driveways, patios, vestibules, stairways, corridors, halls or landings is prohibited.
• Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times. Disney reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that they consider inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other guests.
• Clothing that drags on the ground is prohibited in theme parks and water parks. Clothing with multiple layers is subject to search.
• Visible tattoos that could be considered inappropriate, such as those containing objectionable language or designs, are not permitted.
• Disney may photograph, film, videotape, record or otherwise reproduce the image and/or voice of any person who enters the Walt Disney World Resort, and use the same for any purpose without payment to any person.

Prohibited Items

• Firearms, ammunition, knives and weapons of any kind are prohibited.
• Self-defense or restraining devices (e.g., pepper spray, mace).
• Marijuana (including marijuana enriched products) or any illegal substance.
• Objects or toys that appear to be firearms or weapons.
• Fireworks or other similarly explosive and/or flammable objects, smoke machines or fog machines.
• Horns, whistles, large megaphones or artificial noise makers. (This includes the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex).
• Recreational devices such as drones, remote-control toys, skateboards, scooters, inline skates or shoes with built-in wheels.
• Strollers that are greater than 31″ (79 cm) in width and 52″ (132 cm) in length. Stroller wagons are also prohibited. (This includes the theme parks and Disney Springs).
• Any trailer-like object that is pushed, pulled or towed by an Electric Conveyance Vehicle, wheelchair, stroller or person.
• Wheeled mobility devices with less than 3 wheels or devices that cannot maintain stability and balance when stopped, unpowered and/or unoccupied. Training wheels and/or modifications are not permitted. Devices must be manually or electrically powered and operated at a walking pace. Devices should be single rider and not exceed 36″ (92 cm) in width and 52″ (132 cm) in length.
• Suitcases, bags, coolers or backpacks, with or without wheels, larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) are not allowed in any theme park or water park. Loose or dry ice is not permitted in these containers. Re-usable ice packs are recommended.
• Folding chairs are not allowed in any theme park, water park, or at Disney Springs.
• Selfie sticks, hand-held extension poles for cameras or mobile devices, flags and banners are not allowed in any theme park or water park.
• Tripods or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack or that extend over 6’ (182 cm) are not allowed in theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, or ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
• Balloons are not permitted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge resort.
• Plastic straws are not permitted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, water parks, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge resort.

Animal Policies

• Feeding, petting, touching, harassing or harming any wildlife, including birds, is prohibited.
• Pets or other animals, except service animals (i.e., dogs and miniature horses, as defined above) are prohibited. They are allowed only at designated pet-friendly Disney Resort hotels.
• “Service animal” means a dog or miniature horse that is trained to do work or perform tasks for, and to assist, an individual with a disability. All other animals, including emotional support, comfort or companion animals, are not considered service animals.
• Service animals should remain on a leash or in a harness and under the control of the owner at all times. Due to the nature of some attractions, service animals may not be permitted to ride.
• Service animals are not allowed in the water—including water features/fountains—or closer than 4 feet to the water on wet decks.
• Pets staying at a designated pet-friendly Disney Resort hotel should remain on a leash or in a harness and under the control of the owner at all times when outside of the Disney resort hotel room.
  • Dogs are the only pets allowed in pet-friendly rooms, with a maximum of 2 permitted per guest room.
  • Dogs are expected to be well-behaved and properly vaccinated.
  • Other than service animals, dogs are not permitted in theme parks, water parks or common areas such as restaurants, pools and recreational spaces.

