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Security changes coming to Magic Kingdom

ORLANDO, Fla. — Security changes are coming to Disney’s Magic Kingdom which may affect how long guests spend in the security line.

The theme park is moving the lines to outside the transportation and ticket center, where guests will be screened as soon as they get off the tram coming from the parking lot.

Security barricades are already in the ground and tents are up, but it’s still not clear when the area will be operational.

"Everyone at the transportation and ticket center will be screened there before they get on a ferry boat or a monorail, which will alleviate a lot of the hustle and bustle and craziness of that front area of the Magic Kingdom,” said Tom Corless of WDW News Today.

It also means guests will be screened prior to getting on the monorail or ferry, increasing security beforehand.

“Mass transportation is definitely always a target in any big city,” said Corless. “And certainly, at Disney World, the monorail handles thousands and thousands of guests at a time.”

Corless said eventually, guests going to a monorail from a Disney hotel will be screened from there.

There will still be a security checkpoint outside the train station at the magic Kingdom, but it will be smaller, primarily for guests coming from the buses or water Taxi.

The new security area appears to be much larger, with the option to add more personnel.

“The staffing will have to be in place, but regardless, it should just be a better experience for people,” said Corless.

A Disney World spokesperson said in a statement, "As part of an ongoing effort to enhance the arrival experience for guests at the entrance to Magic Kingdom park, we have relocated some of our bag checks and metal detectors to the transportation and ticket center, and the monorail stations at Disney's Contemporary resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney's Polynesian Village resort.”