Man Arrested After Trying to Enter Disney Springs With a Handgun and Multiple Rounds of Ammo

When problems arise at Disney with Guests and inappropriate behavior, Disney Cast Members and security typically handle the situation and escort the problematic Guest from the Park if necessary. However, sometimes the situation is a little more serious and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office must step in. We learn about everything the Sheriff’s office does to help out at Walt Disney World Resort when the Sheriff’s Office releases its report about arrests made at the Resort — whether in the theme parks, at the Resort hotels, or at Disney Springs.

Credit: wdw-magazine.com

According to the newly released Sheriff’s report, a man was arrested at Disney Springs when he was caught with two guns and multiple rounds of ammunition, in addition to a knife. The Sheriff’s report states that 35-year-old Aaron Lopez set off the metal detector as he tried to enter Disney Springs. Lopez was brought over to have his bag investigated, and the Disney Security Guard he dealt with made the following statement:

 “I told him I was going to search his bag and he told me he had a folding knife in his bag. I told him to show me the knife then I said I would have to search his bag. Still hasn’t put it on the table at this point. Then he proceeds to say, ‘Oh there’s something else in here besides a knife that I wanna put back in my car.’ He then promptly turned around and walked away.”

Credit: Attraactions Magazine

Lopez returning to his car caused concern for the security guard, and an Orange County police officer and Disney Springs Cast Member caught Lopez before he made it back to his car. On his person, police found not only the folding knife, but also a Glock handgun and numerous rounds of ammunition. He told officers that he had a valid concealed carry permit, meaning he is allowed to carry a gun in public, but the permit was not produced. The gun did not have a serial number when the officer looked in his system, but Lopez said that he had submitted the paperwork to have a serial number assigned.

Credit: Orange County Sheriff’s Office

This is not the first time a Guest has been arrested for trying to bring a gun onto Disney property. In 2020, just three days after EPCOT reopened, a Guest was arrested for having a gun and marijuana in their child’s diaper bag. Another man was arrested for having a gun in his stroller and said that he had forgotten it was there.

It is incredibly important for Guests to remember that guns — or weapons of any kind — a STRICTLY PROHIBITED at Walt Disney World. While the state of Florida may allow people to walk around with a gun if they have the proper paperwork, Disney is private property. That means that Disney can create and enforce any rules they want to, and they do not allow weapons (including things like pepper spray) onto any of their properties.

Credit: Disney

The Walt Disney World Resort website currently lists the following items as prohibited:

• Firearms, ammunition, knives and weapons of any kind.
• Self-defense or restraining devices (e.g., pepper spray, mace)
• Marijuana (including marijuana enriched products) or any illegal substance.
• Objects or toys that appear to be firearms or weapons.
• Fireworks or other similarly explosive and/or flammable objects, smoke machines or fog machines.
• Alcoholic beverages, except at the Disney Resort hotels and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Wine may be brought in to Disney Springs to be consumed at select table service restaurants only, corkage fees apply.
• Glass containers (excluding small containers such as baby food jars), except in the Disney Resort hotels and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
• Horns, whistles, large megaphones or artificial noise makers.
• Recreational devices such as drones, remote-control toys, skateboards, scooters, inline skates or shoes with built-in wheels. Bicycles are permitted only in designated Disney Resort areas.
• Strollers that are greater than 31″ (79 cm) in width and 52″ (132 cm) in length. Stroller wagons are also prohibited.
• Wagons are prohibited at any theme park, water park, or Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Wagons are prohibited at indoor venues at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
• Any trailer-like object that is pushed, pulled or towed by an Electric Conveyance Vehicle, wheelchair, stroller or person.
• Wheeled mobility devices with less than 3 wheels or devices that cannot maintain stability and balance when stopped, unpowered and/or unoccupied. Training wheels and/or modifications are not permitted. Devices must be manually or electrically powered and operated at a walking pace. Devices should be single rider and not exceed 36″ (92 cm) in width and 52″ (132 cm) in length.
• Suitcases, bags, coolers or backpacks, with or without wheels, larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) are not allowed in any theme park or water park. Loose or dry ice is not permitted in these containers. Re-usable ice packs are recommended.
• Folding chairs are not allowed in any theme park, water park, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser or Disney Springs.
• Selfie sticks, hand-held extension poles for cameras or mobile devices, flags and banners are not allowed in any theme park, water park or Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
• Tripods or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack or that extend over 6’ (182 cm) are not allowed in theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser or ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
• Balloons are not permitted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village and Jambo House)
• Plastic straws are not permitted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, water parks or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village and Jambo House)
• Non-Coast Guard approved flotation devices or swim noodles at any water park.

Credit: Disney Parks

Before you decide to visit a Disney Resort, it is always a good idea to check the Resort’s rules and regulations. That will let Guests know what types of things are and aren’t allowed on property, as well as proper dress code attire. Should you have any questions, you can always reach out to Disney via its website or by phone and a Cast Member will do their best to assist you.