Disney World Concealed Carry

Jc40

My wife and I are taking our kids to Disney World (Orland) in January. I understand that Disney has a no weapons policy. However, I am wondering if any of you have any real world experience with Disney World. Can you concealed carry there? Do they have posted signs or metal detectors? I plan on taking my gun because I would like to fly with it as I have never done this. I may just lock it in the room when I get there, assuming there are safes. The last thing I need on a family vacation though is a MAJOR HASSLE. Suggestions please!

-PDW

I know someone who goes to disney al the time and they carry a kel-tec in their pocket and has never encountered any problems so far.If they do know you are carrying or somehow catch you,they will ask you to leave.
 
Update - OCT 2008

I just returned from a family vacation to Disney World. I have a concealed carry permit from a state with reciprocity with Florida. I carried my pistol (Glock 26) in an "inside the waistband" holster in the small of my back throughout our visits to the various parks.

As stated in previous posts, there are no signs or policies (I stayed at a Disney Resort hotel) that prevent you from carrying a legal concealed weapon at the parks.

There is no screening to prevent you from carrying a concealed weapon on your person -- e.g. no metal detectors or wands. However, if you are carrying a bag, it will be subjected to a cursory search. I carried a small Camelbak HAWG, and essentially, they just looked inside the main pocket and squeezed it. I would guess that any weapons found in your bag would result in a request to leave them outside the park.

While I was relieved to be able to carry my pistol without a hassle, I am disappointed by Walt Disney World's security...if I can get my weapon in so easily, then what is to prevent someone with bad intentions from doing the same?? I would much rather that they found mine, and let me proceed after seeing my permit. The bag search is "security theater"...it may look like they are keeping dangerous items out of the park, but anyone with the desire could get even large objects through on their person.

Which is why it probably is a good idea to carry, even in the "happiest place on Earth..."
 
Here is the best way to find out.......(407) WDW-MAGIC (939-6244) call them.

I would almost bet if they have a no weapons policy that doesn't just apply to the employee's, but for the people that come there.

I understand the concern for it, but in all the times that I have been to Disney World I have never once worried about being attacked. I understand taking it to Orlando.

The real fact that I would like to stress in my argument about it is if the SHTF there are going to be like 25 billion people (exaggeration) running like crazy, not to mention what if you are across the park when it does? What are you going to do? Go to Disney, ride the ride's, eat a turkey leg, and drink some beer. Have fun with your family. This is just my 2 cents, not worth a lot to some people, but worth millions to me.

By the way new to the forum and already like this place. Great forum.
 
There is no screening to prevent you from carrying a concealed weapon on your person -- e.g. no metal detectors or wands. However, if you are carrying a bag, it will be subjected to a cursory search. I carried a small Camelbak HAWG, and essentially, they just looked inside the main pocket and squeezed it. I would guess that any weapons found in your bag would result in a request to leave them outside the park.

Which is why it probably is a good idea to carry, even in the "happiest place on Earth..."

More than likely someone that is going to do something there isn't going to walk in with an AR-15 and a back pack full of ammo. They would set a bomb or something like that.
 
Liberal? Hmmm...

disney is pro gay rights. liberal to the bone. isnt it obvious?

Liberal? I strongly disagree, at least as far as Disney's movie and coloring book characters go, because, for the past 50 or so years, the word chauvinistic comes to mind to describe each and every one of its "fairy tale" family members words, behaviors, and actions! Last I remember, chauvinism was a conservative trait.
 
WHOAAAA THERE !!!!

Your question is about policy not if you can get away with it.

YES Disney has a very strong NO CARRY policy in the parks that extends to everyone including all Non-On Duty LEO in the parks themselves (the rest of DW is fine).

Can you carry, of course. You are not violating Florida law, if found carrying you will be escorted from the park a potentionally banned for life, Disney does not need reason to ban people, they may do it at any time on whim. If you return after being asked to leave you will be turned over to the Orange County Sheriff's Department and charged with trespass.

Some thoughts. If you carry in the parks you would need to think three time before firing. Remember that in a Disney park rarely is a wall a wall, so that big stone block wall that is supposed to stop that through and through is actually six inches of styrofoam over an aluminum framework meaning it is the young mother on the other side that is likely to catch the bullet.

Don't judge Disney security by what you see. Especially in the Magic Kingdom the entire operations area including the method that most security and medical get around in is underground. It is amazing how in an emergency sunddely they "magically" appear. Plus it is hard to find a square inch that is not under video.

