Disney Parks Are Getting Rid of Smoking Areas

Disneyland may no longer be the "Happiest Place on Earth"—if you're a smoker. Disney Parks announced in a blog post Thursday that as of May 1, there will no longer be smoking areas "inside Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex or Downtown Disney District in California." Disney says there will be smoking areas outside the entrances to its parks, and there will still be smoking areas available at Disney hotels, Good Morning America reports. The company says anybody found smoking will be asked to leave the park and smoke in a designated area outside. The policy will not apply to Disney parks in China, France, and Japan.

The move was praised by industry figures including Dennis Speigel, president of the International Theme Park Service consulting company, the New York Times reports. "You're going to the most wholesome, family-oriented place on the planet," he says. "Who wants to run into somebody smoking?" Disney announced two other policy changes Thursday, Yahoo reports. Stroller wagons and larger strollers will no longer be allowed in Disney parks, and guests will no longer be allowed to bring in "loose and dry ice." The company says people with strollers that are too big can rent smaller ones, and complimentary cups of ice are available at locations selling drinks. (Disney also doesn't allow political banners.)