How many of you like to go to Downtown Disney, the shopping complex outside Disneyland and Disney World, with your friends and shop or just hang out? Well, you might not be able to any more. What? What do you mean I can't just hang out with my friends at Downtown Disney any more? What is this?
The Walt Disney Company has enacted a new no loitering policy and anti-gang policy. This means you can't just hang out any more, you actually have to be doing something. Now, you don't have to be doing something all the time, but you have to be there for a purpose like dinner, shopping, or a movie. Window shopping is acceptable, but you have do be doing something. You can't just there on a bench talking with your friends for hours. I was actually semi-incorrect when I said this was a new policy, it's actually more of a crack-down by Disney security to make the area more family-friendly and keep it cleaner. They are also trying to keep it safer by not allowing gangs, or people who appear as gang members to be on the grounds.
Now you must be saying, "They can't do this, it's a public area, I have a right to be here." Actually, even though you don't need to buy an admission ticket to DD, it's still Disney's property which means they can pick and choose who they want to let in. At every entrance to DD in Anaheim, they have a little sign that looks like a leaf which tells you this. If security doesn't think that you are following these rules, the penalties are stiff. First, you are given a warning citation for trespassing by local law enforcement (Orange County Sheriff, Anaheim PD). They can do this because if they tell you to get off their property and you don't, it is legally trespassing. Then, if you still won't leave, they write you a citation, or ticket, for loitering and trespassing, escort you out, and then if your still disobedient, they will ban you for life! Yes, they can and will do this.
In DD in Disney World, they cited and banned for life five soon-to-be state football players. They even chased one of them across the parking lot. The football players are filing harassment and racial discrimination charges against Disney Security because they were all of the African American ethnicity. Disney later decided to lift the lifetime ban.
These football players weren't the first. There have been 48 lifetime bans since this policy was enacted. 45 of which were of the African American or Hispanic decent. So, is Disney racist? Who knows? Watch the news to see where this case goes. Is this policy fair? I believe so because Disney should crack down on problems that make the park less family oriented and less safe. It is their property so you must abide by their rules. Most people think there are no rules, but you should read the Disney website, or the back of your ticket. Did you know it is a California State law that you can't cut in line or save places? I think it's great that Disney wants to crack down on rule violations to make the park more enjoyable for others, as long as it's done legally and fairly. Keep watching to see where all this goes.
This is Eric5675 saying be safe, and know the rules, wherever you are.