Personally I DO carry in all Disney World areas except the parks themselves but lock it in the car when leaving the lot, or lock it in the hotel if staying on property and using WDW transportation. I carry a Kimber Guardian Angle pepper blaster as less than lethal during those periods.

I always debate because my regular carry is a P-3AT so it would be no problem to carry in the park but I realize from over 15 years of annual passes and contract working at Disney that there is no "clear shot" in the parks and I could never fire my weapon, so the pepper blaster makes a lot more sense to me.
 
We were at Disney last August and both my granddaughter and myself carried in all areas. Did not see any signs restricting concealed carry or otherwise. Bags are checked at entry points to theme parks. Just remember it's CONCEALED CARRY.

HAVE FUN !!:biggrin:
 
I just returned from a family vacation to Disney World. I have a concealed carry permit from a state with reciprocity with Florida. I carried my pistol (Glock 26) in an "inside the waistband" holster in the small of my back throughout our visits to the various parks.

As stated in previous posts, there are no signs or policies (I stayed at a Disney Resort hotel) that prevent you from carrying a legal concealed weapon at the parks.

There is no screening to prevent you from carrying a concealed weapon on your person -- e.g. no metal detectors or wands. However, if you are carrying a bag, it will be subjected to a cursory search. I carried a small Camelbak HAWG, and essentially, they just looked inside the main pocket and squeezed it. I would guess that any weapons found in your bag would result in a request to leave them outside the park.

While I was relieved to be able to carry my pistol without a hassle, I am disappointed by Walt Disney World's security...if I can get my weapon in so easily, then what is to prevent someone with bad intentions from doing the same?? I would much rather that they found mine, and let me proceed after seeing my permit. The bag search is "security theater"...it may look like they are keeping dangerous items out of the park, but anyone with the desire could get even large objects through on their person.

Which is why it probably is a good idea to carry, even in the "happiest place on Earth..."


That search isnt for weapons...its for "outside food and drink"... :biggrin:
 
Disney joke

The park entrance search is like someone said "theater". I carry a P32 just for these type ocassions, but my wife threatened me with "that look" in her eye about carrying in the parks. We stayed at the "All star movies" resort and used the bus system. The disney hotels have safes in the rooms, so I stored my toys there unless we were going out to eat or off property. I only carried pepper spray and a Gerber Para frame in the parks.

I have heard that Disney has its own "SWAT" type teams to deal with threats. I guarantee they are looking into the new airport scanning tech that can "see through" clothes from a distance.
They have lockers near the front of the parks for those who don't like walking through those big parking lots unarmed, but don't want to risk getting banned for life from the Mouse House (my kids would never forgive me). :sarcastic:
 
I actually went to DW last year. It's the one place I felt completely secure "without" my firearm. However, I stayed in the park the whole trip and road the shuttle to and from the resort hotel.

It's great to carry "outside" of the park. But inside DW, I felt completely safe. (Maybe because it's the happiest place on earth?)

I actually think Disney does an outstanding job with an "unseen" security force.
 
Policy is no weapons...

At the entrance to DisneyLand my folding knife was clipped to my pocket....at the bag check someone saw it and asked me to take it out. I did and was informed I could not enter the park with it. So rather than ride the tram back to the parking lot to leave it in the car....I just walked away...put it in my pocket and strolled right in through another gate no problem. Policy is about effective as most gun laws. But as stated...it's private property...so even if you aren't violating any laws..they can and will ask you to leave if you are "discovered". No metal detectors at DLand as of about 3 years ago.

For those who tried to search ...here it is...no weapons OF ANY KIND...

Link Removed

Another reason not to go....wife was just telling me that for our family of four to go for 3 days or so would be about $750....just to get into the park!!! I said...I don't think so...love my kids and all but that's insane!!
 
This is the same subject, but a different area, I approached in another forum. I would feel safe once inside the Magic Kingdom. Issue is the parking lots, especially at night. I would want to carry to and from the gate, but then what? Maybe they need a 'check your firearms here' sign. So then you carry inside the park so you can feel safe returning to your vehicle.
 
lockers

This is the same subject, but a different area, I approached in another forum. I would feel safe once inside the Magic Kingdom. Issue is the parking lots, especially at night. I would want to carry to and from the gate, but then what? Maybe they need a 'check your firearms here' sign. So then you carry inside the park so you can feel safe returning to your vehicle.

I believe all the parks have rental lockers just inside the front entrances. You would still need to crash the gate.:sarcastic:
Disney is very ant-guni and allergic to any possible bad PR. They also do not want to take on any liability so I don't think they will ever make it easy for permit holders.
 
