Disney Security .... It's not really that bad

[Pluto80]

The other day we saw a CM politely ask someone to stop smoking and offered to show them where the smoking area was. The man was very rude to her and basically said he'd smoke wherever he liked. Within minutes, three plain clothed security officers were telling the guy he could either apologise and stop smoking, or they'd escort him to the exit. Never sen someone backpeddle so fast! Great to see this!

 

[Easto]

Knowing what I know, I feel pretty safe inside the park.

I don't think we are discussing Disney's security in a way it will jeopardize anyone's safety. We stated you have your bags searched and random secondary searches with a metal detector. That's obvious. You don't even need a park ticket to get that far into the security checks.

It's out in the open and it's obvious.

Discussing what's not visible to the naked eye is probably not advisable. The secrets of their security are probably left as secrets.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

From what I understand they are also purposely slowing down the line so that the real security people can look everyone over. You don't think all of Disney's security measures are out in the open for people to see, do you? Just like any place of business much of the security is behind the scenes, where people can't look it over to find ways around it.

I certainly hope that Disney has more security than what we see. If they only have what we see, it would be beyond pathetic.

Of course, the question is, how much more security? With people posting here about finding knives in their pockets after a day at the park? It seems like whatever Disney is doing, it isn't enough.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I certainly hope that Disney has more security than what we see. If they only have what we see, it would be beyond pathetic.

Of course, the question is, how much more security? With people posting here about finding knives in their pockets after a day at the park? It seems like whatever Disney is doing, it isn't enough.

Why would you say it seems like it isn't enough?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Why would you say it seems like it isn't enough?

Um, well, the fact that people are getting knives into the park. Or that people can walk in with pockets stuffed full of whatever they want, yet not be stopped.

If they are really trying to keep unwanted items out of the park, they aren't doing a very good job.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Um, well, the fact that people are getting knives into the park. Or that people can walk in with pockets stuffed full of whatever they want, yet not be stopped.

If they are really trying to keep unwanted items out of the park, they aren't doing a very good job.

You understand, by dint of food service, that knives are already in the parks, right?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

You understand, by dint of food service, that knives are already in the parks, right?

Of course.

But for some odd reason, Disney has them banned.

Hmm. I wonder why.

 

[Accident]

Um, well, the fact that people are getting knives into the park. Or that people can walk in with pockets stuffed full of whatever they want, yet not be stopped.

The bag check and security entrance is a tiny bit of the security.. You are watched and shadowed long before you got to the line and long after. Look around anywhere and not everyone is a guest visiting a lot of the people around you are security staff. then there is the camera setup which I'm sure they have, and then there is whatever other devices they can use like analyzing the air devices you find in large train stations and public buildings. Then there is the 100 things they do that nobody has thought about...

My professional experience with security is that you never tell everyone exactly what your security is because it makes it harder for someone to bypass and they make a mistake somewhere that nabs them. They have been and continue to do a fine job and my thanks goes out to them..

This isn't rare but WDW needs a little more of this: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/child-at-disney-asks-orlando-deputy-for-autograph

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Of course.

But for some odd reason, Disney has them banned.

Hmm. I wonder why.

To make you feel better. That's pretty much the only reason. As others have said, if somebody wants to get something into the parks and do damage, they will. They will find a way. The security check is basically designed to catch total idiots like the guy who forgot the gun in his bag, and to make the majority of people feel better that Disney is doing something. That's how public-appearances security like this works. If it were going to be stringent enough to catch every item of contraband that could possibly be brought into the parks, then you'd be looking at airport-style hourlong waits just to get through bag check all day long. Every rope drop, every time you park hop. And that's never going to happen because unlike air travelers, Disney parks visitors are not captive audiences. And if it ever became that hard just to get into the parks, people wouldn't visit.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I am pro security, but was super upset with them last week at DHS.

I went through the no bag line and was waiting for the rest of my family to come through the bag check.
Before I knew it, a security guard scooped me up with another family to take me to the far X-ray machine. I politely asked a couple times if I could go to the other machine to get screened and be reunited with my family, but I was rudely ignored. I eventually reunited, but this was truly a bonehead maneuver. They truly didn't care.

MG

 

[pampam]

I am pro security, but was super upset with them last week at DHS.

I went through the no bag line and was waiting for the rest of my family to come through the bag check.
Before I knew it, a security guard scooped me up with another family to take me to the far X-ray machine. I politely asked a couple times if I could go to the other machine to get screened and be reunited with my family, but I was rudely ignored. I eventually reunited, but this was truly a bonehead maneuver. They truly didn't care.

MG

Was your family in any danger, or upset while you went through the x ray machine?

 

[DVCcurious]

The other day we saw a CM politely ask someone to stop smoking and offered to show them where the smoking area was. The man was very rude to her and basically said he'd smoke wherever he liked. Within minutes, three plain clothed security officers were telling the guy he could either apologise and stop smoking, or they'd escort him to the exit. Never sen someone backpeddle so fast! Great to see this!

