Unruly Teens Hurt Disneyland

* Re “Disneyland, Police Combat Troublesome Teens,” Sept. 22:

This problem is very serious. People go to Disneyland to enjoy the attractions, and feeling safe about the park is part of the magic of going there. There has to be a solution to the growing concern over the safety of the amusement park.

Disneyland should adopt a “no loitering” policy for the grounds around the park. By doing this the teenagers may choose to find another place to hang out. If they refuse to obey the law, their annual passes should be taken away, and they should be fined for disobeying the rules.

I think that the idea of adding more police to the grounds around the park is a good one. They should be constantly on the lookout for these delinquents that are harassing the tourists that flock to Disneyland every night. If they see any kind of illegal activity around the park, it should be dealt with accordingly. These adolescents need to learn that we live in a world with laws, and that they need to obey by these laws so that order is maintained throughout the world.

I do not, however, believe that a dress code is needed inside the park. People need to be able to wear what they want. Just because they are dressed in all black doesn’t mean that they are there to cause problems.

Part of the fun of going to Disneyland is observing the different kinds of people that flock there. I personally know people that go to Disneyland just to people-watch. There is nothing wrong with expressing oneself by the clothes that one wears, so there should not be a law that would restrict this.

KENTON KIMMEL

Laguna Niguel

* I have been a “Disneyland-a-holic” since birth. I do, however, feel that Disneyland is not the “happiest place on earth” anymore. Not when parents are afraid to bring their younger children to the park.

Over the past few years, Disneyland has “conformed” beyond what I believe it should have. Disneyland is at a pivotal point in its success and needs to define its target group. Who are they out to please, families and tourists, or a tiny group of especially rebellious teens?

It has been stated that disruptive teens make up such a small percentage of the millions of annual visitors at the park. So why is Disneyland attempting to keep these teens’ business when the group bringing the most business to Disneyland is being disrupted by the rowdy teenagers’ presence in the park?

I think that Disneyland needs to tighten up on their park security, removing any and all disruptive people from its premises. I would like to see some action taken in the form of Disney returning to its family-centered ideas so that I and many other people can enjoy the park without feeling unsafe.

GINA TANCREDI

San Juan Capistrano

* I am 15 years old and a sophomore in high school and find it really appalling that groups of people my age would dress and act like that in such a place as Disneyland.

I, too, have held a pass to Disneyland and have never experienced something to that extent in all my years of visiting.

Mainly I am angered that they would harass and taunt tourists. What a bad impression that sends out to small children who might be visiting Disneyland for the first time. That is not a memory I would want to have.

What possesses people to dress or act like that, I have no idea. Although many of the “Gothics” or “punks” say that this is just their way of expressing themselves, I find it hard to understand how looking like Halloween all year long and terrorizing people has anything to say about them or their personalities.

I think that Disneyland should set some sort of dress code. If you want to be let into Disneyland, regardless of a pass or not, you must be appropriately dressed. If anyone is caught inside Disneyland dressed in such a way that might be offensive to other guests, then they would be immediately thrown out and a pass or ticket taken away without any type of refund. They should not be refunded for a problem they inflicted on themselves.

If Disneyland wants to maintain its title as the “happiest place on earth” then it needs to ensure that it is a happy and safe environment to visit and to make memories that last forever. I love Disneyland and want it to stay the way I remember it, as a magical world where dreams come true.

KATIE ALEXANDER

San Juan Capistrano