Confirmed New Security measures coming to Disney Parks

[dacraig09]

Question.. When we go we always pack super light so that we can skip bag check and go straight in. Is there still a no bag option?

 

[Catvondita]

Just returned from my trip. Got stopped once to go through the detectors at Animal Kingdom. Everyone was super friendly and it only took an extra minute out of my day. I wasn't trying to sneak in any guns so I didn't mind lol

 

[kandb]

Of course, if you don't like it, you could have looked the security guy in the eye and politely refused.

If a amusement park is asking someone to go through a metal detector for security reasons, do you think you are allowed to "refuse"? When you go thru security before boarding a plane, you can't "refuse" as far as I know. What's the point of security, if people could refuse it?

 

[gdrj]

Question.. When we go we always pack super light so that we can skip bag check and go straight in. Is there still a no bag option?

When we were there over New Years, you could still go through with no bags. You may still be subject to random screening through metal detector. I was and it was quick and easy. The Security guard pointed me towards the metal detector, I did not ignore him, I acknowledged his request. The screening took less than 30 seconds. Much like the airport you empty your pockets into a small tray that is never out of your sight. VERY EASY. In the future if my wife is carrying a bag I might put my personal items in her bag to speed the process even more.

 

[gdrj]

Just some random thoughts:
1- If you don't like the screenings don't go to the parks. You have a right not to, and Disney has a right to refuse you entry.
2- Personally better safe than sorry. This is just one layer of security, there are more behind the scene.
3- While this was put together very quickly with other theme parks in Orlando all doing it, while there were no specific threats there must have been some concern to do so quickly.
4- Besides adding additional Security Guards to man the screening devices instead of a third party, Disney is hiring Intelligence Analyst. I think this shows a commitment to Guest and employee safety.
5- Disney Paris has been doing heavy screening for sometime, prior to recent tragedy.
6- I can see in the future, all guest going through screening. Being that Disney is the gold standard when it comes to moving people through queues, I would imagine it will be efficient. This is totally speculation on my part but in the World we live in I can see it becoming the norm. If high schools are doing it I think it is reasonable to expect Disney to be able to do it.

 

[tcherjen]

Went through with no bags at MK, Epcot, and HS. We didn't go in to AK

 

[sachilles]

If a amusement park is asking someone to go through a metal detector for security reasons, do you think you are allowed to "refuse"? When you go thru security before boarding a plane, you can't "refuse" as far as I know. What's the point of security, if people could refuse it?

You have taken that out of context.
He smacked the guy with his cane because he didn't want to be subject to the screening. I'm suggesting he man up, look the person in the eye and say "NO!" to express his displeasure, rather than jab the guy with the cane. In either case, he should be refused entry.

 

[manning]

If a amusement park is asking someone to go through a metal detector for security reasons, do you think you are allowed to "refuse"? When you go thru security before boarding a plane, you can't "refuse" as far as I know. What's the point of security, if people could refuse it?

Yes you can refuse. Request a pat down body scan. I can't go thru a metal detector because I have a defibrillator. They warn you not to go thru one and I'm not to become a science project trying it.

I got called to jury duty. They checked me with the hand held wand. didn't have to go thru the detector.

 

[kandb]

You have taken that out of context.
He smacked the guy with his cane because he didn't want to be subject to the screening. I'm suggesting he man up, look the person in the eye and say "NO!" to express his displeasure, rather than jab the guy with the cane. In either case, he should be refused entry.

No, after reading the post, it sounded like you were saying to just refuse the security check. Yes, I agree if he refuses a security check, he should get refused entry. Movie theaters near us are starting to check bags, this is the new reality and if someone doesn't want to go thru security, then they should choose not to enter the venue, whichever it may be.

 

[SnackCredit]

I always thought letting people without bags theoretically skip the security checkpoint was a HORRIBLE idea. (the Columbine Trench Coat Mafia always entered my mind whenever I went through those lines... of course they stopped people with bulging pockets, including the time they wouldn't let me reenter a park after dinner at a resort with a shot glass I had bought just 100 yards away from the checkpoint, so I had to check it back to my room) Screening everyone fairly, bags or not, is much better. Based on personal experience, I thought Disney park security was nitpickier than the TSA or Secret Service despite the no-bag bypass.

A few weeks after the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, I ended up at WDW and asked one security lady what they did to prevent people hiding stuff under clothes and she said "they were trained to look for guns under clothing." But it still didn't make sense if they didn't use metal detectors or pat downs. Someone could still sneak in a small gun or knife under very baggy clothes.

At least this is a tiny step in the right direction.

 

[stitch 6 2 6]

I have no problem with this step up in security. I am sure there is even more going on behind the scenes that a visitor will never see, but this now the new normal.

I feel like it means the terrorists are winning

 

[SnackCredit]

I feel like it means the terrorists are winning

Not just terrorists. Suicidal psychopaths and regular troublemakers are also responsible.

 

[kollerbear]

Just back from a trip last week, I'm seven months pregnant but depending on clothing may not look obviously so. If this screening is random I honestly would be shocked. Was traveling with my mom, no kids, therefore maybe we looked like we would be easier to screen? Either way, we entered the parks 7 times and were randomly selected for screening 5 times. My mom is nervous and shouted out after the first screening, "wait, you shouldn't be going through that thing!" They heard her and, after having gone through, told me to let them know in the future because they didn't want me going through the scanners. (They are safe, btw, I did some research to be sure.) Well, my mother pointed this out every other time we were selected for screening. Most of the times they waved me to the side, one time the man got very huffy and told me I'd just have to get wanded. I don't care, my mom did.

