Anyone Been To WDW Recenty? Carry?

[Mizzle187]

Basiclly my question is has anyone been to Disney World,MGM,Epcot,or Animal Kingdom in the last few months. If so did they have metal detectors yet? Im not worried if others carried or not becuase I dont care I just figured I had to put it in the Topic. Ill be there in the coming weeks and wanted to know if they ever did metal detectors. Thats all I want to know. Ive seen other threads that got a little rough with a similar discussion thats why I just want the facts. Thanks!

 

[ceetee]

We visited WDW a few months ago. While I did not see any metal detectors there, they do a fairly thorough bag check at the entrance. I don't know what their policy is on CCW, but I didn't notice any visible signs restricting carry.

 

[Sistema1927]

Florida law would not prohibit carrying there, and I have never seen a sign at WDW.

Last time I was there they were doing bag checks, and while they peered into the fanny pack carrying my cell phone and FRS radio, they didn't pat me down or run me through a metal detector. As a result, the 642 in a pocket holste just below the fanny pack passed right into the parks without any problems.

 

[motoman]

not a problem

I was there in feb. no metal detectors. just bag inspections.

 

[real_name]

I found this opinion on packing.org
http://www.packing.org/oldnews/article/?article=3055

Relevant if you are in fact planning on carrying there, maybe.

While I would strongly recommend carrying in the tourist areas of Florida, the need within the major attractions (Disney, Universal, SeaWorld) is negligible to non-existent. In fact, the probability of an innocent-bystander-takedown makes the use of a weapon inside these areas a rather stupid choice. The only reason for taking a weapon into one of the major attractions is the fact that the weapon is not secure in your vehicle. Be advised that the parking facilities are heavily patrolled and video monitored at all 3 facilities. However, having never found a secure spot on a motorcycle, I have carried in all 3 parks. Here are my opinions of each park: SeaWorld Significant security to cancel any need Parking is reasonably secure Universal StudiosMore than sufficient security to cancel any need While I do not like the idea of the closed in nature of a parking garage with its inherent columns, the adequate lighting and security monitoring make up for this shortcoming. One of the most significant problems in carrying is the “G forces” of the rides ripping a weapon free. It is one thing to apologize for you sunglasses ripping free and hitting someone on the way down into the safety catch nets, quite another for your 45 auto. DisneyDisney has a private security force second to none, and in most cases superior to most public institutions. I cannot think of a safer place to be. As an example, on one of my thousands of visits, my wife had taken a small duffle bag full of the usual tourist stuff. Halfway through the day, we had gotten tired of carrying the bag and decided to leave it in a locker at the entrance. So, while my son and wife waited for the 3 o’clock parade, I trudged off to the lockers. As I was putting the bag in a locker, I remembered the roll of film I had left in there. After several thorough pocket searches, I concluded that my wife had already removed it. At the same moment, the security officer monitoring the locker area on CCTV concluded that a male going through a female's bag and placing it in a locker was suspicious. I was met at the entrance by 4 uniforms 2 suits and 2 undercover security personnel and extremely politely taken out of the mainstream where a simple explanation cured the problem. If you have ever been to Disney you know you drive literally miles on Disney property just to get to their parking lots. Their parking lots are isolated, open, flat, and heavily monitored, I cannot think of a better combination. Again, One of the most significant problems in carrying is the “G forces” of the rides ripping a weapon free. It is one thing to apologize for you sunglasses ripping free and hitting someone on the way down into the safety catch nets, quite another for your 45 auto. Things come off so often that they patrol the rides hourly and box the items according to time. So if you loose something, take note of the time. IN ALL THREE PARKS you should not have a problem if you discreetly removed you weapon in the car, wrapped in a towel and locked it in your trunk.

 

[Josh Aston]

SeaWorld Significant security to cancel any need

Universal StudiosMore than sufficient security to cancel any need

DisneyDisney has a private security force second to none, and in most cases superior to most public institutions. I cannot think of a safer place to be.

My security is my responsibility, no one else's.

 

[real_name]

My security is my responsibility, no one else's.

I know, I was just putting up someones opinion that might otherwise be missed in this discussion.
It's not my opinion, just one that gives another view on the matter.
If you follow the link there are similar comments to yours saying that the WDW security are slow and old etc.

Easiest solution in my mind is to avoid the whole money grabbing mess.

 

[ceetee]

As many times as I've been to the parks, I've never felt the need to carry. I've always been more than comfortable securing my pistol in my vehicle. I'd never tell anyone else what to do, though. Being loaded down like a pack mule (camera, camcorder, towels, sunscreen, water bottles, hats, spare sunglasses, etc) I have enough to carry. I just concern myself with staying alert, and aware, and make do.

Keep in mind that the parks (Disney World in particular) are like icebergs. You only see the part thats on the surface. There are no areas of the park save bathrooms that are not under video surveillance. If you buy a hot dog from a vendor that appears unusually fit and alert, chances are that he's not just a hot dog vendor.

I agree with your desire to remain armed. I prolly would, too, if my situation were different. I just don't see it as an urgent need.

 

[Leanwolf]

Universal Studios is a tiny "town" called Universal City. It is a separate entity from Los Angeles. Universal has long contracted with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department for "law enforcement."

At all times, 24/7, there are L.A.S.D. Deputies at Universal.

FWIW. L.W.

 

[ceetee]

WDW is also an incorporated city. They have the power to create "special" taxing districts, and to have their own police force. I would imagine that they would have the power to pass laws banning carry of firearms, but whether those laws would pass a challenge or not is a whole different thing...

 

[Manedwolf]

From what I've seen and heard about Disney World security forces, Homeland Insecurity could take a lesson from them.

Instead of parading around tactical ninja gear as has been the case recently in NYC, (which would hardly deter any terrorists, it just lets them know who to stage the diversion closest to), they just APPEAR and surround any trouble, seemingly out of nowhere...but until that point, they're absolutely invisible.

I wonder if anyone's ever written anything about how their security is trained?

 

[Mizzle187]

Thanks for the info! I knew bag checks were in place but that wont be an issue. Sorry if I came across rude but I just dont care what others would do or wouldnt do at certain places. I have a 4 year old daughter and IMO thats all I need to say. Even if I didnt I would anyway but she is too important to take any chance that some BG got through the plasma shield of good that surrounds WDW! Thanks again!

 

[Lone_Gunman]

We live close to Disney World, and are annual pass holders, so we are there quite a bit. I usually carry my Kel Tec P3AT in my pocket while there. There are no metal detectors.

I think official Disney policy is "no guns" but there are no signs posted, and I have heard if they discover you have a gun all they will do is ask you to return it to your car or let security store it for you.

The only place on Disney property I have ever felt a little uneasy was at the Dowtown Disney Marketplace. It was about Midnight, and we walked up on a man and what appeared to be a lady of the evening sniffing something. Don't know what it was, but I suspect it was cocaine. They looked sheepishly at us, and then quickly walked away.

 

[jason10mm]

I didn't feel a need to carry at WDW, unless I was riding herd on little kids and would never be going on any rides. I have no idea if my CCW method is roller-coaster proof and have no real way to test it before going. I stay on the resort and feel very safe at all times.

I rely on pepper spray, a knife, and a FLASHLIGHT!!!!!!! For gods sake bring a good light! If there is EVER a problem at WDW, light is going to be your number one priority, not firepower.

Besides, I'm usually in a low level of drunkeness, condition white so to have a gun would be very irresponsible on my part.