Bag Check! Ive had enough of it.

[1stvisit0909]

We were at the Animal Kingdom this past Saturday, 11/10. While in line at the bag check, the security CM confiscated 2 knifes from a potential guest, one was a pocket knife(think Swiss army type) the second knife was the same size as a regular kitchen knife with a much wider blade and it had NO COVER on it. I always felt the bag check unnecessary and an inconvenience however, after this incident, I will willingly stand in that line for however long is necessary. Of course I have no idea what this mans intentions were.....but there is no reason why you need a knife of that type at a theme park. I watched the man be escorted into a building flanked by 2 security officers!

I'm surprised some one hasn't said he was planted to make security look real. That's how these conspiracies tend to go. Lol

 

[yankeepenny]

I did not read thru everything.

Just so you know, at DL they tried lines for no bags- and it did not work.

EVERY SINGLE PERSON gets in one line and waits to get thru. bags or strollers or nothing on you.

We waited with everyone else. They are keeping that system.


Those lines SUCK. ALL. THE . TIME.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

To keep this all in perspective:

After the day I had today, I would LOVE to be in a bag check line at WDW.

 

[dizprincess717]

I was at WDW last week (miss it so much!!) and the bag check lines are AWFUL! People who not ready with their bags open, or people carrying in rolling backpacks and of course the people carrying in breakfast, lunch and dinner with them. The worst I saw was a woman who wanted to bring in a knife (and I mean a knife, the thing was huge!) and she claimed it was to peel apples.

I can't NOT carry in a bag with me, I usually bring a pull string backpack with my wallet, water, glasses and sunglasses, my phone, etc. It's nothing crazy at all and it's really light. But I just couldn't believe the amount of people carrying in school backpacks and the rolling backpacks. I for one wouldn't want to lug all that stuff around with me.

To each their own though, right? I can understand the lines, but maybe they need a better system. IE - more CM's working them so they move a bit faster.

 

[mom2rtk]

Everything I heard said crowds were really high over the last couple weeks. I'm thinking the issue is more with the sheer mass of people than the actual bag check.

 

[Planogirl]

I did not read thru everything.

Just so you know, at DL they tried lines for no bags- and it did not work.

EVERY SINGLE PERSON gets in one line and waits to get thru. bags or strollers or nothing on you.

We waited with everyone else. They are keeping that system.


Those lines SUCK. ALL. THE . TIME.

Why would they do this? Do they check the people who don't have bags in some way?

 

[LaurLaur04]

At either kings dominion or Busch gardens, can't remember which, you have to put all your stuff in a tray and walk through a metal detector....

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Our family does not carry a bag. I know that's not possible when you have children in diapers, so that stinks.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Everything I heard said crowds were really high over the last couple weeks. I'm thinking the issue is more with the sheer mass of people than the actual bag check.

I would tend to agree with this. I've also been seeing posts from the last week or so about how horribly crowded the buses are.

I have no problem with the bag check. I agree that it acts as a deterrent and allows the "real" security to do their job. They do catch things like people trying to sneak alcohol into the park. Do they catch everything? Of course not. But the fact that they are there keeps a lot of stuff out.

Several years ago, we were in line at bag check at the AK, another guest came up and told the security guys checking bags that he saw someone take something out of their bag and toss it in the bushes. A guard went off with the guest to investigate. My guess is some guest had an illegal substance in his bag and when he realized his bag would be searched, he decided against trying to take it into the park. So yes, the searches do help.

We were there at the end of May/beginning of June and had only one issue with the bag check lines. And that was just someone who was being rude and tried to cut in front of everyone. I had my bag unzipped, open, and ready to be searched. I went to slide it forward on the table when the person ahead of me was done and suddenly this lady was shoving in front of me putting her purse on the table. I laughed incredulously and loudly at her. She picked up her purse and slinked back behind me. But other than that, bag check was quick, efficient, and caused no issues for us.

