Confirmed New Security measures coming to Disney Parks

[Dean Marino]

Just a personal comment - I believe classic metal detectors can be adjusted with regard to sensitivity (ie, how much metal per person before an alarm is sounded).
This WOULD be important, for a fairly simple reason: Creating a huge mob backup BEFORE a security check point creates LESS personal security. Huge packed crowds of people become an attractive target for suicide bombers. They won't CARE if they are "just outside" the park.

Just me, but I'll wait & see what Disney actually does. Whatever it is, I don't think their reasoning will be to cause needless grief to guests. Whatever action they take is far more likely going to be balanced in some fashion.

 

[sachilles]

I don't see it working that way at all. Those of us that skip bag check only have 1 line to wait in, not 2.
Do you fly out of MCO? They deal with fewer people at peak time than MK does at Rope Drop. And those lines can be an hour wait!
Imagine the lines you see to get through security at Disney. That is what I envision.
Just for bag check.
Once you get through bag check you have the lines you've always had at the turnstiles.

I do fly through MCO, quite a bit actually. I wish it was Disney related. Hopefully it will illustrate my point, but we'll probably just have to disagree. When you leave MCO, you have a bottle neck at security. All the folks going through security can expect a very long wait, as there are only a few of the body scanners. Those of us with tsa pre-check go through at a much quicker speed. However when I get through security quicker, my plane doesn't leave any sooner.
When you arrive at MCO, and you take the Disney express bus service to your resort, you wait in line there. Luckily, domestic flights have the baggage transfer. If you had to wait for your bags there, ooooof, it takes forever. Even waiting for your bags, you'd probably still get on the same bus. It just makes a difference which line you are waiting in.

Ultimately you are slowed down by the amount of time the actual screening takes, not the line waiting to get screened. If there is any delay in the rate of entrance at the turnstiles, it will likely absorb the wait of a security line.
I'm sure they'd be metal detectors on the lowest sensitivity, otherwise you'd have to have folks remove shoes, belts and other small items. I just don't see that happening, if it did, I'd concede it would be a complete pain in the tookus.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

I personally know individuals who couldn't put two steps together or read a newspaper who walked into "security" jobs with no questioned asked.

If your point is that "security" is a deterrent/headfake...then I concede that.

They are not close to cops - with the exception of the sheriff's - obviously.

Lockedout, I've followed your posts here for years and based
on your over 6,000 posts you consider yourself the resident Disney expert. Are you also now the resident security expert? If you think for a minute that you can equate corporate security professionals to your friends that can't put two steps together than you are really ignorant. Security divisions for Companies this size are made up of professionals, former military, FBI and others. You really should consider arguing the future of the Magic Band. People around the world are concerned about security and rightfully so. I respect your opinions even if I don't agree with them.

 

[AngiTN]

All I know is I've never waited an hour to scan my MB at the Mickey Reader to enter the park. That takes me minutes at most. I do see lines of an hour to go through security with scanners, removing metals (otherwise, what good is it do to it period), on very busy days.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Lockedout, I've followed your posts here for years and based
on your over 6,000 posts you consider yourself the resident Disney expert. Are you also now the resident security expert? If you think for a minute that you can equate corporate security professionals to your friends that can't put two steps together than you are really ignorant. Security divisions for Companies this size are made up of professionals, former military, FBI and others. You really should consider arguing the future of the Magic Band. People around the world are concerned about security and rightfully so. I respect your opinions even if I don't agree with them.

You have a valid point and I didn't clarify my stance.

I'm speaking of the Disney bag checkers that are rushed through the casting "sign here" hiring selection.

Obviously there are many more skilled/trained professionals both at wdw and certainly beyond. I was speaking of about a dozen that I know/knew their background that have had long tenures in "Disney security".

That is not impressive...but as you rightly point out - not universal.

If I have the choice however...id rather take my chances and maintain some of the simple joy/innocence in life without frisking and not feel like I'm at OIA on my way to crystal palace.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

All I know is I've never waited an hour to scan my MB at the Mickey Reader to enter the park. That takes me minutes at most. I do see lines of an hour to go through security with scanners, removing metals (otherwise, what good is it do to it period), on very busy days.

My sarcasm was based on all of the many day to day conversations that take place here everyday, if you would like, substitute magic bands for "is the monorail too old" or "rising ticket prices". All are worth discussing if they interest you. My point was increased security is on many people's mind and it is serious to them. I don't see hour waits and strip searches on the horizon, if it comes to that then people will simply stay home. But, changes will continue to be made based on the world around us and as consumers we should expect it.

 

[tjkraz]

Do you fly out of MCO? They deal with fewer people at peak time than MK does at Rope Drop. And those lines can be an hour wait!
Imagine the lines you see to get through security at Disney. That is what I envision.
Just for bag check.

