Just got back from a week of fun and relaxation (not really) with the family at Florida's Disney World. We stayed at one of the on property resorts and Disney seems to have a clue about security.

Apparently they have special schedules for those who stay in the Disney resorts so we decided to stay at the Magic Kingdom late until it closed at 2:00 am. Being out that late, I decided to carry my 442. I wasn't necessarily worried about park security, but rather the travel back after the park closed.

Although Disney security checks any carry bags as you enter the park, they don't search individuals and I saw no "prohibited" signs. Seems that if some mean people or foreign zealots wanted to hurt a lot of people that would be a high profile place to do it.

Was wondering if anyone else had ever carried in Disney or knew what their official policy is.

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- Change it back -

If the Disney Security catches you, and you have a permit, they will escort you to the front gate where you will be given the option of locking it up in their security office, or taking it your car. If you fail to comply, you will be asked to leave. The signs in FL carry no weight, so they aren't there. I personally know of 2 people in my group who carried the whole week that we attended (for the same reasons as you) and the mouse cops were none the wiser, despite being 'searched' at the gates at each park.

And for the record, you are more likely to be 'accosted' off of their premises in the Orlando tourist 'hot spots' than on the Disney Property....they are on top of things for the most part. Our vacation was crime free (except for what old Walt got us for....)

Stay Safe.

Ole Walt don't like competition!

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VIVERE MILITARE EST

I never asked...so my 340PD has been to all the parks w/o issue.

I remember when a Disney castmember (employee) was fired a few years ago just because he kept his handgun locked in his car while at work. He argued that he "never brought it onto the property," as he "always kept it safely locked up in his car."
But Disney didn't want to hear it. The car was parked on their property and either he got rid of the gun, or he was history.

Now there's a state law prohibiting companies from saying anything about people keeping guns locked in their vehicles, except for certain businesses (and WDW found a way into the loophole).

My wife and I have annual passes and I carry every time we go. It's not that I feel unsafe, I'm just used to carrying everywhere and going there is no exception. About the only think I do different is I'll use different carry methods depending on where we are. At the parks I just use my Smartcarry, at the resorts it depends on how I'm dressed...either IWB, Smartcarry or pocket carry, and if we're going off property or to Downtown Disney it's my M&P40c IWB.

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"I'm your huckleberry."

I sure am glad nobody at disney land owns a computer because then they could see how everybody carries their guns.

Hey...I'm a passholder too!
For all we know, we may have sat right next to each other at an attraction, or something, and didn't even know it. ~

Security at Disney is discrete and very good. The one thing that Disney cannot afford is problems with guest security as their very existence depends on being a safe family destination. Would anybody take their family to a place where you're likely to get mugged or worse?

If caught, they will escort you off property and you'll be banned. Not a big deal for a local but a bit hard to explain to the kids if you just arrived for a week long vacation.

I don't carry into any of the parks but I know a lot of folks do which is fine with me. I've never heard of anybody having problems at them and I frankly can't imagine getting mugged or whatever with thousands in shouting distance. Plus, the sweat and water are too hard on the gun. The parking lots or I-Drive are are another story all together.

Bob

Last year I went with the wife and daughter. I knew carry was prohibited and I was told they had a security check point, so I opted not to. After the security check of our bags, we were proceeding to the park and I was stopped by a female security officer. She asked what was in my pocket and I showed her my Kershaw folder. She had seen the bottom of the pocket clip below the hem of my untucked shirt. She informed me that I could lock it up in lockers provided out-side of their security office, take it back to my car (not an option as I took the shuttle), or depart the premises and find something else to do for the day. I informed her that nothing in FL state law prevents me from carrying the knife. She was clearly prepared for this, and responded that the park is private property and the reasons to be asked to leave were at their discretion. She was polite and professional the entire time. I took the locker option. Flame me for my lack of fortitude, but I was home between deployments and this was a trip my daughter was quite thrilled about.

