weapon detection at WDW

[jason10mm]

Disney property is designated an "Exclusionary Zone", just like banks, schools, government buildings, etc....due to them storing "explosives" (Read: Fireworks) on property.

I've never heard of an exclusionary zone for fireworks display being treated like this. Aren't they usually for air space, sea space, and traffic control just before, during, and after a fireworks display? The state code mentions nothing about exclusionary zones being a prohibited place, and even so, I don't think you could apply one to the entire park throughout the entire day just for fireworks. Be interested in where this interpretation comes from because it would be a pretty major shift in the legality of carrying at Disney that folks might want to know about.

As for avoiding the no carry policy, it is just that, a policy of Disney. It has no force of law, assuming you abide by their request to leave to avoid an armed trespass charge (unless this exclusionary zone stuff is true, of course). No different than using flash photography when they ask you not to, and much less disruptive to others, if you think about it.

The OP asked if firearms were allowed. Regardless of Disneys desires they ARE legal in the parks if you have a permit. Carrying concealed means concealed, and I suspect that many of us have shared a line, a ride, or whatever with a pleasant person carrying concealed and never knew anything different. Again, I'm not advocating it and certainly have no intention of doing it myself, but it CAN be done.

 

[DisneyFed]

I've never heard of an exclusionary zone for fireworks display being treated like this. Aren't they usually for air space, sea space, and traffic control just before, during, and after a fireworks display? The state code mentions nothing about exclusionary zones being a prohibited place, and even so, I don't think you could apply one to the entire park throughout the entire day just for fireworks. Be interested in where this interpretation comes from because it would be a pretty major shift in the legality of carrying at Disney that folks might want to know about.

As for avoiding the no carry policy, it is just that, a policy of Disney. It has no force of law, assuming you abide by their request to leave to avoid an armed trespass charge (unless this exclusionary zone stuff is true, of course). No different than using flash photography when they ask you not to, and much less disruptive to others, if you think about it.

The OP asked if firearms were allowed. Regardless of Disneys desires they ARE legal in the parks if you have a permit. Carrying concealed means concealed, and I suspect that many of us have shared a line, a ride, or whatever with a pleasant person carrying concealed and never knew anything different. Again, I'm not advocating it and certainly have no intention of doing it myself, but it CAN be done.

Neither had anyone else until Disney was granted it by the Florida Legislature.....

Some say it's a little thin...which it is...but that's the law.

Trust me....it was challenged in court---and the violator lost...

Again, no worries here...

Edit: Yes, normally these zones are for the reasons you listed. The violation that challenged the zone was for DOWNTOWN DISNEY....

The courts essentially prohibit due to the proximity of explosives on Disney Property...

Edit to the Edit: Looked it up and this case involved a Disney Employee, which appears to have different ramifications which may or may not address the Florida Concealed Carry Law.

Legally, I believe you are correct, I can't find anywhere where it's against the letter of the law to carry---other than them escorting you out and putting you on Trespass Notice for the property (which would kinda suck on vacation, wouldn't it?).

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Last week we had a group of about 150 from the Police Athletic League of one of the nearby counties come to Typhoon Lagoon during the day. It was not Orange County.

The leader of the group indicated he was an "X" County Deputy Sheriff, was on duty, and was armed. He asked to speak to an Orange County Deputy, who was called, as well as at least one manager.

The Deputy said that he did not intend to go swimming, and did not plan to just wear a swimsuit. I do know that the Manager did not want to store his pistol in the Safe in Guest Relations, probably because all the coordinators and managers on duty knew the combination.

I was busy with other people and so I am not aware of what the final result was. But whatever, it was resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned.

 

[dudelydude]

For all of those people who think Disney World's bag checks are a joke, what would you like for them to do?

Look, it can be both ways, so why not let people have their opinions. People say the bag check is a joke because a person could just put a pistol in the back of their wasteband with a loose fitting shirt over it and get in easily....not only that, but they could pull that weapon and shoot several people before the so-called hidden security inside the park could stop it. If someone really wanted to get into the Magic Kingdom and shoot a few people, they can get it done and we are talking about an idiot with an I.Q. of 58. That said, the bag check is a decent first line of defense from bigger weapons and (as a PP said) to be a deterrant and to gauge reaction.

 

[DisneyFed]

Last week we had a group of about 150 from the Police Athletic League of one of the nearby counties come to Typhoon Lagoon during the day. It was not Orange County.