Admittedly I'm a layman but I see two major problems with the airport security comparison:

1) The TSA guidelines are far more stringent than elsewhere. It's not just a quick pass through a metal detector. It's removing shoes, belts, hats, jackets--all personal belongings. The possessions undergo an intensive scan during which agents are looking for ANYTHING which could potentially pose a security risk. And then every single person is individually scanned, typically with only 1 or 2 scanners running at a single security checkpoint.

2) The second issue which slows the process at airports is that many people don't understand the rules, ignore the instructions and/or generally act oblivious to their surroundings. Every 3rd or 4th bag has to be searched for some liquid container that people didn't know couldn't travel in a carryon. People forget to remove their belt, their wallet, they don't put laptops in separate bins as instructed, and so on.

If Disney does add some scanning requirement, IMO it will not be intrusive full body scans like the TSA uses. It's unlikely that bags will need to be x-rayed or scanned. It will be a simple metal detector like every major sports venue has been using for a decade. You'll hand your bag to a security staffer just like now and while he/she is examining it, you'll drop your keys and wallet in a dish and walk thru the scanner. It's not only a visible deterrent but should be effective to keep guns, knives and other weapons out of the parks.

If Yankee Stadium can screen 50,000 people within an hour or two of every ballgame, Disney can get guests thru its park gates with minimal disruption.

 

[Keels]

This past season was the first full season that MLB parks were requiring spectators to walk through a simple metal detector before having their tickets scanned and entering the ballpark. I went to nearly 70 home games last year and eight road games (including every All-Star Weekend event), and I never felt that it added on to my wait time to get through the gate to my seat.

If anything, I learned that I needed LESS with me (I ditched the purse, etc.) to go to a ballgame - no more bag check for me!

At MLB ballparks (at least the five I went to last year), you would either hold your cellphone/keys in your hands above your head or put them in a little bowl as you walked through the metal detector.

I have no problem if Disney were to implement this, and am a little surprised that they haven't.

If people want to be worried about something, they should be worried about implementation of the recent NFL security edicts - especially those on bags that you can take into a stadium. Not only do they have to be COMPLETELY see-through, but I think they can't be any bigger than 12x6x12. Purses that aren't see through can't be any bigger than 4x6.

If Disney makes these security changes, it's because they've been advised by multiple sources - sometimes even government ones - that it is in their best interest to do so, not because they just feel like it.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

You have a valid point and I didn't clarify my stance.

I'm speaking of the Disney bag checkers that are rushed through the casting "sign here" hiring selection.

Obviously there are many more skilled/trained professionals both at wdw and certainly beyond. I was speaking of about a dozen that I know/knew their background that have had long tenures in "Disney security".

That is not impressive...but as you rightly point out - not universal.

If I have the choice however...id rather take my chances and maintain some of the simple joy/innocence in life without frisking and not feel like I'm at OIA on my way to crystal palace.

Different strokes for different folks.

I appreciate your point, but I truly believe we are seeing an end to the joy/innocence that you are talking about. We are just now starting to experience what other countries have been living with for decades. This stuff scares the hell out of me because we visit so often, but it is even more close to home for me now because I have a daughter starting the college program down there next month. An attack on any type of iconic place such as Disney would shake the world. With that said, I want my daughter to go and live her dream and I trust Disney to respond as the see fit to the many threats.

 

[tjkraz]

If I have the choice however...id rather take my chances and maintain some of the simple joy/innocence in life without frisking and not feel like I'm at OIA on my way to crystal palace.

Every day Disney should be asking itself "are we doing enough?" And--heaven forbid--if something happens on Disney property, the first question they will be asked is "why didn't you do more?"

Count me among those who is surprised that they haven't already begun some screening process. Perhaps that sense of innocence is what helped delay the inevitable.

Throughout history, we relied on the goodness of humanity to keep us safe from certain heinous acts. In many places, locks and metal detectors weren't necessary because nobody would dream of exploiting their absence.

Now we're discovering that goodness is completely lacking some individuals. Even more dangerous is when you have a group of people committing heinous acts to further what they believe to be righteous goals. Welcome to the new normal.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Every day Disney should be asking itself "are we doing enough?" And--heaven forbid--if something happens on Disney property, the first question they will be asked is "why didn't you do more?"

Count me among those who is surprised that they haven't already begun some screening process. Perhaps that sense of innocence is what helped delay the inevitable.

Throughout history, we relied on the goodness of humanity to keep us safe from certain heinous acts. In many places, locks and metal detectors weren't necessary because nobody would dream of exploiting their absence.

