Bag Check! Ive had enough of it.

[princessallegra]

Man I guess growing up at and around the U.N really desensitizes you to this stuff! My mom worked at the UN for 35 years and as a kid we had checkpoints all the time when I would visit my mom at work. We are from NY and have been used to stringent security and bag checks for a long time now. I mostly remember it starting at JFK after TWA Flight 800. Oddly enough I took Flight 800 just a few days after the crash, maybe a week, before they renamed the flight. JFK was a mess that day! I will never forget being 14 and going off to summer camp in France and the security going through my "feminine products" and being sooo embarrassed!!

I guess we are just totally used to the bag checks at WDW, and we always have a bag so it just is what it is for us. If it's a long wait yeah it's a pain, and if the guards are being super chatty and taking their time it can take awhile but I'm still at Disney! Sorry you are so tired of it OP. Stinks they made you wait on a bag check line after the 1/2 though...I will read back the thread and see if you explain if you had a bag or not.

 

[stindall]

When we go I carry a small purse which I just open and go right through security because it isn't big enough to go for them to go through, but because it's a "bag" it has to be checked. The problem is I usually get stuck behind the strollers or backpacks which takes me longer to wait then to be checked through.

Here's an idea, why not have special lines for the smaller bags?

I've always found that there's at least 1 line that has fewer people or people will smaller bags. Just scope it out before you hop in line; Sometimes you can tell who's going to hold up the line.

 

[AlohaAnnie]

I do not mind the bag check process

I can understand OP being tired after the marathon.

Congrats on finishing the Marathon!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Bonniec]

I don't go through the bag check lines. I agree they are a waste of time. I carry one of those small Mickey wristlet wallets and just stuff it in my pocket.

 

[scoolover]

I only read page 1 so forgive me if this has been covered. The real-real reason they do it is so that when some whack job does get a weapon in and god forbid uses it, Disney will have someone to take the fall. They will say that they have great security measures in place but there was a humam failure. They will fire everyone up to the head security person, implement new policies and move on without it being their fault!

 

[mm1971]

This past trip for the first time I actually saw a "real" security gaurd near the bag check line. He looked like any other guest but with an earpiece. My question is has anyone actually ever seen one of these "real" security guards pull someone out of the line and what is their process of "checking out" the "suspicious" people?

Yes, I have seen security pull 2 people out of line. The first was trying to sneak alcohol into the MNSSHP. He had it tucked into his belt in the back. He was standing in the bag check line with his family. Can't imagine putting my family in this situation. If he had just walked through he most likely would have entered no problem. Definitely acting suspicious as he was asked to come out of line.

The second was a person with a swiss army knife in the bag. Most likely harmless as I am sure a lot of people carry them, but better safe than sorry.

It is a deterrent. While there will always be people that try to get around the system or are just bad people, the risk of getting caught will stop a lot more illegal actions than you think!

 

[larryz]

I meant to say that I dont think a person who has just paid to run a marathon, has completed the marathon and is now going into the park would be doing so with the intention of harming anyone.

If they haven't yet showered, I can see a LOT of potential harm...

 

[Missytara]

Welcome to your generation. We wish it did not come to this, but you put your life out there and we have to go through bag checks. It is okay. We do not mind because we are safe.

Stop posting your entire life online and just enjoy life.

 

[KellyNY]

Bag check is for a reason and I personally do not mind. It slows crowd letting security you dot not really see to scan the crowd. It is just another 10 min top, not really a big deal anyway and there is always a way not to wait, do not bring bags. BTW, every park I know of does it.

 

[NancyIL]

I would agree with you if the security check was ONLY "a lousy job looking in my bag". But it's not.

Hang around the bag check all day and you'll notice a few "tourists" who never really seem to go anywhere. They don't go into the park, they don't leave the park ... and darned if they don't have little earpieces (which are NOT attached to iPods). Look closely enough at the entrances to the parks and you'll see cameras. They're not just there for fun.

You're assuming that the only security going on is the security you see. The security you see is there to help the security you don't see. So that it can see you.

That's good to know.

 

[Sweettears]

Its Monday and I need to vent a little. I would like to first say that that I have no desire to offend anyone or turn this thread into one of those arguing threads. If you believe the bag checks keep you safe at Disney then I respect that. I however find them to be more of a hassle than anything else. I was at Epcot Thursday and the line to get through bag check was crazy. I then competed in the Wine and Dine Marathon this weekend. After running for two hours I just wanted to get into Epcot and relax. Instead I was forced to wait in a long line to go through bag check. Really what could someone who just ran 13.1 miles and is exhausted possibly bring into the parks???

