Disney World Theme Parks Adjust Security Screenings Following Guest Attempting to Bring In Loaded Gun

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

Following Monday’s incident where a Louisiana man attempted to bring a loaded gun into Epcot, Walt Disney World Security has altered the way in which they are screening guests entering the park.

Gates force all guests without bags to funnel into a now mandatory metal detector screening at Hollywood Studios

Gates force all guests without bags to funnel into a now mandatory metal detector screening at Hollywood Studios

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests without bags are now being directed down a new route where they are forced to be screened a metal detector. Previously, these screenings were at random, although it was not uncommon at select times to find occurrences where Disney security cast members would send everyone coming in through metal detector screenings.

It is unknown if this will be the new standard procedure or if it is just being done temporarily placate guests fearful after Monday’s incident.

UPDATE: Woman Attempted to Bring Gun into Animal Kingdom Monday, Same Day as Epcot Incident

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

As it turns out, our first report Monday of a person bringing a loaded weapon into a Walt Disney World Theme Park was correct.  There were actually two incidents Monday morning, one at Epcot and one at Animal Kingdom.  We had initially reported the Animal Kingdom incident, news of which we received from an inside source at the park, but as the Epcot incident unfolded, we had assumed our source was confused, as we would have never thought such an occurrence would happen twice within hours of each other.

But indeed our source was correct.  Court records show an Alabama woman, Baleigh Turner, was arrested on a charge of carrying a concealed firearm, after Disney security found a .380 caliber pistol in her backpack. Apparently the woman did have a concealed weapon permit in Alabama, but it had expired.  Even if the permit had been valid, weapons are not permitted in Disney theme parks.