BAD BOYS BAD BOYS!! Undercover Security

[lovetoscrap]

Now its time for "The Bad."

This happened around 2002 at a park that shall remain nameless to protect the innocent (but it starts with a "Sea" and ends with a "World" ).


Still no security. I was floored.

I had a bad experience with that same unnamed park in Orlando! I can't remember all the details but we were headed up the handicapped ramp to the Shamu show and there was a group in front of us that appeared to be adult son using an ECV and his parents, and elderly woman pushing elderly man in a wheelchair. She was really struggling to get up the ramp and I was actually getting ready to tell DH to offer to help them out (he is a never get involved kind of person for the most part). There was a turn and I saw her struggling to get around it and she lost her balance and went down hard.

Of course we immediately went to her to check on her. She was really shaken up and I was worried she might have really hurt her hip or arm. I told DH to go and find some help. He ran back down and couldn't find anyone around outside the stadium. He came back up and went into the stadium and I think found a girl who just sort of shrugged her shoulders and said she was busy. He ended up knocking on the door of the sound booth and telling them someone was hurt and needed help. They weren't very concerned but did call someone. Took forever for a manager to arrive. By this time we had gotten her up and put her in the wheelchair. DH pushed her up the rest of the way into the stadium where the management person met us.

She was not very helpful. I told her that I thought they needed another wheelchair or ECV or someone to assist them to get back to the front of the park and she said there was nothing she could do. So then I asked her to get the woman a glass of water (she really needed one)-- nope, couldn't do that. By this time my "don't get involved" husband was pissed! DH ended up going all the way back out of the stadium, finding a vendor and getting her a water bottle and glass of ice. They wanted to stay and watch the show (partially because she needed to sit down and rest in the shade at that point) so we checked on them again after it was over and offered to help them. DH pushed the wc back down the ramp for them (can't remember who was in it, the man or woman). We wanted to take them back to the front of the park or to find first aid but they told us they would be okay and to just go on with our day.

We could not believe that no one that worked there would offer any assistance and do anything to help them. We couldn't find anyone to help and the help we got was useless. I know that woman ended up with at least some nasty bruises and she really needed to be checked out.

 

[DIS-OH]

This is a true story...

Several years ago, I was on a trip to WDW with the High School marching band. Our group got separated on two different monorails when we were coming into the MK one morning. I sent the students I was with on into the park and waited in the entrance plaza for the director and the rest of the kids to arrive.

My DH and a band Dad were waiting with me. I heard them start to laugh hysterically. When they finally stopped laughing, they told me that a young mother in short shorts had stopped in front of them and bent over her baby in a stroller, thereby exposing a good bit of her buttocks. Two undercover CM immediately ran to the young mother and said, "Lady, stand up and pull your shorts down! This is a family park!"

My DH and the band dad still wonder how they can apply for the job as "shorts checker" at WDW...they think it would be a cool retirement job!

 

[mommy2_3]

dont know if this was posted yet, but someone said that they stopped a ride cause a girl wouldnt sit down,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBzu-c-nGt0&NR=1&feature=fvwp

 

[Craftsman Revival]

Must have gotten your parks mixed up. SW Orlando has never had a Pirates 4D movie or a theater to show a 3 D movie for that matter. And there is no cotton candy stand where they spin cotton candy and I don't think there was even one back on my first visit in 1974. Bush Gardens in Tampa has a 3 D movie though. Could you have been there? Haven't had the time to see the movie when we are there and can't remember if it is pirate themed.
Security at SW is actually pretty tight. They use a lot of deputies.

Actually, it was SW San Diego. I'm sure I didn't get my parks mixed up, as its about 10 min from my house Like I said, this was in 2002, and the parks have changed ownership in the past year.

 

[budbeerlady]

Bump, anyone today with anything to share?

