Disney to install metal detectors at theme parks
Attending a Disney theme park may soon have the familiar feeling of checking in for a flight, as the world's best known amusement park operator implements new security measures.
Walt Disney Co. (DIS) told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday that it is installing metal detectors at its popular theme parks in Orlando, Florida, as well as those in Southern California. But the company stopped short of saying that the measures were being taken specifically in response to the recent terror attack in San Bernardino, California, that killed 14 people.
The entertainment giant's Disneyland theme park in Anaheim is about 50 miles southwest of San Bernardino.
"We continually review our comprehensive approach to security and are implementing additional security measures, as appropriate," Disney said in a statement.
In recent weeks, the company's theme parks have also added more uniformed law enforcement personnel and guard dogs in select areas.
Guests at Disney theme parks in Anaheim and Orland previously had their bags checked by hand and with a handheld metal detector, officials told Reuters.
The move comes ahead of Thursday high-profile premier of the latest "Star Wars" movie, set to debut at the Disney Springs movie theater, which will have at least one metal detector, the Sentinel noted.
On Wednesday, the federal Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin saying it was "especially concerned that terrorist-inspired individuals and homegrown violent extremists may be encouraged or inspired to target public events or places."
Disney said visitors to its parks will be selected at random for "secondary screenings" using metal detectors upon entry to its parks, noting that the practice is already in place at venues where pro football, baseball, hockey and basketball games are played.
The company didn't say whether the screenings were permanent or how long they would be in place.
Disney also said it is also no longer allowing guests 14 years and older to wear costumes into its parks. Additionally, the company is discontinuing the sale of toy guns at both its Florida and California parks, and will no longer allow those items to be brought in. The company said that it expects the security measures to have minimal impact, noting that "very, very few actually bring these items into our theme parks."
SeaWorld (SEAS), owned by Disney, said it had installed the devices as part of enhanced security for the holidays.
Rival theme-park operator Universal Studios is testing the use of metal detectors at its Orlando and Hollywood, California, parks but not in response to a specific incident, spokesman Tom Schroder told Reuters.
"We just want our guests to feel safe," he said.
Last week, an 11-year-old boy was attacked outside the Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Prosecutors on Monday charged Raul Villalba Ocampo, 33, with several counts including assault with a deadly weapon and child abuse. The boy was in "good shape" following the incident, officials told the Los Angeles Times.