Urgent message: Police presence increases at Disney World, guests under surveillance

After a concerned guest reported a huge police presence near the Magic Kingdom park and EPCOT, Disney Parks fans debated the ethics of the police force operating at Walt Disney World Resort.

Uniformed and plainclothes police officers patrol Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs daily. They help Disney security trespass guests who are violating Walt Disney World property rules and make arrests if necessary.

With so many officers patrolling the Walt Disney World Resort, it is much quicker for Disney cast members who need it to access law enforcement services. While some Disney park visitors say the police department reassures them, others say they would rather not see a single police officer in the most magical place on earth.

Increased police and security at Walt Disney World

Disney security handles most conflicts at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, but some situations are too dangerous for a security officer to handle. The Walt Disney Company maintains friendly relations with the Osceola and Orange County Sheriff’s Departments in Central Florida and the Anaheim Police Department in Southern California.

Earlier this month, Redditor u/drdisney noticed at least 15 police cars parked near Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Old Key West Resort. The guest was picking up a friend around 1:00 a.m. when he noticed the increased presence of law enforcement.

“There were no less than 12 sheriffs on this road,” they remember. “Right on EPCOT Center Drive, next to EPCOT, there were three parked next to each other and two others whose cars were already stopped… They’re rampant, especially after the parks close. “

Disney Parks fans have speculated about the cause of the police takeover. Most agreed that officers were trying to prevent speeding.

“At this time of night, people like to cross Disney property to avoid 192 and I-4,” u/epicentre69 wrote. “It looks like Orange County is just trying to slow them down.”

“World Drive is known for its speeders,” u/SeriousStrokes69 agreed. “The top speed limit is 50, and people pass me all the time when I’m doing 60. And at night, when I’m leaving, people pass me like I’m standing still.”

Others said police could patrol near EPCOT at night to arrest drivers who had one too many during “Drinking Around the World Showcase.”

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“Significant increase in drunk drivers and speeding,” commented u/brinkofadventure. “The data from the police report confirms this current presence. Until the data trends downward, expect to see this a lot this summer.

“It’s possible they’re just looking for someone/people or watching for drunk drivers, although I don’t think anywhere at Disney or Disney Springs is open late enough to warrant such a large presence for DUIs,” said U. /rosie2490.

A ban on law enforcement?

Whatever the reason for the increased police presence near Walt Disney World Resort, some Disney Parks fans don’t want armed law enforcement anywhere near Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

Some fans felt that police could put Disney park guests in danger.

“There are… people who have very good reasons for wanting to minimize their interactions with law enforcement,” u/UnjustifiedBDE argued.

u/bognostrocleetus called law enforcement “morons” who are “terrorizing the Disney area.”

Others considered their presence a nuisance.

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“Not wanting to put up with them is reason enough,” u/soonerpgh responded. “Who wants to add an extra half hour to your commute?”

Still, some Disney Parks fans welcomed the police presence at Disney Springs, Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From you/wheelsofstars:

“Good. People regularly do 70+ in 30 mph zones.

“As far as I’m concerned, they should be there all the time,” u/SeriousStrokes69 agreed.

Are the police making Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort better places? In the comments, share your thoughts with Inside the Magic.