 

[unicorn1]

On our last trip we were entering the park and, as usual, the guys walk through security and wait for the ladies to have their purses/bags checked. The line for checking bags was a little longer than usual, so my 11 year old daughter took it upon herself to put her small camera case inside her coat pocket, get out of line, and go join the waiting guys. A security guy in plain clothes approached, showed his identification, and told her they don't like it it at all when they see things like they just saw. He was friendly but very firm as he checked her camera case. This daughter is normally the only law-abiding citizen I have, so, needless to say, she melted. It took the fun out of the first part of her day, but she deserved it and learned a lesson.

 

[Squidgyness]

I gotta say, that is an unusual occurence, last time something happened at SW orlando (Kid Lost) they were pretty on the ball, though this was after the new owners stepped in.

 

[Princess Pudding Pop]

Not undercover, well maybe it was before I got there.....
Last week I witnessed a woman getting a lecture (very firm talking too) from security for leaving a big duffle bag sitting by Magic carpets ride unattended. I was just walking into the que so I probably just missed the bigger scene. They were standing just were the time is posted. Why would someone bring a big ol duffle bag into the park? There was no stroller.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I've always wondered how they stop people from stealing in big disney stores like the emporium. There are exits everywhere and it seems like it would be easy for someone to steal. DH and I always wondered how they catch people. I guess there are undercover "shoppers" in the stores.

 

[Vaughn4380]

I got busted once by the undercover security guys while walking into Epcot. They noticed my little boyscout pocket knife clipped to my front pocket. I carry it with me every day and use it to open letters, packages, cut little plastic hang tags off stuff I buy, all sorts of things.

Anyways, the security guy was polite but gave me a lecture about taking weapons into the park and asked me to put it in one of their lockers until I left. I didn't want to make a scene and did so. It was kind of silly for them to make an issue of it. Had it been in my pocket and not clipped to the outside, they never would have known.

I do know a few police officers who have gone to Disney and the undercover security guys approached and asked if they were carrying their "off duty" pistol (department policy requires them to do so unless consuming alcohol while off duty). Appearantly the undercover security guys have been trained to spot the outline of a concealed pistol under a shirt (or they know what a police officer looks like off duty ), so if they ask you to raise your shirt this is probably what they are looking for. Disney was polite and asked them to place their guns in a locker until they left the park.

I suppose it is good they are looking for such things, it has to be hard trying to keep that place safe. Considering the number of people that go through the World, you really do not hear of very many incidents.

 

[lorac4disney]

Last year, we watched a guy being carried out of AK by at least four touristy looking security guards as we were walking in during a mid-day park hop. It shook me up because the guy was screaming and yelling like he was being kidnapped. They carried the guy right past us so we stepped back to let them through. The guys were wearing shorts and Hawaiian type shirts so they didn't look like security at all. I then noticed a security guard in uniform walking behind them and turned to see that they were walking him to a police car. Didn't see that car just a second earlier.

I turned to DH and quietly told him that I wasn't sure if I wanted to go in. DS reminded me that he at least wanted to buy a pair of sunglasses and that there was a shop right near the entrance so that he could get a pair before we went somewhere else.

While we were waiting for DS, a woman walked up and asked me if I was okay and if I needed something to drink. I told her I was fine, but that we had just watched a guy being carried out and wasn't sure I wanted my kids around that kind of stuff. The last time I had been at AK was right after it opened when the park wasn't even completed yet so I wasn't quite sure what it had turned into since then.

That's when she told me that she worked there (showed me her badge) and assured me that what happened was not normal and that when it does happen, it is taken care of quickly. We chatted for a while as she told me about things I should see inside the park and about the different shows. Of course, she got the kids excited about going inside.

As we were leaving the shop to go inside, she brought me a bottled Coke anyway since she noticed I was still looking a little pale and shaky and thought my blood sugar might be a touch low and for us to enjoy the park. I asked her how much I owed her for the Coke and she said I didn't, that it was her treat.

