Disney Comments on Crackdown on Guest Services Provided by Vendors

Earlier this year, Walt Disney World sent cease and desist warnings to third-party vendors providing unauthorized guest services on Disney’s property. We broke the news that Disney was sending out cease and desist warnings and a wave of coverage followed. There were also many posts from impacted business on social media.

Now, three months later, this news began circulating again, which prompted a statement from Disney about the move to crack down on unauthorized businesses, plus which businesses they decide to let operate on property. We’ve continued to see active conversations about the enforced rules in Facebook groups and among planners. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including info on the reopening of a closed Disney ride and celebrities banned from the theme parks.

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Disney Prohibiting Unauthorized Third-Party Vendors

According to Disney World’s official resort rules, only authorized vendors are permitted to do business on Walt Disney World property. This is to ensure guest safety and to verify that these services have the appropriate licenses and registrations. In a recent crackdown in January, cease and desist warnings were sent to a number of local small businesses providing services on Walt Disney World property.

Some of the impacted businesses included photographers, massage therapists, chefs and catering companies, stylists performing services like princess makeovers in hotel rooms, hotel room decorators, and more. Now, nearly three months after this initial crackdown, Disney is still enforcing this decision, and many local businesses have had to adjust their practices.

A recent article by The Washington Post outlined the personal experiences of local businesses that previously provided services on property and how they’ve had to pivot to different strategies. Sheila Campion, the owner of As You Wish Magical Experiences, shared with the outlet that more than 50 percent of her business came from guests staying on property. Campion’s business provides princess makeovers, which emerged as a highly successful alternative during the pandemic when Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique wasn’t open.

When the popular princess experience reopened at Disney World, the experiences were immediately tricky to book because reservations fill up so fast. Her business filled the gap in demand. Since receiving the cease and desist from Disney, she’s had to alter her business by working with clients off property at other hotels or Airbnbs to comply with Disney’s rules.

Disney responded to the article from The Washington Post with this statement: “We’ve seen an increase in unauthorized third‑party vendors at our resort hotels, and these activities can raise safety and operational concerns and impact the Guest experience, which is why they are not permitted under our long‑standing property rules.”

The article further stated that Disney also cited one of their recent economic impact studies and said the company “works with 2,500 Florida-based small businesses that are contracted to supply products and services to the resort.”

Some of these contracted businesses include ScooterBug, a company that is a featured provider that can drop off strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs at hotels. Another includes Joffrey’s Coffee, which is a Tampa-based coffee roaster that is the official specialty coffee of Disney, with coffee grounds in hotel rooms and kiosks across the property.

So what does a business have to do to receive authorization from Disney? Those planning weddings or events on Disney property have some insight. Based on paperwork provided to those planning a Disney Fairytale Wedding, all third-party vendors must provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with $2 million in coverage plus sign an agreement with Disney before the event.

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These rules for third-party vendors aren’t new to Disney World, and this recent larger enforcement effort seems to be a consistent practice going forward. While some might assume Disney is restricting business out of fear that they will take revenue away, it’s more complex than that. Beyond physical risk, allowing unapproved third-party businesses can also create legal or insurance risks for Disney.

Disney could also be concerned about impacts to property and guest health. Examples we shared previously include food borne illness from catering services, harassment by massage providers, damage caused by room decorators, or sanitation issues stemming from makeup or beauty services. These are some of the risks that Disney could be accounting for.

Here are the official rules from Disney on that are published on the Walt Disney World website around restricting commercial activity:

• The sale of goods or services, or the display of goods or services, unless prior written approval has been obtained.
• The distribution of printed or recorded materials of any kind unless prior written approval has been obtained.
• Unauthorized events, speeches, or use of any flag, banner, sign or other material for commercial purposes, or as part of a demonstration.
• Photography, videotaping or recording of any kind, or otherwise engaging in any activity, for unapproved commercial purposes.
• Unauthorized solicitations of any kind, whether commercial, religious, educational or otherwise, or conducting any unauthorized commercial activities, including solicitations of money or other contributions or donations

See all the details on the crackdown and notices sent to businesses in our original reporting on the move by Disney.