Florida theme parks and knives

L

Lone Hunter

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Mar 2, 2000
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I did a search,but would like some updated info.I'll be going to Disney,Sea World,and Universal. Which use metal detectors right now?

Thanks!
 
disney practically has it's own government, i would *NOT* bring a knife there. thats one place i would seriously reconsider taking anything sharp or dangerous
 
I've worn a pocket knife in all 3 parks but I do believe that they are forbidden. In my experience that it never a problem unless I somehow cause one myself. However, I last visited those parks pre 9/11/01 and do not know what security measures have been added.

I would seriously consider going without myself. or bringing along a sak or whittler blade maybe.
 
Rumblings are going around that Disney may start "experimenting" with metal detectors, but I do not know how reliable that is. Last time I was there was post 9/11 but still 2 or 3 years ago and all that happened was a very cursory check of my fanny pack. IIRC I had left serious cutlery behind, but still had a SAK and Surefire.
 
They do search bags but at present do not have metal detectors. I think knives are against the rules but I have carried my LM Micra there all day. I think a small SAK would probably be ok too. If they find it and turn you down, you will likely only have to bring it back to your car or turn it over. I might just turn it over in that parking lot with my kids waiting for me :eek: .
 
I live near Orlando and vist the parks regularly.

There are no metal detectors in use. Universal Studios and Busch Gardens (in Tampa) have used metal detectors in the past for their Halloween special night-time events only.

The "security" is limited to a very cursory search of bags and purses. Do not carry anything you don't want them to see in a fanny pack, bag, etc. There is no pat down of the person.

I have carried knives and firearms into theme parks -- there is no legal restriction so long as you have a concealed weapon permit. I have NEVER seen a sign prohibiting weapons at any park--EXCEPT for the above-described special Halloween events. Regular Florida laws, of course, do apply -- so if you don't have a CCW permit, you are limited to a "common pocket knife."
 
Thanks all. I'm buying a knife just for the trip,as most of my EDC tend to be worth a little more than I care to lose,either in the sand or at the gates.

Thanks DDGator, I do have a CCW but for NYS,also being a cleancut mid 40's guy with the wife and kids,I don't feel I'll be someone they look hard at.But if they do I'm a vactioning fire LT. and this is my "rescue" knife. ;)
 
Hi All-

It is worth bearing in mind that amusement park security cannot confiscate your otherwise legal knife. That is theft and you may call the police and ask them to intervene to recover your stolen property.

If certain legal items (e.g. knives, corkscrews, knitting needles, whatever) are not permitted on their premises, they can deny entrance until you return the items to your car, but that's about it. They may offer a bin for you to dispose of the items...but that is likely an expensive proposition for anyone reading this board. They are not authorized to take items from your possession. Don't be pressured into believing everything these thugs say.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
No problem, Lone. Keep it on your person and you will be fine.

If you have any other questions about Orlando or The Mouse, e-mail me.
 
roughedges said:
I've worn a pocket knife in all 3 parks but I do believe that they are forbidden.
Click to expand...

I realize that Disney is pretty much its own government, and that it pretty much owns the State and Federal governments anyway, but I would hope that they would have to obey the law anyway. And, FYI, here is what Florida law says:

790.06 (12) License to Carry Concealed Weapon or Firearm
Any place of nuisance as defined in s. 823.05

* any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station;
* any detention facility, prison, or jail;
* any courthouse; any courtroom, except that nothing in this section would preclude a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon in his or her courtroom;
* any polling place;
* any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special district;
* any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof;
* any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms;
* any school administration building;
* any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to such purpose;
* any elementary or secondary school facility;
* any area vocational-technical center;
* any college or university facility unless the licensee is a registered student, employee, or faculty member of such college or university and the weapon is a stun gun or nonlethal electric weapon or device designed solely for defensive purposes and the weapon does not fire a dart or projectile;
* inside the passenger terminal and sterile area of any airport, provided that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal, which firearm is encased for shipment for purposes of checking such firearm as baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft; or
* any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law

In addition, Section 790.11 prohibits firearms in National Forests except during hunting season. This does not apply to a firearm securely stored within a vehicle on a state road.

62-D-2.014 of the State Administrative Code: Allows State Parks to restrict the carrying of firearms in all Florida State Parks. Even those with a Valid License to Carry in Florida can not carry in Florida State Parks.

Florida Statute 823.05 defines a place of nuisance as a "place which tends to annoy the community or injure the health of the community...or any house or place of prostitution, assignation, lewdness or place or building where games of chance are engaged in violation of law or any place where any law of the state is violated."

Theme parks are *not* listed here.

