Disney World & Disneyland Security Changes
All Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks, along with several other major theme parks (including SeaWorld parks & Universal parks) have added metal detectors to their entrances for enhanced security.
Additionally, there will also be more uniformed and plain-clothes police officers, security guards, and dogs patrolling the parks. Disney has ceased sales of all toy guns (right down to bubble guns) and will be prohibiting anyone over the age of 14 from dressing in costume.
A lot of tweaks to security screenings have occurred since these sweeping changes first went into effect, including Disneyland moving its security checkpoints further back to encompass Downtown Disney, but the biggest change is an ongoing one at Walt Disney World. Here’s some info on what’s happening…
For starters, Walt Disney World security has moved bag check and security screening for guests arriving via monorail or ferry to the Ticket & Transportation Center instead of at Magic Kingdom. Other changes will include security checks at the monorail resorts prior to guests boarding the monorail; for guests arriving to Magic Kingdom via bus, resort boats, or walking from the Contemporary, new security points will be farther from the turnstiles.
With security backups at Magic Kingdom getting pretty bad on busy days (to the point that the congestion itself posed a security/safety hazard), this was a long time coming. Security at Walt Disney World remains a point of contention, and Disney’s handling of security has not always been the most consistent.
This is the big theme park news of the day, and you might have heard this by now. I wanted to add a brief bit of my own commentary as I’ve read some hysterical comments. At the same time, I want to stay on the “theme park” side of an issue that is very much intertwined with hot-button real world issues of the day. I know you come to read this blog either by mistake or because of my theme park views, and not for whatever crazy political beliefs I might have, and I intend to keep it that way.
The fact that this happened overnight, simultaneously at several or all major theme parks suggests to me that this is an issue that goes far beyond Disney, and is a mandate made to parks. This is just speculation on my part, but I think it being mere coincidence that Universal, SeaWorld, and Disney all randomly decided to do the same thing on the same night is unlikely.
While Disney has been understandably vague when it comes to the timing and rationale for the increase in safety protocol and rule changes, recent national events are presumed cause. The unfortunate reality is that theme parks are high profile targets, and one can assume management & security teams at all major parks have open dialogues with the government about security.
When we were in Walt Disney World a couple of weeks ago, there was a precipitous increase in the presence of security officers from one day to the next, and the bag-check screening process also became more thorough overnight, and remained that way for the duration of our trip. Multiple people with whom we were traveling noticed this, and at that point, it seemed like an inevitability that further security screening measures would be taken in the near future.
What we are hearing and seeing today is probably the first change of several in new policies that will be implemented and refined over the coming months. I know many people are concerned about the prohibition of adults wearing costumes, a rule that extends to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Keep in mind that those parties are some 10 months away, and that a lot can change between now and then. This is not to say that anything will change–your guess is as good as mine on that. However, given the possibility that these are temporary measures beyond Disney’s control, I would not consider them to be the final policy that will be enforced next September or October.
I have read comments about this that I consider distasteful on social media, some invoking the name of Walt and others about the ugly, cluttered, and uninviting look of the entrances. I can’t personally claim to know how Walt would feel about this, as I never met him and he passed away several decades ago. I can say that this does sadden me, personally, not because of its intrusiveness or due to it being a grim reminder of the real world at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom, but because this is the reality of the world in which we live–the “new normal” as they say.
Regardless of how you feel about all of these changes, I would implore anyone visiting to the parks in the near future as these policies are implemented to not take out anger about any “inconveniences” on the front-of-line Cast Members working at the entrances. These Cast Members have absolutely no say over the policy that they are enforcing, and are working in theme parks during the holiday season so you can make memories and have fun. Be sure to pack your patience and manners.
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Your Thoughts
I welcome discussion on this topic so long as it remains thoughtful, on-topic, and–above all else–civil. What do you think of these security changes? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Well said. It’s so sad to me that we need metal detectors, but this is how our world has changed. Safety at the Parks should be everyone’s concern. My husband and I visited Disneyland last September, and I was surprised they weren’t in use already. And I agree – be (extra!) nice to the cast members. They are just doing their job.
The loud yellow “CSC” jackets have to go. This was obviously a rush job, as Disney hired a third party to to do the screening. I’ll just add that the dog and pony show has gotten more elaborate.
The interesting – and mildly asmusing – thing that I noticed is in the reactions of many Disney fans. In the past – including just a few days ago – there have been some threads on discussion boards about security at Disneyland or WDW being “lax”. The replies came fast and furious – often impugning the motives of the original poster. The vast majority disagreed. Now, that Disney security has been “beefed up” – YET AGAIN – the vast majority are in favor of the changes. Can you say “cognitive dissonance”?
My assumption is that it was a rush job, and that CSC is only around for as long as it takes to get Disney CMs trained on the new equipment and protocol. Additionally, if the metal detectors are to be permanent, I’d assume (and hope) that at some point they will be better-integrated into the park entrances. Who knows if they will actually be around past the holidays, though.
