With all the rule changes coming into effect to the parks of the Walt Disney World Resort on May 1st, it only makes sense that a new set of park maps would follow.
New park maps will debut at all four theme parks, both water parks, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and are expected to feature the new rules to help inform guests of the changes. Currently, new maps are not expected for Disney Springs, as the rule changes are not expected to impact the area.
For those needing a refresher on the changes:
Beginning May 1, guidelines on stroller sizes will be adjusted, requiring them to be no larger than 31″ (79cm) wide and 52″ (132cm) long. Many strollers on the market, including many double jogging strollers, fit within these size guidelines. Disney will also begin strictly enforcing their “no wagons” policy. Beginning May 1, stroller wagons will also no longer be permitted. These updates are designed to help guest flow and ease congestion, making the parks more enjoyable for everyone.
Also beginning May 1, smoking areas will no longer be present inside Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, or the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Designated smoking areas will be available outside the entrances of the areas listed above and at Disney Springs. For guests who have room or dining reservations, smoking areas are also available at Disney Resort hotels.
If guests plan to bring a cooler or cooler bag to store snacks and drinks for theme park or water park adventures, it’s important to know that loose or dry ice are no longer permitted in Disney parks. Re-useable ice packs will be permitted.
Keep reading WDWNT for all changes happening to the Walt Disney World Resort.
I can foresee the smoking ban being a problem at EPCOT.
big time problem! the way the smoking areas are set up now are fine(mabee with the exeption of italy)there is no way a person will hike from the middle of the park to go outside and smoke(aint gona happen!) being that disney is overboard in promoting drinking many people love to have a smoke & a drink! also many more foreign visitors go to epcot as well as older adults that do smoke,we will all find a way to grab a smoke in some corner of the park.i have a great idea,disney should monitor in each park were they find the most butts and make that the new smoking areas!
i am not a smoker but i think taking away smoking areas is just asking for trouble. people smoke. people that smoke cannot just give it up for a week, they are going to sneak it and then there will be cigarette butts around. at least with designated areas, they had some place to go with a place to put their litter in a safe place.
i agree with you,i am a smoker and i would look forward to a smoke break now and then. in all the years i have gone to disney and smoked in a designated area i have never heard one complant from a passer by,thats because most areas are off to the side. you are right smoking is an addiction it cant be turned off at will! i to may find myself at the far end of the park and say its to far to go to outside the park to smoke (also i would not want to leave my family by them selfs for an hour will i smoke) i probable will duck off to a corner and have a smoke! but if there are no ash trays i will have to stomp it out in the ground!
Join the discussion…Maybe a smoking ban will help people kick that nasty habit.
I’ve never been hit by a stroller, but every time I visit, I’m hit on the ankles by people that don’t know how to drive their gigantic scooters. They are such a problem! Also, fake service dogs are getting worse. That really is wrong because real service dogs are so well trained and necessary. Putting a Chihuahua in a vest you bought online because you don’t want to leave it at a kennel is so selfish. I’ve seen them barking or even growling at other guests! Real service dogs would never do that. I am glad to not have the smoke around, and people already sneakily put their cigarettes in their hands and covertly smoke unfortunately.
kari your right about the poochy thing,im a dog lover and to fake a service dog is totaly wrong!but your a little right about covert smoking but do you think by removing the smoking areas(and if you dont want the smoke around stay clear of marked smoking areas,i think some anti smokers purposely walk near a smoking area just so they can belly ache!)you will find more covert smokers than before because there will be no designated areas any more so the whole park will be fair game!
Is ice allowed in a water bottle? Why are they not allowing loose ice anyways…how was this a problem? Just wondering…
Sounds like Disney is gonna be out there forever and ever till the next generations
What’s the reason for banning loose ice? I’m not complaining, just curious. Were people dumping their ice randomly inside the parks or something?
Also, not sympathetic at all to smokers. We all know smoking is bad for you, and if you’re looking forward to a smoke break, maybe you need to reevaluate if spending hundreds of dollars to go to Disney World is appropriate for you.
Of course, that said, I’ve been to Disney dozens of times and I can only remember offhand where one of the smoking areas was – in that weird hidden walkway that goes from Storybook Circus to Tomorrowland, which is also where the pet area is – so it seems like the smoking areas were already pretty decently located away from guests anyway?