Disney officials have announced that are banning selfie sticks at some of its parks worldwide, beginning on Tuesday with US locations in Florida and California.

The popular tool used by tourists will no longer be welcome at Disney’s four Orlando theme parks and the Disneyland resort in California on Tuesday. The ban begins on 1 July at Disney parks in Paris and Hong Kong.

“We strive to provide a great experience for the entire family, and unfortunately selfie sticks have become a growing safety concern for both our guests and cast,” a Disney World spokeswoman, Kim Prunty, told the Orlando Sentinel.

Officials say visitors will have the option of turning in their selfie sticks for pick-up later, or returning them to their cars or hotel rooms.

The sticks have been banned at a growing list of museums, music festivals and sports venues. The Smithsonian museums told visitors to leave them at home In March, calling it “a preventive measure to protect visitors and objects, especially during crowded conditions”.

The Associated Press contributed to this report