 

[jimjenkids]

We find that If we are in a hurry, and not wanting to wait, only 1 person has a bag. on our last trip, they had lines for people without bags.....really hope this is still here during xmas this year...... If it is just the camera DH will put in in his pockets(Camera and small case).....I will say if we dont have to do the bag check it will be nice. I know this year my DDs will be thone with the checks as they have both purchased new crossbody purses.....the only things we have ever seen taken from people were cans of beer....but thought it funny they rummaged through some ladies diaper bag yet glanced at her fanny pack......

 

[mm1971]

I'm surprised some one hasn't said he was planted to make security look real. That's how these conspiracies tend to go. Lol

Maybe it was his birthday and he was going to use the knife to cut his cake at the bakery?

I still can't believe so many people complain about Disney trying to keep them safe. These must be the same people that complain when a CM refuses to let their 38" child on a ride with a 40" restriction. Let's all just go on vacation and have a good time. Something negative happens, dismiss it and find something positive.

 

[juliebug1997]

We've run the gambit of screenings, from the pull every thing out of your bag to I don't want to look in your bag at all. I have no problem with it, because I don't carry anything into the parks except for my sunglasses/glasses, money, phone and camera.

 

[North of Mouse]

I did not read thru everything.

Just so you know, at DL they tried lines for no bags- and it did not work.

EVERY SINGLE PERSON gets in one line and waits to get thru. bags or strollers or nothing on you.

We waited with everyone else. They are keeping that system.


Those lines SUCK. ALL. THE . TIME.

There is always a different way to enter at WDW if you don't have bags - works wonders!

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I don't mind waiting in line.

 

[minnie mum]

The bag check has been a fact of life for a LOOONG time. I can't see them removing it just because some people find it annoying. Whether or not it works is something for experts to discuss, and I'm sure it has been. Like some of the PPs, I think there is more to it (security-wise) than looking for alcohol and swiss army knives.

Of course the lines will be longer when the parks are crowded and at park opening. You have choices: don't bring a bag (there's a special line for you), arrive after the first crush of guests, or pack a little patience in the front pocket of that bag you're carrying.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I've never had to bring a bag and never will. Wallet goes in pocket, my Iphone is my camera and I'm all set. I have to laugh when I go there and see childless people carrying enough baggage that it looks like they are on their way to/from the airport.

 

[jgh]

I honestly don't mind going through bag checks.

I'd rather take 5 extra minutes and feel a bit safer than be sorry! It doesn't really hurt anyone, it's just 5 or 10 minutes...just leave a little earlier!

 

[Clover_Girl]

Yep, my lanyard broke on the Haunted Mansion ride!

The CM was great, and looked in each car as it came through. She found the lanyard in a car, eventually, and then we found my Key to the World Card outside! Apparently the lanyard had broken on the way in, just enough to drop my KTTW but not enough to fall off (which it later did on the ride).


I will never keep anything irreplaceable, like my ID, in a lanyard now!

To this day, when all is still and the moon is high I can close my eyes and hear, over and over and over "If you would like to join our jamboree..." as I see in my mind the wonderful CM trudging on the belt for a half hour as she watched for my lanyard to come back around.

I offer the same cautionary advice. My mom carried everything in her lanyard, CC, ID, park pass, fast passes, you name it. It broke off at MK one night and we spent half an hour re-tracing our steps trying to find it. Thankfully we did, but we did lost half an hour of park time and were particularly stressed out toward the end of the hunt.

Overall, it's an experience we'd rather not repeat.

 

[Clover_Girl]

On the other hand, for all you know they have medical conditions that require a bunch of medications and/or equipment be carried with them. Not all medical conditions are visible.

I've never had to bring a bag and never will. Wallet goes in pocket, my Iphone is my camera and I'm all set. I have to laugh when I go there and see childless people carrying enough baggage that it looks like they are on their way to/from the airport.

 

[bluedudeman12]

I don't really mind bag check... I think it is necessary for it to be there, but I hardly ever have to go through it.