Every guest entering at IG went through metal detector

[Planogirl]

I guess they have to move towards universal scanning to avoid any complaints of discrimination etc.

Sounds like a real mess though. Not magical but I guess this is the world we live in now

Yep. It's still a mess at the airports so how can it not be so at themeparks? So much for our policy of carrying no bags to avoid delays at entry.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I guess they have to move towards universal scanning to avoid any complaints of discrimination etc.

Sounds like a real mess though. Not magical but I guess this is the world we live in now

We were there from Dec. 25 - 30 and visited all four parks. We saw very few people selected for additional screening and those that were, did not meet any distinct profile other than all being adults. Perhaps there was a specific reason behind the increased security at IG?

There were metal detectors at both AMC theaters in Disney Springs when we visited on Dec. 28 as well - again selection was random, but they did search all bags.

If they feel the need to put everyone through, I'm sure we will adjust. We adjusted to tapstiles! We can certainly adjust to metal detectors.

 

[KateP85]

I really don't mind if they put everybody through, we deal with it at the airport and we can deal with it here too. But it needs to be more organized! I remember when my son was very young, they would let me carry him through the metal detectors at the airport, or they offered a body scan with a wand. The last time, he was 2 and they asked him to walk through without me, then they just kept him standing with them until I came through. He did fine with it all.

They're going to need way more metal detectors, more security employees (or whoever will be in charge), better training, etc.

 

[RachaelA]

they were separating kids from their parents??

 

[CAS239]

I must be behind on the abbreviations..what's IG?

For anyone curious about metal detectors at the front of parks. There's usually two metal detectors inbetween bag check and the turnstiles. They select random people here and there to go through it. So not everyone has to go through them.

 

[AngiTN]

they were separating kids from their parents??

Yes. And I had the same questions about infants. None entered with us

We just got to MK. Everyone was not checked but everyone entering from our bag check was. No kids were in the line with us

 

[CarolynFH]

I must be behind on the abbreviations..what's IG?

IG = International Gateway, back entry to Epcot

I wonder if they were screening everyone there as a test run to see what problems they encountered before implementing universal screening at the busier gates?

 

[Otter49]

Based on this report, it's apparent that running a metal detector operation isn't CSC's strong suit.

 

[CAS239]

IG = International Gateway, back entry to Epcot

I wonder if they were screening everyone there as a test run to see what problems they encountered before implementing universal screening at the busier gates?

Ohhh ok. Idk why that slipped my mind.

Could be they were screening everyone because not many people were coming through at once. I really can't see them implementing it in the future where every person goes through metal detectors

We do Halloween Horror Nights every year, and for that Universal scans everyone. Lines take forever to get through. I couldn't imagine the lines to get into a Disney park if everyone had to go through metal detectors

 

[oceanmarina]

I just hope they finalize whatever it is they will be doing and offer some parenting information to help having children ready for what to expect. At least with the airport, you can prep a child for what to expect. Having to suddenly "wait with the security guard while parents get scanned" doesn't sound like a great way to start a childs day at the park off.

I agree, my son is autistic and I could see him getting upset... Hopefully he would be able to stay 1 foot or so away from me when I went through like the airport, anything further would upset him... yikes.


My husband is a police officer and he always worries about Disney getting attacked, he feels the metal detectors are long overdue. I don't mind the added safety, however I feel it just needs to be done with enough staff/training etc..

 

[Skywise]

I went through the metal detectors at DHS around 8pm last night and they seemed to be calling everyone over who was coming in (Including me and my sister even though we went through two separate lines)

The incoming crowds were low at that point but still it was annoying and I inadvertently left metal in my pockets (coins) and wrist band (fit bit and magic band) that didn't set anything off and they happily put my camera bag to the side that security never checked all the pockets for.

 

[AngiTN]

The kids there when we went in this afternoon were nervous about it all but otherwise ok. There was a little girl maybe 2 with one family and 2 boys maybe 4 & 5. Both families had strollers but I'm not sure if they didn't have the kids in them or if they had to get out. They were already out when we walked up

 

[ArwenMarie]

They wanded each person at Times Square this past NYE. If they decide they need to scan everyone, they will.

