We all love a good ride photo—until someone ruins it for everyone.

If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at the “no phones on Space Mountain” rule, trust me, I’ve been right there with you. It seemed a little dramatic… until I saw what actually happens when someone ignores it. This is your friendly reminder that this isn’t just Disney being strict—it’s about keeping the ride safe and enjoyable for everyone onboard.

Putting Your Phone Away on Space Mountain Isn’t Optional

Let’s just say, there’s a reason Disney started cracking down on phones and other loose items on Space Mountain. In late 2022, signs started popping up, making it crystal clear: no phones, no cameras, no small items in hand—everything needs to go in the pouch attached to your ride vehicle.

At first, this felt a little over the top. I mean, it’s a roller coaster in the dark—how big of a deal could a phone be? Then I saw someone break the rule. And it completely changed how I feel about it.

Here’s What Happened

I was riding Space Mountain like usual. Buckled in, pouch secured, adrenaline fully activated. About halfway through, I saw this sudden BLAST of light a few rows ahead of me. At first, I thought maybe it was part of the ride? Nope. It was a phone flash—someone had pulled their phone out and snapped a selfie mid-ride.

That flash? It completely destroyed the moment. Space Mountain is designed to be totally dark, so your senses are heightened—you feel every twist and turn like you’re flying through space. When someone fires off a flash, it ruins the illusion for the people around them and totally breaks the vibe. It’s like turning the lights on during a haunted house. No thanks.

But it’s not just about the experience. That phone? It could’ve easily gone flying. Space Mountain isn’t a smooth, gentle ride—it jerks, it drops, it throws you around. There’s a reason Disney says phones need to be stored. It’s a real safety issue.

Why the Rule Exists

Disney made the no-phones-on-Space-Mountain rule for two solid reasons:

• Safety. Your phone flying out of your hands could hit someone, break, or get lost forever in the void of the ride’s guts.
• Immersion. This ride is built around darkness. Even one quick flash ruins the entire feel for everyone nearby.

For a lot of guests, Space Mountain is a core memory kind of ride. If it’s your first time riding—or your fiftieth—you want to feel like you’re zooming through space.

Not like you’re sitting next to someone doing a full-on iPhone photo shoot.

We Get It—Photos Matter

Look, we know people want to capture the magic. With rising trip costs, it makes sense that people want to snap their own memories. But Disney has tons of other places where you can safely (and beautifully) take photos—on rides like “it’s a small world,” Jungle Cruise, or even right before you board something more intense.

Just not on Space Mountain.

The Bottom Line

If you’re heading to Magic Kingdom soon, just know: when the Cast Members remind you to store your phone before takeoff on Space Mountain, they really mean it. It’s not just about following rules for rules’ sake—it’s about making sure everyone has the best (and safest) time possible.

It might feel annoying in the moment, but it’s worth it. Because nothing kills the magic faster than a sudden flash that reminds you you’re on a roller coaster in Florida—not flying through the stars.

In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more.

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Have you ever seen someone break the rules on a ride? Let us know in the comments.