Disney World increases security efforts in light of Orlando terrorist attack

Disney World has always been secret about its security procedures and in December started to put guests through metal detectors sporadically. Now, in light of the Orlando terror shooting, which left 49 people dead, the theme park is stepping up security.

Disney publicity photo

Guests have reported on social media everyone is now going through the metal detectors, which are located after the bag check stations at all four theme parks, the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. In addition, there has been more uniformed presence and K-9 dogs.

On Monday, Disney released the following statement concerning security: “Unfortunately we’ve all been living in a world of uncertainty, and we have been increasing our security measures across our properties for some time, adding such visible safeguards as magnetometers, additional canine units, and law enforcement officers on site, as well as less visible systems that employ state-of-the-art security technologies.”

People magazine has reported from a federal law enforcement source that the shooter, Omar Mateen, had been scouting Downtown Disney at Disney World. Downtown Disney, now known as Disney Springs, is a dining/shopping outdoor center which does not have metal detectors or bag checks.

Disney World had no comment concerning the People magazine report.