Disney Don'ts: Follow These Rules and Your Visit Will Be Magical

Disney wants to make sure that when kids are interacting with characters, they are interacting with the right characters. So you can't just wander into a Disney Park in costume (although there are plenty of t-shirts featuring Disney characters that would be no problem at all).

Here's the rule under "Prohibited Activities": It's against the rules to be "engaging with other Guests or impeding the operation while posing as or portraying any character in costume."

Mouse ears are fine, especially the pink sparkly kind. But Disney forbids grown-ups from wearing masks while in Disney Parks while also requiring any kids with masks to make sure they can still see.

Here's the official rule: "Masks may not be worn by any Guests ages 14 or older (unless required for medical purposes). When worn by younger Guests, masks must provide unobstructed peripheral vision at all times with openings that allow the eyes to be fully seen."

This applies to Disney's Animal Kingdom — and you can see why such a rule exists. If wild animals subsisted on a diet of snack treats and the occasional half-eaten burger, they wouldn't stay wild (or possibly alive) for very long. Here's the rule under "Prohibited Activities": You aren't be allowed to be "feeding any animals in the park, including birds."

Walt Disney dressed well, as you are reminded by his statue when you enter the Magic Kingdom. He wants you and your family to follow suit (pun intended).

Here's the official Disney rule: "Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times. Costumes may not be worn by Guests ages 14 or older. Clothing that drags the ground is prohibited. Clothing with multiple layers is subject to search. We reserve the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that we consider inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other Guests. Visible tattoos that could be considered inappropriate, such as those containing objectionable language or designs, are not permitted."

After an exhausting day or touring around a Disney Park with your kids, at least one person is likely to be protesting from exhaustion or crankiness. But just make sure they don't turn it into a full-blown political event, as Disney frowns on that happening in its parks.

Here's the rule under "Prohibited Activities": You aren't allowed to have "unauthorized events, demonstrations or speeches, or the usage of any flag, banner or sign for commercial purposes, or to incite a crowd."

Of course you're going to take a selfie in a Disney Park. In fact, you'll probably take a few. But just don't do it with a selfie stick. Like a lot of popular tourist attractions, Disney has now banned them from its parks. Here's the full rule under "Prohibited Items": You cannot bring "selfie sticks (hand-held extension poles for cameras or mobile devices)."

There are lots of places to sit in Disney Parks, so there's a rule against bringing your own seating with you. The official rule is under "Prohibited Items" and just lists "folding chairs" as one of those items. You're also not allowed to bring large tripods or stools to Disney parks.

You'll find that the Disney ban on your plastic guns will put a damper on your plans. If you want to get wet, there are plenty of places to do that in a Disney Park, like these people did at Splash Mountain.

Here's the rule under "Prohibited Items": You can't bring in "weapons of any kind, or objects that appear to be weapons (also including toy blasters, squirt guns, etc.)."

You'll just have to suck it up and drink straight from the bottle. For obvious reasons, you wouldn't want one of the wild animals to eat a plastic straw by mistake.

Here's the official rule: "Balloons and plastic straws are not permitted in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park for the safety of our animals."