Gunman Omar Mateen had visited Disney Springs, a shopping mall and entertainment complex, and noted that no bag checks were made, unlike at the theme parks, according to reports in the US media. Mateen killed 49 people in a nightclub in Orlando City on Sunday.
The Orlando Sentinel said security staff at Disney World had been “put on alert” but did not give further details. The newspaper said visitors to Disney’s Magic Kingdom on Monday were facing “growing queues”, with waits of around 15 minutes late morning.
Most of the major parks in the Orlando area installed metal detectors in December following shootings in California, but until now, these have only been used on a random basis.
George Aguel, president and chief executive of Visit Orlando, indicated that tighter security procedures were likely following the massacre at the Pulse nightclub.
“Our primary focus is on supporting local authorities and elected officials as they respond to this horrific incident,” he said.
“The tourism community and local authorities have always worked closely on a comprehensive approach to security to ensure a safe environment for visitors.
"Over time, the measures have evolved with a particular focus on prevention, using technology and effective sharing of information. Safety remains a top priority for the destination.”
Disney officials are due to make a further statement later on Tuesday.
