Bag Searches??

[cornflkgrl]

Do they check your bags at the gates to the parks? If I have food or drinks in my backpack will they take it away?

 

[grimley1968]

They do check your bags in little kiosks outside the ticket turnstiles. The food/drinks thing is up to debate. We've had little drinks for our DD's that were left alone. The bag checks are for security, so I'd imagine that as long as what you're carrying isn't deemed a threat to others, they'd let it pass. I can't speak as to the ticket takers at the stiles, though.

 

[maxiesmom]

They do check all purses, fannypack, and totes before allowing you in to the park. The only thing they will confiscate is any alcohol or anything in a glass container. So no sneaking in the booze!

 

[rcraw45425]

Yes, they check, but it's for dangerous items (ie weapons, alcohol). The guards could care less about your non alcoholic beverages and snacks.

 

[3mickeys&me]

Yes they do check your purse, bags or backpacks going into the parks its a security thing. It only takes a moment and IMO is very organized. Atleast it was for our family. I brought in my own bottled water and snacks and they never said a word. I do it all the time and have never had a problem

 

[musicwoman]

When I was there 2 years ago, they didn't take anything away from us. We packed PB&J sandwiches with crackers, juice boxes and snacks. We didn't use a HUGE cooler by any means. We just used a small cooler (the size to hold 6 soda cans). They never said anything about it.

This time we are doing the dining plan! Yeah! Less hassle!

 

[Greg K.]

... tell me that the "check" is more a kind of (for want of a better word) profiling.

In my experience, they glance in my bag/pouch/fanny pack, maybe wave a flashlight inside for a second, and wave you on with a "Have a magical day." The whole thing takes less than 15 seconds.

A friend in the security business was at first astounded at how cursory and superficial the bag check was -- but then it dawned on him that they weren't interested really in what you had in your bag...

 

[MareQ]

... tell me that the "check" is more a kind of (for want of a better word) profiling.

In my experience, they glance in my bag/pouch/fanny pack, maybe wave a flashlight inside for a second, and wave you on with a "Have a magical day." The whole thing takes less than 15 seconds.

A friend in the security business was at first astounded at how cursory and superficial the bag check was -- but then it dawned on him that they weren't interested really in what you had in your bag...

Not so sure that they're not interested. When we were there they made me open every zipper inside and out on my purse including opening my camera and video cam case which were in there and went through it briefly, they looked in my stroller and asked to see any bags I had there (I was carrying around a diaper bag but changed that to just diapers and wipes in a clear ziploc - much easier)

They made my DH AND my kids take off their fanny packs to check for a zippered compartment in the area that is against your body and looked through them briefly.

They try to be as thorough as they can while keeping the line moving. To be honest - I could have VERY easily have hidden a knife etc in my purse all the way at the bottom so things can get through but I still very much appreciate the effort they give anyway

 

[*NikkiBell*]

... tell me that the "check" is more a kind of (for want of a better word) profiling.

In my experience, they glance in my bag/pouch/fanny pack, maybe wave a flashlight inside for a second, and wave you on with a "Have a magical day." The whole thing takes less than 15 seconds.

A friend in the security business was at first astounded at how cursory and superficial the bag check was -- but then it dawned on him that they weren't interested really in what you had in your bag...

I disagree with this. I have witnessed security take an adequate glance at bags and bookbags before. I don't see any problem with it at all. They're primarily looking for alcoholo/weapons. Those are bigger items and don't require an extensive look in small bags.