I have been to the parks numerous times in the past twenty years. There was an incident, several years ago, when an off duty cop was in the park with his family carrying a North American mini revolver. He dropped it, for some reason, in the park and it went off. He did not have the hammer resting on the cylinder cut between each chamber so the hammer hit the rim and went off. Luckily, no one was injuried. Disney has their own security and they do a fine job. There are too many variables that can go wrong while you are carrying in the park. If you are caught with a gun in the park, CCP, they will excort you out and ban you from entering. As for me, if I am staying at a hotel on the grounds, I lock the gun in the trunk of my car before i venture to the parks. However, once i am back to the hotel or anywhere else on the property, I certainly carry for self defense. Needless to say, the gun is on the night stand while in my room at night. You can, legally in the State of Florida, lock your gun in the trunk of your car if you are in the parking lot. There are no loop holes. The Florida Chamber of Commerce tried to sneak that in but was not successful thanks to the NRA and Governor Crist. Leave the gun in the car at the parks. The Security is well trained for security.

Nick

Flame you? Nope, I commend you...and the security officer; both of you acted properly and responsibly.

Good job!

Be safe.

Disney can prohibit guns in cars on their property but I have never heard or them doing so or even searching the cars of visitors. They did can an employee who did it and it was upheld. Disney has a USC explosives permit and thus meets one of the exemptions in the new Florida law. The exception is Mickey Mouse IMHO(pun intended).

Bob

That's funny right there. Like those thousands of people are gonna drop what their doing and run to your aid? Oh sure, happens every day of the week in every big city in America.

If that much sweat & water was hard on my gun, I'd carry a different gun. There are guns that will easliy shrug off that kind of abuse and keep right on ticking.


Cat

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Think for yourself.

A person can do many things if those things are done discreetly. And in this day and age, being discreet means not posting anything, anywhere, regarding them.

Nick,
Are you saying Disney is excluded from State Law? Florida Legislature gave us the Preemption Statute. It is brief, to the point and leaves no questions:

"PREEMPTION.--Except as expressly provided by general law, the Legislature hereby declares that it is occupying the whole field of regulation of firearms and ammunition, including the purchase, sale, transfer, taxation, manufacture, ownership, possession, and transportation thereof, to the exclusion of all existing and future county, city, town, or municipal ordinances or regulations relating thereto. Any such existing ordinances are hereby declared null and void. This subsection shall not affect zoning ordinances which encompass firearms businesses along with other businesses. Zoning ordinances which are designed for the purpose of restricting or prohibiting the sale, purchase, transfer, or manufacture of firearms or ammunition as a method of regulating firearms or ammunition are in conflict with this subsection and are prohibited."

This means that no county, city, or other state entity or political subdivision can, for any reason whatsoever, regulate or restrict firearm possession or transportation. Since concealed carry is one type of firearm possession, it cannot be regulated in any way shape or form by anyone or anything other than state law.

Organizations like Disney that are on the wrong side of numerous moral issues don't need my money...

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Centennial Every Day

God bless you, high five and plus one. I have no use for Disney anything.

Well, I cant argue that point with you at all.......but my wife enjoys going from time to time.

I think we should delete this whole thread. It already takes me long enough to get into the parks because of those long lines at the security checks.

If they start "pattin' me down" and ask me to "spread 'em" the next time I go...then I'll know they found this thread.

~

Please let me clarify some "Florida" things. Disney is anti-gun as is Universal. Sea World, on the other hand, is pro-gun and supports carry. In the summer, Sea World is a more comfortable park as it is more shaded and smaller so less walking. There is also thermal inertial from all the water tanks that cool at night and help keep the temps down the next day. However, Disney and Universal have things that your kids(and you) are going to want to see so "suck it up" as they say.

Anyone in Florida controls their property, be it business or private, and they call the shots as to your conduct including carry. You are free to carry in Florida but if a property owner doesn't want you to then you have to do your carrying elsewhere. No exceptions and they are just exercising their rights as property owners, not setting law.

You can have a gun in your car and leave it in your car even where a property owner does not allow carry. However, there are a few exceptions to this law and Disney and Universal fit two of them. Sea World does not and are proud to point that out. FWIW.

As to carry in the parks anyway some do and some don't...your choice. Whatever, please come down and bring money. Things are less crowded than they have been and you can get screaming deals on everything. And if you have kids, just what the hell kind of parent are you if your kids haven't seen the new Harry Potter attraction yet?

Bob

We have been to Walt Disney World many times for our family summer vacations. We drive across 6 states to get there and we always stay on property. Their room safes accomodate up to a large firearm easily.

I have not felt the need to carry in the parks. I am a realist. I am well aware that "anything can happen anywhere" but as a realist, I believe that the chances of me needing my gun to protect myself in the Magic Kingdom are so slim as to not warrant the effort of carrying.