Also what are you looking for? Guns? Not possible since you can bring that on you. A Bomb? Again your wasting your time considering that in the world we live in a bomb can be in your shoes/underwear. Also the security guards (nothing against them bless their hearts. They are usually older Disney employees I love them) however what kind of job are they doing. All they do is glance inside the bag no thorough check is even done. So what is the point of this check? We all know if someone wanted to get something inside they probably could anyways. So yes Disney’s intentions are good but they are doing a mediocre job at it. Its causing more of an inconvenience then the safety preventative is meant to be.

Don't bring a bag. Never have never will. I'm visiting a theme park not going on a backwoods adventure.

 

[connie1042]

I don't know how much they catch, but it's a job, so they do what they are told. About 15 years ago we went to the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Hawaii. In line we were told no pack backs or purses. We had taken a bus from our hotel. I don't believe they supplied lockers. So both of us women had the cinch sacks. My husband had a pull over wind breaker with a large front pocket and two side pockets. We took everything out of the sacks and put them in various pockets in the jacket. Then I put the jacket on. I walk right thru security with out a problem. They never asked or checked the jacket. Does not make much sense sometimes.

 

[ttintagel]

It may not stop anyone who's absolutely determined to circumvent park rules, but it probably reduces the most egregious, blatant violations.

 

[atp]

Bag check was slower than last trip (even though crowds were bigger on the last trip...go figuer). But it wasn't too bad comparing to the buses.

Anyway, I'm just curious about something that has been mentioned many times. Many people say bag check is just an "excuse" to slow people down and let the real security do their job of watching everyone.

Okay, I always agreed with that...until I thought about the huge amount of people who have no bags and just walk right in...don't they need to be slowed down and watched too?

Seems odd to me that if the purpose of it is making guests slow down, that they would only do it to people with bags/strollers.

You can bring a lot of stuff in your pockets or a jacket. And bringing a bag or stroller doesn't make you more or less dangerous.

 

[stindall]

Don't bring a bag. Never have never will. I'm visiting a theme park not going on a backwoods adventure.

Just because you're at a theme park doesn't mean you don't need "stuff". (I suppose need a subjective) I bring a bag for my camera, money, a few first aid items like bonine, asprin, bandaids, my phone if I choose to take it and a water bottle. Being hands free is a big plus. I know other people choose to bring their own snacks to cut down on costs. To each his own.

 

[wdw&sonny]

I just love these useless debates where everyone wants to give their opinion...so here's mine

I read the whole thread and have a few conclusions:

1. The OP wants everyone to know he ran a 1/2 marathon. Some of you made the mistake of congratulating him on a marathon. Keep in mind he only did 1/2 of a marathon...13.1 miles and 2 hours of running is hardly impressive

2. The bag check at WDW is just for show. The real security is hidden and flawless. Big Brother is watching and we should all feel safe.

3. People who do not carry bags are smarter than those who are dependent on bags. No one should need to carry a bag for a single day at WDW. Twelve hours in the heat, with kids should require no additional provisions than what you can fit in your pocket.

4. WDW should have separate lines for people with big bags, people with medium-sized bags, people with small bags and people with no bags. In fact, they should just have separate attractions for...no wait, separate theme parks for different sized-bag-people.

5. It all started with a mouse. Actually, this added security all started with the fact that the cockpit doors was not locked. Lock the cockpit door and the terrorists never devise their plan. At best they would have threatened some passengers. They certainly would not have taken control of a plane and flown it into a building. Lock the darn door. Jeez.

 

[Mac4life30]

Don't bring a bag. Never have never will. I'm visiting a theme park not going on a backwoods adventure.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I don't go through the bag check lines. I agree they are a waste of time. I carry one of those small Mickey wristlet wallets and just stuff it in my pocket.

To me, that sounds like an easy way to lose your stuff.

 

[Mac4life30]

I do not mind the bag check process

I can understand OP being tired after the marathon.

Congrats on finishing the Marathon!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Thanks!

 

[Sparkly]

I don't mind really. Even when excited to get in the parks, a few minutes is nothing.