HTH,

TN
 
I agree there is no problem with a properly licensed person carrying a concealed weapon in a theme park in Florida.

However, the local police (amazingly), don't always understand the law. Here is an old account of my run-in with the Orlando P.D. relating to this issue:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136037&highlight=universal+studios

That being said -- mine was an unusual situation. This won't every come up in a normal day at a theme park.
 
tnozh said:
Theme parks are *not* listed here.

HTH,

TN
Click to expand...


you are correct, they aren't. But, I would be interested to see the municipal law for Lake Buena Vista. Additionally, from what I understand, Disney has the right to enact any rule (not law) in their theme parks as they see fit. After all, according to the wording of the State of Florida statute, it would appear that firearms would be allowed in Disney as well.

Also, it is my understanding that one can not carry a weapon into certain public venues such as a sporting event at a stadium. If this is correct, it seems logical to me that this would extend to theme parks as well.
 
Hi All-

roughedges said:
...Also, it is my understanding that one can not carry a weapon into certain public venues such as a sporting event at a stadium. If this is correct, it seems logical to me that this would extend to theme parks as well...
Click to expand...
The difference being that the pocketknife is not seen exclusively as a weapon when compared to a sidearm. The theme park management has the option of restricting entry to people for a variety of reasons...they just run the risk of people choosing other places to spend their money earmarked for entertainment. It is getting to be a bit of a pain-in-the-butt where normal, household items are verbotten due to a bunch of nervous bureaucrats.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
I've noticed that, even though ccw license in florida covers blades, the statute is written in a way that seems to use weapon and firearm interchangeably and nowhere does it address multiuse design knives. Leaves a lot of room for misunderstanding or knife hostile interpretation.

no wonder i once got accused of carrying a fighting knife because I had a spyderco with a lock back in my pocket.
 
to the parks, here's what I know. Disneyworld security told me that they don't care about folders with a 3" or less blade length in their parks.

Universal Studios doesn't seem to care but to be safe you might want to stick to 3" blade.

These two parks do cursory searches of bags and packages going into their parks and don't intrude on your person.

Sea World seems to think you don't need to carry anything sharp into their park and have reportedly attempted to confiscate knives in the past. What's going on there these days I don't know because I'm boycotting them(and their products) and have been for the last couple of years over their un-American politics.

Silver Springs here in Ocala have never bothered to look at my pockets so they don't seem to care about what's on your person.

In Disney and Universal I carry 4" blades and under, just IN my pockets and not clipped to the pocket. It follows Florida's definition of "common pocket knife", they don't have signs out front saying 'No knives allowed' and they don't intrude into my pockets. Low key carry is what works for me.

Now for the DISCLAIMER:
I am not a lawyer, YMMV and if you do it, any risk you take is your own purely your own and not my fault. :eek: :p :D

I carry a three inch folder for any mundane cutting chores I encounter in the parks such as eating and cutting food, dividing a Napoleon with my better half and so on. Don't ask, don't tell and all that other stuff... :rolleyes: and if you do carry a folder keep it in your pockets and NOT in your fannypack, backback or any other package that will be looked into. See above disclaimer about this info too.
 
Thanks again everyone. I'm a low key guy myself,I'll just be another pale yankee among the masses.

Last time I was in FLA. I had a Spyderco in my pocket on the plane. :) Just want to make things smooth as possible,its a long way back to the car!

Yes i have heard bad things about Sea World myself,but the youngest daughter wants to go there above all others,and I just can't turn her down on this.
 
Roughedegdges,

I would hope that a prosecutor wouldn't be so quick to say that the terms "school, college, or professional athletic event" in the concealed weapon permit statute also includes a theme park...

Lets not read requirements into the statute that are not there. There are enough restrictions as it is.
 
Theme parks are private property and they can enforce their rules (within legal limits). If they don't want you to enter with a knife you can't. Worst case scenario is taking it back to your vehicle. They cannot confiscate but they can ask you to leave it in your car or to 'check' it in at the gate and pick it up upon exit. Bexar county courthouse puts them in a baggie with a claim ticket. No hassle.
Sporting events (in stadiums etc) are venues where disappointed fans tend to riot. We have all seen it. I can see why there is a 'no weapons' policy there.
I know NASA Space Center in Houston has metal detectors.
I've said it before... I would far rather be around a bunch of armed people who are ready to act or react, than be mixed in a herd of sheeple without no option but wait for help. :(
 
My point about the Orlando theme parks was that they could prohibit knives -- but to my knowledge none of them have.

On the other hand, Cypress Gardens outside of Tampa does prohibit knives.
 
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