What Not To Do At Disneyland
So you think a day at Disneyland is all about churros, parades, and endless smiles? Not quite. Even in the happiest place on earth, a few slip-ups can turn your magical adventure into an unplanned exit. Quirky surprises and easily overlooked rules can bring trouble faster than a runaway mine train. If you want to ensure the best day ever, here are 20 things that could completely derail your Disney adventure.
1. Smoking Inside The Park
Back in 2019, Disneyland shocked many by banning smoking inside the park entirely. Today, the only option is stepping outside the gates to light up. Ignore that rule, and security can boot you—California law takes secondhand smoke very seriously.
2. Bringing Firearms Or Weapons Of Any Kind
Security runs bag checks and metal detectors daily. Think that toy blaster looks harmless? Not at Disneyland. Even replicas trigger alarms and a fast trip out. Ironically, you can buy a toy sword here, but it stays in the bag until you get home.
Rob Young from United Kingdom on Wikimedia
3. Using Or Possessing Illegal Substances Or Being Intoxicated In Public
Narcotics remain banned, and public intoxication gets you removed. Even though Oga’s Cantina serves alcohol inside Disneyland, that doesn’t mean open drinking is allowed everywhere else. After all, impaired judgment risks everyone’s safety in the park.
4. Engaging In Aggressive Behavior
Hidden among the crowds are plainclothes security officers watching for trouble. Pick a fight and you’re not just removed—you could be arrested or banned for life. Disneyland guards its family-friendly reputation fiercely, so aggressive behavior guarantees your day ends early.
5. Disobeying Cast Members Or Violating Queue Etiquette
Cutting in line might feel sneaky, but Disneyland takes it seriously enough to throw you out. Cast members are trained to keep order, and fairness keeps lines moving. To help, some rides even use virtual queues that kill line-cutting temptation.
6. Tampering With Ride Safety Equipment
Ride restraints and alarms aren’t souvenirs. Mess with them and the attraction shuts down instantly, sometimes forcing an evacuation. Some attractions hide sensors to catch tampering on the spot. One guest’s stunt could spoil the fun—and the safety—of everyone onboard.
7. Adults Wearing Costumes Inside The Park
Want to dress like Elsa? Not if you’re over 14. Adults in costumes risk being mistaken for real characters, which can confuse kids or cause safety issues. Disney encourages themed outfits, but full costumes are strictly for the little ones.
Evoking Ephemerality on Pexels
8. Climbing Fences Or Restricted Structures
If people try to climb the Matterhorn or any such structure, security will be quick to remove them. Surveillance cameras cover restricted zones, and climbing means immediate removal. Beyond injury risk, reckless stunts damage the carefully built park scenery.
9. Filming Commercial Content Without Prior Approval
Influencers often discover the hard way that filming sponsored content without permission gets them escorted out. Any professional shoot requires Disney Media Relations clearance. Unauthorized videos can compromise guest privacy and Disney’s brand, so “going viral” isn’t worth getting ejected mid-post.
10. Bringing In Glass Containers
Security turns away anything dangerous—even oversized perfume bottles. Glass is only okay for baby food or medicine. The rule prevents broken shards from turning crowded walkways into hazards. It’s one of those safety steps guests rarely notice until it saves them.
11. Scattering Human Ashes
The Haunted Mansion is legendary for attempted ash scatterings, but it always ends badly. Cremated remains are treated as a health and sanitation hazard. Those caught face bans or legal trouble, and the cleanup is as grim as it sounds.
12. Holding Unauthorized Protests Or Demonstrations
Even one-person protests will not be tolerated at Disneyland. Any demonstration requires legal approval beforehand. This is because large unplanned gatherings block walkways and disrupt the flow of visitors, so security steps in before things escalate.
13. Bringing Pets That Are Not Certified Service Animals
Furry friends can’t come along unless they’re ADA-certified service animals. Pets without proper credentials are turned away or escorted out to prevent allergy flare-ups or safety issues. For travelers, prior arrangements need to be made for pets.
14. Accessing Staff-Only Areas Without Permission
Some backstage zones are so well-themed they’d definitely wow guests, but visitors aren’t invited. Unauthorized entry into staff-only areas violates privacy and disrupts operations. Sneaking back there can earn a permanent ban—better to leave behind-the-scenes magic to the cast.
15. Engaging In Indecent Acts In Public Areas
Once, a 26-year-old was arrested for indecent exposure at It’s a Small World. Public indecency breaks both park policy and state law, and it leads to ejection or even arrest. What might feel sneaky ruins the family-friendly atmosphere of the theme park.
16. Attempting To Steal Merchandise Or Property
Think you can outsmart Disney’s shops? Some use RFID tags to track stolen items in real time. Theft doesn’t just end in embarrassment—it usually means police involvement or a permanent record. Protecting merchandise also protects the trust that keeps visitors returning.
17. Bringing Wrapped Gifts That Cannot Be Inspected
People can sneak in bottles of alcohol hidden inside neatly wrapped boxes. That’s why all gifts must be unwrapped or inspectable at entry. Anything concealed risks denial or confiscation, and colorful paper won’t hide contraband from a determined checkpoint search.
18. Using Offensive Language Toward Others Or On Clothing
Guests have been denied entry for profanity printed on shirts—even when covered by a jacket. Verbal abuse isn’t tolerated, either. Disneyland’s playful, family-first vibe depends on positivity, so obscene clothing or foul language is a quick ticket out the gates.
19. Using Drones Or Remote-Controlled Devices
Disneyland isn’t just strict—it’s literally a federally recognized FAA no-fly zone. That means drones, hoverboards, or any remote-controlled toys are banned outright. Using them risks ejection or fines because guest safety and crowd control always come before high-tech playtime.
The Lazy Artist Gallery on Pexels
20. Using Shoes With Built-In Wheels
Heelys once rolled through the parks like the hottest trend. Today, they’re completely banned. One wrong glide risks collisions in heavy crowds or nasty spills on pavement. Guests caught wearing wheeled shoes must swap them out or leave the fun behind.