The leader of the group indicated he was an "X" County Deputy Sheriff, was on duty, and was armed. He asked to speak to an Orange County Deputy, who was called, as well as at least one manager.

The Deputy said that he did not intend to go swimming, and did not plan to just wear a swimsuit. I do know that the Manager did not want to store his pistol in the Safe in Guest Relations, probably because all the coordinators and managers on duty knew the combination.

I was busy with other people and so I am not aware of what the final result was. But whatever, it was resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Professional Courtesy extended to PAL.....interesting, I wonder how it turned out.

I would assume anything like this is handled in on a case by case basis

Official function Maybe?? I dunno'...

 

[flicx]

Lets face it the bag checks are disneys attempt to give the appearance of a safe park.These checks appeared after 911,and I'm quite sure there was a list of contraband items was in place before this date.It is a lawsuit preventer and a feel good measure, that's all.If it makes people feel more at ease so be it,but I can sympathize with those who don't like the hassle of bag checks and remember the days when there weren't any.

 

[jason10mm]

Neither had anyone else until Disney was granted it by the Florida Legislature.....

Some say it's a little thin...which it is...but that's the law.

Trust me....it was challenged in court---and the violator lost...

Yikes! Well, chalk one into the "Don't do it" column. I know other Disney employees have been canned for firearms in their vehicle, so the business stance of the company is clear.

Anyway, I myself love wild shakey rides and malted adult refreshment entirely too much to ever consider going armed, so it is a moot point for me. They have yet to take my flashlight and usually never see my pocket knife, so I consider myself prepared enough for any Disney negative encounters (primarily related to pickpockets, a catastrophic power loss, or a fire).

 

[afwdwfan]

Honestly, yes, I agree with the idea that if someone wants to do something, they are going to find a way, regardless of bag checks, metal detectors, whatever.

I do understand how the bag check works as a deterrent for those random idiots. It won't stop a terrorist or someone who has a premeditated plan to do something stupid, but it will tend to deter the random idiots. Anyone who is going to plan some type of attack is going to plan a way to get around any kind of security that is in place.

I feel like the bag check is the best plan right now. It allows the security to do their thing and monitor crowds entering and serves as a deterrent. I'd rather have to wait through a bag check line for a few min than stand in an "airport security" line just to get into the park. There is really no reason to have any more security there than at a ballgame, etc. anyway, because idiots are everywhere and terrorists can target anything like that just as easily (probably easier, at a ballgame you could have 60K people in 1 stadium unlike being spread out at WDW).

 

[DisneyFed]

Yikes! Well, chalk one into the "Don't do it" column. I know other Disney employees have been canned for firearms in their vehicle, so the business stance of the company is clear.

Anyway, I myself love wild shakey rides and malted adult refreshment entirely too much to ever consider going armed, so it is a moot point for me. They have yet to take my flashlight and usually never see my pocket knife, so I consider myself prepared enough for any Disney negative encounters (primarily related to pickpockets, a catastrophic power loss, or a fire).

Yeah, me too....Especially the German kind...

 

[Bell30012]

I'm not so sure that the bag check is to look for firearms. I think they may more be looking for things like Eric Rudoph's bag he left at the Centennial Park during the Olympics. It's also a good way to make the public aware that you can't be bringing a twelve pack of Budweiser to MK in the baby's diaper bag.

I always tell my daughter that the security is looking for mousetraps. Disney Security relies on training and observation. I asked my friend how he thought Disney knew he had the weapon. His reply was that they are obviously well trained in observation. A person wearing a jacket when it isn't cold, the way he stands or walks. A lot of factors.

Several years ago I retired from the US Army but I still find myself noticing people that have served in the military. Someone who has served tends to automatically walk 120 steps per minute. The same with law enforcement. The recognize each other without a word spoken.

 

[DisneyFed]

The same with law enforcement. The recognize each other without a word spoken.

My wife, having been dating or married to me for all of my years can do the same.....she says we all have that "look"

 

[WilsonFlyer]

OK. Here's a serious question.

I'm a law-abiding citizen from NC and I have my CCP. We have reciprocity with FL and all the states I drive through on the way to WDW.

I-95 isn't the friendly place it used to be, for those of you unfamiliar with the drive. LOL

Someone mentioned above that (I think this is right) Disney property was designated, esentially; as a no-carry zone by FL law.

So if (and I'm not confessing to anything here) I were to carry my sidearm on my trip and lock it in the safe in my villa as soon as I arrive and never retrieve it until I was ready to leave on the trip back home, I would be violating a FL law? Is that correct? That is RIDICULOUS.

