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Disney parks tighten security, add more metal detector checks

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Eyewitness News has recently reported on the arrests of two people who are accused of trying to bring guns into Disney Parks.

Now Eyewitness News has confirmed the theme park giant is beefing up security to keep guns out and families safe.

Channel 9's Jamie Holmes found out that guests without bags will have to go through metal detectors.

Tom Corless, a Disney blogger, visited Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom since the arrests of two people who are accused of trying to bring guns into the parks. He said security procedures have changed in the last few days.

"They set up like a whole new route, where you're fenced in. Just the whole herd has to funnel through the metal detector,” Corless said.

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One of our WFTV producers visited Epcot twice this week. He said all the guests without bags had to go through metal detectors. Previously, guests were randomly chosen to go through metal detectors.

"They had us empty our pockets. They didn't want anything in there. No cellphones, keys, wallets. They told you to take it all out. They let us leave belts and shoes on,” John Luti said.

Universal Studios already requires all its guests to go through metal detectors and has bag screening machines.

Disney, however, tends to shake up its security procedures daily to keep them unpredictable. It’s not known how long the metal detector screening will last.

"The metal detector policy is not written in stone. It's whatever they wake up and decide they're going to do. You want to randomize it and keep people guessing,” Corless said.

Disney told Eyewitness News that it does not comment on its security procedures. It does not allow any items that look like a gun, including toys or squirt guns, into its parks.

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