There are a few things that could potentially ruin your Disney World vacation: really bad weather, rides breaking down, and meltdowns in the park are just a few. But what about getting KICKED OUT of the parks altogether? That’d certainly put a damper on your plans.

Generally, as long as you’re being a decent, good human (you know — being nice to people, not causing a scene or getting into fights, the usual stuff), you’re very unlikely to get kicked out of the parks. However, there are a couple of more unique rules in Disney World that you may not know about, so we’re here to WARN you before your next vacation! Breaking either of these rules could possibly result in you being kicked out.

Dressing Up as a Disney Character as an Adult

Sorry, folks. If you try to steal the limelight away from the actual Cinderella in Magic Kingdom by dressing up in her costume, she’s gonna get pretty upset and you could wind up being kicked out of the park.

The Rule

Disney prohibits guests from “engaging with other Guests or impeding operations while posing as or portraying any character in costume.” If you read more of the fine print, you’ll find that it’s not just the “engaging with other guests” and “impeding operations” that are prohibited — dressing up at all is against the rules.

Disney’s website states, “Costumes may not be worn in our theme parks, water parks or ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex by Guests ages 14 or older.” (Note that this rule does NOT apply to kids ages 13 and younger — you’ll see plenty of little ones dressed up as characters, and that’s totally OK.)

So why is it that you’re not allowed to dress up as your favorite character in the parks? The main problem is that other people might think you’re the actual character (the one Disney hired), and since you don’t actually work for Disney, they can’t control how you portray that character and interact with guests.

Cast Members go through a LOT of training before they set foot in the parks, with classes about how to interact with guests, how to handle difficult situations, etc. They know their characters’ stories inside and out, and that’s how they’re able to keep the magic going and interact with little kids in such a way that makes those kids really believe they’re the real characters.

We’re sure that you have a very convincing Cinderella signature, but unfortunately — since you haven’t been hired by Disney and gone through all that training — Disney has to ask you to refrain from wearing your full costume in the parks.

The Exceptions

This rule is true ALMOST all of the time. However, there are some exceptions!

• runDisney Events: Racers are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Disney characters during the run! Just make sure that your costume is comfortable to run in — you don’t want to get a half mile in and regret your choice of outfit. We’re speaking from experience here! You should test out your race outfit at home to make sure you feel good running the full distance of the race in it. There’s nothing worst than realizing you’re stuck with an itchy, heavy, or otherwise uncomfortable outfit with miles and miles to go.

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: It’s a Halloween party, so of course dressing up is part of the fun. There are still a few rules that you’ll need to follow when it comes to costumes, though. For example, you cannot bring in props or accessories that could be mistaken for real weapons, you cannot wear clothing that drags on the ground (since it’s a safety hazard), and you still cannot pose as that character by signing autographs for other guests.

• Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser: This one is a half-exception. If you’re visiting the Starcruiser before it closes this coming September, you can feel free to “bound” as any of your favorite Star Wars characters. (That includes during the “excursion” to Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios — which is why you might spot a lot of guests in themed outfits in that part of the park on some days.) Note that Disney says you can “bound,” not “dress up.” Here’s what is and what isn’t allowed:
  • ALLOWED: Bounding — piecing together traditional clothing items that when worn together, serve as a recognizable tribute to Star Wars characters; Batuuan attire — wearing outfits inspired by the villagers of Batuu (muted tones, vests, layers, etc.) 
    

    ©Disney

  • NOT ALLOWED: All robes or military-style attire; Masks, face paint, elaborate headwear, blasters or holsters (lightsabers are allowed) or hard items such as body armor, helmets, or kneepads; Full character suits

Click here to see 17 costume ideas for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

DisneyBounding

DisneyBounding is a common thing in the theme parks, even outside of the Starcruiser. While you cannot wear character costumes, you can wear regular outfits that nod to the characters.

For example, if you were “bounding” as Belle, you might wear a yellow sundress (to nod to Belle’s iconic gown) and carry a bright red bag (to nod to the rose in the movie). Bounding as Prince Eric might involve a white shirt, blue pants, a red belt, and a stuffed sheepdog.

To know whether your “bounding” is getting too close to an actual costume, a good rule of thumb could be to ask yourself, “Could a child reasonably mistake me for the real character?” If the answer is yes or maybe, you might want to adjust your outfit.

Click here to find 7 simple DisneyBound outfits you WON’T regret wearing to the parks.

Going Into a “Backstage Area”

In case you didn’t know already, Disney World is one big elaborate show. Anywhere where guests are allowed is considered “onstage,” and the areas where only Cast Members should go are considered “backstage.” (That’s why they’re called “Cast Members” — get it?! Ya, you get it.)

Written in the Disney World rulebook is a warning that guests are prohibited from going “backstage.” Specifically, the rule prohibits “unauthorized access or entry into backstage areas or areas designated only for Cast Members.”

This rule exists for a few reasons. One, it keeps the magic alive. Cast Members, characters, and other Disney employees are all working to keep the “show” going onstage — going backstage can break that illusion.

Another important reason for this rule is safety. There could be all kinds of projects going on backstage that could be dangerous for guests without training to stumble upon.

So if you see doors or other areas in Disney World that are marked “Cast Members Only” or have some other warning telling guests not to go that way, please respect that.

If a guest breaks either of these rules — or ignores several other warnings on Disney World’s website — Disney notes that they “reserve the right to deny admission, prevent entry or require a person already admitted to leave the Walt Disney World Resort or any part thereof, without refund, liability or compensation.”

Curious about other Disney World rules? Note that, per Disney’s website, these items are prohibited anywhere in Disney World:

• Firearms, ammunition, knives and weapons of any kind.
• Self-defense or restraining devices (e.g., pepper spray, mace)
• Objects or toys that appear to be firearms or weapons.
• Fireworks or other similarly explosive and/or flammable objects, smoke machines or fog machines.
• Alcoholic beverages, except at the Disney Resort hotels and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Wine may be brought in to Disney Springs to be consumed at select table service restaurants only, corkage fees apply.
• Glass containers (excluding small containers such as baby food jars), except in the Disney Resort hotels and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
• Horns, whistles, large megaphones or artificial noise makers.
• Recreational devices such as drones, remote-control toys, skateboards, scooters, inline skates or shoes with built-in wheels. Bicycles are permitted only in designated Disney Resort areas.
• Strollers that are greater than 31″ (79 cm) in width and 52″ (132 cm) in length. Stroller wagons are also prohibited.
• Wagons are prohibited at any theme park, water park, or Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Wagons are prohibited at indoor venues at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
• Any trailer-like object that is pushed, pulled or towed by an Electric Conveyance Vehicle, wheelchair, stroller or person.
• 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, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser or Disney Springs.
• Selfie sticks, hand-held extension poles for cameras or mobile devices, flags and banners are not allowed in any theme park, water park or Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
• 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, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser 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 (Kidani Village and Jambo House)
• Plastic straws are not permitted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, water parks or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village and Jambo House)
• Non-Coast Guard approved flotation devices or swim noodles at any water park.

And if you want to learn about even more Disney rules, check out these posts:

• The Pool Hopping Rule Everyone Forgets in Disney World
• Important Rules about Your Refillable Mug in Disney World
• Breaking Down the Most Confusing Disney Genie+ Rule

Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news!

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Did these rules surprise you? Let us know in the comments!