Vapor wake dogs - which are trained to sniff out explosives and other possible threats - will also be used to roam the park, Brown said. The measures were also being rolled out at Walt Disney World in Orlando. In 2004, Disney World experimented with metal detectors at its entrance but did not make them permanent.

The security dogs at Disneyland, often referred to as Vapor Wake or CTC (Canine Training Center) dogs, are primarily trained to detect explosives and gunpowder. Unlike standard police dogs that might search for narcotics, Disney’s canine units are specifically focused on public safety and threat detection. These highly trained dogs are "active" workers; they don't just sniff stationary bags but are trained to detect the "wake" of scent left behind by a person moving through a crowd who might be carrying explosive materials or a firearm. In 2026, you will often see them walking near the security checkpoints or the Monorail entrances. They are trained to ignore the distracting smells of popcorn, churros, and crowds to focus on trace chemicals like nitrates. Because of their vital safety role, Disney asks guests not to pet or distract these working dogs, as their constant vigilance is a key layer of the "invisible" security net that keeps the parks safe for millions of visitors.