Walt Disney World is undoubtedly one of the most magical places in the world, occasionally, there’s trouble on the property for the cast members to deal with. A question I’ve often received is how troublemakers are dealt with on property, and is there really a disney jail?
Yes, there is a holding room at Disney World and Disneyland that acts as a temporary jail for when guests misbehave. I will dig deeper as to the rumors around the jail, celebrities that have found themselves in trouble at the Disney parks, and what not to do to avoid being landed in the Disney jailhouse.
I will start out by saying I did a number of in person interviews with Disney security guards, who didn’t want to talk about it. They were more interested in discussing how to avoid getting them involved, so this is one attraction you never want to see at the happiest place on Earth.
The Disney Jail
To keep Walt Disney World as magical as it can be for all guests, Disney has to remove anyone causing trouble on the property. Disney has many secret ways in which they minimize the chance of an incident. One is the Walt Disney World “jail,” which many guests have shared stories about over the years. They aren’t talking about the famous Pirates of the Caribbean jail either!
Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World have a procedure in place that puts guests in a holding area until further assistance can arrive. You would be surprised to learn how many undercover cops and security guards walk around the parks daily in normal outfits. If you’re doing something stupid, it’s only a matter of time until you get caught.
In order to stop trouble around the resort, Disney employs its own internal security force. However, these are not police and there is not a police station. If you find yourself in trouble at Disney, security will notify the Orange County Sheriff Deputies. However, while you are waiting, they may have to detain you in the jails or security office that are found around the property. Disney’s security team can only deal with so much by themselves, so they call in the police when needed for more severe cases.
Rumors Surrounding the Disney Jail
There have been many rumors surrounding the Disney jail and where it is located on the property. It has become almost an urban legend, an old wive’s tale of a jail hidden somewhere underground or a room above the Confectionary on Main Street.
Of course, it’s a complete secret where any of these holding areas are at Disney, which is why there’s so much mystery surrounding them. You’ll sometimes notice police officers as you enter the parks, as they usually keep a couple on patrol each day. Guests are never too far away from officers, who are on hand to ensure everyone is safe throughout their visit.
What can get you kicked out of a Disney park?
Over the years, there have been endless stories shared online for why people have been sent to jail at Disney. Of course, there are all of the usual issues that you would find in any major city, but some are more amusing than others. Let’s take a look at a few of the things you should never do while visiting Disney unless you are desperate to take a trip to the Disney jail.
Underage Drinking
When Pleasure Island was open in the past, this was more of an issue, but unfortunately, it still happens from time to time. Now, we know a lot of these issues take place in Epcot, where drinking around the world is a popular activity. Disney is incredibly strict with its drinking policies, and you’ll need to ensure you have a valid photo ID at all times if you are looking to drink alcohol on property. Those over the age of 21 should never share a drink in public with minors, or you risk ending up in Disney jail.
Selling or Using Fake Tickets
When visiting Walt Disney World, we always encourage you to purchase tickets in advance from the official Disney website. There’s a huge issue in Central Florida with fake tickets, and unfortunately, many locals try to make a living in this way. Both cast members and Orlando residents have found themselves in huge trouble over the years for this reason. Make sure you are very careful about buying tickets from tourist shops in Orlando, as you never know where they have come from.
Climbing On Top of Theme Park Buildings
We all get a bit carried away once in a while on vacation, and Epcot is a popular drinking spot during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Back in 2015, a man was found climbing on the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot. He was quickly escorted out of the area and no doubt banned from the theme parks for life.
Bringing Prohibited Goods On-Site
There’s a huge list of prohibited items that you can’t enter the parks with. Alcohol and guns are two of the things that many people have tried to sneak into the parks in the past, which is a more serious action. As you walk through security, you are very likely to be caught with these items, leaving you in hot water as the police are usually nearby. Make sure you don’t bring anything that’s on this list of banned items into the parks or water parks, or you might be heading straight to Disney jail.
Celebrities Who Went to Disney Jail
There are quite a few celebrities who have spoken out about going to Disney jail.
In an interview with David Letterman, Blake Lively from Gossip Girl said that she was taken to Disney jail for trying to sneak her brother into the parks when she was only six years old! She described it as a room with white walls.
Robert Downey Jr. was held and then arrested for smoking pot in the parks.
Kim Gordon from Sound Garden said she was taken underground in the 70’s for smoking pot in Disneyland.
Can you get banned from Disney for life?
Yes, while it’s more likely to be removed from property for a certain amount of time; it’s completely possible to get banned from all Disney Parks for life. Cast Members do not go around looking to give out lifetime bans. They ask guests to change their behavior, and that usually works. However, for those guests that choose not to change their inappropriate behavior by putting themselves and others in danger can be removed promptly and issued this lifetime ban from Disney.
Is Walt Disney World Safe to Visit?
With all of this talk of a Disney jail, you might be wondering if the parks are safe to visit. If you are visiting Disney for the first time this year, keep in mind that it’s generally a very safe place to visit. You’ll find there are very few incidents here, and any that do take place rarely disrupt your day at the park.
Most of the issues are quickly taken backstage so as not to get in the way of families trying to enjoy a day out together. Keep in mind that your bags will always be scanned as you enter the parks, so Disney does a great job of making sure every single person feels safe and secure during their visit.
In Conclusion
Disney is one of the safest places on earth to visit, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without the usual troubles we are experiencing in the world today. Make sure you are on your best behavior at all times during your next visit, as the last thing you want is to end up in the Disney jail for being a disruptive guest.
You’ll find that there are security guards dotted everywhere around the parks, so no one gets away with anything here for too long. It’s all part of the Disney magic to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience each and every time they visit the parks.
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