Did you notice if the shops for GE were open before official park opening?

Thanks!

We didn’t notice unfortunately - we made the choice to go down Sunset Boulevard at Rope Drop when other crowds when to TSL and GE so not sure when the shops officially open. If I had to take a guess, there probably isn’t much of a wait for the shops in the morning because I think people hit the rides first but if rides are important probably good to hit those first
 
Can you explain “experience marijuana”? Like you actually witnessed people smoking it? ...or you smelled it on someone(s).

it is definitely not something I want to smell or see while anywhere on Disney property

Dan

Saw a younger couple (maybe early 30s?) smoking/vaping what smelled liked marijuana in the Relaxation Station near POTC.

Tuesday at Epcot also saw a group smoking what again smelled like marijuana, on the walkway between Epcot Experience and TT.
 
Saw a younger couple (maybe early 30s?) smoking/vaping what smelled liked marijuana in the Relaxation Station near POTC.

Tuesday at Epcot also saw a group smoking what again smelled like marijuana, on the walkway between Epcot Experience and TT.

I thought smoking had been moved to outside the entrance at all parks. Just sort of stuck out there. Smoking in a relaxation station makes it a non-relaxation station for non-smokers. The marijuana doubles the relaxation for its partakers, though?
 

I would like to know more about the recent security procedures, if anyone could fill me in. I searched but didn't really find what I was looking for. We remove items from our bags now and hold them? Sorry if this has been asked before, but I guess I don't really understand. How do I know what items to carry and what to leave in the bag? All of the articles that I have found searching the internet state to leave everything in your bag. Thanks!

Edited to add; I did just read that metal water bottles must be carried. We will have those, so I guess that everything else is just seeing if the metal detector goes off for anything else we are carrying.
 
I would like to know more about the recent security procedures, if anyone could fill me in. I searched but didn't really find what I was looking for. We remove items from our bags now and hold them? Sorry if this has been asked before, but I guess I don't really understand. How do I know what items to carry and what to leave in the bag? All of the articles that I have found searching the internet state to leave everything in your bag. Thanks!

Edited to add; I did just read that metal water bottles must be carried. We will have those, so I guess that everything else is just seeing if the metal detector goes off for anything else we are carrying.

Generally, they’ll mention umbrellas, metal bottles and eyeglass cases should be held out in front of you. In addition, I’ll hold out my phone and battery bank as one or the other once set it off.
 
I would like to know more about the recent security procedures, if anyone could fill me in. I searched but didn't really find what I was looking for. We remove items from our bags now and hold them? Sorry if this has been asked before, but I guess I don't really understand. How do I know what items to carry and what to leave in the bag? All of the articles that I have found searching the internet state to leave everything in your bag. Thanks!

Edited to add; I did just read that metal water bottles must be carried. We will have those, so I guess that everything else is just seeing if the metal detector goes off for anything else we are carrying.
Basically it's best to carry anything metal that might set off the metal detector. If it gets set off and they can't see what you're carrying, they will send you over to security for a quick bag check.
 
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We didn’t notice unfortunately - we made the choice to go down Sunset Boulevard at Rope Drop when other crowds when to TSL and GE so not sure when the shops officially open. If I had to take a guess, there probably isn’t much of a wait for the shops in the morning because I think people hit the rides first but if rides are important probably good to hit those first
This is true - first hour of the day is a great time to visit the shops, otherwise you'll be waiting in a long, slow line to enter.
 
I was able to snag BG 27 from CBR at 7 am. In checking the night before, data was quicker than WiFi, so I was planning to turn it off. However, just before 7, WiFi was quicker than data, so I left it on and got my BG. With BG 27, we’re not planning to RD and will leisurely head over as our BG gets closer.
 
As far as “bad items” that set off the metal detectors, I see people are taking them out of their bags before going through. What do you do with the items? I’ll probably have my phone, a charger, and my metal water bottle. Do I just carry them through the detector?
Yes, but also hold them as far as you can. Once or twice I didn't stretch my arms far enough when holding my eyeglasses case out and the guard told me I need to hold it out further.

Phones we always left in pockets or bags with no issue). The two things we carry that needed out were my eyeglasses case and DD's portable charger. The one thing I didn't realize for two trips was that I didn't have to open the eyeglasses case. Here in DC I have to open it in numerous places, so just assumed LOL

The new security system is sooooo much better.
 
Saw a younger couple (maybe early 30s?) smoking/vaping what smelled liked marijuana in the Relaxation Station near POTC.

Tuesday at Epcot also saw a group smoking what again smelled like marijuana, on the walkway between Epcot Experience and TT.
There's not supposed to any kind of smoking/vaping inside the parks. Smoking areas had been moved to outside the park. The people in the relaxation area should have been told by a CM to go out of the park to smoke. (The epcot one sounds like an area with no CMs) We had a guy vaping in the soarin' line over the summer, where there are no CMs. We haven't seen/smelled marijuana in the parks this week. DH did smell it just outside of Magic kingdom as we walked to the buses. I don't think it's widespread in the parks, but you've been unlucky to encounter it multiple times.
 
I would like to know more about the recent security procedures, if anyone could fill me in. I searched but didn't really find what I was looking for. We remove items from our bags now and hold them? Sorry if this has been asked before, but I guess I don't really understand. How do I know what items to carry and what to leave in the bag? All of the articles that I have found searching the internet state to leave everything in your bag. Thanks!

