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!
It is sad news. A necessary safety step for the theme parks, to be sure. Given current realities, I am glad Disney and others are doing this. But as for “current realities”, it didn’t have to be this way.
“Once upon a time we thought the ‘safe zone’ was Western Civilization.” -The Finn
It’s no surprise all theme parks adopted metal detectors on the same day – corporations frequently cooperate for reasons that benefit their business. By implementing them on the same day, no single operator will suffer adverse press, to the benefit of their competitors. But the toy gun ban does smack of arm-twisting by the government.
I’m so happy that you addressed this with an article and that you set guidelines for discussion. I’ve been disappointed so many times when politics/religion enter a discussion and due to its nature, relationships are damaged. In this case, I’m glad you remained apolitical. I’m a very big fan of yours and I would hate to have that tarnished over this discussion going sideways. Regardless of social/political affiliations, we are all Disney fans and can agree (be friends) on that! Keep up the good work Tom…
I was quite surprised on my last few trips that toy guns were still being sold at Disney World. We had to personally report some kids using a whip they had purchased in Busch Gardens Wiliamsburg a couple of years ago!
As for the metal detectors, I am all for them! Hate that it takes all of this to be safe these days, but there is too much out there that can make even the happiest places on earth unsafe.
Heard something online that a man was arrested for bringing a gun into Disney World just last week. I think a local news station reported it. I wondered if this event combined with the recent events in Paris & California prompted the metal detectors.
It is sad when the ugliness of the outside world reaches the gates of such a magical place. I guess these developments truly are a sign of the times we live in..
Having said all of that, I am really quite gratified by the tone and civility of the comments on this board. Leaving the political views aside really does facilitate a reasonable discussion. I wish this sort of courtesy were more common. Very nice job Tom!
I agree with you 100%! It is sad that the world we live in today is making people question trust and judgement of others. But people have to know that the Disney and the CM’s are trying to keep everyone safe. Safety leads to more fun!
Honestly, I was surprised the last time I visited Disney World that they didn’t already have metal detectors. I guess I’m just used to the idea that anyplace with large public gatherings has them.
I thought your post was very well stated. It makes me sad that these things are necessary but, I also think protecting places that are geared towards families is important. To me, Disney represents to much of what’s great about America: creativity, ingenuity, family, invention… If metal detectors will help protect those things, then, I’m willing to leave my pocket knife in the car.
Oh I’m also willing to be that Homeland Security had a meeting with Resort Parks to make this all happen so suddenly. I wouldn’t even be surprised if they got some intelligence on a possible attack aimed at one or more of these parks. As others have pointed out these parks are part of American culture, the very culture bad people hate.
We were just there on Nov 30th for the Christmas Party (BTW, did the resort decoration tour … awesome, thanks Tom) and I was very surprised on how lax the security still was in light of what had just happened in Paris.
I even said to the wife that I’m surprised Disney isn’t a target considering it’s fun, happy and a place that your typical Terrorist hates.
Sad world we live in.
As far as the no costume for adults, outside of Halloween I don’t see a problem with that, and even then oh well. Disney really should be about the kids.
As several others have noted, I often have thought that Disney’s security was not all that stringent (fairly cursory bag checks). It’s unfortunate but places that “symbolize” America (or even western culture as in Paris) have been targets for terrorism in the past. While it’s a sad reality, I think it’s necessary and hopefully might prevent something awful from happening in one of the parks, which would be a far worse reality.
Since the front of the park now has metal detectors I was wondering Tom if you had any nice shots of the magic kingdom entrance (pre detectors) you would be willing to share out with your following.
Thanks
I second this!
I thought this might be coming and I would be lying if I said that the thought of the parks being a target hadn’t crossed my mind in regards to booking our next trip. We all go to the parks to escape the real world and this is a sad reminder of that world right at our gates but if it keeps that world out of the gates then carry on Disney. I am just surprised this hasn’t come earlier I have always thought that the security was pretty relaxed.
We were at DL last week and I was a little surprised when the CM actually asked me to take stuff out of my bag and unfold it instead of just poking around in there. I had no problem complying as I’m all for safety, but he still didn’t find my hidden Pepsi 🙂 seriously, a girl can only take so much of the Coke products! Lol! Good thing they are adding the metal detectors too! If I can sneak a soda, someone surely could sneak a gun or knife 🙁
I have always been surprised at the somewhat lax bag exams conducted at the entrance to the parks.
Simply due to wanting to enter the parks quicker I would enter the queue with the least observant, quickest security guard.
And, if an older gal like me can notice this another person with intent to harm certainly can.
We are horrified at a plane crash and the number of victims of one, but I have thought when I go to a Disney park, or attend an NFL game of the 40,000-50,000 people that can be in one small space and what an awful target that could be for some whack job.
I believe I am in the minority in that I do not mind the security at airports and other places, you want to check me and my belongings… go right ahead-but please check all the other people thoroughly as well!
I do feel there is no reason you can’t combine design and function with the scanners and produce more visually appealing walk through metal detectors in a place like Disney.
I was at HS today and was very surprised to see the metal detectors arrive overnight! I had to go through my husband and young child did not. I wasn’t hassled by it but I did have to take off my pin lanyard and cellphone. There was literally only 2 detectors and I could see it getting backed up easily. I hope they have figured how they will manage the heavy Christmas crowds. It’s terrible that things have come to this but I would certainly prefer the hassle rather than more sad news.
I hope they have invested effort in rooting out the human part of the threat of terrorism. Metal detectors stop visitors with weapons, perhaps, but they do nothing to prevent like-minded employees from smuggling in weapons. Most airports have tighter overt security than MK, yet, somehow people testing the system with weapons have repeatedly gotten them through. I wonder if they have done anything to screen their employees for radical Facebook posts, etc., and removed suspect employees from their employee rollls.
When me and my family were at WDW in November we also noticed that bag-check screening process was more thorough, right after Paris’ attacks. It’s sad but necessary, like you said theme parks are obvious choices for crazy people…
We were there around the same time as you Tom (actually saw you and Sarah walking through the MK one day), and I noticed the more thorough bag checks all week. I’m fine with it to be honest, and also glad they are adding even more screening with the metal detectors. As cooler weather comes in, its tougher to see those bulges underneath coats and sweatshirts. I wonder what the cast member screening in/out of the parks will be like. I’d assume they have to pass through security to get to work just like an airport worker would. All in all, this is a good safe measure to take coming up on the busiest weeks of the year in the parks.
“New normal” is sadly right, and it means something big when a park like Disneyland implements these types of measures versus a place like Six Flags Magic Mountain, which has had metal detectors for years because the crowds there are often… not quite as family friendly. Safety measures such as this take away less than they add — some inconvenience at the entrances is worth it if safety can be assured. And perhaps they are necessary, not just in terms of security as a national concern, but then there’s incidents such as the man who was apprehended at Disneyland a few months ago for having a weapon. It is what it is, anyway.
Will my trove of pins set off the metal detector?!?