BAD BOYS BAD BOYS!! Undercover Security

[Magicbus]

I've actual;ly been in there when it has bottlenecked and theyopen up gates next to the Plaza restaurant and another gate further down the street and people end up going out backstage.

They do that a regular basis and is part of the plan during the busier times.

 

[WeLuvDiz]

First off, to the OP. This is an awesome thread.
Once back in 2002 at DHS my family and I were standing there deciding what to do next and there was a little boy, maybe 7 or 8 sitting on the hand rail at the beginning of The Backlot Tour waiting for the next group to enter. I just told my DW how dangerous that looked and all of a sudden he flipped backwards and smashed his head on the ground. Blood was everywhere, out of nowhere an emergency golf cart pulled up and put a curtin like object around him and his parents. Within minutes, when they removed the curtain it was like nothing happened. The boy was all cleaned up with butterfly stitches and a new Disney shirt. Not a drop of blood anywhere.

 

[pampam]

First off, to the OP. This is an awesome thread.
Once back in 2002 at DHS my family and I were standing there deciding what to do next and there was a little boy, maybe 7 or 8 sitting on the hand rail at the beginning of The Backlot Tour waiting for the next group to enter. I just told my DW how dangerous that looked and all of a sudden he flipped backwards and smashed his head on the ground. Blood was everywhere, out of nowhere an emergency golf cart pulled up and put a curtin like object around him and his parents. Within minutes, when they removed the curtain it was like nothing happened. The boy was all cleaned up with butterfly stitches and a new Disney shirt. Not a drop of blood anywhere.

Now that amazes me.

 

[lovealatte]

One time in 2005-ish we were going down the ramp off the TTA. One kid, probably like 10 yrs old, in front of us decided to run down the ramp-- anyway, he couldn't stop running, ran straight into a pole with his head and left a pretty nasty dent in the pole. I wasn't there long enough to see anyone come over ( at least, I didn't notice anyone..) but the dent is still there to this day! I check every time.

 

[Eljay]

One time in 2005-ish we were going down the ramp off the TTA. One kid, probably like 10 yrs old, in front of us decided to run down the ramp-- anyway, he couldn't stop running, ran straight into a pole with his head and left a pretty nasty dent in the pole. I wasn't there long enough to see anyone come over ( at least, I didn't notice anyone..) but the dent is still there to this day! I check every time.

Now, that's what you would call a hard head!

 

[lovealatte]

Now, that's what you would call a hard head!

Yeah seriously. From what I could see, the kid was fine and just walked away.. The parents were yelling at him! I felt bad but had to laugh.

 

[Pineapple Whip]

Yeah seriously. From what I could see, the kid was fine and just walked away.. The parents were yelling at him! I felt bad but had to laugh.

Was there a funny sound like "thoonk"? Maybe a batman comic sound bubble over the kid?

 

[lovealatte]

Was there a funny sound like "thoonk"? Maybe a batman comic sound bubble over the kid?

Yes I definitely heard it! I was amazed there was a dent in the metal pole and not in the kid's forehead. It was so powerful he fell straight on his butt.

 

[cm8]

I dunno.....


...Not sure what they could blow up.

True in deed!!

 

[PurpleTurtle]

This...for sure. We just had a loss prevention audit at my store. The steps are very clear for those of us working, even management. We are not allowed to directly ask or accuse a customer of stealing..but we can use indirect statements. It's definitely a liability issue (one store had a manager chase two teens out, and they hit her with their car).

DH and I worked at Disney in Merchandise about 20 years ago. There were undercover security who we knew (just from them coming into the stores). They looked just like any other tourist. In order to apprehend a shoplifter, they had to see the person the entire time, from the time they took the item to when they left the shop with it. If they lost sight of the person for even a moment, they were not allowed to do anything about the shoplifting b/c the person could possibly have put the item down. Disney did not want to take any chance of accusing someone who did not actually shoplift.

Back in my day there, the big issue was counterfeit bills. We were taught how to recognize a counterfeit bill, but we were not to do anything about it if we saw one. Just ring the person up and let them go. Then, we would call a Lead and they let security know about it. I was interviewed one evening about it b/c I accepted a counterfeit bill. They wanted to know what the guest looked like, etc. The undercover security people then went out and tried to find the guy.

