Disney Beefs Up Theme Park Security: Metal Detectors, Extra Patrols, Bans on Toy Guns and Costumes

Mark Ashman/Disney Parks via Getty Images
Mark Ashman/Disney Parks via Getty Images

Disney has beefed up security protocols at its theme parks in Anaheim, California and Orlando, Florida as fears of terrorism have grown in recent weeks due to recent high-profile deadly attacks in San Bernardino and Paris.

Visitors at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure theme parks in Anaheim will be randomly selected to go through metal detectors at the parks’ entrances, reports local ABC affiliate KABC. The parks have also added extra security patrols and ceased selling toy guns at gift shops. Additionally, patrons over the age of 14 are now prohibited from wearing costumes or masks while inside the parks.

“We continually review our comprehensive approach to security are are implementing additional security measures as appropriate,” Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown said in a statement.

Disney has also placed metal detectors in front of all four of its theme parks at its Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Earlier this week, a Florida attorney was arrested after trying to bring a handgun into the Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando. According to the Orlando Sentinel, police dogs have recently been spotted patrolling key areas of the park.

Disney is not the only company upping security at its theme parks; Universal Studios in Hollywood has also added metal detectors at its entranceways, while SeaWorld said in a statement it would be “enhancing security measures for the busy holiday season.”

“We want our guests to feel safe when they come here,” Universal spokesman Tom Schroder told the paper, noting that the park had not received any specific threats. “We’ve long used metal detection for special events, such as Halloween Horror Nights. This test is a natural progression for us as we study best practices for security in today’s world.”

A representative for Disney could not immediately be reached for comment.

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