New Security Measures At The Parks

[RobbW]

I read earlier that this also pertains to bubble guns. Is this true?

If so - another win! Nothing is more annoying that walking through a crowded area and some kid decides to shoot bubbles right at you!

Really? Truly NOTHING is more annoying?

What about people who complain about children behaving like children at a venue that was specifically constructed for people of all ages to act and feel like children and reminisce about their own childhoods?

 

[MUFFYCAT]

New security measures are needed in today's society. I'm so glad they're putting a stop to adults "dressing up" as the characters. The rule was always under 14 only until adults took the Halloween party to a daily event.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Okay, so my question is where did people make the leap from "Costumes may not be worn by Guests ages 14 or older" to adults being banned from wearing costumes during MNSSHP events? Other than pure conjecture by the OP, I have not see/read anything anywhere that Disney has confirmed that this policy will apply to adults at MNSSHP. Adults were previously banned from wearing costumes to the parks. This is not a new policy. MNSSHP was an exception to this policy, and so far, I have not read anything that indicates this will change.

Can anyone post credible sources that indicate Disney has confirmed adults will not be allowed to wear costumes to MNSSHP? Or are we just going to continue fanning the flames of viral rumors?

The Orlando Sentinel, which I believe first reported on the metal detectors, is reporting that the ban applies to MNSSHP. Don't think it a leap or viral rumors....

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...-metal-detectors-security-20151217-story.html

 

[disneyfan55]

I just. Read about the new security. Ithink if going that if doing all they say they should surely no play a violent movie like Star Wars on property. They should also rid itself of Pirates of Caribbean Tom sawyer Island and of course FrontierlLand itself with that shooting. And take all the star war weapons out of all stores! Can't have it both ways. And Cancel the new star wars Land for sure.

 

[RobbW]

The Orlando Sentinel, which I believe first reported on the metal detectors, is reporting that the ban applies to MNSSHP. Don't think it a leap or viral rumors....

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...-metal-detectors-security-20151217-story.html

Thanks! I've seen a couple different news stories on it now, and a CM posted about it also. I just hadn't read anything official yet before I posted.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Do I think it'll ruin the fun a bit? Yes, of course. I'm from Ny and work in NYC. I'm going next week and always viewed Disney as my safe place - my spot where I don't think about work, or sweat the small stuff, and a place to get away from the world. It's definitely going to be eery seeing the bomb sniffing dogs and probably tiring waiting to go through the metal detectors, but during Christmas, especially when the crowds are at their highest, it will make me feel safer.

Someone on here mentioned that after 9/11, the U.S. Government consulted two people on security - Israel and Disney World. I've always enjoyed the fact that they hide officers and security in plain sight. Is the idea of getting rid of the guns a little brash, yes. Is the idea of costumes a little over the top? Yes. But.. Imagine, just imagine there's a terror threat or someone gets into the parks and you have a little one (let's say, 10-13) who is carrying a toy gun.. The cops or swat team won't stop to check if it's plastic or not, they're trained to make the call on their own judgement.


You can never be too safe, so I'm gonna agree with Disney on this one... My only fear is that there's been a credible threat we don't know about. But - I think it's just ample planning for the holiday season and beyond. This has probably gone through multiple votes since the Paris attack and they're finally putting the plan into motion.

 

[kittyab]

SAME HERE!!! what the heck is the point in going if none of the adults can dress up? Thats a place where we can feel like a kid again.

I totally agree! If I can't go in costume, why by the ticket? That is half the fun!

 

[kittyab]

We already have our costumes for the next trip too.

 

[fla4fun]

Here now. Confirmed one metal detector at Epcot International Gateway. What a difference a day makes. Stood in checkout line with a kid buying a Star Wars gun last night at MK.

Just out of curiosity, where is the one at IG located? I've been reading that most of them are placed between bag check and the tapstiles, but there is very little space at IG to do that. Did they move bag check out toward the ticket booths and put it where bag check used to be? Or did they place it to the side where they usually have the unused bag check tables? Just trying to visualize it in my head.

I don't really have a problem with metal detectors, but I hope the area where we place our belongings is secure because I would have an issue with my wallet and iPhone walking off . . .

 

[slickpoetry]

Don't people understand the reason why you ban masks/costumes is to make it easier to identify people on surveillance cameras?

 

[larryz]

2. Just what I always wanted at a theme park - shoot out at the OK Corral.

Is there an upcharge for this? Can I get a FP+?

 

[sndral]

...
Other unintended consequences. Every day hundreds, if not thousands of off duty Law Enforcement ignore the no guns signs and carry into the parks anyway. By installing metal detectors, you are preventing hundreds to thousands of trained men and women from being able to effectively deal with an active murderer when one slips into the parks. If you don't think the terrorists don't under stand that, you haven't been paying attention, they only attack soft targets and now having a 100% guarantee that none of the good guys can defend themselves, WDW just became a much more tempting target for terrorists.

