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!
Your security needs some sense knocked into them! I have heard about two you tubers who wanted to come to Disney world for a video but, unfortunately, they are robbed as one of them went through the metal detectors! And then the security has enough nerve to arrest the victim! Shame Disney… you better get your act together. #boycottDisney #JamesTheFAM #ImJayStation
this is shocking i heard worst storys about happenings in any disney park this has just taken the biscuit out of magic and fun of visiting security screenings is a invasion of privacy and it is against human rights and personal space of any individual who enjoys disney and wants to visit their parks LETS BOYCOTT SECURITY SCREENINGS JUST CAUSE THERE HAS BEEN TERRORISM HAPPENED IN PAST YEARS DOESNT MEAN IT SHOULD LEAD TO SEARCHING EVERYONE THERES GOT TO BE ANOTHER WAY TO COMBAT TERRORISM THAN SEARCHING PEOPLE AND INVADING PRIVACY ITS OUTRAGEOUS
Walt Disney World has proceeded with using their metal detectors for random checks. Although every single guest will go through a more-thorough-than-ever bag screening process, not every guest is asked to go through a metal detector.
Disneyland is one of the most popular countries in the world. I like to go there and really love Disney. I think their security arrangement is nice. Security is the fast priority for everyone life. So metal detector for security is great. Love to read your post.
Sorry but thats a deal breaker for me. Do Not Disturb to me = do not snoop around my room and take things from me. Sorry I just dont trust your staff.
I agree. We are presently experiencing the new “feel free to disturb” policy at a WDW resort and hate it. Very disruptive and just a knee jerk CYA policy. DVC members will not be amused. We’ll be selling our points after over 20 yrs.
It doesn’t make any of us safer, we were told be security that kids under 14 are not allowed to go through the metal detectors when my 7 year old daughter asked if she could walk through it. So every bad guys knows that if they want something in, just put it on your kid. Because of this massive security hole created by not making a single kid go through, bad guys can still bring in whatever they want. It’s all security theater, it’s just a show to make people feel safe without actually stopping anything from getting into the parks.
We are going in July and I’ve been hoping security was boosted since we were there 2 years ago. At that point they checked bags, less than thoroughly, and that was it. Not enough, in my opinion. We are staying at one of the resorts. What should I be expecting from buses and the ferry? And does everyone go through a metal detector now or randomly selected?
6/4/2017, I have to say as an annual pass holder for the last 5 years and (former employee) I have been watching security increase at the Disney World Parks. I took my wife to the Magic Kingdom this weekend and I was very disappointed, it was more like Orlando International TSA then the most Magical place on earth. From getting off the tram they make you feel like you are a terrorist until proven innocent and you pass through the metal detectors and each bag checked. I guess the X-Ray machines and no shoes will be next. From Mickey Mouse Security, State Police, Sherriff’s and police dogs the only thing that was out of sight was the assault rifles, but I am sure they were there too! After seeing the way this was handled had “We are targets written all over it and we are scared”. Well then onto the park. You are herded like sheep and all around is uniformed Security and Sheriff’s officers before you get into the park. Once inside it was a little better. You did see the normal security but more of them, but I have to say there were a bunch of undercover more than I have ever seen working different areas. Well the “happiest place on earth” I have so say was not here today! I understand this is in the after wake of the London problems, but when we give into this ISIS won! I hope this is not the new normal for Disney.. As this point my wife thinks Disney is a target and the only reason for that is Disney! They could do better and hide heightened security from their customers. We all know it’s there but we come here to go to the most Magical Place on Earth! Today we left!
I agree 100% with your assessment of the new security procedures. It’s the sign of the times, and the best way we deal with it is to focus only on why we are there, and not think about those outside forces that would want to do us harm. I know for myself, once I go through the tunnel and enter Main Street at the Magic Kingdom, I am swept away by the sights, sounds, and smells that immediately wash away all thoughts of the outside world. The security measures are in place, and I do my best to not think about why their presence is necessary. I just let the Disney magic take over.
I disagree, I love Walt Disney World from the bottom of my heart. I would hate to hear something bad happening at WDW, it would be truly emotionally devastating for me, it would be like losing a family member for me. I just got back from WDW, and I wouldn’t mind standing in line for a little longer, if it meant that the park is better protected. Recent events show that no place is not a target for Muslim extremist. The current security seem kind of lax given recent events, I would advocate for TSA-level standards for park entry, including the full-body scans, taking off shoes, x-raying baggage, and more presence of police officers at the entrances.