 

[Vaughn4380]

Last year, we watched a guy being carried out of AK by at least four touristy looking security guards as we were walking in during a mid-day park hop. It shook me up because the guy was screaming and yelling like he was being kidnapped. They carried the guy right past us so we stepped back to let them through. The guys were wearing shorts and Hawaiian type shirts so they didn't look like security at all. I then noticed a security guard in uniform walking behind them and turned to see that they were walking him to a police car. Didn't see that car just a second earlier.

I turned to DH and quietly told him that I wasn't sure if I wanted to go in. DS reminded me that he at least wanted to buy a pair of sunglasses and that there was a shop right near the entrance so that he could get a pair before we went somewhere else.

While we were waiting for DS, a woman walked up and asked me if I was okay and if I needed something to drink. I told her I was fine, but that we had just watched a guy being carried out and wasn't sure I wanted my kids around that kind of stuff. The last time I had been at AK was right after it opened when the park wasn't even completed yet so I wasn't quite sure what it had turned into since then.

That's when she told me that she worked there (showed me her badge) and assured me that what happened was not normal and that when it does happen, it is taken care of quickly. We chatted for a while as she told me about things I should see inside the park and about the different shows. Of course, she got the kids excited about going inside.

As we were leaving the shop to go inside, she brought me a bottled Coke anyway since she noticed I was still looking a little pale and shaky and thought my blood sugar might be a touch low and for us to enjoy the park. I asked her how much I owed her for the Coke and she said I didn't, that it was her treat.

Excellent job by the security officer that talked to you. Not to belittle your experience, but please realize that people are arrested every day in this Country, and it is required to keep an orderly society. Had you not gone on to enjoy your day at AK than the jerk criminal would have won.

Glad you got to see AK.

 

[lorac4disney]

To be completely honest, I didn't know if AK had turned into something like PI or what. While there is nothing wrong with PI, I chose not to have my youngest child exposed to the clubbing environment at this point in her life.

Perhaps I am not as hardened to criminal behavior as others and I do realize that this kind of thing happens even in the best of places. As the CM guessed, my blood sugar was low so that might have been why it bothered me more than it should have. Then again, maybe it was because it was the last thing I expected to see. Belittle all you want.

 

[Vaughn4380]

To be completely honest, I didn't know if AK had turned into something like PI or what. While there is nothing wrong with PI, I chose not to have my youngest child exposed to the clubbing environment at this point in her life.

Makes sense

Perhaps I am not as hardened to criminal behavior as others and I do realize that this kind of thing happens even in the best of places. As the CM guessed, my blood sugar was low so that might have been why it bothered me more than it should have. Then again, maybe it was because it was the last thing I expected to see. Belittle all you want.

Wasn't trying to belittle at all, I was more concerned that a criminal would ruin your vacation (or at least a day of it) and I hate to see that.

 

[lorac4disney]

Had it been anywhere else, it probably would have. That CM/Security lady was really nice and went above and beyond to smooth things over, IMHO.

 

[krishouse]

Hi there,
The first time we noticed the undercover security was about 4 years ago.
My daughter and I were waiting for my husband and sons by the gate of The Studios. We were sitting on a bench and noticed a man and wife and their son. The wife was arguing quite loudly with her husband, I am not sure what was said but the man got very agitated and he tried to kick at her and then tried to head butt her. Literally!
The security came quite quickly dressed in shorts and loud shirts, and tried to be quick about getting this man out of sight. Unfortunately he was becoming quite violent, it took two officers to get him on the ground and cuff him, right by Sid Cayuegas(sp?) It was very scary.
His poor wife and son were sobbing hysterically.
It was so awful. The scary thing was, if he would do that to her in public. What was he capable of at home? It is baffling.
Thank God for Disney Security!

 

[Disney*All-Stars*]

And I was thinking that if they REALLY thought it could have been a bomb, shouldn't they have moved it a little further away, okay A LOT further away from us???

And when I told DH about it later he said he was so glad to see that we were smart enough to move ourselves out of danger when a bomb was suspected..

