How safe is Anaheim/Disneyland???

[kty]

How safe is Anaheim/Disneyland? are there any gang problems in the area/park? I was told by a friend that her BIL lives in San Diego and said the last time he was at Disney, obvious gang members and families were bumped to front of lines due to possible intimidation. I was also told that Anaheim was not a good area??? I cant imagine so many people go to disneyland if there are safety issues. we were looking at staying at HOJOs -- thanks....

 

[evandmp]

I haven't encountered any problems like that there and if anyone tried to cut in line people would speak up!

 

[VictoriaAndMatt]

I live in Las Vegas... I see a lot. Disneyland IMO does not have any gang problems. I have never felt threatened or uncomfortable at DLR or CFA nor in the parking lots. I can't really tell you much about Anaheim as I've only driven through it but I suspect it has it's good parts and it's bad parts just as everywhere else.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I have not seen any obvious gang actitivity either. I have heard that Magic Mountian down there was becoming pretty much over run with obnoxious teenagers and that was driving away families. But that isn't in Anaheim anyway.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

How safe is Anaheim/Disneyland? are there any gang problems in the area/park? I was told by a friend that her BIL lives in San Diego and said the last time he was at Disney, obvious gang members and families were bumped to front of lines due to possible intimidation. I was also told that Anaheim was not a good area??? I cant imagine so many people go to disneyland if there are safety issues. we were looking at staying at HOJOs -- thanks....

I've never heard about those type of issues at DLR. However, I have heard about problems at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I have not seen any obvious gang actitivity either. I have heard that Magic Mountian down there was becoming pretty much over run with obnoxious teenagers and that was driving away families. But that isn't in Anaheim anyway.

We were posting at the same time. Great minds think alike.

Jennifer

 

[kty]

thanks everyone for your responses . I also figure there can be bad parts to every town/city, you just have to be sensible when you travel.I have never heard of any trouble with gangs around disneyland, It NEVER crossed my mind until it was suggested to me today. I dont think it is a trip breaker.

 

[bumbershoot]

I can't help but wonder if the people he thought were in gangs were actually famous people being shown around by "plaids" and getting VIP perks! I saw a group of delinquent types...catching a cigarette in the smoking section of NOS...then I noticed not one but TWO plaids, and realized that the delinquent-est of them was actually Kevin Federline, LOL.


That said I've seen a couple poeple whose clothing and tattooes screamed "gang" to me, but ya know, they were just enjoying the day, their friends, and their family, no biggie.

 

[Jennifer03]

I don't think you need to worry. I have always felt very safe while at Disneyland and never encountered anything like you described.

 

[marsrunner]

It's relatively safe around Disneyland, but I felt very safe anywhere on property.

That said, it was relatively discouraging to see a strip club about a mile west of Disneyland on Ball Road, and not a swanky upscale place either. Not that I have anything against strip clubs per se, but that close? Yuck!

 

[BecBennett]

I can't help but wonder if the people he thought were in gangs were actually famous people being shown around by "plaids" and getting VIP perks! I saw a group of delinquent types...catching a cigarette in the smoking section of NOS...then I noticed not one but TWO plaids, and realized that the delinquent-est of them was actually Kevin Federline, LOL.

AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

 

[pixiewings71]

I can't help but wonder if the people he thought were in gangs were actually famous people being shown around by "plaids" and getting VIP perks! I saw a group of delinquent types...catching a cigarette in the smoking section of NOS...then I noticed not one but TWO plaids, and realized that the delinquent-est of them was actually Kevin Federline, LOL.


That said I've seen a couple poeple whose clothing and tattooes screamed "gang" to me, but ya know, they were just enjoying the day, their friends, and their family, no biggie.

That is too funny!!!!!!! And I've never ever felt unsafe at DL! Never.

 

[Sherwin]

I can't help but wonder if the people he thought were in gangs were actually famous people being shown around by "plaids" and getting VIP perks! I saw a group of delinquent types...catching a cigarette in the smoking section of NOS...then I noticed not one but TWO plaids, and realized that the delinquent-est of them was actually Kevin Federline, LOL.


That said I've seen a couple poeple whose clothing and tattooes screamed "gang" to me, but ya know, they were just enjoying the day, their friends, and their family, no biggie.

Yeah, he'd mix in with that crowd pretty well.

In all my limited years, I've never felt threatened by criminal activity or even the perception of crime. DLR does a good job keeping security in check, and even criminals have to admit it-- the magic in the air shuts off their drug/gang radar. Too many tourists and resilient locals.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Anywhere within the immediate walking distance is fine - you want to stay south of the 5 Freeway. The further north you go up Harbor, the more unsavory the neighborhood.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We were posting at the same time. Great minds think alike.

Jennifer

Too funny!

 

[glendalais]

The DLR and Anaheim Resort areas are fine. There's Disney Security, Anaheim PD and the Orange County Sherrif there at all times, not to mention all the various private security firms.

Once you start moving away from the area, though, it does get a bit seedy. The area due east of the DLR is industrial, and the residential neighbourhoods north of it have seen much better days. However, even those areas are more perception than substance, lol.

Magic Mountain used to have a lot of issues with gangs in the 1990s, but they've stepped up security a lot since. It's still not somewhere I'd take my kids (if I had them ).

Universal's generally fine, CityWalk at night is a bit on the iffy side, though.

Knott's, from my personal experiences, is starting to have problems, though.

 

[FourM's]

We saw two young teen age boys cut in line, we didn't make a scene about it. About two minutes later an CM showed up and told them to leave the line and if he caught them doing it again they would have to leave the park. Nice to know someone is keeping an eye on that kind of stuff. Thats about as bad as I've ever seen.

 

[Mugglemama]

When you say "Anaheim", do you just mean the area immediately surrounding the resort, or do you mean the city (do you plan to do much driving around to grocery stores, etc?)

We lived several years just half an hour from Disneyland (and we visit several days per year now that we've moved out of state), and with the exception of the Disneyland side of Harbor Blvd., the surrounding area can look a bit dirty/trashy. okay, some areas can look VERY dirty/trashy!

however, the fact that the area can be very big-city-ish, does not necessarily make it dangerous. we always make runs to different restaurants in the area, or to 31 Flavors, and sometimes even the mexican grocery just beyond the Ball Rd./Harbor Blvd. intersection. granted, not my favorite places to be, but i've never felt like our safety was in jeopardy.

anaheim, like many other southern california cities, has a very large hispanic community. i think when people come from areas that are not populated in this way, and see a lot of hispanic people, they sometimes automatically thing "gangs".

in well over 100 visits to DLR, we've probably encountered many people who were in fact, gang members, but as the other poster said, they were just there celebrating the day with their families. we've never once seen anyone cutting in lines, or fights, or anything like that.

in fact, the worst thing i've ever seen at disneyland was a (caucasion) parent angrily belittling their small child who was afraid to go on the Pinocchio ride! now THAT was distressing!

 

[LuvEeyore]

We were there last June and I did not notice anything stranger than I see at work and never did I fear or feel danger lurking. There were folks that could have been in gangs but there were enjoying the parks just as I was.

In fact I have feared more at work in a busy Labor and Delivery and know that I have cared for gang members and their significant other. Be street smart and you will be okay.

 

[bonita_babe232]

I don't go as often as i would like so i can't really comment on if there are many gang memebers, but i would just like to add that, even if someone is in a gang, i think that if they are at disneyland they are more then likely there to have a fun time with there family. They may do wrong things on there own time, but when it comes down to it, all familys are normally about the same thing, and i think all familys go to disneyland to be happy and make memories together!!! Thats just my thought????