Repeated full body scans is just ridiculous to enter a theme park, imho. You could just as easily get hurt at a grocery store. And for people with medical conditions who have been exposed to huge amounts of radiation as a child, they don’t need to be scanned all the time as teens and so on. The reason places like these could be vulnerable, is because they make you like a fish in a barrel. A metal detector and a bag check is good enough. Flying into MCO is bad enough, harassing children, disabled people, etc. I know this is an old post, but the high ticket prices and crowds will keep the majority of trouble makers out, lol. I don’t want to see anything bad happen, but I also want to have some freedom in the land of the free.
Disney will still be the most magical place on earth, even if they boost security procedures and I sure hope they do.
Unfortunately, it’s not just ISIS that all Disney visitors are worried about anymore. The volume of shootings in the state of Florida and the country is alarming now. There are some crazy people out there. I’m happy to do go through the security process if it keeps everyone safe.
all you “white”people complaining about being profiled at disney need to remember one,very important event that happened here in the USA……
Oklahoma bombing in 1995…..Tim Mcvey (spelling)…former military veteran, white male…blew up a truck filled with explosives parked in front of a federal building…..killed close to 200 people….including children located in the preschool on the first floor. Get over yourselves….stay home. You complain, but you would be the first ones to sue if something happened while,you were there. By the way…..I am a 66 year old white female….I have been pulled out of line, or not pulled out of line. There are 8 of us in my family that have AP’s. We range in age 2, 4, 5,7,14,32,35,36 and 66. One of my children is handicapped and needs to use a wheelchair….one of my grandchildren is a type 1 diabetic. All our bags are checked…including the bag with the diabetics medications. The wheelchair gets wanded everytime……big deal. Get over it…..the times have changed. anyone can be capable of doing harm regardless of race, religion or sex. The parks will stil be there…..I applaud Disney for trying to make all their properties safe for everyone. Like I said if it is such an inconvenience to give up 5 or 10 minutes,of your time to make it safe for everyone….stay home. You are probably the same ones that complain about the crowds at the parks.
“all you white people”? Is this not the rhetoric we are trying to abolish. How do you know if a person is white, black, hispanic, asian, etc., and what difference does it make? Just because you disagree with someone does not mean you have to assume they are less informed than you. Every person in this country has a right to their own personal opinion, and if you don’t like their opinion, express your own on the subject, not the person’s opinion of the subject. I happen to agree with what you are saying, but totally dislike the way you stated your opinion. And fyi, I am a “white person”, and I have a beautiful daughter-in-law whom I love very much, and she just happens to be black.
IBS matters – if they are going to make you wait a long time without a bathroom until you get inside, well, I guess those around me will just have to deal with it, that includes annual pass holders who want other people to deal with it.
Everyone seems to be labeling themselves here and not really being profiled. Seems it’s all about you, us, me, etc. when inconvenienced. Shut up, let them search your stuff and scan your ass and go have fun in the park!!
At Epcot it was a 100% as they call it. Came in and had my bags checked, stepped through the metal detector and was on my way. Came back a week later and it was all gone? Why? The people running the monorail said it was a security move idea but no one at Disney wanted to buy more metal detectors so they took Epcots. What the heck Disney? I was told by the security people there it was the mainstay of all parks to follow and was making things run so much better and safer. Now I have to do a bag check, be selected again and squeeze threw this god awful bottleneck walk way to go though one metal detector! I don’t know who thought this up but they need to be fired!
I on multiple occasions was treated horribly by security, harassed because I was in an electric scooter because of back pain. Treated absolutely horribly. I have a family and have gone to Disney lots of times and am a DVC member but may not go back because of this. They will be losing business from us. They should either do bag check or metal detectors not both. I do not support this move from Disney.
Kristina Baumgardner – So because you’re a whiny entitlement type you feel that being inconvenienced that you should only have to deal with ONE of two required procedures. LOL, wow. Think about what you just said…..
Daviy – “whiny entitlement type”? Back pain is no laughing matter. Disabling conditions are apparently lost on your little mind. Maybe, Americans with disabilities should be treated with some dignity, now, you go think about what You just said….
