The Happiest Place on Earth is going smoke-free as of May 1.
Disneyland announced Thursday that the company would impose a new smoking ban at their theme parks beginning on May 1, about 1 month before the May 31 grand opening of the park's $1 billion addition, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
That means any Disneyland visitor who wants to light up or vape will need to leave the security area. That includes Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, as well as the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district. Current smoking areas, like the one near the Silly Symphony Swings attraction in California Adventure or the one located near Big Thunder Mountain in Disneyland will be eliminated.
Disneyland plans on using the former Big Thunder Mountain smoking area for visitors waiting to get into Galaxy's Edge during the "soft opening" reservation-only period that will run through the first three weeks.
The 14-acre land, set to open on May 31, is the largest expansion in the park's history. The new land features two rides, four eateries, one "space-themed" cantina, and five retail shops. The Star Wars themed land at Walt Disney World is scheduled to open on Aug. 29. Disneyland will use a "virtual-queueing" system that will give park-goers a boarding pass and will be called to enter the land when there is enough room, officials said.
That's not the only new restriction being put on park visitors. Disneyland officials say the park is also banning any oversized strollers from entering the park. Strollers may not be any wider than 31 inches - a reduction from the current 36-inch limit. The theme park will also begin enforcing its ban on wagons inside Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
Double strollers will be available to rent for theme-park goers. These models are tandem, which means children sit behind one another, instead of side-by-side, which takes up more space.
The new restrictions are being made in hopes of reducing crowds on the pathways through the park. Thousands of people are expected to flock to the park once Galaxy's Edge opens on May 31.
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