March 10, 2004: 21:29 p.m. EST
ANAHEIM, California (AP)--Reality is coming to Disneyland's fantasy world, in the form of permanent security gates.
Bowing to terrorism fears, the Walt Disney Co. (DIS) plans to build the gates at the Disneyland Resort next year. The company had resisted security gates around Disneyland and the California Adventure theme park next door, believing the sense of fantasy would be spoiled.
Disney already screens purses, backpacks and coolers, but the bag-check tables have been moved away from the main gates to areas near tram drop-off points. Permanent gates will be built where temporary canopies and barricades are now in place.
The new checkpoints are designed to alleviate congestion at the main gates and to make it more convenient for visitors to move from one theme park to the other, officials said.
"This is a way to better serve our guests," Disney spokeswoman Sondra Haley said. "The security is not compromised, and the process will reduce a lot of hassles."
Security measures at Disneyland were reinforced after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the discovery of al-Qaida documents that listed Disneyland as a potential terrorism target.
The 20,000-acre (8,000-hectare) Walt Disney World in Florida also has increased security, but without adding gates, park spokeswoman Jacquee Polak said.
Dow Jones Newswires 03-10-04 2129ET Copyright (C) 2004 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
ANAHEIM, California (AP)--Reality is coming to Disneyland's fantasy world, in the form of permanent security gates.
Bowing to terrorism fears, the Walt Disney Co. (DIS) plans to build the gates at the Disneyland Resort next year. The company had resisted security gates around Disneyland and the California Adventure theme park next door, believing the sense of fantasy would be spoiled.
Disney already screens purses, backpacks and coolers, but the bag-check tables have been moved away from the main gates to areas near tram drop-off points. Permanent gates will be built where temporary canopies and barricades are now in place.
The new checkpoints are designed to alleviate congestion at the main gates and to make it more convenient for visitors to move from one theme park to the other, officials said.
"This is a way to better serve our guests," Disney spokeswoman Sondra Haley said. "The security is not compromised, and the process will reduce a lot of hassles."
Security measures at Disneyland were reinforced after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the discovery of al-Qaida documents that listed Disneyland as a potential terrorism target.
The 20,000-acre (8,000-hectare) Walt Disney World in Florida also has increased security, but without adding gates, park spokeswoman Jacquee Polak said.
Dow Jones Newswires 03-10-04 2129ET Copyright (C) 2004 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