Edited to add; I did just read that metal water bottles must be carried. We will have those, so I guess that everything else is just seeing if the metal detector goes off for anything else we are carrying.


We traveled with 4 adults, 6 grandkids. On the first day, I didn't know the rules. Security said the fans, the cane, umbrella and pringles can triggered the alarm. In the coolers, I had soda cans, juice pouches, sandwiches wrapped in foil, plastic water bottles. No issues with the coolers. Not even a need to open. I thought the amount of foil on 10 sandwiches might set it off.
 
Yes, but also hold them as far as you can. Once or twice I didn't stretch my arms far enough when holding my eyeglasses case out and the guard told me I need to hold it out further.

Phones we always left in pockets or bags with no issue). The two things we carry that needed out were my eyeglasses case and DD's portable charger. The one thing I didn't realize for two trips was that I didn't have to open the eyeglasses case. Here in DC I have to open it in numerous places, so just assumed LOL

The new security system is sooooo much better.
Yes, this seemed to make a huge difference for us this last trip as opposed to the 2 before with these new procedures. This trip we made sure to hold our bags out as far as possible from our body and were never stopped. The last two trips we just held them in front of us and were stopped every time. Same contents in the bag.
 
I would like to know more about the recent security procedures, if anyone could fill me in. I searched but didn't really find what I was looking for. We remove items from our bags now and hold them? Sorry if this has been asked before, but I guess I don't really understand. How do I know what items to carry and what to leave in the bag? All of the articles that I have found searching the internet state to leave everything in your bag. Thanks!

Edited to add; I did just read that metal water bottles must be carried. We will have those, so I guess that everything else is just seeing if the metal detector goes off for anything else we are carrying.
We never take anything out of our bags. We have carried metal (stainless steel) water bottles and cellphones through without removing them. Disney requests that you remove umbrellas. I would just keep everything in the bag and see if they catch you at the scan and ask you to go to the search.
 
We went to AK on Tuesday 4/20 - our first Disney park since 2017. My plan was to get up @ 5 am but, thanks to a 'symphony' of car alarms, we were all up @ 4:15! It was actually helpful and gave me plenty of time. Got on the first bus (shortly before 6:30) we saw and only 3 others got on (@ OKW). I think we may have been the first people through the temp check, security and gates @ 7 at AK, or at least it seemed that way. Just as we were entering, the downpour started. Right to FoP (after a quick bathroom stop and we were still among the first people in) where they held us for about 5 minutes. Did safari @ 8. EE closed for tech problems. Maharajah Trail closed until 9. Did Kali since we were already wet. Walked the tiger trail. 9:30 D!. Placed our MO for Satu'li Canteen. Had a snack we brought. 3D Bugs. 10:30 Satuli Canteen -awesome lunch! I got the shrimp with salad. 11:15 my guys went to EE (finally fixed!) while I went to safari. We all walked the gorilla trail. Then train to Rafiki's planet watch in a downpour. Sat at the exit pavillion until a slight let-up and walked to the animation drawing class. Comfy chairs and enough seats for us, yay! Drew Turk from Tarzan. FoP (2nd). Dole Whip and brownie sundaes for a snack. Another safari (my 3rd for the day). EE, D! again. Left about 7 p.m. - 12 hours at the park! OKW bus was waiting (for us, wink, wink). Beautiful evening. Mobile ordered Earl of Sandwich using coupons I had printed from home. Drove to p/u. Yum! It was a really good day for us, in spite of the rain - thank goodness no lightning!!!!

It got noticeably more crowded around noon at AK, not much social distancing and lots of 'noses', but most people were complying. Definitely there are those who prefer to challenge the rules or they forget - a woman was walking in front of us eating a turkey leg, so we got around her.
 
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As far as “bad items” that set off the metal detectors, I see people are taking them out of their bags before going through. What do you do with the items? I’ll probably have my phone, a charger, and my metal water bottle. Do I just carry them through the detector?
Hold them out in front of you, away from your body. I did that every day with my glass case and never had to have my bag searched! It was wonderful, so quick and easy. I heard it was for glass cases, umbrellas, external chargers and metal water bottles. The security folks were grateful that I knew what to do, too. Thanks to the disboards! :)
 
Saw a younger couple (maybe early 30s?) smoking/vaping what smelled liked marijuana in the Relaxation Station near POTC.

Tuesday at Epcot also saw a group smoking what again smelled like marijuana, on the walkway between Epcot Experience and TT.

Not cool in either case. I would have found the nearest cast member and have them call security.

Dan
 
Hold them out in front of you, away from your body. I did that every day with my glass case and never had to have my bag searched! It was wonderful, so quick and easy. I heard it was for glass cases, umbrellas, external chargers and metal water bottles. The security folks were grateful that I knew what to do, too. Thanks to the disboards! :)
I always had my phone and lipstick charger in my hand (separate hands) and just slightly in front of me down by my side. Never had any problems.
 
I always had my phone and lipstick charger in my hand (separate hands) and just slightly in front of me down by my side. Never had any problems.
You don't have to take out your phone. That's the most frequently asked question I heard the security folks answer! I never did and never had to be searched.
 














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