Orlando theme parks adding metal detectors

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Sea World Orlando added metal detectors at their theme parks Thursday. The stepped-up security comes in time for the influx of holiday crowds and in the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernadino.  

Walt Disney World will randomly select guests for screening with metal detectors.  Over the past few weeks Disney World has also added security measures including additional uniformed local police officers and specially trained dogs in key areas.  They will no longer allow guests over the age of 14 to wear costumes in the theme park and they have stopped selling toy guns, because they don’t want them to distract security personnel or cast members.  At Universal and Sea World guest will also be randomly subjected to random metal detectors.  

Spokespeople for all three of the parks say the new steps are the result of evolving security policies and they are not a response to any specific threat or event. 

People who spoke to FOX 35 said the metal detectors are a good idea.  “I think it’s awesome.  I mean, when you go into airports you never know what people are going to bring and when you go into the parks you never know what anybody has,” said Cole Fakouri of Orlando.