Any security changes at WDW?

[SEC71]

Do you think Disney will increase guest screening or make any changes to security because of the Boston bombings? Personally, I would be ok with going through a metal detector before entering each park.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If there is, there will not be any public announcement of increased security. One thing that is not a secret, Disney has more Security Officers in costume as "tourist" than they do in costume as "Security Officer".

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Do you think Disney will increase guest screening or make any changes to security because of the Boston bombings? Personally, I would be ok with going through a metal detector before entering each park.

1) Might be a little more, but probably not that many additional.
2) Disney doesn't go for all the instant hype that cities/airports do.
3) They need it politically - WDW doesn't.
4) And, do not look for metal detectors, probably ever. *
. . . too time consuming and long-line maker (think TSA x10,000 at opening)
. . . worse, too expensive for the equipment
. . . even worse, too expensive for the additional manpower

* Some guards do carry those hand-wands.

 

[Belle83]

We were there in December during the Sandy Hook shooting and noticed that bag check took a lot longer the next morning, but that was the only thing we picked up on.

 

[rainynight]

Its always surprised me that Disney doesn't have more security. I would think it would be a high priority target for the crazy mass murders out there.

 

[drummerwife]

In Disney now. The only thing I saw different yesterday was a Orange County officer at bag check. Not sure if that was because of the bombing or not. There is no "noticeable" increase in security.

 

[wdw4rfam]

Was at MK yesterday, and saw no increase, same as usual

 

[chartle]

If you noticed an increase in security they wouldn't be doing their job right.

 

[maxiesmom]

Its always surprised me that Disney doesn't have more security. I would think it would be a high priority target for the crazy mass murders out there.

Most of Disney's security is of the unseen variety. A huge part of bag check is slowing down the flood of people going into the parks so that they can look for strange behavior.

Keep in mind too that you are on camera whenever you are in a Disney park. They are watching, always watching.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

FWIW,,,whatever happened in Boston can happen anywhere,,,,including theme parks,,,its just a matter of time.. Hell we never thought 9/11 would ever happen did we?

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Its always surprised me that Disney doesn't have more security. I would think it would be a high priority target for the crazy mass murders out there.

It is safe to say 90% of Disney security is not seen, for the obvious reasons!


AKK

 

[ManyMinnie]

Its always surprised me that Disney doesn't have more security. I would think it would be a high priority target for the crazy mass murders out there.

Disney has plenty of security. Most of it you don't see.

If you've ever had an emergency happen in a park, it's the people that "come out of the woodwork" that are mainly security.

They are there, you just don't notice them.

 

[Princess Olivia]

1) Might be a little more, but probably not that many additional.
2) Disney doesn't go for all the instant hype that cities/airports do.
3) They need it politically - WDW doesn't.
4) And, do not look for metal detectors, probably ever. *
. . . too time consuming and long-line maker (think TSA x10,000 at opening)
. . . worse, too expensive for the equipment
. . . even worse, too expensive for the additional manpower

* Some guards do carry those hand-wands.

*No bashing just saying....

I live in Boston. The coverage has been 24/7 and it's the most horrific thing most any of us have ever witnessed unless you have been a soldier in active duty. I have friends who were at the finish line who witnessed the most horrendous sights... that isn't hype. With all the coverage most stations had terror experts on and they specifically mentioned major theme parks as being a perfect target. I'm sure Disney is aware of this and even if unnoticed they are at a heightened security. We are leaving for Orlando bright and early tomorrow. Getting through Logan airport will take more time than normal. Boston is such a small city, sadly it seems like everyone knows someone who was affected. We will not allow terror to stop us from living life, but here in Boston there is a great sense of sadness and anger. Needing some Disney magic now more than ever!

 

[RyMacJ]

*No bashing just saying....

