If you've avoided pulling out your phone on Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway for the past year, you may not have to anymore. As of June 24, 2026, guests at Disneyland appear to once again be allowed to hold their phones and other devices while riding — with no wrist strap, lanyard, or tether required.

It's a notable reversal of one of Disneyland's most talked-about ride rules of the past year. Here's what changed, what the rule used to be, and why Disney may have decided to let it go.

What the rule used to be

The hands-free policy on Runaway Railway first surfaced in late summer 2025, around the time Disney released an official point-of-view video of the attraction on Disney+. Guests began reporting new signage in the queue instructing riders to put away all personal belongings before boarding.

Enforcement tightened considerably heading into 2026. Cast Members would not dispatch a ride vehicle until every loose item — phones, water bottles, mouse ears, hats — was fully stowed in a bag or pocket. If a guest pulled a phone out mid-ride, Cast Members could cut the music and ask them to put it away. For a stretch, guests reported being allowed to keep a phone secured to a lanyard or neck strap, but holding a device freely was off the table.

Why Disney introduced it in the first place

The reasoning came down to the ride's technology. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway uses a trackless ride system, the same family of technology found on Rise of the Resistance and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure. Instead of following a fixed rail, each vehicle navigates the show building independently, which means the entire floor is effectively part of the ride path.

When something falls — a phone, a cup, a pair of ears — a following vehicle can run right over it. That triggers an emergency stop, forces an evacuation, and can damage the sensitive underside of the cars. Disney has pointed to guest behavior as a growing source of downtime, noting that the share of ride shutdowns tied to guests climbed to 13% in fiscal year 2025.

In other words, the rule was never about banning selfies for the sake of it. It was about keeping a finicky, high-capacity attraction running.

What changed on June 24, 2026

On a recent visit, ThemeParkIQ observed that guests were once again holding phones freely on Runaway Railway, with Cast Members no longer spieling about a hands-free requirement or asking riders to stow devices before dispatch. The lanyard/tether workaround appears to no longer be necessary either.

Two important caveats: Disney has not made any formal announcement about ending the policy, and Disneyland's general guidance still asks guests to secure loose articles on attractions for safety. Until there's official word, it's possible this reflects relaxed enforcement rather than a permanent rule change, and policies like this can vary day to day or by Cast Member.

Why might Disney have dropped it?

Disney hasn't said, so the following is analysis rather than confirmation. A few theories stand out:

• It was hard to enforce. Once a vehicle leaves the station, there's no practical way to stop a determined guest from pulling out a phone. Cutting the music and stopping the ride to police it arguably caused as much downtime as the dropped phones the rule was meant to prevent.
• Phones are essential park tools. Guests rely on their phones for Lightning Lane, mobile ordering, park maps, and even as their ticket and wallet. A blanket "put it away" rule created friction for guests who weren't filming at all.
• Guest pushback. The policy was divisive from the start, with vloggers and casual photographers frustrated at losing the ability to capture the ride.

It's also possible Disney simply found the rule wasn't moving the needle on downtime enough to justify the friction at the load platform.

The bottom line

For now, it looks like you can once again capture your trip through Mickey and Minnie's cartoon world on Runaway Railway. Just remember the original reason the rule existed: this is a trackless ride, and a dropped phone can shut the whole thing down. Even without a rule forcing your hand, a firm grip — or a strap — is still a smart move.

We’ve reached out to Disney for comment and have not yet heard back. We'll update this post if Disney issues an official statement or if enforcement returns.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use your phone on Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway now?

As of June 24, 2026, guests appear to be allowed to hold their phones on the ride again, and the hands-free requirement is no longer being actively enforced. Disney has not issued a formal announcement, so enforcement could vary.

Why did Disney ban phones on Runaway Railway originally?

The attraction uses a trackless ride system, so a dropped phone anywhere on the floor can be run over by another vehicle, triggering an emergency stop and potentially damaging the ride. The rule was meant to reduce downtime.

Is filming allowed on Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway?

With the hands-free rule relaxed, holding a phone to film appears to be permitted again. As always, keep a secure grip, since dropped devices can stop the ride.

Did Disney officially announce the change?

No. This is based on firsthand observation at the parks. Disney has not confirmed an official end to the policy, and general guidance to secure loose articles still applies.