Metal Detectors Installed at All Four Walt Disney World Theme Parks
The Walt Disney World Resort has recently updated its security measures by adding metal detectors at the entrances to all four theme parks, banning the sale of toy guns, and prohibiting costumes on all guests over the age of 14.
Metal detector at Disney's Hollywood Studios
The metal detectors have been in use since December 17 and are set up after the bag check areas at each theme park. Guests are being randomly selected to go through the metal detectors.
In recent weeks more security personnel and even specially trained dogs have been seen patrolling different areas at the theme parks.
Toy guns, including toy blasters and squirt guns, will no longer be sold at the Walt Disney World Resort and can no longer be brought into the parks. Disney says this is to ensure that the toy guns don't cause a distraction.
The costume ban means any guest over the age of 14 is no longer allowed to wear costumes into the theme parks, including during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This is meant to allow easier screening of guests.
What are your thoughts about the new security measures at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments.
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Wendy wrote on Tue, 12/22/2015 - 17:39:
I think it is sad this is what it has come to. We have gone to Mickey's not so Scarry Halloween party for a few years now & the best part of it for us is dressing up as a family. I am saddened that this is what has to happen because of the world today. I believe we will skip MNSSHP from now on. I understand what Disney is doing it just is terrible that is what has to happen.
Stacey wrote on Tue, 12/22/2015 - 23:48:
I am thrilled
Donna Magaril wrote on Wed, 12/23/2015 - 00:19:
I am concerned that the people entering thru the non checked without bags are not being screened...someone who does not have a bag could still be carrying a concealed weapon..They need to be checked also...
D B wrote on Wed, 12/23/2015 - 04:15:
How far are they going to go with the costume ban? Will DIsney bounding outfits be banned? Dresses and hair that look like a character? Plenty of people over the age of 14 who like to dress up. But in the end it is just clothing - no extra places to hide a weapon. I can accept additional security but searches need to be consistent.
Kristen K. wrote on Wed, 12/23/2015 - 17:52:
I hate the no costume thing, it was always my favorite part of the Halloween Party. I have to wonder though just how they will be defining costume.
Doug Davis wrote on Thu, 12/24/2015 - 20:32:
First my background: former Defense Intelligence Agency counterterrorism analyst, and director of security of the CEA-WMD program in Iraq.
So my first thoughts are, as a security professional myself, I hate stupid knee jerk policies which don't actually increase security. Like xraying flip flops at airports or banning bubble guns in Disney parks.
And when I first heard of these changes that's what I thought they were, a knee jerk dumb reaction.
But I've always thought Disney was a fairly intelligently run company. Which leads me to wonder, maybe they were given information about a possible legitimate threat and have had to increase security as a result?
Although I still think banning blasters and bubble guns is dumb.
Deborah wrote on Wed, 12/30/2015 - 03:23:
I appreciate the no sale policy of toy guns and squirt guns. Hopefully this will carry over to the light swords sold and used through out the parks, we were there in November and had to constantly dodge the kids swinging them around and around!!! Let alone having to avoid numerous motorized scooters and carriages large and small plowing thru us or running us over .....wish someone wd come up with a separate route for them, too. Don't mean any disrespect for those who need to use a scooter to enjoy Disney but it really was exhausting trying to stay out of their way. I too am handicapped and have used them in the past I found myself stopping for the pedestrian more than enjoying myself. Thanks.....
Kimberly Cole Zemke wrote on Thu, 12/31/2015 - 03:48:
WOW! So weird that the terrorists are winning! They are making us change everything about our country and now it is boiling over into the fun times. I always looked forward to wearing a princess costume along with my grandbabies when I have them but now that is out of the question. Disney wants our money but they want us to be comforming ROBOTS when we walk through their park. I do not think my family will be spending the money to go anymore. We have went twice a year for almost ten years. I am not going to allow the terrorists to win against my family. Walking through metal detectors is one thing but not being able to wear costumes or have a bubble gun to shoot bubbles with your kids is another one. I mean a person could show their ID and take their mask off or not paint their face like star wars characters until they go through the check in. Its just another way for the terrorists to win, they are LAUGHING on the ground right now over us not being able to even enjoy Disney World without it being on the lock down.
Jennifer wrote on Tue, 01/19/2016 - 03:22:
Pretty stupid and sad no dressing up is allowed over 14 for the Halloween party. That is kinda the fun of it. Absolutely bogus!!!
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