I always love it when people say their business has been lost. Really? Do you think they care? And if you have gone many times and are a DVC member, do you really think you won’t go again? Silly
If it means that all of us will be safer, bring on whatever security measures Disney deems necessary.
It doesn’t make any of us safer, we were told be security that kids under 14 are not allowed to go through the metal detectors. So every bad guys knows that if they want something in, just put it on your kid. Because of this massive security hole created by not making a single kid go through, bad guys can still bring in whatever they want. It’s all security theater, it’s just a show to make people feel safe without actually stopping anything from getting into the parks.
I, for one , have never been “inconvenienced” by Disney’s security. I have always found security to be courteous, respectful, and to possess a sense of humor. On a recent visit to EPCOT, a security officer quipped…”please step over so I may check your bags. Please , no emotional baggage! Leave that at home!”
Whatever it takes to keep my kids safe.
“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”
― Frederick Buechner
Sadly, even in the “Disney bubble” there is potential for the terrible things to happen. Disney is making an effort and I have to believe that if they didn’t even try to screen for guns, etc. if something happened, people would be talking about how they didn’t do enough. Security doesn’t bother me if it is the walk through a metal detector variety. I have been patted down in airports and we have had to empty our lower stroller for security as recently as last October. In three weeks, I will happily go through a metal detector on SW race weekend. Yes, they should make everyone go through the detectors, but complaining that middle aged white folks with kids are being profiled cracks me up-that’s pretty much the Disney demographic. Please remember, the efforts are about the safety of ALL the people. Extra security is not just an inconvenience that impacts you and yours. How about the cast members busting it for you and your family everyday? Everyone deserves a safe work place and if you’re fortunate, a great place to vacation.
I would like to share my philosophy when visiting WDW and it’s a simple one,
“I’m & we’re not into time”. Once we cross that magical threshold we leave it all behind us, our blood pressure drops and all is well in the world. We’re on vacation and have visited enough of times to expect the unexpected and accept much of the crowds. Security from what we have witnessed runs reasonably well once again depending on the crowds. As someone has suggested it would be nice that once your in that you would be able to move between the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT without having to go through the bag check but as someone said “it’s the sign of the times we live in”.
This is the new normal. And I, for one, am glad to see it. As nearly once a month goers to WDW, we appreciate the security measures being taken to offer protection and, consequently, peace of mind. It is a shame that this minor inconvenience has to occur, but violence can and does happen wherever the large crowd opportunity exists. I want to feel that I am as reasonably safe as I can be.
Its behavior, pure and simple. I walked up with my wife and child to one entry line, the other right next to us opened up so I popped over and was screened and had waited the 2-3 people my family was behind to get screened. once they were through, they met up with me. as soon as I turned around I had a security official, in uniform, not just security jacket, ask me to step up for additional screening. I complied willingly and with Curtisy. they screened me ,I put all the junk in my pockets and back pack and we went along our Magical way. I’m a WASP, and due to my behavior I was selected. What I saw was they were pulling people into the extra screening stations to keep the extra screening CM busy. Having been in security, actions, behaviors, fashion styles, and “Profiling” are the norm. Actions-being too concerned about the security. Behaviors-line jumping, fidgeting. Fashion-80’s leather and studs will get the attention you might not be looking for. “profiling” isn’t just color, but does the typical WASP pasty with bulging pockets usually try to sneak in booze? I myself was shorts and black socks just screened extra security measure. If you are asked be polite, curtiuos, professional, and if you have a greivence, like being selected each and every time go to guest relations. Extending the security bubble to the resorts is a good thing, because now you are free to travel the property. you get off at the bus zone then it better be in the bubble and now you can walk right in. bubbled before the monorail, then you can ride and go right in. I guess the only draw back is loosing the intra-resort freedom, we had. IE-start at ASMo to Poly for Ohana meal, then MK, then Epcott. I would assume now security to bus. Security to mona rail and maybe again to epcott.
Could they let us go between MK and Epcot via monorail without going through security? That would be nice.
It’s a shame that the security measures are required but living here in Orlando and frequenting Pulse as well as working on the Orlando Health campus (where metal detectors are now a reality to enter the building), I am grateful for the extended measures. I do agree with most however that EVERYONE should have to go through the metal detectors and not just random people. No discrimination is ok and it may be just that one person that slips through that causes chaos. Let’s all remember to love each other and know that everyone’s best interests (staying alive) is the reason for all the hoopla.