Honestly, there is nothing in the world magical or friendly about the current process. Being selected so many times when we were clearly a very low threat couple of travelers made it feel very much for show, and honestly actually was a very negative experience. Getting selected once or twice wouldn't be a big deal, but getting repeatedly selected felt really annoying--it felt like we were just low hanging fruit, expedient bodies to put through the screener. (The time they selected us always felt very random, we were just pulled out as we walked by, not targeted in advance or anything as we walked out of bag check... as if they just needed some easy bodies and we had no kids and were only two people who wouldn't be very inconvenienced.) The staff weren't rude per se, but they were obviously not Disney staff. The bag checkers are much, much better and more pleasant to interact with. Honestly, I can't imagine that this screening is doing any good making the park safer, and I hate starting my park day the same way I have to go through security for a flight. I reject the idea that this is necessary or effective. Either the metal detectors are for everyone, or they aren't effective. Window dressing only, and a terrible way to start a park experience.

 

[kandb]

Just back from a trip last week, I'm seven months pregnant but depending on clothing may not look obviously so. If this screening is random I honestly would be shocked. Was traveling with my mom, no kids, therefore maybe we looked like we would be easier to screen? Either way, we entered the parks 7 times and were randomly selected for screening 5 times. My mom is nervous and shouted out after the first screening, "wait, you shouldn't be going through that thing!" They heard her and, after having gone through, told me to let them know in the future because they didn't want me going through the scanners. (They are safe, btw, I did some research to be sure.) Well, my mother pointed this out every other time we were selected for screening. Most of the times they waved me to the side, one time the man got very huffy and told me I'd just have to get wanded. I don't care, my mom did.

Honestly, there is nothing in the world magical or friendly about the current process. Being selected so many times when we were clearly a very low threat couple of travelers made it feel very much for show, and honestly actually was a very negative experience. Getting selected once or twice wouldn't be a big deal, but getting repeatedly selected felt really annoying--it felt like we were just low hanging fruit, expedient bodies to put through the screener. (The time they selected us always felt very random, we were just pulled out as we walked by, not targeted in advance or anything as we walked out of bag check... as if they just needed some easy bodies and we had no kids and were only two people who wouldn't be very inconvenienced.) The staff weren't rude per se, but they were obviously not Disney staff. The bag checkers are much, much better and more pleasant to interact with. Honestly, I can't imagine that this screening is doing any good making the park safer, and I hate starting my park day the same way I have to go through security for a flight. I reject the idea that this is necessary or effective. Either the metal detectors are for everyone, or they aren't effective. Window dressing only, and a terrible way to start a park experience.

I agree, it should be everyone or no one. What made it so bad for you tho? Did it take extra time? Was anyone rude to you? Were you just offended that you were picked? I understand everyone has a different opinion with this but personally it wouldn't bother me at all, if it wasn't taking extra time. You said it was a terrible way to start the day. I just don't understand why
walking thru a metal detector would bother you so much. I am just wondering why it aggrevated you so much?

 

[disneylove69]

Went to Epcot yesterday and had no bags. I was pulled out and surrounded by 4 Security people for a "random" screening they said. I was escorted to another area where I was made to take off all outer clothing, empty all pockets of everything I was wearing, Guard pat down my clothes, then go through detector if I wanted to enter the park. My friend who was waiting was told to go away. I watched several strollers loaded with bags walk right through. The Security people were rude and acted like wanna be cops. All for security but do it to all or none. Universal does all. Stop profiing Disney!

 

[disneylove69]

Security Theater, for $85 the general public can skip most of the screening procedures at most airports, and paying someone for inside help is a real possibility at any airport or Disney.

Bill

Just found out you dont get to skip most of it. TSA precheck is only 90% of the time. The other day it didnt appear on ticket and TSA agent said it would be random with about a 90% pass through.

 

[Aurora0427]

I agree, it should be everyone or no one. What made it so bad for you tho? Did it take extra time? Was anyone rude to you? Were you just offended that you were picked? I understand everyone has a different opinion with this but personally it wouldn't bother me at all, if it wasn't taking extra time. You said it was a terrible way to start the day. I just don't understand why
walking thru a metal detector would bother you so much. I am just wondering why it aggrevated you so much?

I think she stated that being selected over and over and over again is what was irritating. Plus she's pregnant. I'm overly sensitive and don't like being messed with when I'm pregnant, especially once I'm showing. It's just kind of stupid- let's ask the pregnant lady and her elderly mother to go through the detectors repeatedly. I get it.

Agree that it should be all or none. At Six Flags, everyone goes through the metal detectors- men, women, children, the elderly... Everyone.

 

[Aurora0427]

Went to Epcot yesterday and had no bags. I was pulled out and surrounded by 4 Security people for a "random" screening they said. I was escorted to another area where I was made to take off all outer clothing, empty all pockets of everything I was wearing, Guard pat down my clothes, then go through detector if I wanted to enter the park. My friend who was waiting was told to go away. I watched several strollers loaded with bags walk right through. The Security people were rude and acted like wanna be cops. All for security but do it to all or none. Universal does all. Stop profiing Disney!

This just sounds completely unpleasant and so different from every Disney trip we've ever taken. Ugh. Glad we're taking a break for a few years.

 

[rteetz]

Went to Epcot yesterday and had no bags. I was pulled out and surrounded by 4 Security people for a "random" screening they said. I was escorted to another area where I was made to take off all outer clothing, empty all pockets of everything I was wearing, Guard pat down my clothes, then go through detector if I wanted to enter the park. My friend who was waiting was told to go away. I watched several strollers loaded with bags walk right through. The Security people were rude and acted like wanna be cops. All for security but do it to all or none. Universal does all. Stop profiing Disney!

That sounds strange, I haven't heard of that happening to anyone else.

 

[rteetz]

This just sounds completely unpleasant and so different from every Disney trip we've ever taken. Ugh. Glad we're taking a break for a few years.

So you're taking a break because of added security?