Credit: Disney DiningRumors of an active shooter incident taking place on Thursday evening at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom have left fans and frequent guests of the Central Florida Disney Parks resort wondering whether such a scenario could actually happen at the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Related: The Number of Guests Arrested at Disney World in Possession of Guns is Climbing
Rumors of an Active Shooter Creates Chaos at Magic Kingdom
On Thursday evening, rumors began to spread about a possible active shooter incident at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Many guests took to social media to share their fears and give others a look at the chaos that seemed to unfold as the night went on.
By the end of the ordeal, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement, explaining that there had not, in fact, been an active shooter on Disney World’s property on Thursday evening.
But that doesn’t mean the rumored “incident” hasn’t left fans of the parks wondering whether such a scenario could happen during one of their annual or every-five-year visits.
Shootings and Arrests For Gun Possession at Disney World Over the Years
Though it isn’t something that The Walt Disney Company likes to discuss, there have been incidences of shootings, as well as a number of guest arrests for gun possession made at the theme parks at Walt Disney World, though those incidences have been extremely rare.
Related: Seven-Year Struck By Bullet at Walt Disney Magnet School
Disney World is considered one of the safest places on earth. Numerous measures are taken every day of the year to ensure that guests of the parks have not only a magical time during their stay but a safe time as well.
However, a few isolated incidents over the years stand out due to the unusual nature of these events in such a family-friendly environment. Thankfully, only one of the incidences resulted in the death of an individual at Disney World.
A Domestic Dispute Leaves One Dead Near Disney’s Contemporary Resort (1987)
On September 28, 1987, a man named Michael Paul Chartrand, who was an employee at the Central Florida Disney Parks resort, was shot in the parking lot located outside Disney’s Contemporary Resort in the Magic Kingdom Resort area.
Sadly, Chartrand died from his injuries.
The shooting was not a random one. Rather, it was the result of a domestic dispute that eventually escalated to violence. The incident highlighted the challenges of maintaining a completely secure environment in such a large public space despite Disney’s very best efforts to ensure that all areas on Disney World’s property are safe for guests and cast members alike.
The incident is the only such occurrence to result in the death of an individual at Disney World due to gun violence.
EPCOT Security Guard Shoots His Supervisor (1987)
There was more than one incident of gun violence at Disney World in 1987.
In addition to the shooting involving Michael Paul Chartrand that year, another notable incident took place involving a Disney security guard at EPCOT who shot and injured his supervisor following a workplace dispute.
Fortunately, this incident did not involve any park guests and was quickly contained.
The suspect was apprehended, and no other injuries were reported.
A Man From New York Fire Shots & Takes Security Guards Hostage at EPCOT (1992)
In September 1992, a 37-year-old man from Rochester, New York, named Allen J. Ferris, arrived at EPCOT on a Saturday night after the park had closed to guests.
Upon his arrival, Ferris brandished his shotgun at three security guards at the park, and according to Orange County Sheriff’s Office spokesman at the time, Jim Solomons, Ferris demanded to see his ex-girlfriend, Barbara Crouse, who also worked as a security guard at EPCOT.
The couple had gone their separate ways only six weeks before the incident at EPCOT, and in response to that break-up, Ferris attempted to take his life.
But through a series of events that can only be described as bizarre, Ferris ended up firing four shots at Disney World security personnel before taking two of the security guards hostage. He then held them in a restroom near the Journey Into Imagination pavilion in the park.
A Female Guest Accidentally Discharges a Firearm (2017)
Another incident occurred in 2017 when a woman visiting the park accidentally discharged a firearm she had brought into the park.
The gun was fired in her hotel room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Though no one was injured, the incident raised concerns about the park’s security measures and the challenges of preventing such incidents in the future.
Female Guest Arrested For Possession of a Firearm at Disney World (2020)
On October 3, 2020, a female guest was arrested after Disney World security personnel discovered a loaded gun in a diaper bag being carried by the woman.
Along with the loaded gun, security guards also discovered marijuana in the diaper bag.
Although there were no shots fired that day, the woman was arrested, and the event led to heightened security concerns among guests.
Man is Arrested at Magic Kingdom After a Loaded Gun is Found in His Vehicle (2021)
On December 14, 2021, a man was arrested in the parking lot outside Magic Kingdom.
A loaded handgun was found in his vehicle, which was parked in the parking lot on Disney’s property. Though he had a concealed carry permit, the man failed to properly declare the firearm, as required by Disney World’s guest policy.
Thankfully, no violent incident occurred, but the presence of a loaded firearm in a guest area raised more concerns about guest safety at Disney World.
A Growing Number of Suicides Have Taken Place at Disney Parks
Since Disneyland and Disney World opened in 1955 and 1971, respectively, there have been 13 reported suicides carried out in the U.S. Disney Parks resorts as of the time of this publication.
Of those 13 incidences, four have occurred at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Though these incidents are not examples of gun violence, they represent examples of impulsive and heartbreaking guest behavior that Disney World must address. Some say that Disney should be doing more to reduce the occurrence of suicides at the parks by implementing measures to deter such incidents and remove the opportunities for such incidents to take place.
Disney World Continues to Take Guest Safety Very Seriously
While any case of gun violence in the parks is concerning, Disney World continues to maintain a strong security presence, with thorough bag checks and metal detectors at all entrances. The park’s commitment to safety helps ensure that millions of visitors can enjoy their vacation with peace of mind.
In the grand scheme of things, shootings at Disney World remain extremely rare, and the park’s reputation as a safe and magical place endures. However, these incidents serve as reminders of the importance of continued vigilance in ensuring the safety of all guests and staff.