Can I Carry at WDW?

[benzuncle]

Well, we're back from Didney Woild. We had a great time; I only shoved two A**holes out of line for trying to skip in. Blest them out proper, I did, with soft language. The bag check was a joke. My wife commented on how sloppy it was and what we could have carried in right in our bags should we have cared to. As stated on this thread, they did not check us, only my backpack and the warden's purse.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and comments. Did I carry?

[KimberPB]

Saw this on another forum and thought I'd post here. Guy carried at Disney and was made. All in all was not the end of the world.

I took the family to Orlando for Christmas; we went to Sea World and Disney’s Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot. I carried at all of the parks and rode on just about all of the rides. My normal conceal carry is a G23 at my 3 o’clock under a loose t-shirt, however whenever I push my Fathers wheel chair I’m slightly bent forward and the pistol prints big time so I also wear a short sleeve shirt unbuttoned to cover it.

About 30 minutes into our visit at the MK I realized that I left the button shirt in the car and since it’s a long walk + monorail trip back to the car I did without the shirt. I got into a routine of sliding my pistol from 3 o’clock to 1 – 2 o’clock position whenever I would get on and off the rides … I did this in the darkness of the rides so no one could see me. This went on for most of the day until one time I got off a ride and left it at 3 o’clock … I got made as I was pushing the wheel chair around.

I was approached by a guy who said he was with Disney security …
Security: What do you have on my right side under my shirt? Short pause … are you in law enforcement?
Me: No.
Security: Do you have a permit?
Me: Yes
Security: Can I see it?
Me: Can I see your ID? (He was dressed as a tourist)
Security: I have a Deputy on the way.
Me: Okay.

At this point I turned to my wife and told her to take the family and go on to the next ride and that I would catch up with them later. I saw the Deputy walking towards us so I got out my permit and handed it to him. The Deputy asked were my pistol was located and why did I have a Florida permit. He then said that Disney does not allow conceal carry and that I would have to secure it in a locker in the security office. As we were walking to the security office the guard said “when you received the permit you also received a pamphlet that listed restricted areas and that Disney has signs stating that concealed weapons were not allowed on Disney property,” I replied that according the Florida statutes Disney was not off limits to concealed carry and according to Florida law their signs carried no weight … I was polite and respectful the entire time.

In the security office I asked the deputy “how do you want to do this … do you want to remove my pistol or should I?” They replied at the same … Deputy: you can remove it. Security: no don’t touch it. I upholstered, locked the slide back, removed the magazine and handed the pistol to the deputy.

While the security guard was filling out the paper work I made small talk with the deputy, I asked about his sidearm (G22) he volunteered that he also had a G27 on his ankle and a Kel-Tec under his vest. He said that Orange County was pretty rough. He was surprised to find out that I’d been in the park for six hours before security caught me. When I told him I forgot the shirt and explained my routine of moving my holster he just smiled. He asked how long we were going to be in Orlando and if we were visiting any other Disney parks. I told him we still had 3 parks to see before heading home. He then suggested that I leave my pistol in my car as Disney’s security was top notch but added if I do carry to be discreet or “you will be doing this again”.

When I went to pickup my pistol the security guards where very nice and courteous. I holstered my Glock and pocketed the magazine +1 round and she escorted to the entrance wishing me a Merry Christmas. This all happened on the second day and I carried everyday after without further incident.

[benzuncle]

Bravo KimberPB. I doubt I could have handled myself with the aplomb you exhibited.

[KimberPB]

Originally Posted by benzuncle

Bravo KimberPB. I doubt I could have handled myself with the aplomb you exhibited.

Ops sorry for the confusion this was not me. This was a member of another form. I thought it was worth sharing here since it showed what does happen if your made.

I've carried the last 2 times I've been there without any issue.

[netentity]

I have carried my insurance policy with me into Busch Gardens Tampa twice this last December and Universal Orlando last September. Typically all the amusement parks do is poke around in your bags with a wooden stick. They do not check your person or use metal detectors. The only amusement park to my knowledge that uses metal detectors are Six Flags properties and this is at least nationwide if not internationally. It's also interesting to note that the Rodent and Six Flags have the worst safety records. There is at least one documented incident of sexual assault at a Rodent property. Six Flags has the worst safety record for their attractions with the Rodent coming in second.

The reason the PA woman got arrested and charged is that I believe she didn't have a PA LTC. There is a FL/PA reciprocity agreement; see the Florida and Pennsylvania lists for details. If the PA woman presents a PA LTC that was valid at the time of her arrest worst case is that the charges will be reduced to trespassing plus I believe a civil penalty for not presenting the responding LEO with her PA LTC. The mistake she made getting made was having the weapons in her purse and not knowing Florida law. She was caught at the turnstile with the typical cursory check all Florida amusement parks do.

With respect to riding thrill rides after clearing the turnstile with the insurance policy on my person, I transfer it to my Safepacker in a restroom stall. Prior to getting in line for the ride, I secure the Safepacker in a locker with the rest of my loose items. The Safepacker can be taken on and off my belt without exposing the firearm. It just looks like a small camcorder case attached to my belt which doesn't draw attention. On most thrill rides with lap and shoulder restraint bars it will be very difficult if not impossible for you to draw a firearm that's on your body that's;

• Inside or outside your waistband
• Pocket
• SmartCarry/Thunderwear

The very restraint mechanism that keeps you secured to the thrill ride also keeps you from drawing your CCW with most modes of carry. I also highly doubt that a majority of us will be in any position to effectively use a CCW on a thrill ride much less be involved in a situation where it would be needed while on the ride at 3+ G forces. There's also the comfort factor. I don't want my CCW pressing against my body during a thrill ride or having to shoehorn myself into the seat and get the lap/shoulder bar on with my CCW. There's a reason the ride attendants make sure you're secured well to the seat of the ride. The same issues with carrying on your body while driving with a properly fitting seatbelt are greatly exacerbated on a thrill ride.

Also sweat plus water plus Florida humidity plus a blued firearm do not mix. I had to partially reblue the slide on my S&W 908 because of some rust spots from my September 2007 visit to Florida and casual sweat exposure when carrying my S&W 908 in my DeSantis Tuck This! For this reason, I would also secure my CCW in a locker while on water rides. A drenched holster or clothing offers absolutely no rust protection whatsoever.

[Glock Fan]

Originally Posted by sdf2000

When it comes right down to it! Do you really need to carry at WDW??

The whole point of carrying is that we'll never know when we'll "need" it. Quite frankly if I knew I was going to "need" my firearm, I'd much sooner pick a different route. "Looking" for trouble isn't part of being a responsible gun owner.

It's our right (in many places). If we all conduct ourselves in a responsible manner, maybe the laws will change and we'll be able to exercise our rights in other places. I'm glad that my FL license is now valid in NV. It's a small step in the right direction.


gf

[KimberPB]

Originally Posted by Glock Fan

The whole point of carrying is that we'll never know when we'll "need" it. Quite frankly if I knew I was going to "need" my firearm, I'd much sooner pick a different route. "Looking" for trouble isn't part of being a responsible gun owner.

It's our right (in many places). If we all conduct ourselves in a responsible manner, maybe the laws will change and we'll be able to exercise our rights in other places. I'm glad that my FL license is now valid in NV. It's a small step in the right direction.


gf

+1 Glock Fan. Whenever someone asks "how often do you carry?" I always respond with "Only when I know I'm going to need it." I usually get the "How are you going to know that?" Then it normally clicks and they get the picture.