An unfortunate sign of the times, coupled with recent domestic and international acts of terrorism, has led the Walt Disney Company to decide to install metal detectors at the front gates of its US parks, at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
After a man tried to enter the Magic Kingdom with a gun last week, Disney has also announced that it will no longer sell toy guns in its parks, and that guests ages 14 and older will no longer be permitted to wear costumes.
In addition to Disney parks, Universal Orlando and Sea World have also installed metal detectors. The AMC theater at Disney Springs has also installed the devices for tonight’s premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
None of the parks have confirmed whether the metal detectors will be a permanent fixture or are only temporary. Although the structures look temporary, it is likely that more permanent structures would be built (after the busy holiday season) if the metal detectors are here to stay. The move puts the Orlando theme parks in line with Six Flags, which has had metal detectors at its parks for years, some even before the 9/11 attacks.
I think it’s utter BS that the toy guns are being removed from the gift shops, but toy swords and lightsabers are perfectly fine. I don’t know if Disney has an agenda, if they are kowtowing to the anti-2A folks or just trying to protect themselves from lawsuits, but if they are going to remove toy weapons, they should remove ALL toy weapons.
That being said, I might be OK with the metal detectors becoming permanent IF they can fit them in to the landscape of each area. Magic Kingdom’s could be themed to be castle walls or gates from the turn of the century. Epcot could be portals. Animal Kingdom could be doors in treehouses. DHS could be mini Chinese theatres or something Art-Deco-esque. They could build many more bag check areas (one-sided, so all go through detectors) to accommodate these. Right now, it looks horrendous.
Well genius, Disney isn’t trying to prevent real lightsabers from getting into their parks….
how is stopping the sale of a toy gun going to prevent anything?
I agree and do not understand why they removed toy guns. Probably to follow the PC crowd.
I think that in our times this is something that has to be done in better be safe than sorry and anybody that thinks its not a good idea I think is pretty dumb! Unfortunately the world we live in today the way it is. And there is also a very big difference between a gun and an imaginary lightsaber and a sword. I don’t remember the last time someone went into a movie theater or committed a violent act with a sword or a lightsaber!
I also believe that in due time they will make these look awesome and you won’t even know what they are! After all I don’t know too many things that Disney does that is poor quality
WHAT HAPPENS IF LIKE MY WIFE SHE HAS HAD A DOUBLE KNEE REPLACEMENT. DOES THIS MEAN THAT SHE HAS TO SHOW THE SCARS EVEYTIME WE ENTER THE PARK. HAS TO ROLL UP HER TROUSRS OR HITCH UP HER SKIRT TO PROVE TO SECURITY IN A PUBLIC AREA.I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER REASON FOR US TO NOT VISIT DISNEY AGAIN AS MUCH AS WE LOVE THE PLACE. HOWARD
My mom has a card from her doctor noting her condition. She doesn’t have to show scars, just the card.
the metal detectors and costumes for older kids makes sense but why remove toy guns?
Total waste of time. To make guests “feel safe”. SUPER easy to get devices into the parks in strollers, etc. TSA can’t get it down and they have much more sophisticated gear, and still miss about 20% or more on tests.
And I have to disagree on Matt’s post that Disney doesn’t do many things poor quality. As much as it pains me being a fan, the place is all about efficiency now, getting the most people though, taking the most dollars, and zero in quality or guest experience.
Absolutely agree with what you’re saying. Just left wdw and most definitely won’t be going back. The dumb wristbands rarely worked and the whole scheduling everything right down to the bathroom breaks was just plain annoying. It’s all about the dollars now and not the experience. After all how can you experience something when you’re running from place to place to catch the next sceduled stop
maybe they are getting rid of the guns so that security doesn’t see someone holding a gun and not know from a difference if it is real or not. could be to help out their security staff and the sheriffs at the parks from having to worry about checking for that (and I get that some guns . maybe, just maybe, it’s not a “PC” things and they actually have their own reasons that they don’t need to share with you so just relax and enjoy the parks instead.