disney security vs universal security

[T-rox]

While I was in orlando last week, My husband and I made a visit over to Universal for HHN. And we had to go through metal detectors and security guys, and we went in the VIP entrance. SO i was a little perplexed. How can disney do their security with just bag checks and Universal is about as bad as going thru Airport security. What prompts me to even start this thread is the headline about the woman getting attacked in the Islands of Adventure bathrooms. I realize a magic kingdom crowd demographic is quite different from a HHN crowd. But I'm thinking Universal security always has metal detectors in place. So how does Disney do it, and do it so well. I always feel safe and happy and Disney. Not so much at Universal

 

[andyman8]

While I was in orlando last week, My husband and I made a visit over to Universal for HHN. And we had to go through metal detectors and security guys, and we went in the VIP entrance. SO i was a little perplexed. How can disney do their security with just bag checks and Universal is about as bad as going thru Airport security. What prompts me to even start this thread is the headline about the woman getting attacked in the Islands of Adventure bathrooms. I realize a magic kingdom crowd demographic is quite different from a HHN crowd. But I'm thinking Universal security always has metal detectors in place. So how does Disney do it, and do it so well. I always feel safe and happy and Disney. Not so much at Universal

The reason primarily being that HHN attracts a lot of teenagers and young college students. In order to prevent kids from brining knives and such, they have these metal detectors.

Just to mention, UOR does not do this during the day.

 

[ghtx]

My understanding is that WDW does a lot of security that you don't ever see. (Universal probably does, too.) I've heard that the purpose of the bag checks is essentially to slow people down so that security agents can profile.

 

[rgf207]

My understanding is that WDW does a lot of security that you don't ever see. (Universal probably does, too.) I've heard that the purpose of the bag checks is essentially to slow people down so that security agents can profile.

i'm pretty sure Disney won't admit to profiling

 

[T-rox]

thanks, i was thinking that. tons of kids were there ( shows how old im getting lol!) i havent been to Universal during the day in years. ive only done HHN about 6 times in the last 12 years. My kiddos are getting old enough to probably try Islands of Adventure soon and I wouldve never had a thought about the security before, but now I have them to consider. thanks for the insight

 

[chartle]

. . . I realize a magic kingdom crowd demographic is quite different from a HHN crowd. . . . .

^ This and WDW's and Universal's own experiences.

 

[andyman8]

thanks, i was thinking that. tons of kids were there ( shows how old im getting lol!) i havent been to Universal during the day in years. ive only done HHN about 6 times in the last 12 years. My kiddos are getting old enough to probably try Islands of Adventure soon and I wouldve never had a thought about the security before, but now I have them to consider. thanks for the insight

We were at UOR last weekend and attended HHN. It was mostly teenagers, then we got back to RPR and noticed teenagers were still everywhere. The parents must have been by the pool, in the room, or at the bar because you've got to be 21 or older to check-in, but still they are EVERYWHERE!

 

[ghtx]

i'm pretty sure Disney won't admit to profiling

Agreed, probably not.

And, it's not necessarily racial profiling, but rather profiling based on behavior.

 

[Q-man]

i'm pretty sure Disney won't admit to profiling

It is more of looking for odd fitting clothing, unnatural walking gaits, etc.

 

[DOOM1001]

Universal DOES NOT always have those metal detectors,those are strictly for HHN.The regular security check at Universal is before you get to Citywalk from the parking garages and that one is just like what they do at Disney.Halloween events that attract a lot of teens are going to have to require more security.I also went to HHN last Saturday,I went from Islands of Adventure to Universal through the connection in the middle without having to go through the front gate.Were the metal detectors at the front gate a whole cage you walk through or just the metal detector wand that they wave around your body which is what they used on me and those entering from IOA.The check that was being done to get into HHN was probably stricter than to get on a plane,they have to do it as people might try to bring anything in there from alcohol to a weapon.The truth is for how many people attend that event there aren't that many security problems,I remember the HHN in Hollywood was suspended for several years due to gang problems there.I doubt there will be a need for a metal detector screen to get into MNSSHP,just a whole different thing.

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

I think we've all gotten used to uber-security at airports and courthouses/federal buildings these days, and it colors our perception of security at normal public gatherings.

Think about it: your local mall probably doesn't have metal detectors and certainly doesn't have a bag check. City festivals don't have those things, either. Sporting events may or may not, but typically they are more concerned about you smuggling in food and drinks and not paying their exorbitant prices instead!

 

[RMulieri]

They only use them at Universal for HHN. They are not used during regular park hours.HHN atttracts ALOT of younger teens and adults.

 

[bumbershoot]

Yep, what DOOM said. They don't use the detectors for normal admission.


If you look into that "attack" you'll find more questions than answers. She bled profusely yet NO ONE noticed? She waited an hour or more to talk to security? No one saw the person at all? There was no one else in the bathroom? (I've only been to Universal at quiet times, and I've never once been alone in a bathroom, or even just had one other person in there)

 

[maxiesmom]

My understanding is that WDW does a lot of security that you don't ever see. (Universal probably does, too.) I've heard that the purpose of the bag checks is essentially to slow people down so that security agents can profile.

That is what I have heard as well.

 

[puffkin]

And normal security at WDW and Universal is mainly looking for things like alcohol, glass containers, and believe it or not, concealed pets. It obviously must work too or they wouldn't be doing it for all these years.

 

[Magpie]

We were at Universal a couple years ago, and actually saw less security than at Disney.

Mainly because we stayed on-site. So, the only security we ever saw was on the walk from our hotel to Citywalk. There'd usually be a single guard standing there, who would ask to peek inside our bags using a Harry Potter wand... maybe. After a couple days, if we ran into the same guard, he'd just wave us through with a smile.

Never felt unsafe in a bathroom... but then again, I was never alone in one, either! We went during the first week of December, in a cold snap, and the parks were practically empty, but there were still always other people in the bathroom.

I suspect those ramped up security procedures are just for Hollywood Horror Nights.

 

[RMulieri]

Yep, what DOOM said. They don't use the detectors for normal admission.


If you look into that "attack" you'll find more questions than answers. She bled profusely yet NO ONE noticed? She waited an hour or more to talk to security? No one saw the person at all? There was no one else in the bathroom? (I've only been to Universal at quiet times, and I've never once been alone in a bathroom, or even just had one other person in there)

Yeah , I found the details surrounding that attack a bit bizarre too

 

[torinsmom]

I found it very odd when we stayed onsite at Universal that we never had our bags checked, where if we came in from the parking lot we did. Do they think people who stay onsite won't bring in weapons or what?

 

[damo]

I found it very odd when we stayed onsite at Universal that we never had our bags checked, where if we came in from the parking lot we did. Do they think people who stay onsite won't bring in weapons or what?

If you take the boat, the boat driver is supposed to check your bags. If you walk, there is an attendant right before you get to Citywalk who is supposed to check your bags.

 

[dlhvac]

I found it very odd when we stayed onsite at Universal that we never had our bags checked, where if we came in from the parking lot we did. Do they think people who stay onsite won't bring in weapons or what?

So what if they do

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