In the midst of fears about gun violence and terrorism, Disney has decided to amp its security measures across its eight theme and water parks in California and Florida.
E! Online reported that Walt Disney World has enhanced all of its parks' entrance with metal detectors as of Thursday, Dec. 18. These include Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. The management also imposed a ban on toy guns, including blasters and squirt guns, and will disallow guests below 14-years-old to wear costumes inside its facilities.
The measures are apparently in accordance with the bulletin issued by the Department of Homeland Security, which cited public places as potential targets of terrorists. Per Fox News, the department and its head, Secretary Jeh Johnson, has no knowledge of specific terrorist threats against the United States but safety concerns have been heightened in the country.
"We continually review our comprehensive approach to security and are implementing additional security measures, as appropriate," said Disney's management in a statement, per New York Daily News. Spokeswoman Jaquee Wahler also stated via Sky that imposing a ban on toy guns will ensure that this will not "cause distraction or confusion for our Cast Members and security personnel in the parks." The prohibition also includes the selling of toy guns inside Disney stores at the parks.
As proof of their proactive response, Walt Disney World posted photos of the metal detectors that have already been set up at Magic Kingdom. The move is also being done on non-Disney theme parks like SeaWorld and Universal.
"Guests entering SeaWorld Orlando can also expect thorough bag checks as well as metal detector checks," said Suzanne Pelisson-Beasley of SeaWorld in the Sky report.
"We are always looking at best practices for security and safety in today's world," said Universal's Tom Schroeder via USA Today. "For us, this is a natural progression, in that we've long used metal detection for some of our special events. We expect to learn much from this test."
Orlando Sentinel reported that trained dogs have been spotted patrolling the monorail trains and the ticket centers at Disneyland as of Wednesday. Fortunately, these measures have not affected the lines of visitors at the theme parks.
"I think the metal detectors are a reasonable precaution. You're going to wait in lines all day long, so what's one more line?" said one guest in the report.
The public applauds the decision by these companies with many expressing their support on Twitter:
@Disney Thank you. My husband & I take our sons to Disneyland every year. If we are going to be a nation of guns, we need metal detectors.
— Allison Brinsley (@abrinsley77) December 17, 2015
Metal detectors up at @WaltDisneyWorld, this is what happens when an idiot tries to bring in a gun. Thanks for keeping us safe Disney! — Denise⛱ (@rubylips80) December 17, 2015
I'm honestly surprised it took this long to get metal detectors at Disney theme parks. Nobody wants to see them, but they are needed.
— Ryan (@RyanJohn__) December 17, 2015
GOODMORNING Walt Disney World is getting metal detectors at their main entrances now IM SO HAPPY:)) — Gab (@harryenchanting) December 17, 2015
