How safe is Anaheim/Disneyland???

[LuvEeyore]

I agree

 

[Teki]

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.

Agreed, I live in vegas also and I often say that the tourists on the strip think theyre on main street (they walk in the middle of the street) I have gound that the area around disneyland is mostly hotels and business's thriving on tourism so there isnt alot and so the people there are either tourists or employees, not to many crimminals. But that doesnt mean you shouldnt be aware of your surroundings!

 

[fairycat]

I have to agree with most everyone, in all my years going to DLR the worst I hav seen is teens (and some adults) who should have put a bit more clothes on. I have NEVER seen a gang issue!!

As for seedy Anaheim, I think it depends on what you are used to. I have been to the outskirts of Vegas and some other big cities and that is Dangerous seedy!! The seedy areas of Anaheim, just seem a bit older and run down. I think that Anaheim really isn't what I would call dangerous, heck even some of those "seedy" areas cost an arm and a leg to buy a house in a few years ago.

Yeah, Magic Mountain, that was a different story! It didn't start with real gangs it started with stupid teens, acting like stupid thugs, when their parents dumped them off for the day. Then the gangs came, but mostly it was thug teens starting a lot of trouble!!!!! But I know Magic Mountain has really tried to fix many of the issues since it was killing there bottom line! It's been a few years since I have been (sad since its local), but I would go back at some point but it is not my favorite park, it's just too dirty and DLR has spoiled me!

 

[Teki]

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.

Last time I was at Knotts my brother and I rode ghost rider, the men in the cars behind us all had Swastica's tattoo'd on there heads, it was a little off putting not to mention scarey

 

[PinkBudgie]

Last summer my DH was also interested in Knotts in addition to DLR. So I looked up reviews on Trip Advisor and they were not good. It seems it has become more run down and not like it was when we were little. I am also too spoiled by DLR to go anywhere else.

 

[azdisneylover]

I have always felt safe at Disneyland. The last time we went to Magic Mountain, we left when the sun went down because that is when the gangs came out. Good to read on the board MM is trying to crack down on the problem. I read since Knotts was sold a few years ago, the park is looking run down. FWIW, during the month of November, Knotts has firefighter/police appreciation. I would feel very safe going to Knotts then.

 

[alvernon90]

Once while waiting at the gates at Disneyland in the morning I stood next to a guy who definitely looked like he was in a biker gang -- very burly, long hair, beard, tattoos, sour demeanor. Worst of all, he had a shirt with obscene slogans on the front and back, and it wasn't borderline, either: the front of his shirt had the [edited] in letters as big as your hand.

But, as mentioned above, he was there that day with a little girl and apparently he didn't want any trouble, his decision to wear that shirt notwithstanding. When Disney security approached him and told him he wouldn't be allowed in the park, he took off the shirt and turned it inside out. He also promised to buy a different shirt as soon as he got inside. It was weird.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I've never seen any gang anything in Anaheim/DLR. And my city is a "gang area".

But I do agree about what the PPs said about Six Flags Magic Mountain. Ick. I don't like that place.

 

[lntsmom]

the delinquent-est of them was actually Kevin Federline, LOL.

OMG! That is a threat that might make me reconsider my trip! Please tell me he didn't rap!!! That would be worse than gang activity...it would be a crime against humanity!

 

[Dis-Ted]

The part of Anaheim directly around the park is all Disney, even if it's technically not. The hotels, resturants, and city is tourist wonderland and given the money that comes in a lot is done to insure there are no issues.

But Disneyland is in a populated area and if you drive out from the park a few blocks in certain directions you'll find lower income areas, some gangs but probably not much violence as you would expect in most cities of a similar size. Orange County is one of the safest places out there and even the lower income areas are nothing like in other regions -- there's lots of police in the area if issues do show up but really what you find is lots of families of different professions and while there are bad apples that's true anywhere. I've never seen it cross over into the park or even come close... lots of people from all walks of life enjoy the park immensely and the park goes to great lengths to keep things up. Throw in the sheer number of cameras, staff members and even the roaming cops and it's no surprise why it's so well behaved. Even walking back to a hotel down Harbor Blvd. late at night feels like walking through a small town (with much bigger buildings).

What happens blocks away isn't a different world geographically but in terms of your safety as a guest it may as well be. And frankly even with some of the issues in the local area it's hardly bad... It's just not perfect.

