Every guest entering at IG went through metal detector

[MommaoffherRocker]

We went to the opening night of the force awakens and they had many more metal detectors, that they made everyone go through, at HS that night than they did today when I went, so I don't think the plan would be to scan everyone at this point. They also made dd4 go through them before me, she was fine and was no more than a foot away from me at all times.

 

[Dismama2boys]

I have two very young children.....I cannot imagine what they were thinking in separating kids from their parents. I'm not sure how I would have reacted in the moment, but it would not have gone over well with me. I think we would have left - loudly.

 

[jerry557]

Why are they using these kind of metal detectors?

At NFL stadiums, they use the wands. And the lines go relatively quickly.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I certainly don't mind added security, but they need to be able to handle a high capacity and be considerably more organized about the process.

I'm just imaging what the entry process is like at Six Flags and hoping it isn't similar to that! The lines to get into Six Flags take forever.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Sigh. Yet more acronyms. OK, what's "IG"?

 

[gwynne]

Sigh. Yet more acronyms. OK, what's "IG"?

lnternational Gateway. The entrance to Epcot from the Epcot resorts, near France.

 

[KateP85]

We went to Legoland on NYE and they scanned everyone with a wand, as well as checking bags. It was very quick, I wonder if that might be a better idea. I also think they need to reconsider the uniforms of the CSC staff; right now they really do look like they're trying to sell you something! It needs to be security, or Orange County, or someone in a uniform that doesn't scream "get a free cell phone when you sign up today!"

Our neighbor works for Orange County, and while she obviously wasn't going to tell us anything specific, she said there was good reason for all this extra security.

 

[DVCcurious]

So does this mean that you have to get there at 8:00 for a 9:00AM rope drop? It sounds like if you show up at 8:40 the security lines will prevent you from getting in until after 9:00.

 

[kandb]

What's IG?

 

[mom2rtk]

What's IG?

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

IG = International Gateway, back entry to Epcot

Sigh. Yet more acronyms. OK, what's "IG"?

lnternational Gateway. The entrance to Epcot from the Epcot resorts, near France.

 

[AngiTN]

Add me to the list that thinks these charges are not making things safer. They would not stop someone intent to do harm. They only serve to annoy and look good on the surface. If really thought it was doing some good is be all for it

Why are they using these kind of metal detectors?

At NFL stadiums, they use the wands. And the lines go relatively quickly.

Strange thing, we went to Bucs stadium for the outback bowl. Totally different rules
No scanners, hand held or walk thru, no body pat down, no limit on bag size. None of that. I thought they were stadium rules but evidently they are NFL rules.

The policies in place there are the same as we have at Neyland. Guess the NCAA is not as strict

So I still haven't seen the wands in action

 

[DisneyOma]

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.

And they let him just keep going? That doesn't make me feel very confident that this new security is doing anything.

 

[AngiTN]

And they let him just keep going? That doesn't make me feel very confident that this new security is doing anything.

They aren't. Not really. Not someone really serious to hurt others

 

[mom2rtk]

And they let him just keep going? That doesn't make me feel very confident that this new security is doing anything.

Security..... for those who choose to participate.

Someone in another thread reported adults in full costume in the parks the last couple days too.

 

[kandb]

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?

I agree with this 100%. This will soon be the norm in WDW. It is a major destination and an American Tradition. On 9/11 they closed, so they know it would probably be a likely target for a terrorist.

 

[kandb]

My husband carries a gun for his job. When he brings my children to a movie theater, I always make him bring his gun. I hope they have armed guards at Disney. "Gun free zones" don't work, look at Paris.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

question.....what do the parents do when flying with their children? Screening at airports is about the same..imo.

 

[Chimaera]

I agree with this 100%. This will soon be the norm in WDW. It is a major destination and an American Tradition. On 9/11 they closed, so they know it would probably be a likely target for a terrorist.

We were there on 9/11 and while they did close, it was because no-one had any idea what was happening and whether there would be more attacks that day. 9/12 everything was open and security wasn't much different, and honestly it wasn't until we left for home that we realized how much the country had been affected - Disney was an unaffected bubble.

As people have said here, this extra security does nothing but inconvenience people and create a major choke point that is anything but "secure".

 

[Daisy62]

Why are they using these kind of metal detectors?

At NFL stadiums, they use the wands. And the lines go relatively quickly.

Our stadium uses both. It's so crowded that there are wanders standing in between each metal detector so that they can get double the people through. Not sure why everyone is surprised they are running everyone through them at Disney now. The day it was announced they said they would and then would pull some out after passing the detector for a more thorough and scan.

 

[DisNoobie]

I agree with this 100%. This will soon be the norm in WDW. It is a major destination and an American Tradition. On 9/11 they closed, so they know it would probably be a likely target for a terrorist.

Or likely it was out of respect for the tragedy.

Was at WDW Dec 15-23 and saw many teenage boys, some middle aged men and women, a few older men getting called out for the metal detector. What I witnessed was nothing more than theater. Providing the illusion of screening and security is enough to discourage all but the most intent on causing harm.
I don't fault WDW for doing it, but I was so pleased with the new "tapstile" entryway and openness. I would not like to see the entrances choked down to metal detectors and gates again.