Originally posted by Alex
The point is Mickey88 would this be an effective way to stop it? It would not unless everyone was tested to the level of modern airport security (in other words NOT the pre 9/11 level)
I honestly don't see how that is close to possible unless people are willing to tolerate hours of lines and huge backups just to get into the park. Think of the lines that exist now to get in the park sometimes and picture all of those people having to do the whole metal detector, xray belt thing..
I think they plan on having everyone pass through the metal detectors. If people don't make a big fuss about it, I don't see how it would take most people more than a few seconds to pass through. A few minutes at most. Select people would likely be chosen for random checks like at airports. They say they do that by picking people at random, but trust me, they know what they are looking for and pick "random" folks to keep it PC. Sad , but that's the kind of world we live in. I can deal with it, and I'd rather have a slightly longer wait than risk me, or my family or someone else getting shot.
An airport checkpoint handles NO where near the volume of the crowd that enters the magic kingdom on a busy day! For example MCO (orlando airport) handles about 75,000 passengers a day with all of their checkpoints BUT that is spread over a 24 hour period.. not the intense rush that the Parks would get in the morning. We all know how bad the line can be there!
I've never seen a line to get into the park that was bad. And I usually get there early. I've never had more than a 5 minute wait to get into the MK. It might seem like longer because you are excited to get in, but it's not that bad. Maybe a few days might get longer, but really, if everyone follows the rules (ie. if you have a bag- get in the bag line, don't bring questionable things into the park, etc.) it should be no problem, and if even one child is saved from some gang member's crossfire, or some lunatics shooting spree, it's well worth it. Disney IS a target, not just for terrorists, but also, any crazy person who wants to go on a spree. They know they'll get publicity if they do it at Disney. And Disney knows, if they don't do all they can to prevent it, they'll get sued.
Sure someone COULD still do these things outside of the park, or while people are waiting in line. But people who do this stuff like to make headlines. Doing something horrific INSIDE the park would likely be much more appealing to them. Also, people aren't as aware once they are inside the park.
Personally I would rather take the chance on one freakshot getting through with a gun or a knife then basically having to wait a couple of hours to enter the parks.
I don't even know how to respond to this. In the event that someone's loved on is shot or stabbed at Disney, I'd like you to save this quote and then send it to them in a letter.
And I still don't see where you are getting this couple of hours from? I've gone to places with metal detectors before, and it's never taken a couple of hours, even with large crowds. You go, you walk through them in an orderly fashion, and chances are you'll be in and out and scampering through WDW in less than 5 minutes. Maybe 10-15 at extremely crowded times on extremely crowded days.
Secondly a park is not an airplane. While terrorists could, I suppose take hostages in the park and create an incident that way, a far more effective method would be some form of bioterrorism, which would not be picked up by any present screening method.
I honestly don't think Disney can prevent a terror attack from a highly organized group. However, this kind of screening COULD prevent a suicide bomber inside a ride, (whether related to a known terror group or just some crazy guy who feels like making a statement) or some other forms of low end terror. Guns, bombs, etc. I could think of a bunch of ways a small time terrorist with a few backpack bombs could wreak havoc, and I think this is worth it, even it if only saves one person from getting hurt or killed. They can't stop everything, but they can stop enough to make it worthwhile.
It's pretty easy to say "OH YEA anything for security" when you are sitting here having a theoretical discussion, quite another when you are in a 3 hour wait to get through security to get in to the "happiest place on earth"
This is true, but again, I've never been in line for 3 hours to get through security at WDW (or anywhere else for that matter) even on the most crowded days during the early hours. I think you are really over-reacting. I wish metal detectors were up in more places. I'm glad Disney is finally doing this. In fact, I firgure this will end the need for those silly bag checks (which miss a lot) and probably be a lot quicker, since you'll just have to walk through, and will only have to show them your stuff if you set off the timer.
While I understand your concerns, I really don't think I can agree. I personally would rather get there early, and get through security. I do not want to take the chance that some "freakshot" with a knife or gun gets through.
I wish the subways in Boston had metal detectors. There have been at least 5 incidents in the last year where someone would still be alive if we did.