In July 2010 we were standing between Dumbo (old location, now the castle walls) and Mrs. Potts (now named Storybook Treats I think). I think we were looking at the map trying to figure out what to do next (don't judge me! It was our first trip). All of a sudden I was stung by a bee. I yelped and grabbed my arm. A woman in "vacation clothes" ran over within 10 seconds and identified herself as a Disney employee. She offered to take me to first aid.

So the Security is everywhere. So next time you're walking around in your trench coat, looking for a little kid to flash, just remember a security person could be dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and flip flops, standing right there.

 

[miamimi]

I'm glad Disney security is everywhere, but I still think Disney should use the same pre-screening as the TSA.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I am happy to be searched I have nothing to hide and like the security but I was wondering anyone know how they deal with me as a wheelchair user? I would find it difficult to be made to walk through the metal detectors without help. Maybe they help you?

 

[Disneylover99]

I am pro security, but was super upset with them last week at DHS.

I went through the no bag line and was waiting for the rest of my family to come through the bag check.
Before I knew it, a security guard scooped me up with another family to take me to the far X-ray machine. I politely asked a couple times if I could go to the other machine to get screened and be reunited with my family, but I was rudely ignored. I eventually reunited, but this was truly a bonehead maneuver. They truly didn't care.

MG

Security is not there to honour your requests.

 

[Klayfish]

I am pro security, but was super upset with them last week at DHS.

I went through the no bag line and was waiting for the rest of my family to come through the bag check.
Before I knew it, a security guard scooped me up with another family to take me to the far X-ray machine. I politely asked a couple times if I could go to the other machine to get screened and be reunited with my family, but I was rudely ignored. I eventually reunited, but this was truly a bonehead maneuver. They truly didn't care.

MG

And so it added what? 30 seconds to your entrance time? And why should they "care" which x-ray machine you want to go through?

As others have said, I have zero issues with the bag checks and metal detectors. It can be a bit of a pain sometimes, but that is 100% my own doing because we pack a megasized bag that will contain a full dinner for 5, including drinks and dessert, so it can take time to rummage through. However, that's my own choosing to do that. I often apologize in advance to people behind me, because my bag check might take 45 seconds instead of 25. I also agree that if someone really, really wanted to do harm at WDW, they'd find a way. It's not realistic to expect WDW to have fortress like security. If they did, I can only imagine the complaining on these boards and elsewhere about how long it takes to get into the parks. They do their best, I am fairly confident they take security quite seriously.

It's all relative. I live near Six Flags Over Georgia and am ashamed to admit we're AP holders there. The place is a dump. Their attendance is a tiny fraction of what one park at WDW gets, but their security check takes literally 20 minutes to get through on a weekend, if not longer...and it's no more advanced than what WDW does. So I'd say Disney is rather efficient about it.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Was your family in any danger, or upset while you went through the x ray machine?

Yes, a bit upset. Of course I'm willing to go through security screening, but to be seperated from family for an extended period (no cell phone) was a bit upsetting.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Security is not there to honour your requests.

And they are not there to seperate families either. All I asked is not to be seperated from my family, or at least let my family know where I will be. They were in the bag line and had no idea where I was. We were seperated for quite some time.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

And so it added what? 30 seconds to your entrance time? And why should they "care" which x-ray machine you want to go through?

As others have said, I have zero issues with the bag checks and metal detectors. It can be a bit of a pain sometimes, but that is 100% my own doing because we pack a megasized bag that will contain a full dinner for 5, including drinks and dessert, so it can take time to rummage through. However, that's my own choosing to do that. I often apologize in advance to people behind me, because my bag check might take 45 seconds instead of 25. I also agree that if someone really, really wanted to do harm at WDW, they'd find a way. It's not realistic to expect WDW to have fortress like security. If they did, I can only imagine the complaining on these boards and elsewhere about how long it takes to get into the parks. They do their best, I am fairly confident they take security quite seriously.

It's all relative. I live near Six Flags Over Georgia and am ashamed to admit we're AP holders there. The place is a dump. Their attendance is a tiny fraction of what one park at WDW gets, but their security check takes literally 20 minutes to get through on a weekend, if not longer...and it's no more advanced than what WDW does. So I'd say Disney is rather efficient about it.

No. It's not about extra time going through security. It's the fact my family had no idea where I went. They didn't see me whisked away. All I asked is to either wait a minute so I can tell them where I am, or go through the detector near them so I can find them afterwards.

Seeing as though I didn't have a cell phone, we were seperated 30+ minutes.

MG

 

[BrianL]

Um, well, the fact that people are getting knives into the park. Or that people can walk in with pockets stuffed full of whatever they want, yet not be stopped.

If they are really trying to keep unwanted items out of the park, they aren't doing a very good job.

The thing is I don't feel any less safe because someone forgot they had a pocket knife on them and carried it around the park all day. The presence of the knife doesn't really matter, only the intent to use it. People who have forgotten it was there or just always carry one out of habit aren't going to start running around stabbing people. They're just normal people enjoying a day at Disney.

I personally believe that someone with real intent would have been caught by security due to body language and other such tells. I also think it unlikely that a stabbing spree at WDW is really on the list of anyone who does want to cause trouble somewhere. I mean, sure it could happen, but I'm not going to spend my time in a theme park worried about it.