The safety systems on the rides, the sweat, the water rides, etc would make if more difficult to carry than in most other situations.

I commend Disney for bringing back the firearms to some of their attractions. Guns are used as Walt originally wanted on the Jungle Cruise.

Real Colt and S&W revolvers with blanks are used in The Great Movie Ride at Disney Hollywood Studios.

Good for Disney!

Let me clarify the "PARKING LOT LAW" in Florida. Florida Statue 790.251 passed in 2008 allegedly made it illegal for a business or employer to prohibit the use of parking areas to customers or employees who keep a lawful firearm and/or ammo in their locked vehicle, forbade retaliation against the employee or customer for doing so, forbade questioning of the employee or customer to determine if he or she had such a stored forearm, and forbade searches of vehicles to determine such. Unfortunatyely, the bill suffered from severe drafting problems and terrible shortsightedness. The statue only protects employees who have a concealed weapons permit, and correctly held that the provisions applying to customers and other invitees were unconstitutional because of substantial drafting issues in the legislation. Likewise, the statue granted several overbroad exceptions so that it doesn't apply to company vehicles, and property involving school grounds, correctional institutions, property used for national defense, aerospace , domestic security, manufacture/storage/or transport of compubsible or explosive materials, or any other property prohibited by state of federal law. This eliminated most theme parks that use fireworks, service stations, etc. Folks, should the legislature ever get around to re-writing it properly - it would easily pass constitutional muster as it did in another federal appeal. So, if you re staying at a hotel on the grounds, leave it in your car while visiting the parks.
Nick

I'll be in the Disney area in late Sept, but won't be spending too much money in the parks, as our friends have us covered with free passes. We will visit this great wing joint in Davenport though, last time there I got sick from eating so many wings. Man they were gooood!
There's also a great breakfast place inside the town of Celebration, can't wait to get my hands on those waffles.
I hope the bugs calm down by the time we get there.
Me and bugs , we don't ........ahhh, nevermind.

Go UCF, black and gold!

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Sure you did

Would you be referring to The Market Street Cafe? I haven't eaten there but I do a lot of remodels and additions in Celebration and everyone talks about their breakfasts.

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sticks-n-stones&hollowpoints

I believe that's the place, it sort of has that retro look. Great eats, can't wait to get back there.

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Sure you did

Sounds like the place. Lunch at the Celebration Town Tavern is pretty good too.

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sticks-n-stones&hollowpoints

WILCO Nick.......thanks for the legal input.

The person who said, "if you're discreet, you can get away with a lot," said a whole lot in a very short sentence!

Second, I'm curious what the result of the LEO who dropped his NAA mini which went off was? Did he get banned? Charged with anything? The LEOSA passed in 2004 says a qualified LEO or retired LEO can carry anywhere in the US, regardless of state or local law, with a few exceptions. I wonder if the poorly-worded language in the Florida law fails to meet the standard required by LEOSA?

Collectively, the above gentlemen express both my views and my experience. Excellent advice, IMO.

I never felt the need nor desire to expose any of my kids to any of the mega-theme parks greed. Once they get to a certain size where you can't see all of it at a relaxed pace then I see little point in going, you will always miss something or else have to hurry through to see it all and lose out on a great deal of what the time there should mean. So far none of my kids seem to have suffered because they never went, and they are 26, 25 and 18 and still have no desire to go.

We are looking at going but I will carry my cane and my large Sodbuster since the Cane is protected under ADA act and the Mouse doesn't want to dance with me in Federal Court.

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Protected by Sigma 40VE

No need to cop a 'tude Deltaboy. Disney, or any of the parks for that matter, will bend over backwards to accomodate a disability and make your stay as enjoyable as possible. If your handicap is not obvious, like say a respiratory disorder, you can go to Guest Relations and get a GAC(Guest Accomodation Card).

Regarding the knife, see post #10 above.

Bob

Hmmmm, what is a "Sodbuster," please?

Thanks.

Be safe.

Sodbuster is a style (not brand) of knife.

As for Disney, I typically don't go where my gun isn't welcome. A couple of years ago when we were discussing taking the kids anyway, my daughter popped up and said "Daddy, I don't want to go there...they don't like guns, so I don't like them!"

Besides, I no longer like the heat, and I don't like the crowds, and I don't like the traffic.