Easy to carry

I was there last week, carried each day. As others have said, bags will be checked, but saw no one patted down or asked to empty pockets. Never saw any metal detectors, etc.
 
January 19 2010.
Was at Disney This weekend to See some Family in States. I Carried MY Glock 19 as always. I Did not see any signs saying NO FIREARMS, nor ANY Armed Security people.
There is a Bag Check, and they went thru back packs, fanny packs and shoulder bags...They even asked to see inside my small camera case.
I had my Glock 19 in an Apache Ankle holster. I had a Bladetech Foloder in my pocket, that I slipped down, so the clip didnt show. No Metal scanners nor pat downs.. it's private property.
For those that are of the prepared mind-set, I HIGHLY Recommend a Flash-Lite. Small on your belt. Several people in my party commented how dark it was inside the park... That is so you can see the neon signs. I understand, but I could imagine if there was a black-out. It would be hard to get around...also, if you are inside a ride, and the power went out, yes, stay in the ride...blah blah blah,,,but after 3 hours you might want to try and walk out... Have a Light!

My Opinion is Worthless, My Experience is Handy.
God Bless.
Capt.
 
Interesting point about a flash light. Having spent a lot of time at Disneyworld over the past 20 years, it seems that they get darker and darker each year. I attribute it to the major change over to LED lighting and other cutbacks in an attempt to save money. As Glock9 notes, recently it seems that after dark there are many areas that are almost tough to see to get around and times that having a light would help. Also, I have been in Disney during a blackout and although emergency lighting is prevalent everywhere, having your own light may be a good idea.

Just don't light up the inside of space mountain while you are on the ride or it may get you a free escort to the front gate.:wacko:

ps: again, carrying in Disney is NOT officially sanctioned and getting found out will get you evicted from the park. Again in my opinion, carrying is not a good idea because you cannot trust your instincts to know what your backstop is. Most stone walls in Disney are NOT stone walls, etc. and anyone with half an ounce of training knows you should never fire your weapon without KNOWING what your backstop is, meaning carrying a weapon in Disney is useless because you will never be educated in their construction enough to confidently or safely fire. As noted, I've been in there for 20 years and I don't know which walls are real or not when they are behind the subject.
 
2beararms WROTE: ps: again, carrying in Disney is NOT officially sanctioned and getting found out will get you evicted from the park. Again in my opinion, carrying is not a good idea because you cannot trust your instincts to know what your backstop is. Most stone walls in Disney are NOT stone walls, etc. and anyone with half an ounce of training knows you should never fire your weapon without KNOWING what your backstop is, meaning carrying a weapon in Disney is useless because you will never be educated in their construction enough to confidently or safely fire. As noted, I've been in there for 20 years and I don't know which walls are real or not when they are behind the subject.

2Bears... Good Point. It's a Great Topic, as I traveled to Disney from outside the USA to be with my family and their children, I would have been embarrassed if I was turned away at gate for not knowing. I read this thread and took my chances with the wonderful No Search Status.
As far as your comment on training and knowing your back-stop. I can not agree at all (politely) ... How Many Police shooting can you think of where the Police open up on suspect...Do they check their Back stops? NO, The Opponent is the Backstop or should be in a self defense shooting...I will not mention Military/Security applications, as collateral damage is sometimes even a necessary outcome to escape the situation. One would Never "Open Fire" or Spray and Pray in a corwd anyway... Especially with the common .38 snubs and .380 pistols legal people carry for Self Defense.
My issue with carry in the park was that Disney, as you know, is HUGE... NO Security could Keep weapons or explosives out of that Park.. Its VAST with open land and no fences. It's a dark thought, but that is the planning motto... plan for the worse and hope for the best...
My carry of a firearm is not for the idle street crime in Disney. Never even sensed any low low levels of crime. Yes, I could see Police and Security having problems in "Adult Disney" After Dark...where the Night clubs are...I'm sure drugs and Weapons are a problem. I'm thinking It would be for worst case attack... similar to the USA workers shooting spree, College student shooting spree...church member Shooting spree, Disgruntled employee shooting spree...etc etc.
In that Case, it's gather MY Family to cover and Wait it out...But I'd Rather wait it out with Protection.
Deep cover Holster and mindset to have a great day and enjoy the Mouse...

God Bless. Stay Safe. CAPTAIN
 
I recently visited the the Magic Kingdom and Animal Park last Christmas (12/09). I carried a P229 in a holster in a Maxpedition Gearslinger. My pack was searched at both gates and the pistol was never detected. I would advise people not to bring a firearm into any of the parks. It is a hassle and the parks are relatively safe.
 
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