Another big, big problem when I worked there was actually CM's stealing from the tills. It's amazing the myriad schemes people can come up with to steal money. I knew several who were fired for this transgression. One was fired for damaging a box of candy on purpose so that she could eat it. Another was fired for having the Car Care Center fix his car and then taking it without paying for the repairs.

 

[blackforest]

I just remembered another time the undercover security was VERY HELPFUL, for my family this time. We were at AK for my brothers Graduation trip back in 02. I was 16 at the time and we had seperated into two groups to go do some rides and what not and were supposed to meet up back by the safari. My brother had stated earlier that he wasn't feeling well and when his two friends returned with out him and didn't know where he was, I GOT PRETTY UP SET.. We only had 2 cell phones at the time and of course he did not have the other one. We split up and said to meet back ever 15 min until we found him. I had remembered that he wasn't feeling good so I checked first aid and they had no recored of him being there ( and they were not helpful or friendly at all) I decided the next place to check for some one who isn't feeling well would be the bathrooms.. I'M NOT SHY so I started to walk into all of the different mens bathrooms shouting his name and asking other men if they saw my brother (looks just like me and I described what he was wearing) I finally found him laying on the gross dirty floor barely conscious. A very nice man stayed with him while I ran back across the bridge to get a wheel chair from first aid, and the NOT SO NICE lady wasn't going to give it to me so I literally took it and left. As I came running back with the chair a VERY LARGE man in regular clothes Identified him self as security and asked if everything was ok, and I said no follow me and he helped me get my brother into the char and to first aid. BOY was that lady nice when I came back with my extremley Ill brother. The security guard went back to where I said the rest of may family/friends should be and brought them to the first aid station. He then arranged for a private van to take us back to the hotel. My brother said he just needed rest and for us to go back to the parks so we did. I called every hour and he would answer, one time I didn't and I called the front desk and they informed me they had a 911 call from that room. Once again a very helpful CM aranged for a private van to come get us at MK and take us to the hospital.

Obviously everything turned out okay for him, but so scary.

DD16 (then 4) had just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and she had a seizure in our room at Coronado Springs. 911 kept us on the line and the paremedics arrived very quickly. We were able to use her emergency shot and didn't have to go to the hospital, but from then on we know every place we need to go for help in WDW!

 

[BBG-BLT]

We were in DHS last year and I was running with my then 2yo in a stroller (yes I know you're not supposed to run...) anyway it was one of those umbrella strollers. I was chasing down one of my 9 year olds because they were going the wrong way and I crashed - just hit a poll. Came out of no where I swear. Anyway we were by the big hat on the side of the Brown Derby.

I took a bad spill and the stroller fell on its side and I had 2 "tourists" there before my partner and other kids could reach me. I was so shaken up (and embarrassed) I didn't realize how fast those folks had gotten to me. They got me and the baby up - asked us to calm down - asked if we were alright and said that they knew WDW had first aid stations and could probably get a cart there in a manner of minutes if we wanted. It was a lady dressed like a guest - pin lanyard and all - and a guy with a baseball hat and shorts.

We were fine - the baby was all clipped into the stroller so she just got a bit of a scrap on her shoulder (Thank God)- I got a bit more banged up but was okay. They kind of wouldn't let us go for a bit, kept asking us if we wanted to go to the first aid - were we staying on site (which we were) that they could see if they could find us a ride back and it wasn't until later when we were thinking about how insistent those tourists had been about making sure we were fine then we realized they were probably undercover CMs.

Really great folks.

Oh and don't run at the parks.

 

[jayandstacey]

They kind of wouldn't let us go for a bit, kept asking us if we wanted to go to the first aid - were we staying on site (which we were) that they could see if they could find us a ride back and it wasn't until later when we were thinking about how insistent those tourists had been about making sure we were fine then we realized they were probably undercover CMs.

Really great folks.

Oh and don't run at the parks.

I believe there are two motivations here.

