Ban The Bag Check!!!!

[Blondie]

If they check little kids bags, does it really surprise you that they also check camera cases?

I'm not surprised in the least, never said I was. I was trying to answer your question.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'm not surprised in the least, never said I was. I was trying to answer your question.

Sorry for the confusion, I meant is as a general statement.

The point really is that Disney should either eliminate the security checkpoints where the guard kinda sorta looks at your bag or they should make real security checkpoints that provide actual security. I'm cool with it either way, but having someone check to make sure there's no bomb in my purse behind the lipstick while Joe Shmoe walks through with who knows what in the pockets of his extra baggy cargos doesn't provide me with any sense of security- it's just an annoying waste of time.

I agree with the 1st part, however I disagree with the part of your comment. Since WDW wants the bag checks to make their guests feel more safe, they also don't want to hold up guests with no bgas so why should they not have their own entrance?

 

[Barbers2005]

The point is that either the person with the bag or the person without could have a contraband item, but they only check the person with the bag. It really isn't providing a heightened level of security, so why check anyone?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The point is that either the person with the bag or the person without could have a contraband item, but they only check the person with the bag. It really isn't providing a heightened level of security, so why check anyone?

Well my best advice is e-mail WDW with your concerns or tell this to Guest Services the next time you are there, because posting about it on an internet message board won't get you far. Besides WDW feels ok doing it like that, so they must feel comftorable with their decisions.

 

[BC1836]

Search zones are always a deterrent and their based upon a variety of factors. They can also guide the threat to other avenues of 'attack.' In addition, controlling access to information is always another component of security too. Security measures utilized are typically aligned with the security risk and threat. WDW is not going to provide the public with the full scale security plan either. Again, a part of security is controlling information, to make it harder for individuals to create countermeasures or by pass their layers of security. WDW without a doubt has an in-depth security plan which you are not even aware of and that is a good thing.

Security is not based upon convenience, so security is always something people complain about even when it is in their own personal interest and safety. Not all incidents are released to the public.

Well said. Security measures are essential in the post 9/11 world; in fact, I expect Disney has extra layers of security that guests are not aware of. Furthermore, I would appreciate seeing more uniformed security personnel in the parks.

 

[Barbers2005]

Well my best advice is e-mail WDW with your concerns or tell this to Guest Services the next time you are there, because posting about it on an internet message board won't get you far. Besides WDW feels ok doing it like that, so they must feel comftorable with their decisions.

If it were my burning crusade in life to change WDW security I would do that. But it's more fun to post comments on the disboards.

 

[dizkids]

I dont think I have ever waited more than 5 minutes, so no complaints here.

I do think it is waste because I agree with others in that it is not that strict of security.

I am still glad they do it, better than not doing anything at all.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

To be utterly and completely selfish, I have to say I LIKE the bag check. I carry no bag, so go through the easy line, no waiting. I get to hit all the good rides before anyone else even makes it into the park, because they're all tied up in bag check.

I do wish they had metal detectors, though. I'd feel safer.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I have to agree in a way- I'd rather see them either a) increase security- either metal detectors or more thorough checks, or b) do away with it. I've had some bag check people who really took the time to look in each compartment of my bag, but most of them barely glanced at it. Many times they didn't even have me open all of the compartments.

I would be interested in statistics of what they actually find by doing it. I can't imagine anyone being silly enough to actually get caught- it wouldn't take much examination of the setup there to figure out you could just carry whatever you wanted in in your pockets. (I think some of the pockets in my nephew's cargo pants are bigger than my purse!)

 

[quiltymom]

I just do not see how glancing into a 5 year old's princess fanny pack is going to make the park a safer place?

Not that I'm condoning the practice, but it would be the perfect place to hide stuff if they didn't check them.

I was on a flight once where every parent traveling with children, the children and all bags were searched before going on the airplane, and this was after we had already gone through TSA security. Why? Because you'd not expect it to happen.

My opinion is keep it. We all want things to be like pre-9/11. We just don't want to be bothered or inconvenienced anymore. But unfortunately it just ain't gonna happen. Life as we then knew it is no longer and honestly, I only see more security happening in the future - and for good reason.

 

[Tinkerboy00]

I like the bag checks, I just wish they would have non bag check lines.

Like at MK they do the bag checks (and there is a seperate entrance for non bag carrying people) then you get to the gates.

At EPCOT they do the checks at the gates, so I wind up behind a family of four carrying thier luggage, baby bag, cooler, kitchen sink...and holding me up while all is being inspected.

I wish they would seperate it out all of the parks, so I can just breeze through the turnstiles and get in the park.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I like the bag checks, I just wish they would have non bag check lines.

Actually all the parks have a no bags line just like at the Magic Kingdom, so all ypu have to do is look for it.