So Disney wants to be libel for my family's safety while en-route to WDW since they essentially tell me that I can't carry my weapon on my trip because I can't store it on property once I arrive? Sorry, but I have to call hogwash. There's no way Disney can tell me that I can't legally store my weapon on property while I'm there.

I know this is OT but it's important to me and not totally irrelavent to the discussion at hand.

Keep in mind that I am not even talking about the theme parks or other areas. I'm talking about the parking lot at my villa and to the room and back to my vehicle. That's all.

For the record, I would never even consider taking my weapon anywhere on property other than my room's safe. I just want to make that perfectly clear.

For the record, you can't carry concealed in NC anywhere tickets are sold to enter a venue, whether alcohol is being sold or not. I'm pretty sure I remember that right so theme parks would be out by definition here in NC.

 

[momtobrynncess]

OK. Here's a serious question.

I'm a law-abiding citizen from NC and I have my CCP. We have reciprocity with FL and all the states I drive through on the way to WDW.

I-95 isn't the friendly place it used to be, for those of you unfamiliar with the drive. LOL

Someone mentioned above that (I think this is right) Disney property was designated, esentially; as a no-carry zone by FL law.

So if (and I'm not confessing to anything here) I were to carry my sidearm on my trip and lock it in the safe in my villa as soon as I arrive and never retrieve it until I was ready to leave on the trip back home, I would be violating a FL law? Is that correct? That is RIDICULOUS.

So Disney wants to be libel for my family's safety while en-route to WDW since they essentially tell me that I can't carry my weapon on my trip because I can't store it on property once I arrive? Sorry, but I have to call hogwash. There's no way Disney can tell me that I can't legally store my weapon on property while I'm there.

I know this is OT but it's important to me and not totally irrelavent to the discussion at hand.

Keep in mind that I am not even talking about the theme parks or other areas. I'm talking about the parking lot at my villa and to the room and back to my vehicle. That's all.

For the record, I would never even consider taking my weapon anywhere on property other than my room's safe. I just want to make that perfectly clear.

For the record, you can't carry concealed in NC anywhere tickets are sold to enter a venue, whether alcohol is being sold or not. I'm pretty sure I remember that right so theme parks would be out by definition here in NC.

That's a very good question. I wonder if the law/rules apply to the entire property or just to the theme parks/DTD. And how Disney would respond the the situation occurring at a resort as opposed to a park. Is there an assumption that those who have been stopped within the parks, who are licensed to carry, and are asked to secure their weapon at their facility and retrieve it later, that they are staying somewhere on property? And how do they address that?

 

[WilsonFlyer]

The US Supreme Court has spoken. So let it be written. So let it be done.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Just to intensify my argument above, I own deeded property at WDW via DVC. Technically, that is my home when I am there.

This should make for an interesting discussion.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Just to intensify my argument above, I own deeded property at WDW via DVC. Technically, that is my home when I am there.

This should make for an interesting discussion.

To borrow a phrase from the military......."Don't ask, don't tell." Good question though!

 

[Bell30012]

I believe the reason for the exclusion was the fireworks (explosives) so wouldn't that only encompass MK, HS and EP? Heck, one of the resorts is so far away it's in another county.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Just to intensify my argument above, I own deeded property at WDW via DVC. Technically, that is my home when I am there.

This should make for an interesting discussion.

To borrow a phrase from the military......."Don't ask, don't tell." Good question though!

Wilson Flyer I agree with your position re-your home away from home BUT I agree with Scrappy_Tink.....sooooo just put it in the safe and no one is the wiser

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Wilson Flyer I agree with your position re-your home away from home BUT I agree with Scrappy_Tink.....sooooo just put it in the safe and no one is the wiser

I get that. LOL

Problem is... What if I WAS caught? Could I be banned from the property forever and I own there?

There is a grander question here. I am a law-abiding citizen and I'll admit I never even thought about this problem before (and that's all you're getting out of me! LOL) but I certainly don't want to break any laws and I certainly don't want to get caught via some strange coincidence and be banished for life for it.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I get that. LOL

Problem is... What if I WAS caught? Could I be banned from the property forever and I own there?

There is a grander question here. I am a law-abiding citizen and I'll admit I never even thought about this problem before (and that's all you're getting out of me! LOL) but I certainly don't want to break any laws and I certainly don't want to get caught via some strange coincidence and be banished for life for it.

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