Disneyland heightening security measures with new screening procedure + toy gun ban

Starting today, guests wishing to enter Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are subject to walk through metal detectors on top of the regular bag-screening process. In addition, there will be more security and police officers with trained, bomb-sniffing dogs patrolling the entire resort, including both parks, Downtown Disney, the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, and surrounding areas.

Two weeks ago, 14 people were killed in a shooting in San Bernardino and now public centers like the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort are heightening security measures. Although, Disney does not identify recent shootings as a direct cause for the tightened security.

“We continually review our comprehensive approach to security and are implementing additional security measures, as appropriate,” said Suzy Brown, a spokeswoman for Disneyland.

Prior to this announcement, guests’ belongings such as backpacks and purses were searched prior to entering the esplanade (area in between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park). Now, guests will be selected at random to walk through portable metal detectors after going through the initial bag screening. Moreover, Disney emphasizes that guests 14+ are not allowed to wear costumes into the park and that toy guns are also prohibited. This means that the sale of toy guns inside the parks will be discontinued in an effort to “avoid confusion or distraction for our cast members and security personnel.”

Brown does not expect this to delay guests from entering the park during the busy holiday season.

“We do not anticipate this will significantly increase the time it takes to get into the park,” said Brown.

These new rules are reflected at Disneyland’ s official Park Rules and Regulations page.

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