While there may be cognitive dissonance with some people who will simply always defend whatever Disney does, I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. I think the two seemingly inconsistent positions can be the result of people trusting that Disney has a lot going on behind the scenes to keep the parks secure, and what we see as guests is only the forward-facing manifestation of those policies. If the forward-facing procedures have changed it’s because, presumably, something new has necessitated such a change.
I assume (again) that Disney has been using facial recognition and other advanced techniques to make the parks secure beyond just relying on bag check and in-park security. A lot of assumptions here and I could be totally wrong on any of them, but those are my thoughts. It behooves Disney to keep the parks as secure as possible while maintaining the facade of “fantasy.” One incident in the parks could be catastrophic for business.
I also noticed the increase in security when I was at WDW in November (the Paris attacks happened while we were visiting) and I did feel somewhat surprised to see toy guns for sale in the gift shops – I guess I figured those would have been banned a while ago. The best course of action for everyone to take hasn’t changed – support Disney and the CMs in their efforts to keep guests safe!
My wife has talked about how with your room key/credit card linked to the Magic Band and if you use photopass and don’t carry a camera, you really can go into the park with nothing but a Magic Band on. Perhaps this will drive people to do just that. 🙂
If this is the “new normal”, I hope Imagineering can at least get their hands on the metal detectors and theme them to the locaiton.
No more toy guns sold at Disney (not that I would mind – I refuse to buy my kids such toys) but still no gun control laws in the US… Talk about a paradox…
Friendly reminder: gun control and any other public policy conversations are not topical to this blog.
Any comments that pertain to such will be deleted. Please don’t waste your keystrokes or my time. 🙂
Feel free to delete
No worries–if I don’t leave it up as a reminder, more (longer & more controversial) comments of this nature are sure to ensue, as are upset emails from those who spent time writing a comment that got deleted without explanation.
No more bubble guns or storm trooper blasters!? Yeesh. Glad I was able to enhance our last vacation with these toys before they got banned… sad that the actions of nut jobs and terrorists have lead to this borderline ridiculous decision.
Haha, parents might view this differently, but I view the banning of those bubble guns as a blessing in disguise. Too bad light-up toys and pre-parade hula hoops aren’t dangerous! 😉
Lets not forget those shoes that light up with each step the little monsters take. They may not be dangerous, but they definitely should be included in the list of Photo Killers you mentioned above.
I really appreciate you keeping this germane to the content of the blog. I appreciate the commenters for cooperating with this as well. There are enough sources for the “societal questions” of our current age. I come here for a respite from all that…
Well put, Tom! And frankly, I’m surprised increased conspicuous security like metal detectors and wands haven’t come to the theme parks earlier. Theme parks, particularly Disney, always had a lot of security, it just wasn’t always apparent to guests. I think now, people find it comforting to see more visible security measures. Also, I think you hit the nail on the head in regards to this being mandated to major theme parks in the country. It did seem a little too coincidental that they all had metal detectors put up at the same time.
I also felt that the bag checking was a little more thorough a few weeks ago when we were there. To be honest, I know the bag check is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the security I know Disney probably has that you can’t “see.” Yes, the metal detectors are going to be an eye sore, but in the bigger picture, they’re making everyone safe so that they can enjoy their vacation without worry. When I was there, I overheard two men talking about gun control and I wanted to scream at them to stop because I didn’t want my Disney bubble popped. If we have to wait little longer to get in to the park, that is really no big deal. I also commend you for your comment about the cast members. Public service is a hard job and people are a**holes.
I’ve seen a lot of comments about people and guns but to be honest that doesn’t bother me much.
What really gets me are of of the people that go to great lengths to bring in survival or hunting knives. I watched one guy drop a knife down the back of his babies coat at Disneyland to get past the security check. He obviously knew it was against the rules and went to some effort to get past them.
I have a small pen-knife on my key chain and I really don’t see why anyone needs an 8, 10 or 12 inch blade at the park!
So if the scanners catch these guys that’s fine with me!
I’m curious how the no costume for adults thing ends up getting defined/enforced. My first thought was how it relates to the runDisney races, where coming up with a clever hybrid athletic outfit/costume is half of the fun (and one of the biggest thing that differentiates runDisney from other big races). Mouse ears = costume? Tinkerbell wings = costume? Will be interesting to see.
I wondered about that too – will Mickey hats count as a costume? But I bet not, they are just a hat you can take off. It will be interesting to see their stance on tinker bell wings and things of that nature.
Yes, I wondered this also. I am registered for the Star Wars half in Jan and I bought an ewok scarf to wear as a “costume” but it is just like a hooded scarf so it’s not like it conceals my identity or anything. Does anyone know if that will be allowed?