 

[party_of_five]

At EPCOT they do the checks at the gates, so I wind up behind a family of four carrying thier luggage, baby bag, cooler, kitchen sink...and holding me up while all is being inspected.

QUOTE]

Sorry about that!
We tried to keep the kitchen sink in the bottom of the stroller but securty made us get it checked

 

[iradi8]

I think the bag check is there for one reason and one reason only... to placate the people. It gives people the sense that they are safe. Just read some of the previous posts in this thread -- people actually think they are safer because some guests have to stand in a line and have someone glance into their bag. They aren't checking all of the guests ya know!

Me? I'm smarter than that. The bag checks are useless. If someone wanted to carry contraband into the park it would be really simple -- don't put it in a bag -- just walk right in!

 

[bytheblood]

With respect, I think you're fooling yourself. They do not have metal detectors, they don't pat anyone down, they don't check pockets. You could carry in all sorts of weapons and "ruin the magic" if you were so inclined, unfortunately.

The bag checks are annoying and perfunctory -- they serve no useful purpose. Half the time the guards don't even look in my bag, for cryin' out loud.

Exactly.

They do not dig in your bag, they do not look below the surface items and they do not scan, therefore if I wanted to cause harm after entering the park, it would be very simple.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

So you think... how do you KNOW?

I can tell you that I saw Security pull some folks OUT of line over things in thier bags, sit them outside in the sun and call the local police. Those folks were not having fun and were not going to the park and I don't think they were trying to sneak in beer...... The three adults were seated in the sun in a triangle too far apart to speak to each other and were each being watched by a person with a GUN while Secuirty, cops and Disney executives talked...... So it appears they do find something. A lot of this type of security is "watching" If you get really nervous when they search your bag then more steps may be taken.

That is scary!!!

I for one, take the bag check very seriously. If a sicko tries to sneak a gun or a knife into the parks, no matter how much of a joke some people think it is, I think if they are checking bags and they come accross it, I for one would be thanking them for their swiftness in preventing a potential problem. As many have said, there are a lot of sick people out there, who take great pleasure in seeing others suffer, I'm glad Disney does the bag searches, even if it is a false sense of security, I feel better going in.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

iradi said
I think the bag check is there for one reason and one reason only... to placate the people

I disagree to an extent. I believe the main reason is the closer look ability. I think this because last year I went into each park without bags. At EPCOT both days, a security officer walked about 50 yards with me, 'just being friendly.' I'm 6'2" and 260 with a ponytail and full beard. He just wanted a closer look. No big deal, I'm used to it and in a way, am asking for it. I wear contacts, but when I wear glasses, it never happens. I look gentle. But normally, I get a bit of attention. (But then, I hate being ignored.)

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I agree with the idea of if I am going to wait in line for you to check me, then do it thoroughly. We have season tickets to football games, plus go to the Army Navy football game every year. They pat you down and there are metal detectors for them. They push through approx 70,000 people in what an hour? So if it can be done with the advanced security of a metal detector and pat downs, I think it;s great. But I don't care for waiting in line for 30 minutes (this has happened twice in Jan a non busy season) for the security guards to glance in my bag. Sometimes I want to shout, "Oh no, I waited all this time, you better look better than that."

As for strapping something on kids, it is a true terrorist trick. However we have a close friend whom told us his dad used to duck tape a twelve pack of beer on the kid when going to a football game. Security didn't check kids for that kind of stuff then.

 

[write2caro]

I believe that the bag checks are the initial phase of a more complex system to make sure every guest is safe. Also, one last thing, the bag checks are there for the comfort and peace-of-mind of every guest. Millions of people visit WDW every year. We are but a few "regulars" that attend enough to make these observations. To the rest of the world Disney's attention to security may seem to be top notch.

I hope this is only part of a larger security plan! In all seriousness, my last trip there 8 months ago was my 1st one there in 10 years and only the 2nd one ever. Not a regular (like I will be now as a DVC owner! ), and the security was clearly a joke to all of us (8 in our party). We had a 15 month old with us and thus way too many bags. They barely glanced at them EVERY time. I'm all for security, but this is the appearance of security - just to make some people feel better. I didn't complain about it because the lines weren't that bad, but that should tell us something! How could they be thorough when they move that fast? I personally don't think it can be too effective as a deterrent either. Presumably someone with nefarious plans would visit at least once to know that this is not serious security before smuggling anything major in. If deterred, it is probably because people would ASSUME Disney has much more security that they don't see, not because of a little bag check. JMHO, but I agree that people would put up with x-rays or the like that are faster and are closer to real security.

 

[BabyFu18]

I'd rather have to take a few minutes out of my day to let them check my bag than to have to use a clear bag. It's not a big deal really, I don't mind I guess when I'm on vacation I'm in no big rush and so I can go with the flow a little better.