Knives at Disney World Update

whitty

whitty

Dealer / Materials Provider
Joined
Aug 25, 2005
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So just got back from the magical world where a mouse takes all your money and you somehow thank him for it. My wife being the Disney nut she is had been pressing me for years to go as our youngest daughter has never been. My one concern was a pocket knife. Do I really need a knife in Disney? Probably not, but I am a creature of habit and carry a knife everyday, so I did not like the idea of feeling naked while in the park.

A few weeks ago I posted up in various places asking what the rules are. The answers varied greatly. I heard of people having no problem and of people getting asked to leave with a small SAK. The most official word I had heard was under 3 inches. I had also been told about the addition of metal detectors for random checks. So the first day to Magic Kingdom I took my ZT0900, it is one of my favorite 3 inch and under knives and I figured lets give it a try.

I wore a USA Made Blade T-shirt and carried my Tad Litespeed bag with extra waters and some snacks for the kids. If you have a bag you have to go to a bag search line. Once through the line you can be "randomly" selected for the metal detectors. I watched as the security officers came over scanned the crowd and randomly selected people. I watched as one guard just stared at me each time he came back. He watched and waited for me to get closer and then bam, I got "randomly" selected. So I go over to the metal detector (same set up as an airport). I pulled my phone, wallet and ZT out of my pocket and set them in a bowl to be passed around. I walked through the detector, watched the girl pull out her security ID put it up against my knife, say "its good" and hand me the bowl back with my ZT in it. I was shocked it was that easy. The lines were nuts and this was not the time to stop and ask questions. Instead I just happily put my ZT back in my pocket and went on in the park with my very excited kids.

Later that night when security was not so busy, I walked back to the gate and decided to ask some questions so I could get clarification for you guys and girls. I ended up talking to the head of gate security for Magic Kingdom. He stated it about like this. Magic Kingdom is a private company and they do not have to let you in. They have a no weapons policy but they understand knife people want to bring a small knife in so they let 3 inch and under knives in to the park but ask that you are discrete. This guy was very nice to talk to and appreciates a good knife. He even liked my ZT a good bit.

The rest of the trip I was "randomly" sent to the Metal Detectors all 4 days we went to the park and even on the days we left and came back in. I had a few guards questions the knife but I would immediately and politely say, it is under 3 inches and allowed per your own rules. They would hand it back and send me on my way.

I did use my knife several times while in the park. Mostly for opening little packages for my girls and to cut up pieces of a turkey leg for my youngest. Nothing I had to have it for but it did make a few task a little easier. Plus I had to get a picture to prove it all happened.

With all of this said, Hollywood Studios was not so cool about it. They let me in but made it very clear the knife needed to go in my bag and not be seen the entire day. They apparently do not have the same understanding as Magic Kingdom. I have also been told that Disneyland has an absolute no knife policy so this does not carry over to there as well.

Sorry for the lengthy post but I do hope this clears up questions for those of you that have to go through the torture of Mickey Land. My suggestion is be discrete and polite about it, keep it under 3 inches and take it with no worries!


https://flic.kr/p/GuGvGT https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
 
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I had no issue at Disney World last year, but I carried a Vic Rambler. For some reason there is some difference at Hollywood Studios, I got the understanding they are not 100% under the Disney banner.
 
Good post, been wondering about that for awhile know. I went back in 2000 on a class trip, and had a spyderco harpy on me the whole time:) Bet i cant pull that off again.
 
Thanks Scott and hope the little ones had a blast!!!
I'll bet you and the wife need a vacation now bro!!
Joe
 
That's good to know as I'm planning taking my troops down there.
 
Good post, thanks for taking the time.

I was on a Mexican Riviera cruise via Royal Caribbean about 8 years ago or so, and read up on the TOS.

After doing so, decided that the Benchmade Red Class/10750 Vex 3.25"(3.5" was their limit) blade would be good for EDC , more than enough to TCB, inexpensive, NBD if for some reason it got confiscated, yet I still didn't want that to happen.

All was well boarding ship itself, but in one of the stops, I think Puerto Vallarta, had it out in town. Pinged on the metal detector re-boarding, and Mexican Police were not too happy about it, and honestly, I didn't even think about that aspect of it.

I kept my knife, tho....they handed it over to ship's security, who gave it back when I boarded ship. The 90 count Valium that I picked up didn't seem to phase anyone.....underscoring the idea that drugs are good mmmmkay, and tools are bad, mmmmkay(at least in Mexico)? My wife was kinda miffed.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Thanks for the review. Good to know, but I hope I don't have to worry about taking my son when he is old enough.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
Even in light of this rule, I probably would not test it at Disneyland. I rather not risk being sent back or kicked out, especially with the lines involved. Quite honestly, I've left even my Leatherman Tread on Disneyland runs. I can live a day without a knife inside Disneyland if it will save me some hassle.
 
Dfunk1210 said:
Even in light of this rule, I probably would not test it at Disneyland. I rather not risk being sent back or kicked out, especially with the lines involved. Quite honestly, I've left even my Leatherman Tread on Disneyland runs. I can live a day without a knife inside Disneyland if it will save me some hassle.
Click to expand...

That right there is a summation of the problem that we deal with in our current society....nobody wants the hassle.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
How's it feel knowing you spent $115 dollars to walk in the gate each day? Best advice aside from not bringing a knife to Disney...bring a person in a wheelchair...no, I'm not kidding.
 
I went in December. I love Disney. Anyway, I brought a little slip joint I travel with. Generally all I carry anyway but wasn't gonna chance my usual Davison.

Thag was before metal detectors. In my search, I found many people questioning the need for a knife in Disney.

I can say this.

10 minutes into the first day, I NEEDED it to open a pack of suckers for my girl. The damn tie tape thingy was tight, had no end that I could find and was made out of the same shit that captain America's sheild was made from.

So to those namby pamby scardy cat types that question the need, you absolutely might need a cutting tool at Disney.

Like yourself, I wouldn't go making a big deal out of it and flashing it around, but you shouldn't be doing that anyway
 
We went in august. Carried a kershaw tremor the whole time for four days. I didn't notice any metal detectors or random checks. Must be a new thing.
 
John_0917 said:
How's it feel knowing you spent $115 dollars to walk in the gate each day? Best advice aside from not bringing a knife to Disney...bring a person in a wheelchair...no, I'm not kidding.
Click to expand...

Actually heard a stat the other day that over 50% of people in Wheel Chairs at Disney are not handicapped at all!
 
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