Of course if you travel to other local parks the same is not always true. Magic Mountain has had more than it's share of gang issues and I recall color limits in the dress code being impossed for several years (not sure if they still are). Most smaller parks have similar issues (Great America in Northern California does) simply because they tend to be in cheaper areas land wise and have a lot of people with only so many staff members.

Of course perceptions make for a lot of thoughts that are not always true... seeing people and thinking they look dangerous is a far cry from them actually being dangerous... different groups do dress differently.

 

[Dis-Ted]

Once while waiting at the gates at Disneyland in the morning I stood next to a guy who definitely looked like he was in a biker gang -- very burly, long hair, beard, tattoos, sour demeanor. Worst of all, he had a shirt with obscene slogans on the front and back, and it wasn't borderline, either: the front of his shirt had the F word in letters as big as your hand.

But, as mentioned above, he was there that day with a little girl and apparently he didn't want any trouble, his decision to wear that shirt notwithstanding. When Disney security approached him and told him he wouldn't be allowed in the park, he took off the shirt and turned it inside out. He also promised to buy a different shirt as soon as he got inside. It was weird.

That's typical Disneyland. The park isn't the kind of place people come to hang out and be harassing... it's where they come to hang out with their families and be a kid. Security keeps an eye out for those "offensive" items and is on top of them. As for the people who come in we have to remember that there's more to this world that we may think... Not assuming is impossible and we all do it but you just don't know.

 

[Disneyland Veteran]

I once experienced a police chase in the pinocchio parking lot with like 6 cop cars and a police chopper (ghetto bird for all you gang bangers) while I was waiting for my ride. Haha. I guess the guy wanted to see Disneyland one more time before he went to jail. But I've never once felt unsafe in DL, and I've walked from DL to Angel Stadium a couple of times, no problem.

 

[Lizzybear]

FWIW we went to Six Flags Magic Mountain on a Saturday last October and didn't see anyone who i'd perceive as a gang member. I think they're trying really hard to improve the place, though I can't say I was too impressed.. i'll give any theme park a chance and have enjoyed visits to a lot of other non Disney parks but aside from the rides it felt like there was no thought to of the other elements of the park. I never noticed anything in DL either, but then again I try not to judge a book by it's cover. My bf is big and heavily tattooed and in his own time (including Disney trips) he wears baggy shorts and band T-shirts so I guess some people might perceive him negatively but he's probably the biggest 'people person' I know and can strike up a conversation with anyone. Also, when he's at work he dresses the part.. Many of his colleagues were amazed when they've found out he has tattoos

 

[kty]

Thanks everyone for your replies!!!! thats why i like these boards so much, one can get honest/straight answers. Like I previously said, I was shocked when I was informed about possible gang issues at DL - and quite frankly did not believe it; however, thought that it would not hurt to post the question. I will continue with my planning.

 

[Sherwin]

Oh trust me. Happy magical Disney families > punk gangsters. HARD.

 

[CookingMama]

My daughter and I recently went on a DL & Knott's trip. Knott's parking lot not lit very well and at night can make you nervous. We stayed in the Knotts hotel & the HoJo. It is well lit and their is obvious security and staff. The laundry room is way in the basement at the end of a long hallway and kind of creepy.
You see more groups of young teens and 'gangs' at Magic Mountain & Knott's. It is just cheaper.

 

[BMICKEY]

Once while waiting at the gates at Disneyland in the morning I stood next to a guy who definitely looked like he was in a biker gang -- very burly, long hair, beard, tattoos, sour demeanor. Worst of all, he had a shirt with obscene slogans on the front and back, and it wasn't borderline, either: the front of his shirt had the [edited] in letters as big as your hand.

But, as mentioned above, he was there that day with a little girl and apparently he didn't want any trouble, his decision to wear that shirt notwithstanding. When Disney security approached him and told him he wouldn't be allowed in the park, he took off the shirt and turned it inside out. He also promised to buy a different shirt as soon as he got inside. It was weird.

You can never tell who's who. I live in a small town and work for our local P.D. I see pics of "bad guys" all the time and some look like your neighbor, but are actually a member of a gang. I wouldn't think they would pick the Happiest Place On Earth to recruit nor pick a fight with all the security there. We've been going for years and have never seen a problem.