The LEO was escorted out of the park. Disney did not file a complaint against him. As for the LEOSA, remember, you can carry any where in the U.S. as long as you are yearly qualified by an LE instructor and authorized by your retiremental department and carry your qualification card. You still fall under the catagory of a CWP citizen but without having to apply for a CWP. However, there are certain caveats that apply to that certification just as they are applied to a CWP holder. Disney is on private property and they have the right to post no guns allowed on their property. Since they store and use fireworks in the parks, you are under the Florida Statue as where you are not authorized to carry your gun. You don't need it in the parks. The Security is well trained and can handle the problem. It is not worth it and risk being escorted or permanently barred from the park. It will ruin your vacation not to mention the disgrace to your family. Yes, as some mention you can be descret and no one will be the wiser, but you may face the consequences of possible arrest and haveing to spend thousands of dollars in legal fees. Keep it locked in your trunk if you are at disney hotel while visiting the parks.l
Nick

I live 45 mins from Disney and go there frequently. I take my CCW but leave it in the car. If you're just visiting, I suggest you carry off Disney...around I-Drive and such. I've never seen a threatening situation in the parks...not to say it couldn't happen but if you feel the need, that's your call...

We went last fall. I took a revolver with me, but it stayed in the car or the room. I really didn't feel the need for a handgun there, and the thought of possibly firing one there seems more dangerous than not having one. If you do carry one there, I'd suggest a "mouse gun." I did have a pocket knife clipped to my pocket at all times, and no security guard evere noticed or at least never mentioned it.

Boy...I sure hope they don't find this thread.

Well, way up here in NY I don't have plans for Disney anytime (or the money) in the future, and I am another not in favor of what they put out these days in the guise of entertainment. (By the time my son is old enough they will probably have the Miley Cyrus red light district) We do have parks up here and I plan on carrying concealed just like I always do. I used to work at a large park where attendance daily was 15,000 or better, nothing compared to Disney. I can tell you that no matter how great a security force is, there is always the chance of someone doing something. Its that chance that always had me concerned. I don't ever want to have to rely on someone else to protect me and mine. If there are no signs, then I carry those places.

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Vaya con Dios

Just curious...where is it written that property rights trump the Second Amendment?

I'm not sure it grants you the right to be on someone else's property. There are people who I wouldn't want on my property with guns, and I'm pretty sure I have the right to keep them from doing so. What do you think private property rights are for?

The flawed "my right trumps your right" argument is often used in 2nd debates but it has nothing to do with it. The truth is that unalienable rights in a civilized society are subject to restrictions. This principle goes back centuries, to even before the Magna Carta, and was most recently affirmed in Heller in the case of the 2nd(see Scalia's opinion).

Note that while who may carry(no felons or minors, etc.) or where(not in government offices, private property, etc.)is restricted the underlying right to defend yourself is not.

Bob

If you come knocking at my door and I invite you in, but I notify you that I do not allow firearms in my home...then I expect you to go lock the gun in the car.
It's my private property and these are my rules. So either you abide by them or you leave.
Disney land is private land....

Good post. And it begs the question, yet again, why do some people continue to believe the 2nd Amendment trumps all other rights/privileges?

Yes, that is a rhetorical question.

Be safe.

Actually, the right to defend yourself is restricted insofar as you must reasonably believe that a particular degree of force is about to be used against you before you can respond. Although in our state the situation has improved dramatically in recent years, in some jurisdictions the right is limited further (such as duty to retreat, et cetera).

See today they just raised the adult price for a single ticket, single day to $82.00... heck, I can almost buy a 440 round spam can of ammo for a Mosin for that, now it might be a neat theme park, but unless I won a big lotto I think they can just keep it and I'll watch the sunset...

Think of it this way.

Since Mickey owns about 1/3 of Florida the Fl CCW doesnt cover as much geography as it should :-) Maybe Mickey will come up with a Disney CCW, with a picture of the Mouse on it. Or Fl could give a discount for season disney park people.

It would be the happiest CCW on earth!!!!!

Sorry, couldnt help it.
TD

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More stuff!!!

Disneyland is a private concern on private property. The above legislation applies to governing bodies such as municipalities and counties -- not corporations. Why anyone would feel unsafe at Disneyland is beyond me. How many muggers are going to pay admission to the park just so they can rob someone of 40-50 bucks? And then, get trapped in the park after the alarm is sounded.

Because it does!