Ask any of your friends who are cops.
Joe Police officer may rather leave his gun at home and risk being caught in a terror attack unarmed vs getting caught and banned and having to explain to his young children how Disney hates cops and they can't go to parks any more because they've been black listed.

It honestly boggles my mind how some people can think a cop in a magic costume (uniform) with a gun is fine. Put him in street clothes and with his family and some how he/she is now a risky threat to be treated like a criminal/terrorist.

There is no logic behind such a position, only irrational and emotional based paranoia.

Also, there are dozens of ways to enter the parks without going through the security lines, again, if the good guys get caught, they get banned. The bad guys get caught? They just start shooting sooner.

IMO there are good cops and bad cops - most of the humans who chose that career that I have had contact with fall somewhere in between.
One criterion I use to sort the good from the bad is whether the cop in question understands that the rules apply to him/her just like everyone else, or is their ego so inflated that they think the rules shouldn't apply to them.
Disney's rule is no visitors w/ firearms in it's parks. Good cops are capable of following that rule and recognize that banning anyone unable to abide by Disney's 'laws' for Disney's property has nothing to do w/ hating cops.

....We were also told that Guest Relations has cast members near the security area to provide guest recovery in the cases of people potentially missing ADRs or FastPass+ reservations due to the screening.

Ok so I should hope to get chosen for the metal detector so I'll miss a FP+ and they'll give me a bunch of the FP+ use anywhere anytime passes they've been handing out like candy lately?

 

[larryz]

We already have our costumes for the next trip too.

Enjoy them in your hotel.

 

[hyzdufan]

It's all fun and games till someone loses a hand to a lightsaber.

They should also take steps to combat that Rebel Alliance terrorist cell. They're stirring up all kinds of trouble.

 

[wendyt_ca]

I only have an issue with not allowing costumes at the halloween party. We don't have children and that is one of my favorite things to do! We would prob not really go to the halloween party anymore either. I am also curious what constitutes a costume as I have star wars print dresses and a cinderella and Elsa dress from hot topic I just bought specifically for our trips to disney. I am hoping they don't count as they just look like dresses.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

We were on yuletide tour this am, at international gateway at 8 am and saw a metal detector going in,and saw another at front gate afterwo Rd s. Was discusdion of person getting caught with real gun in MK.
We did notice ourselves that there were more orange county police in ymiform in the parks than we have ever seen before.

I can also say we say an older teen/early 20 in mk today in a full lenght princess gown with tiara that looked crazy not being a party,. It was pretty wrinkled so we thought maybe she snuck it in then put it on. I can tell you i agree with disney on that during teg hours.
I think its all good, better safe than sorry.

 

[yitbos96bb]

It helps law enforcement and security speed at the gates to not have to deal with toy guns.

Prove it. I've heard that argument. I do security and risk assessment for a living. It's a bull argument made by people with little true understanding of risk assessment. Let's be honest what this is... It's an overreaction too a single incident. It's fear without true weight of the likelihood of the risk. It's absolutely ridiculous. For 44 years, it hasn't been an issue but all of a sudden the risk is so high you need to enact said mitigation? Bull.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

Almost forgot, message in the room message system stating bags will be checked, no costumes, no toy guns...

 

[yitbos96bb]

I don't think it really means they "don't understand their target market," they're making a change for safety's sake. It would be a lot easier for someone to take advantage of wearing elaborate costumes to conceal something sinister. People in street clothes are much easier to check and monitor going into the park and in the park. Some costumes would be fine, others not. So they have to ban them all.

I think they fully understand the target market and are more concerned about safety and avoiding disaster (and PR, of course.)

Disney knows the costume rule will affect party attendance, they're not dumb. They have very likely been advised to do this by law enforcement in every effort to try and keep WDW safe. Law enforcement may prefer adults not be in costume so they can do their jobs better. You don't know.

People say it's all for show, but the last thing WDW wants is an attack or an incident. They're now implementing realistic security measures and I, for one, am thrilled they're doing it. I think adults can sacrifice their costumes to help ensure the safety of others. Trust me, WDW knows they'll lose money on the parties, which should tell you something.

This is the world we live in.

They claim for safety sakes. But let's look at the likelihood of an attack. How many various theme parks in the world? How many successful mass shooting attacks? How many single shooting attacks? How many explosive devices?

This is the equivalent of the woman in rural Mississippi being afraid the terrorists are gonna get her and her kids... When her town would be so down the list of an acceptable target that the likelihood is nil.

Disney CLAIMS they are a prime target because of size etc, but if so, then why have they not been targeted? We've never even heard of a prevented attack much less a real one? Nor at other theme parks that would give good press (Cedar group or Universal for example).

It's another case of corps like the NFL and Disney thinking they are special snowflakes.

I guess now though they have a new excuse to jack ticket prices up 10-20%.

 

[larryz]

Almost forgot, message in the room message system stating bags will be checked, no costumes, no toy guns...