Disney stopped selling toy guns

[skater]

I am so thankful that my kids (boys and a girl) were able to enjoy playing with pirate guns and Stitch blasters growing up at Disney. We have a few great memories of them playing with pirates and Stitch.

 

[skullsplitter]

So no toy guns....Does this include all of the guns in the POTC queue and the ride? How about the shooting gallery in MK (is that even open)? What will we use to shoot things on the Buzz ride? There are guns in the fort on Tom Sawyer's island.

 

[Magpie]

So no toy guns....Does this include all of the guns in the POTC queue and the ride? How about the shooting gallery in MK (is that even open)? What will we use to shoot things on the Buzz ride? There are guns in the fort on Tom Sawyer's island.

Those are all fastened down, or secured in some way.

And, fwiw, your child can still buy toy swords, light sabers and bow and arrows sets (at least until some nitwit tries to sneak a cross bow into the Magic Kingdom).

 

[Oswin]

Maybe it's just the fact that I'm 19 and don't have the same worldview that a lot of other people have, and I'm one of the generation that's grown up in fear of the very present threat of gun violence, but it really startles me that so many people are up in arms over toy guns and possibly gun references (although that hasn't been confirmed, just mention of no toy guns being sold) being taken out of the parks. I just don't get it.

 

[btk2333]

So no toy guns....Does this include all of the guns in the POTC queue and the ride? How about the shooting gallery in MK (is that even open)? What will we use to shoot things on the Buzz ride? There are guns in the fort on Tom Sawyer's island.

I think it's pretty obvious that this policy is designed for carry around guns that could be mistaken for the real thing

 

[Magpie]

Maybe it's just the fact that I'm 19 and don't have the same worldview that a lot of other people have, and I'm one of the generation that's grown up in fear of the very present threat of gun violence, but it really startles me that so many people are up in arms over toy guns and possibly gun references (although that hasn't been confirmed, just mention of no toy guns being sold) being taken out of the parks. I just don't get it.

I grew up in the US. My mum wouldn't let me have a toy gun, or a TV, for that matter and I felt very deprived as a child. So, when I had kids of my own, I decided they'd absolutely be allowed to play with guns and watch TV.

The thing is, I'd moved to Canada in the meantime, and I hadn't realized how influenced I'd been by the US's "gun culture/gun worship". My kids loved watching TV, but guns? Meh. They'd rather smack each other with toy swords. Running around going, "Pew, pew!" was of no interest to them. They preferred water pistols that looked like plastic animals so they could "spit" on each other. They never tried to make toy guns out of their toast. They did try to craft their own bows and arrows, however.

The "toy gun" debate has been a hot topic since at least the sixties. I think a lot of people consider them integral to childhood, like Santa and Little League. It's not until you move to another country that you realize it doesn't always have to be that way.

 

[wilkeliza]

no masks is all they said or no costumes? Curious because our teenaged daughter likes to dress as a princess and a Jedi while at Disney - she doesn't wear makeup or pretend to be 'that' princess but has loads of fun the in Elsa outfit her granny made her. I'm quietly stressing about this new rule - I want everyone to be safe but have a hard time even vaguely thinking she looks scary/ threatening or hiding something ....

Official rules online now say no costumes for anyone over 14. Here is the exact language it is item D in the general rules, masks are item H.

 

[slickpoetry]

It's not until you move to another country that you realize it doesn't always have to be that way.

That's true of so many things Americans seem to hold near and dear to them. Clinging to things that in the end either don't matter much at all, or do active harm in one way or another. It's all a matter of perspective.

 

[Baklava]

What are all these other souvenirs people are speaking of? .

Lego, art kits, play sets with action figures, dress up clothes, a Doc McStuffins doctor set, wands, plush, ears, t-shirts, Christmas ornaments, beach towels...

Seriously, my girl has some great blasters but they're a minimal part of her collection and her brother never had any interest. There's lots of stuff out there. Without casting any sort of judgement on the toy guns themselves, Disney is in zero danger of losing the spending cash of children simply because they stop offering one thing.

 

[DebbieB]

Disney stopped selling the toy guns at pirates today. Manager said they weren't told why but that it was property wide. Hey Disney overreacted again.... Shocked!!!

Years ago a friend of mine bought a gun for a her son at Pirates. She put it in a shopping bag with all her souvenirs and planned to carry it on the plane. It went through the x-ray at the airport and several agents swooped in on it. They dug through her stuff and pulled it out. They said she had to either go back and check it or give it up, it looked too real. This was pre 9/11 when checked luggage was free, we went back to the check-in desk and they packed it in a little box. The little box came down on the carousel at our airport!

 

[maxiesmom]

Lego, art kits, play sets with action figures, dress up clothes, a Doc McStuffins doctor set, wands, plush, ears, t-shirts, Christmas ornaments, beach towels...

Seriously, my girl has some great blasters but they're a minimal part of her collection and her brother never had any interest. There's lots of stuff out there. Without casting any sort of judgement on the toy guns themselves, Disney is in zero danger of losing the spending cash of children simply because they stop offering one thing.