They are great and want to help. Your happiness is important. But more important to them is keeping Disney from being sued - a courtroom can be very expensive for Disney. So they REALLY WANT you to see a medical person, they probably record your saying you're fine, they will generally keep you very engaged until THEY are confident you don't have an injury and they'd like to drive you to another property if possible.

So yes, they are very helpful. But they work for the one that signs their paycheck.

 

[Eljay]

This is a great thread, glad to see it bumped up again.

 

[Disneyholic]

We were in DHS last year and I was running with my then 2yo in a stroller (yes I know you're not supposed to run...) anyway it was one of those umbrella strollers. I was chasing down one of my 9 year olds because they were going the wrong way and I crashed - just hit a poll. Came out of no where I swear. Anyway we were by the big hat on the side of the Brown Derby.

I took a bad spill and the stroller fell on its side and I had 2 "tourists" there before my partner and other kids could reach me. I was so shaken up (and embarrassed) I didn't realize how fast those folks had gotten to me. They got me and the baby up - asked us to calm down - asked if we were alright and said that they knew WDW had first aid stations and could probably get a cart there in a manner of minutes if we wanted. It was a lady dressed like a guest - pin lanyard and all - and a guy with a baseball hat and shorts.

We were fine - the baby was all clipped into the stroller so she just got a bit of a scrap on her shoulder (Thank God)- I got a bit more banged up but was okay. They kind of wouldn't let us go for a bit, kept asking us if we wanted to go to the first aid - were we staying on site (which we were) that they could see if they could find us a ride back and it wasn't until later when we were thinking about how insistent those tourists had been about making sure we were fine then we realized they were probably undercover CMs.

Really great folks.

Oh and don't run at the parks.

But then again it could have just been some tourist like DH & I who are former EMTs who tend to stop and help people when something happens. We would know about the first aid station, too. We would also stick around till we knew everyone was alright. So, you never will really know if it is undercover Disney or just a concerned tourist.

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

We saw security come to get an obviously drunk guy in Italy during F&W Last year. They were dressed as tourists and very low key. If you weren't really watching, you would never have noticed.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Great thread!!! the crack-to-crotch coment - HILARIOUS!!!

One of the early post mentioned something about how DL does the TSMM. I'm sad to report, it is no longer the case. For those who missed the post, it was said that the CM had a single file line for that particular ride and were walked single file all the way to the ride. I was there over Thanksgiving 2010. It was pretty busy, almost Christmas busy. They now allow guests into the main plaza. After the plaza, you could go right into Condor Flats or head straight and pass Bugs Land. Right at Bugs Land there are CM's with a rope. When 10am rolled around for offical park opening, the rope dropped and it was the running of the bulls. My DD(9) knew where we were going and has been many times so she knew the lay of the land. After I saw the mob behind us I told her if we get separated, continue to TSMM just don't get in line. Stay near the end of the line so I can spot you when I get there. I carried my DS(2) the entire way. He weighed about 35lbs at the time. Carrying a squirrmy 35lb monkey for a 1/4 mile with tunnel vision marathon runners around you isn't fun.

 

[DisneyChristmas]

At EPCOT near Spaceship Earth as I was taking a photo, a man began yelling loudly at a woman. In the short time that it took me to set up the shot and take the photo, a security person popped out of somewhere (??) and was escorting the man away.

 

[NonScents]

I believe there are two motivations here.

They are great and want to help. Your happiness is important. But more important to them is keeping Disney from being sued - a courtroom can be very expensive for Disney. So they REALLY WANT you to see a medical person, they probably record your saying you're fine, they will generally keep you very engaged until THEY are confident you don't have an injury and they'd like to drive you to another property if possible.

So yes, they are very helpful. But they work for the one that signs their paycheck.

Fine by me! Some non-Disney park employees could not care less if you died in front of them, it is too much trouble. Working to protect the company you work for is a good policy, IMHO.

Keeping down lawsuits keeps my resort room affordable!

 

[KatieCollette]

I never notice any of that stuff. I am to much in the Disney bubble (and a little to oblivious) to see past the shiny stuff