Disneyland is banning phones on high-motion rides amid surge in shutdowns

Key Points:

• Disneyland Resort in Anaheim has implemented new "resort rules" to address a rise in ride disruptions, with guest behavior now accounting for 13% of ride shutdowns in fiscal year 2025, up from a 10% historical average.
• A key policy, dubbed "Stow it, Don’t Show it," prohibits visible phone use and handheld filming on high-motion rides, requiring phones to be fully secured before boarding to enhance safety and ride reliability.
• The crackdown also targets loose items such as oversized insulated drinkware, with bans on large metal tumblers ("Stanley ban") and selfie sticks, alongside intensified bag checks and stricter enforcement at park entry points.
• Disneyland employs facial recognition technology at entry gates to streamline re-entry and prevent fraud, though guests can opt out by using manual-entry lanes.
• The phone policy has sparked mixed reactions among Disney fans online, with some criticizing the ban due to the park's app-based ecosystem, while others appreciate the encouragement to be more present during rides.