Yep. Over 20 years of visiting WDW I have never purchased a toy gun for any child in my family.

 

[bc7ate9]

Sexist to express my experience and opinion based on my son's experience with souvenirs? OK. Impossible to argue if your mindspace is there already.


What are all these other souvenirs people are speaking of? Ever since my dear sweet 2 year old *bit a "blaster" shape into a piece of toast he was eating* and started "pew pew pew"ing, this pacifist mom kind of gave up on that front. He has a large "weapons bin" in his room that holds the Nerf blasters, star wars, pirates, etc weapons, and the swords (galore) and light sabers... Any non-clothing non-weapon souvenir he has is because I thought it was cute.

And, awesomely, he has zero interest in real guns (despite my brother's annoying urging).



Poor Star Wars franchise. That's going to be a LOT of plastic on the scrapheap.

I understand that YOUR kid only wants toy weapons, but that's certainly not ALL kids. A walk through the Emporium (or any other gift shop) will show you all the other souvenirs that are available.

 

[Doug M]

Everyone can we leave the lady alone, she was expressing her opinion about her boys, she isnt wrong, its her situation and others as well. Dont turn this thread into a flamefest or political conversation.

 

[HopperFan]

no masks is all they said or no costumes? Curious because our teenaged daughter likes to dress as a princess and a Jedi while at Disney - she doesn't wear makeup or pretend to be 'that' princess but has loads of fun the in Elsa outfit her granny made her. I'm quietly stressing about this new rule - I want everyone to be safe but have a hard time even vaguely thinking she looks scary/ threatening or hiding something ....

Clearly posted outside the Magic Kingdom this morning.
"Costumes may not be worn by Guests age 14 and older."

Photo via WDWMagic.

 

[Baklava]

Everyone can we leave the lady alone, she was expressing her opinion about her boys, she isnt wrong, its her situation and others as well. Dont turn this thread into a flamefest or political conversation.

I don't think anyone is flaming. Some of us answered a specific question that she asked. Others offered different opinions and experiences.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

After getting clobbered hard on the back of my head by a light saber when I was there in early December I wish they'd quit selling those. Or at least make sure they are kept closed.

A Dad was carrying a child on his shoulders and the child was swinging a light saber around. Lucky me happened to be in front of them and got a very hard hit on the head. That child was really strong! At least the Dad apologized and told the child to stop swinging it.

We bought our son a build-your-own lightsaber this year. It was handed to us with the end taped and we were specifically told that if it was extended, it would be confiscated and we'd have to pick it up at the park entrance at the end of the day.

 

[HopperFan]

Everyone can we leave the lady alone, she was expressing her opinion about her boys, she isnt wrong, its her situation and others as well. Dont turn this thread into a flamefest or political conversation.

The poster said "there goes most the dollars from boys!" I took it as I think other guests did that there is nothing else at WDW that boys would want to buy. Then went on to say their kid was going to shop elsewhere. I took it as I think others that the only thing their kid (I assume boy) wants from Disney is guns.

Posters were only saying that there are lots of options of things to buy for boys at WDW that are not guns and many, including myself with 2 full grown boys, have bought lots and never purchased Disney guns. Some gave great examples.

It has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with political beliefs. We have long/hand guns in the house and yet never felt need to purchase Disney world guns. Too many other more creative things there to bring home than a overpriced plastic gun.

 

[Doug M]

The poster said "there goes most the dollars from boys!" I took it as I think other guests did that there is nothing else at WDW that boys would want to buy. Then went on to say their kid was going to shop elsewhere. I took it as I think others that the only thing their kid (I assume boy) wants from Disney is guns.

Posters were only saying that there are lots of options of things to buy for boys at WDW that are not guns and many, including myself with 2 full grown boys, have bought lots and never purchased Disney guns. Some gave great examples.

It has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with political beliefs. We have long/hand guns in the house and yet never felt need to purchase Disney world guns. Too many other more creative things there to bring home than a overpriced plastic gun.

Your post wasnt in any wait political, but there was a post from a Canadian above stating something that the USA and our gun culture or something in a negative manner. If we want to have a 1st and 2nd ammendment conversation we can, but i believe it is against board rules.

 

[slickpoetry]

I'll probably get banned for saying this, but it's because there is a whole political side to this. The gun nuts (and there are millions and millions of them) will take this as the pussification of America by the liberals.
In reality, I'm going to bet there is a credible threat against Disney and they are taking it seriously.

It goes beyond "credible threat." Last week a man tried to sneak in a pistol loaded with hollow-point bullets, and nobody seems to know what his intent was. He could have been looking to shoot a cast member or random guests. Who knows. Thankfully the good folks at the bag check saw his weapon and acted on it.

I don't blame Disney at all for being skittish after that (plus san bernadino, plus paris, plus sandy hook, and on and on and on)

 

[bc7ate9]

I'll probably get banned for saying this, but it's because there is a whole political side to this. The gun nuts (and there are millions and millions of them) will take this as the pussification of America by the liberals.
In reality, I'm going to bet there is a credible threat against Disney and they are taking it seriously.

And guns are just not necessary in a family theme park setting - definitely not worth the risk.