Major Theme Parks Around US Are Beefing Up Security

You'll have to pass a metal detector to enter the happiest place on Earth
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 17, 2015 1:25 PM CST
Major Theme Parks Around US Are Beefing Up Security
Metal detectors are being added to major theme parks around the country, including Disney World and Disneyland.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

With the Department of Homeland Security publicly worrying about potential attacks on crowded places, the three major theme parks in Orlando—Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Orlando—added metal detectors on Thursday, the Orlando Sentinel reports. The security devices are also being installed at Disneyland and Universal Studios in Los Angeles. SeaWorld states the metal detectors are there for the holidays, and Universal says it's testing them out. Disney won't say how long the devices will be part of its park security, but only randomly selected visitors will be screened, according to CNN.

Disney—which had a man with a gun try to get into Disney World last week—is taking additional safety precautions, as well, the Sentinel reports. Anyone over the age of 14 won't be allowed to wear a costume inside the park, and the park is no longer selling toy guns. According to NBC News, Disney is also adding more police and bomb-sniffing dogs to its parks. The company states the changes are due to the "general environment" and not a specific threat. The Sentinel notes people on social media appear to be largely supportive of the increased security. (More terrorism stories.)

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