You got that right! Geez if this was a bomb, proper response would have been to remove everyone from the area, not touch or move the bag and not transmit on police radios. Now that security broke all the rules of treating it as a bomb, one could now say it wasn't. Bringing in the dog was a day late. Truth be told, a bomb squad would have been proper if they were going all the way with it. Don't want to make a scene or fuss, then why do anything if it isn't handled right? Being a New Yorker I have lived with the reality of it all and can only shake my head at the craziness of it all.

 

[budbeerlady]

Bump!

 

[LMN]

HAHA, there was no limb ripping (lucky for him). Here is what happened. I was in the Pooh Playland with my son waiting for wife and daughter to meet us there. There is a little tunnel like slide in there. My son loved it and was sliding down over and over. As i stood there watching, out of the blue runs a toddler, could barely walk, but he made a bee line for the bottom of the slide and started to crawl up.....as my son was on way down. They collided and the toddler was knocked back and landed on his butt. His father runs over and grabs my son by shirt and shoved him backwards ( he fell) and called him a little S#%T. Well this guy never saw me coming, i spun him around and knocked him in the mouth so hard, he went right down. He was very lucky that the floor there was that rubber stuff because he hit head first. I picked up my son and was going to go find Disney security myself because this guys son was going to need to be looked after for a little while. Id say about 30 seconds after i whacked him, the undercovers showed up. I had 2 wonderfull cast members vouch for me saying they saw the entire thing and that i was defending my son. I know violence isnt always the best way to solve things, but when you child is attacked like that, you do what you have to ( and i dont mind saying it felt GREAT)!!!!

Kudos to you...in this case it was warranted. My DH would have done the same thing. I'd love to know what happened to the guy? Did he get ejected from the park??

 

[Carolwoodpr]

Wow what a fun topic! I have three stories, all from Disneyland and all are vastly different. Each incident is post 9/11.

1. My son was 4 when he got lost in Redwood Creek. I had been playing with him when my phone rang. I answered it, turned around and he was gone. I started yelling for him and generally freaking out as only a mother can do. I was rushing around yelling for my son. You would think other parents would notice. Apparantly not. Not a single person offered to help me find my son. It was about five minutes later when it dawned on me that he may have gone back to the caves, so I headed that way and sure enough he was playing in the caves. That five minutes was the worst five minutes of my life! No security, not even help from another guest. Now our son knows that if he can't see us, we can't see him.

2. It was our last day at Disneyland and we had done the character loop in Critter Country before our brunch at Goofy's Kitchen to end our stay. We had walked all the way to ESPN Zone before my husband realized our backpack was missing. This backpack had all of our money, our ID, airline tickets, you name it, it was in the backpack. I went to WDTC to see if they could help us. The CM there called over to Pooh Corner to see if the backpack was there. She had no word when my husband called to say it was in the circle of the character M & G and he was heading back to me. The CM I talked to was wonderful and we are friends to this day. She talked to an old friend that day that she had lost touch with and is grateful to me for that. Our backpack was not searched or sniffed.

3. Just this March I had torn ligaments in my back on our first day at Disneyland. Because of this I spent a lot of time on benches. I was sitting on a bench in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and it was getting close to time for the first parade. An older woman was coming from the street to the sidewalk and missed the step. She went flying, just missed hitting her head on the bench and landed very painfully on her knee. She bit her lip to bleeding and in general was not in great shape. I got off my bench to assist her and told someone to get a CM. It was no less than 30 seconds later before we were completely surrounded by Cast Members, Security and Disney EMT's. The woman was put into a wheelchair and her daugher and grandson were taken to first aid. The lead CM gave the daughter a piece of paper before they left. I told them to come back for the fireworks and I would still be on this bench and they could sit with me. This was the first time I personally saw Disney Security in action, but agree with other at how seamless it really is done.

The family involved didn't make it back for fireworks. I was upgraded to VIP seating for the night but continued to save the bench for some strangers I would choose at a later time.

And the piece of paper the family was handed? Unlimited fastpass.

So 1 out of 3 times security was involved. Should have been 2 out of 3.

No worries though, our son is now almost 8 and still remembers that if he can't see us, we can't see him.