 

[book_junkie]

There were metal detectors at both AMC theaters in Disney Springs when we visited on Dec. 28 as well - again selection was random, but they did search all bags.

We (Hubbie, myself, and two others) went to the Fork & Screen side of the Disney Springs AMC on New Year's Day afternoon. They made everyone go through- no matter the age.

Went to MK for a few hours today and the security was crazy. They stopped Hubbie after he passed through and was about a quarter way to a pass station, and made him go back and walk through the scanner. He doesn't not walk fast on a good day, and today wasn't a good day, so why they didn't stop us as we passed I don't know. They were chasing down other guests that went through the no bag line after they went by to have them go through the scanner, as well as pulling people from the bag check lines. And there were a LOT of unhappy people.

For those curious, Disneybounding was still allowed- there were obvious Minnies, Princesses, and others wandering around.

And on our way out, the only way to LEAVE was though the no bag line, so we were walking through entering guests as the other lines were all for entering guests (~2:30 pm). Not very secure, either.

 

[Jetta8300]

I personally am all for it... I don't care how long it takes if it keeps me and my family safer. It's the world we live in now and everyone has adjusted flying. However they need to make it as organized as possible! It actually would make me much more comfortable knowing everyone has been checked. Disney is the perfect target for an attack unfortunately with crowds like that.

 

[msteddom]

They also have everyone go through the metal detectors at the Grand Californian entrance to California Adventure. But at the main entrance security screening to Disneyland/California Adventure selection is random.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

I'm curious how did they keep property secure? at the airport they hold someone back to get their item i've never been sent past the scanner so i'd like to know for when i'm there next year (who knows if this will still be policy) how its run.

For those curious, Disneybounding was still allowed- there were obvious Minnies, Princesses, and others wandering around.

I saw 2 people in full costume as animals in DHS yesterday. they were in what was essence furry costumes as a bunny and as a cat and they were let in. Today in Disney Springs there was a woman in with dragon horns and a dragon tale roaring at people. Its obvious that policy is only followed when they feel like it.

Two CMS i spoke to about it one said that its only to stop exact copies of disney costumes, one said its to stop all costumes and she told me to not even buy tickets for it if i liked to dress up. So no one really has a clue.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I personally am all for it... I don't care how long it takes if it keeps me and my family safer. It's the world we live in now and everyone has adjusted flying. However they need to make it as organized as possible! It actually would make me much more comfortable knowing everyone has been checked. Disney is the perfect target for an attack unfortunately with crowds like that.

Quite honestly, how does it make anyone safer? I don't say this in a snarky manner, I truly am attempting to understand. Another poster in another thread posted these pictures of the area *before* the bag check and metal detectors yesterday:

Bag check, from the monorail. That first one's the money shot...

Another post to follow with evening photos. (Might be a while as I'm working on this on busses etc so it's sporadic.)

And while, yes, NYE is obviously an anomaly in the course of the year at WDW, it is not uncommon to see long lines outside MK before going through any kind of security (not this bad, but still crowded). I know I've been stuck quite aways back waiting for bag check, and then held in the area between bag check and the tapstiles because the welcome show had started and they weren't letting people through the tapstiles during the show. There were tons of people in that area, not able to clear it until the welcome show and RD happened. And that was in November, *after* the marathon weekend people had left and the park was not as crowded.

I honestly hate that I even think it, but making this more of a choke point for crowds than it already is actually makes me feel *less* safe.

 

[DemonLlama]

We were there Dec. 15 - 22 and they were rolling out the random screening for the detectors, but we didn't know it.

My son and I were going through the no bags area while the rest of our party queued up for bag check. One guy in a "Special Events" vest asked my son to step over, not explaining ANYTHING -- he looked like he was signing people up for cell phones, certainly not security.

My son, 23, who is quite large and bearded, smiled at him and said, "No thank you!" and kept walking. It was only later that we clicked to the fact that he was being asked to go through additional screening!

And the guy's reaction didn't tip us off either. He just smiled back and said something like, "well next time I might have to make you" but it was in a joking manner and we just nodded and laughed, still under the impression we were avoiding a sales pitch.

 

[DLM1980]

I just want to know know when I can get a FastPass+ for the metal detector, and does it count as one of my 3 for the day?