Does US/IOA have bag searchers?

[rcraw45425]

The last time we were at US/IOA was Feb. 2002. I'm getting older now (over 40) and becoming senile. I honestly cannot remember if we had to stop for bag search at the gate or not. I know that this really slows us down at WDW, we have actually started going "bagless" for this reason. Now though I'm finding all this wonderful info about "refillable mugs" (shhh, can't say it too loud, it's frowned upon on the Disney sites ) and starting to think we may need to take a small sling bag. The question is: Are there security guards at the US/IOA gates to check your bags and if so, does it slow down park entrance? Also, is there a separate line for guests without bags? TIA, you guys are great!

 

[robvia]

The guards are in the atrium of the parking garage. They do have a seperate line for those without bags. The check goes really quickly. They don't check at the gates anymore. You can bring backpacks, but it's an extra piece to carry that weighs you down. Plus you have to store it for rides like The Mummy and Hulk. There are free lockers you can rent for these rides. Go ahead and bring your sling bag with a few drinks and snack bars.

In our case, we walk into the park with a drink, but then get tired of carrying it. So we finish it. Gronola bars are a good idea for a snack, but once you're in the park and smell all the yummy food, you won't care how much it costs.

 

[rcraw45425]

We don't take snacks as a rule. It's just for a family of four spdas can break you. In our Disney trips we had taken to sharing with one of our girls. Both she and her Dad don't drink much, whereas older DD and I drain them. I personally hate carrying any type of bag, so maybe the ones with the lanyard type strap might work best for us. Let the kids schlep the bottles.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Now though I'm finding all this wonderful info about "refillable mugs" (shhh, can't say it too loud, it's frowned upon on the Disney sites ) and starting to think we may need to take a small sling bag.

Universal's refillable mug program is great. You can also get a lot of mugs with neck straps, for an additional cost. If you do that, then you won't have to worry about bag searches. You will have to store the mugs in lockers at rides such ar ROTM, MIB, Hulk, and Dueling Dragons.

 

[rcraw45425]

Thanks for the info. I remember so little about our trip in '02 that this is almost like doing something for the first time. With our dog issue (small Shih-Tzu, does not like to be left home), vacations have been stressful for all of us. Knowing that he is welcome at the hotel takes a lot of the stress off. Now, knowing that there are mugs in the parks helps. I have read that you can also use these at the City Walk restaurants, is this true? It's not thatI'm cheap but iny little way to save money means more trips, right?

 

[bubba's mom]

We stayed at RPR and security checked our bag at the corner where Margaritaville is....checked our bag BEFORE we entered City Walk....no big deal..hardly "looked"....never a line either! Nobody checked at the entrance to the parks either (guess that's why they were at CW entrance at the end of the pathway from RPR)

 

[robvia]

Yeah, this is funny. There's also a security guard at the end of the HRH path, but the guy barely checks people. I walked up with my camera, and he was talking to some other people. So I just kept on walking. I'm not sure the boat people check bags either, so if someone was to get on a boat ride at one of the onsite hotels, they could get to city walk without a bag check.

I agree they need to check bags for HHN, but for normal days, it's just a formality.

 

[MickiMouth]

With our dog issue (small Shih-Tzu, does not like to be left home), vacations have been stressful for all of us.

I don't want to change the subject but I also have a Shih-Tzu (just turned 1) and he's the same way. We are staying at WDW for a week and had booked him at a kennel. Our vet suggested cancelling the kennel because she said he'll never make it through the week. My sister is going to come to my house twice a day to take care of him. He's okay in our house while we are at work and the kids are at school but he can't handle even getting a hair cut because we have to leave him there for a few hours. we will be calling to check on him alot.

 

[robvia]

^^^
That's what a lot of people are doing these days. A neighbor down the street went away for a few days, and we walked their dog twice a day. The dog stayed in their home all alone.

We're going to New Jersey to visit Six Flags and New York City. Our lab will stay in the house. We'll have two people come and walk her. We're lucky, because our lab sits next to a window waiting for us to come home, and doesn't destroy the house.

One little tip... Hide a key outside the house in case your sister loses it. And put the key on a huge ring so it can't get lost. The wife was watching a house for a friend, and lost her key, but there was no pet inside. But the friend was freaking out about her key being lost, and we had to change the lock for her.