News New security measures

[Jeffxz]

I'm only questioning why I'm subsidizing it. If Disney is paying the counties for their services, there's no issue.

From Wikipedia:

Law enforcement – from Orange County, Osceola County and the Florida Highway Patrol are contracted to police the district. In addition, the Walt Disney Company employs about 800 security staff in their Disney Safety and Security division. While Disney security maintains a fleet of private security Chevrolet Equinoxes equipped with flashing lights, flares, traffic cones, and chalk commonly used by police officers, arrests and citations are issued by the Florida Highway Patrol along with the Orange County and Osceola County sheriffs deputies.

In addition, a quick google search for Disney and Orange county taxes showed that Disney paid $87 Million in property taxes to Orange County in 2011.

 

[rucifee]

I don't think scanners could ever be implemented. There are simply too many people entering the parks so the lines would be massive. Does anyone know on average how many people enter Magic Kingdom in a day? If there are thousands of people standing in line for the scanners, any terrorist could cause huge damage. Introducing scanners would be extremely stupid.

Putting scanners at the parks isn't much of a deterrent in my opinion, it still leaves the resorts, DS, the TTC, and the monorail / ferry / bus systems exposed.

 

[JohnD]

I'm only questioning why I'm subsidizing it. If Disney is paying the counties for their services, there's no issue.

On the contrary, Disney guests provide revenue to the County and to the State of Florida. In addition, sheriff's officer services are also paid for by the Florida sales tax from gift purchases/meals as well, from bed tax from Disney resort stays, and property taxes. So tourist taxes are paying for the officers' coverage. There could very well be off duty coverage too which would be paid directly.

But perhaps you missed the original story where Disney security flagged down uniformed officers when they noticed a man who was determined to have attempted to carry a gun into MK.

 

[Amused to Death]

What always perplexed me, though, was having the bag check but no pat downs

Yup. My wife gets her purse rifled through but they don't seem to care what I might have in any of my pockets. Strollers, some of them bigger than my first car, largely get a pass. A terrorist could probably pack the insides of a stroller with explosives and park it in the middle of the hub during the fireworks. I haven't seen bus drivers or watercraft personnel doing any searches. I could see a whole lot of damage being done on a ferryboat en route to the MK in the morning. Sadly, where there is a will there is going to be a way.

 

[rucifee]

On the contrary, Disney guests provide revenue to the County and to the State of Florida. In addition, sheriff's officer services are also paid for by the Florida sales tax from gift purchases/meals as well as from bed tax from Disney resort stays. So tourist taxes are paying for the officers' coverage. There could very well be off duty coverage too which would be paid directly.

But perhaps you missed the original story where Disney security flagged down uniformed officers when they noticed a man who was determined to have attempted to carry a gun into MK.

I didn't miss the original story, I didn't know Osceola and Orange County Sheriffs were contracted by Disney though, so TIL and I don't have a problem with them being there since I'm not paying for it with my tax dollars.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

I don't think scanners could ever be implemented. There are simply too many people entering the parks so the lines would be massive. Does anyone know on average how many people enter Magic Kingdom in a day? If there are thousands of people standing in line for the scanners, any terrorist could cause huge damage. Introducing scanners would be extremely stupid.

Well Just going by what is published there were approx. 19,332,000 visitors last year to Magic Kingdom. However accurate that number is, is debatable until we run out of room on these forum servers.

But for these purposes. If you averaged out that number equally amongst the year you end up with roughly 52,964 visitors per day, every day for the year. Of course in reality if those year numbers are correct, there are fluctuations where there could be way more on a given day or maybe a bit less on other days. Real turnstile numbers, only Disney knows those and they don't like to share.

 

[misterID]

I didn't miss the original story, I didn't know Osceola and Orange County Sheriffs were contracted by Disney though, so TIL and I don't have a problem with them being there since I'm not paying for it with my tax dollars.

You have to consider the money Disney provides for central Florida through jobs, taxes, and bringing in more investments, so I'd have no problem with my tax money paying for it if we get down to it, and is the least of the things I'd be infuriated over considerng what state and local government wastes tax dollars on. The fact Disney doesn't insist on it is a good thing. And, WDW is a target for terrorism, even the domestic kind, so they need that law enforcement help, tax payer funds or not. If something bad, some terrorism, even a demented lawyer with a gun in his underpants, any tragedy at the #1 family destination in the world where safety is KEY, it could have a devastating impact on tourism and in turn, county/city economics.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

You have to consider the money Disney provides for central Florida through jobs, taxes, and bringing in more investments, so I'd have no problem with my tax money paying for it if we get down to it, and is the least of the things I'd be infuriated over considerng what state and local government wastes tax dollars on. The fact Disney doesn't insist on it is a good thing. And, WDW is a target for terrorism, even the domestic kind, so they need that law enforcement help, tax payer funds or not. If something bad, some terrorism, even a demented lawyer with a gun in his underpants, any tragedy at the #1 family destination in the world where safety is KEY, it could have a devastating impact on tourism and in turn, county/city economics.