I live in Boston. The coverage has been 24/7 and it's the most horrific thing most any of us have ever witnessed unless you have been a soldier in active duty. I have friends who were at the finish line who witnessed the most horrendous sights... that isn't hype. With all the coverage most stations had terror experts on and they specifically mentioned major theme parks as being a perfect target. I'm sure Disney is aware of this and even if unnoticed they are at a heightened security. We are leaving for Orlando bright and early tomorrow. Getting through Logan airport will take more time than normal. Boston is such a small city, sadly it seems like everyone knows someone who was affected. We will not allow terror to stop us from living life, but here in Boston there is a great sense of sadness and anger. Needing some Disney magic now more than ever!

::Hugs::

 

[CarrieR]

We are here now. Monday night, we specifically packed our bags lighter to help security out but we have noticed no difference in bag checks. We did notice a K-9 unit parked outside of MK Tues morning, but honestly we had seen a bomb-sniffing dog board a bus at DHS on Monday (before attacks) so I'm not sure it's truly related.

I am acutely aware that Dis is considered a potential target, but I know that they take measures to be as prudent as reasonably possible. Anything can happen anywhere and I am comfortable trusting that WDW has plenty at stake as a motivator to keep their parks safe. (Not to say I'm blithe about my personal safety, just that I'm not in a panic while here.)

 

[TDC Nala]

Not to the point where the guest can see it, you might see more K9 officers around. They've had random appearances by K9 officers for a long time. They already do a bag check in the parks, and this is the reason why they do it. Unless it's something they can fit into a pocket, it's got to go through the bag check. I don't know much about bombs but there don't seem to be many that can fit into a pocket. And no, I do not think at this time that WDW is going to require all park guests to go through a metal detector.

I know it's required to go through a metal detector if you go to the Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. I don't think it's required for a regular day in their parks. I'm also pretty sure they want to prevent guests from carrying knives at Halloween Horror Night. I don't know what happens if they find someone with a knife. WDW doesn't seem to have the same concern about knives, but HHN is an event carried out mostly in the dark that has a big draw among local teens.

 

[zeferjen]

*No bashing just saying....

I live in Boston. The coverage has been 24/7 and it's the most horrific thing most any of us have ever witnessed unless you have been a soldier in active duty. I have friends who were at the finish line who witnessed the most horrendous sights... that isn't hype. With all the coverage most stations had terror experts on and they specifically mentioned major theme parks as being a perfect target. I'm sure Disney is aware of this and even if unnoticed they are at a heightened security. We are leaving for Orlando bright and early tomorrow. Getting through Logan airport will take more time than normal. Boston is such a small city, sadly it seems like everyone knows someone who was affected. We will not allow terror to stop us from living life, but here in Boston there is a great sense of sadness and anger. Needing some Disney magic now more than ever!

I hope a trip to Disney helps you get away from it for a bit. My heart is in Boston this week.

 

[seashoreCM]

One advantage of opening the turnstiles early and holding rope drop at Magic Kingdom's ice cream parlor and barber shop (similar or ropeless drop well inside Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom) is so that bag checking and negotiating the turnstiles can start sooner.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Its always surprised me that Disney doesn't have more security. I would think it would be a high priority target for the crazy mass murders out there.

Disney has A LOT of security - you just don't really see it. What you see at the gate is more of a "facade" to give guests that sense of security. You cannot pick your nose (or seat) in Disney without their security knowing about it. Many of their security team members are plain clothes men and women that blend in the rest of the park. They have cameras everywhere.... in places you would not recognize. This is not limited to the parks; the security is everywhere on their property.

 

[chimilady]

Disney has A LOT of security - you just don't really see it. What you see at the gate is more of a "facade" to give guests that sense of security. You cannot pick your nose (or seat) in Disney without their security knowing about it. Many of their security team members are plain clothes men and women that blend in the rest of the park. They have cameras everywhere.... in places you would not recognize. This is not limited to the parks; the security is everywhere on their property.

Underlined part was mine.

If this is the case, then why does nothing happen when things like strollers get stolen? Obviously if there are cameras everywhere, surely they can know who is doing what, right?

I have no doubt there is a lot of unseen security at Disney, I'm just shocked it's as good as you're all saying it is. Because a lot of stuff gets stolen at Disney with zero consequence.