We were in WDW at the same time as you all (I was sadden that I did not have a fan girl moment and see you, lol). But we also noticed the increase in security. And while it was a shock to see K-9 patrol on a semi-regular basis, it is a sad state of affairs that we live in today. I would hope to be able to continue to safely travel to Disney with my child and eventually grandchildren. If that is to be the case they will have to adapt their security policies to the world we now live in.
I’ve been wondering when something like this was going to happen. I’m actually relieved that the parks are taking these measures – I can’t bear to think of what would happen if there was ever a shooting in one of them. Besides the obvious trauma, I think a lot of people would never be able to think of Disneyland or Disney World the same way again. Something would be lost for good.
I hate to even talk about it, so I’ll stop now.
Sadly….doing a random metal screening is not going to catch a group of people who are intent on doing harm. Disney needs to do Metal Detecting on ALL park guests and employees. I will not set foot in any of the parks until ALL guests are screened. Does not make me feel safe with “random” screenings!. Sorry Disney!
As a former cast member, I appreciate your constant awareness of front-line cast members who have nothing to do with policy but take the brunt daily. Thank you for always pointing that out and your reminders to treat them with respect whether it be over this issue, working the holidays, etc.
While I have never been a Cast Member myself, I worked in the fast food industry for a several years in high school and college, and experienced first hand how people treat those who they perceive as “below” them.
I have also witnessed (on multiple occasions) irate guests who feel it their right to berate a Cast Member because they don’t get their way, while the Cast Member does everything they can to diffuse the situation and be nice–even when the guest is CLEARLY in the wrong.
The way people treat others is appalling, but it’s especially saddening for me when those taking the brunt of the abuse are (often) just scraping to get by. 🙁
Sad but true. I think everyone should HAVE to work some sort of customer service job, just to learn firsthand what that is like.
When someone’s job is to be a douchebag, they know what they are getting into. I’m sorry but “it’s my job” does not work. Maube tr not to take a job that requires you to be a terrible person in the future?
I think that is a well-said and measured viewpoint.
It is sad the Happiest Place on Earth isn’t immune from lunatics, but it isn’t. I’m glad extra measures are in place to keep visitors safe.
Unfortunately, not only is it *not* immune from lunatics, but it’s probably more alluring to them than the average location. There are few possible targets that embody America quite like the Disney Parks. Not a pleasant thing to think about, I know…
Oh, we’ll be so bummed if we can’t wear costumes for MNSSHP. My husband was going to go as Tron. Oh well. Safety is more important.
Thanks for the heads up. It is a sad world we live in. Like you said ‘a new normal.’
What are your thoughts on the new “no tripods with extendable legs” rule?
Do you have a link to where that has been stated? I haven’t seen that yet. Thanks!
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-rules/
I saw that they changed the rule on the website today so that it prohibits ‘large tripods’ – I called Disney to confirm what they meant, and they said it means anything thats not table top aka anything with extendable legs
I think that changed a while ago. In any case, you can find clarification as to what it means here: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/parks/restricted-personal-items/
Unless you spoke with someone in public relations, I’m not too worried at this point. Random phone reps have a propensity to offer their own interpretations of things if they don’t know the “official” answer. Sort of like bus drivers and rumors. 😉
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if those with tripods are hassled here and there in the next few weeks as the dust settles on this. That’s what happened when the selfie stick rule changed, but it’s all back to normal now.
Please, stop it right now. This is exactly how we end up with stupid rumors like you can’t carry nail clippers on an airplane. Unless you personally have first hand experience stop relaying things that are simply not true.
i’ve carried a MeFoto Road trip into the park every night since they added the metal detectors.
Back in October I took a monopod into Disneyland. One security person thought it might have been a tripod (as it was in a case) but the other agreed it was a monopod and let me go. I did however show the first security person it was a monopod even after the second person knew what it was. I can see the reason against a tripod as others can trip on them. My guess is, if another guest could run into it because it is outside your personal space, they are trying to limit that from happening.
I once had my nail clipper set confiscated by TSA. NOT just the nail file, but the whole thing. All it takes to ruin something are vague instructions and overzealous, ladder – climbing employees.
Well put.
I work for CSC crowd management and its a pleasure to go to the happiest place on earth and be told that we are making people feel safer with all that’s going in the world thank you for your compliments and to the folks that give negative feedback that’s okay we cannot please everybody,May God bless us all
So what good does it do to secondary screen a meger 10% of the total diasneyland populus? 10% might as well be 0%. The random act of singling out one in 10 individuals for secondary screening is not only inconvenient, but discrimatory in every aspect. These new measures and metal detectors are doing nothing but continuing the fear and paranoia. Disneyland has never taken the safety of its guest seriously, so why start now. All they care about is how many tickets they have sold. I feel no safer at disneylanx.
Your job is to invade people’s privacy and facilitate feelings of discrimination. Your salary is a giant waste that generates no true increase in security but instead makes us all more vulnerable as 3 iif you “randomly” select old ladies to screen and harass. Grats on feeling good about that.