Even if Disney didn't provide jobs and tax revenue, what could possibly be a more appropriate use of tax dollars than state and local police at a large venue where tons of people gather and are potentially at risk? Does @rucifee object to police presence at a Buccaneers game? It's the same exact thing, just that WDW has the equivalent crowds of a Buccaneers game every day.

 

[ChrisM]

Yup. My wife gets her purse rifled through but they don't seem to care what I might have in any of my pockets.

"What's in its pocketses, precious?"

 

[Minthorne]

Little known fact - all of WDW is protected by BFS (Blue Fairy Security) and any villains are immediately turned real, carried to 10.000 feet and dropped.

 

[ford91exploder]

I just got back from WDW and I noticed a bit more security at the parks than normal. Armed, uniformed police were standing at the bag check. I was glad to see them there. The bag check really wasn't any better than usual, though.

While at Epcot, I saw a woman in a full burka with only her eyes showing. I know they recently caught a guy trying to bring a gun in because they could see it bulging in his clothes. So how do they deal with the loose robes of a burka or similar religious garment?

That's when you use a full body scanner, It's a private business and they have the right to refuse admission to those who do not choose to submit to security screening. (cue the 'islamophobia' from CAIR in 3..2..1..0) Sorry guys anyone wearing clothing which obscures people from visual screening is a potential threat. I don't care if it's a Burka or a Sari or a Kimono.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

That's when you use a full body scanner, It's a private business and they have the right to refuse admission to those who do not choose to submit to security screening. (cue the 'islamophobia' from CAIR in 3..2..1..0) Sorry guys anyone wearing clothing which obscures people from visual screening is a potential threat. I don't care if it's a Burka or a Sari or a Kimono.

You and I would argue a lot less if this site allowed political discussion.

 

[ford91exploder]

You and I would argue a lot less if this site allowed political discussion.

Likely true.

 

[ShoalFox]

Hopefully he security isn't too intrusive, and on another note...
They sold masks? How did I never notice?

 

[MrHappy]

Win/Win:
Safer
and if you don't like it, don't go = less crowds.

Safe and Sound.

 

[MrHappy]

What about that Frontierland shooting range. I'm fine with it, but every time I walk by it, it feels dirty to look at these days. Don't want to derail this thread though. Carry on.

 

[sxeensweet]

Win/Win:
Safer
and if you don't like it, don't go = less crowds.

Safe and Sound.

Whether this is true or not bottom line like I already said in this thread this will not make everyone "safe and sound" just like any public place. Why is because they still can attack using guns, bombs, chemicals, knives while people are waiting in line to go through scanners, OR can attack on monorails,at TTC, resorts, boats, fairies, Disnry Springs, and all other areas before getting to any said scanner, or just an employee that has some weapon/bomb they sneak in.
And frankly even without scanners I feel safer at Disney than my local store or mall, or any public venue.
No place on this earth is 100% safe but we just have to live our lives and not give in to fear ever because if we do they win.

 

[MrHappy]

Whether this is true or not bottom line like I already said in this thread this will not make everyone "safe and sound" just like any public place. Why is because they still can attack using guns, bombs, chemicals, knives while people are waiting in line to go through scanners, OR can attack on monorails,at TTC, resorts, boats, fairies, Disnry Springs, and all other areas before getting to any said scanner, or just an employee that has some weapon/bomb they sneak in.
And frankly even without scanners I feel safer at Disney than my local store or mall, or any public venue.
No place on this earth is 100% safe but we just have to live our lives and not give in to fear ever because if we do they win.

correction: "SAFER and Sound", still works for me.

 

[sxeensweet]

correction: "SAFER and Sound", still works for me.

Yes much better! Haha! I don't care either way anyway true or not about the scanners. Still felt safer at WDW than anywhere else.

 

[rucifee]

Even if Disney didn't provide jobs and tax revenue, what could possibly be a more appropriate use of tax dollars than state and local police at a large venue where tons of people gather and are potentially at risk? Does @rucifee object to police presence at a Buccaneers game? It's the same exact thing, just that WDW has the equivalent crowds of a Buccaneers game every day.

Yes, I would object unless they have a contract with the government that funds the resources.