Now we're discovering that goodness is completely lacking some individuals. Even more dangerous is when you have a group of people committing heinous acts to further what they believe to be righteous goals. Welcome to the new normal.

See...I see chaos and violence becoming more a tool of the destitute...because the elephant in the room is always that those who resort to such measure can usually be tied to abject poverty or longterm frustration...

And I think the way to marginalize that is to not give their message it's day and a public forum that makes it a legacy.

I remember distinctly thinking of the mistakes that played out by Clinton and CNN over the Oklahoma City bombing and columbine.
To say nothing of there after.

My personal thought is fear is the wood for the fire...starve the supply, and nobody will care about what's left of the fire.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I appreciate your point, but I truly believe we are seeing an end to the joy/innocence that you are talking about. We are just now starting to experience what other countries have been living with for decades. This stuff scares the hell out of me because we visit so often, but it is even more close to home for me now because I have a daughter starting the college program down there next month. An attack on any type of iconic place such as Disney would shake the world. With that said, I want my daughter to go and live her dream and I trust Disney to respond as the see fit to the many threats.

I wish your daughter luck but I have to give my advice points based on a lot of experience with this phenomena:

1. Have fun
2. Remember it's s job, not a career
3. No matter who he/she is...it isn't "true love"

Trust me...those are life
Lessons to live by.

From a security standpoint I'm sure she'll be fine.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

I wish your daughter luck but I have to give my advice points based on a lot of experience with this phenomena:

1. Have fun
2. Remember it's s job, not a career
3. No matter who he/she is...it isn't "true love"

Trust me...those are life
Lessons to live by.

From a security standpoint I'm sure she'll be fine.

#3 is very true.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

#3 is very true.

#2 and #3 are the life changing landmines of "the program"

I can't tell you the rate at which those who I managed as CPs in a prior lifetime fell into those traps.

It has to be taken for what it is: a once in a lifetime chance at being at summer camp with no supervision and no pressure/responsibilities.

that's really what it is. And those that can handle it can have a good experience.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

#2 and #3 are the life changing landmines of "the program"

I can't tell you the rate at which those who I managed as CPs in a prior lifetime fell into those traps.

It has to be taken for what it is: a once in a lifetime chance at being at summer camp with no supervision and no pressure/responsibilities.

that's really what it is. And those that can handle it can have a good experience.

Her "job area" is recreation which includes the kids programs at the resorts. That's what she always has wanted to do, so we will see where she ends up.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Her "job area" is recreation which includes the kids programs at the resorts. That's what she always has wanted to do, so we will see where she ends up.

So was my wife's...through two internships.

But I can't say that they didn't create unrealistic, unattainable expectations that didn't have longterm side effects.

Ok...good luck...now back to you, Bob

 

[rteetz]

So was my wife's...through two internships.

But I can't say that they didn't create unrealistic, unattainable expectations that didn't have longterm side effects.

Ok...good luck...now back to you, Bob

You know I am interested in the program in a couple years once I'm in college. I know it obviously isn't what it used to be but I want the experience.

 

[soniam]

See...I see chaos and violence becoming more a tool of the destitute...because the elephant in the room is always that those who resort to such measure can usually be tied to abject poverty or longterm frustration...

And I think the way to marginalize that is to not give their message it's day and a public forum that makes it a legacy.

I remember distinctly thinking of the mistakes that played out by Clinton and CNN over the Oklahoma City bombing and columbine.
To say nothing of there after.

My personal thought is fear is the wood for the fire...starve the supply, and nobody will care about what's left of the fire.

I completely agree with this. I think one of the reasons we are seeing repeat, albeit smaller, acts in Europe, particularly France, has to do with the treatment of certain, marginalized groups. I am not saying that you can make everyone happy. However, if there's a particular group that seems particularly angry, maybe the question should be asked "why are they angry?". Obviously, there are nut jobs and groups of angry people that can't be appeased, but asking the question shouldn't hurt in a free society. Case in point is the potential fallout from copy cats of the LA school district incident today. Hopefully, it won't be repeated, but negative attention is still attention.

 

[beer dave]

If I was a person expecting or in the position of preventing a terrorist attack at WDW, I would be more concerned with the security on the service end of the park than the guest entrance. Who checks the trucks filled with free range chicken breast and loch dart salmon? And they probably access the tunnels......

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If I was a person expecting or in the position of preventing a terrorist attack at WDW, I would be more concerned with the security on the service end of the park than the guest entrance. Who checks the trucks filled with free range chicken breast and loch dart salmon? And they probably access the tunnels......

I should get a byline for "free range chicken breast and loch dart salmon"...one of my favorite analogies.

What about the "New York style cheesecake"?

We'd have mass hysteria!