THEME PARK RULES

• Theme park and other tickets, credentials and entitlements are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, non-refundable, revocable and void if altered. The ticket must be used by the same person on all days during its period of validity and is not valid for special events that require a separate admission charge. Applicable ticket and valid identification confirmation are required for entry, re-entry or if applicable, crossover into any park on each day of the ticket’s validity. Tickets used to redeem or access benefits and entitlements such as Disney Genie+ [or Lightning Lane Multipass or Single Pass] service must be the same ticket used for park entry.
• Guests under age 14 must be accompanied by a guest age 14 or older to enter a theme park or water park. To board an attraction, children under age 7 must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older.
• You may not bring your own alcoholic beverages into the theme parks.
• You may not bring glass containers into the parks (with the exception of small containers such as baby food jars).
• Access to attractions depends on the safety rules for each attraction.
• Costumes may not be worn in Disney theme parks, water parks or ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex by guests ages 14 or older. There are modified rules for specific events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Disney Villains After Hours, or runDisney events see below.)
• Masks may not be worn by any guests ages 14 or older (unless required for medical purposes). When worn by younger Guests, masks may not cover the entire face and must provide unobstructed peripheral vision at all times with openings that allow the eyes to be fully seen.
• Guests are allowed to bring outside food and nonalcoholic beverage items into the park for self-consumption, provided they are not in glass containers and do not require heating, reheating, processing, refrigeration or temperature control and do not have pungent odors.
• Each attraction will have its own rules such as height requirements or safety warnings.

Event Costume Rules

For Guests ages 13 and under:

• Costumes and some costume masks may be worn; masks must provide unobstructed peripheral vision at all times with openings that allow the eyes to be fully seen.

For Guests 14 Years of Age or Older:

• All Guests may dress as their favorite character, but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
• Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
• Costumes may not contain any props or accessories that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
• Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.
• Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening.
• Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (for example, full-length Princess dresses)
• Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
• Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts and hats are acceptable.
• Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic lightsabers, toy swords and tutus. Costume headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
• Costume masks of any kind may not be worn.

Theme Park Water Feature Rules

• No food or beverages in the water or on the wet deck.
• No glass 50 feet from the wet deck.
• Children under the age of 12 must have adult supervision.
• Do not swallow the water.
• Do not use the water feature if you are ill with diarrhea.
• Diaper age children must wear swim diapers.

RESORT HOTEL RULES

• Disney reserves the right to enter any room at a Disney Resort hotel for maintenance, safety, security or any other purpose, even if the Room Occupied sign is displayed on the room door.
• A $250-$500 room-recovery fee will be charged for smoking in guest rooms or on balconies or patios at Disney Resort hotels.
• Hanging any clothing, towels, bedding or other similar items over or on balconies at a Disney Resort hotel or from fire suppression sprinklers.
• Quiet hours at the Disney Resort hotels are from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
• Guests must vacate their Disney Resort hotel rooms at the end of their stay, on the date and time set forth in their reservation confirmation.
• See the above rules related to balloon and straws at the Animal Kingdom Lodge resort.

Pool Rules

• Pools are the exclusive use of Disney resort guests.
• No food or beverages in the pool or on the wet pool deck.
• No glass in the fenced pool area.
• Children under age 12 must have adult supervision.
• Diaper age children must wear swim diapers.
• Do not swallow the pool water.
• No diving.

Camp Fire Event Rules

• Supervise children at all times.
• Do not climb or sit on the fire pit structure.
• Do not throw any items into the fire.
• No running in the campfire area.

Tennis Court Rules

• Limit play to one hour if anyone is waiting.
• Tennis shoes are required. Please wear appropriate tennis attire.
• Do not take glass containers inside the court area.
• Courts should not be used when wet.

ADDITIONAL RULES

Water Parks

• Wagons are prohibited at any water park.
• Non-Coast Guard approved flotation devices or swim noodles are prohibited at any water park.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

• The following items are specifically prohibited at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
  • Wagons are prohibited at indoor venues.
  • Generators.
  • Propane heaters.
  • Large misting fans (personal handheld misting fans are permitted).
  • Flags/banners of any kind that are larger than 3’ x 5’ regardless of how the flag/banner is intended to be carried.
  • Metal flag poles. Flag poles must be made out of wood, plastic and/or PVC. Flag poles cannot be longer than 4’, have diameters larger than 2”, or have decorative or sharp ends.
  • Coolers are prohibited at indoor venues, except for team coolers which must remain at the team bench.
  • Folding chairs are not permitted in the stadium, indoor venues, or at select outdoor events.

Also note that Disney may have additional rules that apply to other areas of its business, including Disney Vacation Club, the use of technology such as its apps and MagicBands, the use of the PhotoPass and Memory Maker service, and other entities.