how to get through 'no bags' line at security?

[monalsw]

the last few times we have been to WDW. we have been loaded down with bags, backpacks, fannypacks, etc. the security checks were not bad, but i'm looking for ways to simplify our travel this time.

what can you have and still get into the 'no bags' line? can i have camera, keys, passes, etc, in pockets? maybe just wear a lightweight jacket?

any help is appreciated!

 

[DisneyObsessed]

I believe you need to be completely free of any type of bag. I had a fanny pack and my husband had a small camera case, and we went to the "bags line" and were checked each time.

 

[Kimberle]

No bags means just that, you can have NOTHING. Even my dd's small bag was searched. Only my dh was able to go through the no bags line cause he had nothing.

 

[mrsltg]

We were able to succesfully navigate the "no bags" line on our last two trips even with a small camera case. DH had the camera case hooked to his belt and all he had to do was pull the camera out and have the bag stretched open as he walked passed the security guard. He was told, once, that he had to go through the security line so from there on out, he would just put the camera case (folded up) in his pocket and return it to his belt once inside the park. Those days are gone this year as we're bringing DD with us!!!!

Erin

 

[jordgubben]

Do not start trying to get threw the "no bags" line with bags. It defeats the whole purpose of this line to begin with. When we went we made sure that only one of us had the bags. I also had all the pockets unzipped by the time I got to the front of the line.

 

[Eeyore1954]

I go through the "no bags" line with just that: no bags. I carry my pass in my shirt pocket. I have a wallet and stuff in my pants pocket, but no bags, fannypack, backpack, etc. My DW carries a small purse, but always goes through the "bag" line.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

No bags means no bags, nothing, nada, zip. It does not mean, oh gee, I have a tiny fanny pack I can go there. The meaning of the "no bags" line should be pretty easy to understand.

 

[WDWAurora]

I couldn't agree more, don't try to sneak by with something little. That defeats the purpose. Also, don't try to go through the bags line with no bags. There was a great officer at MGM one day we were there in March, when my grandmother was still having trouble with her knee. My grandfather was so used to standing beside her and holding her at the elbow that despite the security officer's yells of "If you don't have a bag, and you're in this line, go back to your hotel room, get a bag, then come back and get in line" He was hilarious! I finally had to send my grandfather away, and took over at her elbow, but it was funny because it just wasn't dawning on him to leave.

Don't slow down the people who really don't have bags though by trying to go through just because your bag is little. That's really not very nice to hold them up when they shouldn't have to wait at all with nothing.

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by jordgubben
Do not start trying to get threw the "no bags" line with bags. It defeats the whole purpose of this line to begin with. When we went we made sure that only one of us had the bags. I also had all the pockets unzipped by the time I got to the front of the line.

you mean the pockets in the bag...not your personal pockets on your clothes that a previous poster mentioned I am guessing ?so cargo type pants/shorts would be okay as long as you are not carrying any actual bags. I had planned on only taking my camera a few days because of that, with out that we can just stuff what we need in pockets.

 

[mrsltg]

I am guessing ?so cargo type pants/shorts would be okay as long as you are not carrying any actual bags

That's right, Jann. You can go through with a pair of pants that have pockets the size of bags as long as you have no bags in your hands. Really makes you feel good abouth the "security", right? My DH always wears cargo shorts to the DIsney parks for that specific purpose. I would be willing to take the "no bags" line a little more seriously if Disney took their "security" check points a little more seriously!

Erin

 

[eeyore0062]

DD and I never carry anything. We have our passes in a pouch on our lanyard around our neck, and money in our pockets. DH, however, is another story.... he can't go anywhere without the backpack with everything from umbrellas, camera, bandaids, you name it... so DD and I go through the no bags line, and he cruises through the bag search line. He always has the zippers open by the time he gets up there, and usually waits no more than a minute or 2. We haven't gotten to the turnstiles before he is catching up with us.

I do have to agree with the above posters... please, don't go through the no bags line with bags, no matter how small. The no bags line is there as a courtesy, and that courtesy could be taken away if it is abused.

 

[DebbieB]

I just returned. The security lines moved pretty fast, they were only doing quick glances into bags. In my opinion it's pretty worthless.

 

[monalsw]

I hope i wasn't giving the wrong impression with my original post!

i'm not trying to sneak stuff through the 'no bags' line; i'm looking for ways to minimize what we take into the park and therefore go without bags!

we are 14yo and 4yo and myself. great suggestions on the pockets...maybe i'll put my camera on a string, stuff passes and money into pockets (or bra, lol) and fills kids pockets with snacks!

i just gotta remember how i got into concerts without being searched!

 

[dan-tot]

The no bag lines at least at MK are to the outside. I usually see security directing people to the no bag lines.

Dan-tot

 

[dvcgirl]

Well, while I know that it seems worthless to go through those lines, just think about how easy it would be for terrorists to carry in back packs filled with explosives. Without those security guards there, that could definitely happen. I know that there are plenty of other ways for these types of things to make their way into the park, but it's nice to know that at least one way has been eliminated.

 

[mazzarafe]

I know that alot of the security checks are a joke but some of the security guards take checking seriously and others not.

When we went in Dec. 2001 this was only happening for a few months and they checked just about everything in my backpack and my fanny pack. I was using DH fanny pack as it has several compartments that zipper and one in the back that is vercro across from side to side. Well, the guard I had new I was wearing a fanny pack that had that last compartment with the velcro that I had forgotten to open, had already done a zillion zippers and I missed it, and said to me "Mam, please open that last compartment" and as I looked at him puzzled that he knew it was there because it cannot be "seen" he finished by saying "I have one of those too for carrying my gun."

I had completely forgotten about the fact that DH fanny pack was from when he used to carry around his beloved 45. But my security guard new exactly what I was wearing and even though I had turned 10 shades of red afterwards I actually felt better about having to wait in those long lines at opening time that everyone thinks is a waste of time.

 

[mrsltg]

for terrorists to carry in back packs filled with explosives. Without those security guards there, that could definitely happen

Don't kid yourself. So instead of the backpack of explosives blowing up inside the park, it blows up in the large crowd of people standing outside waiting to be checked. The security searches do nothing.

Erin

 

[pintrader]

Please don't forget that stollers with baskets for diaper bags ARE PACKAGES. I can't tell you how many times in just half an hour mom and dad will go strolling up to the no bags officer just pushing a stroller. ........ completely filled with bags

 

[dvcgirl]

mrsltg, I'm not kidding myself, and I'm not naive with respect to Disney's security lapses. My job takes me into lower Manhattan at least three times a week. I think about security lapses every time I board the subway, cross over the GWB, jump on a bus or get into the elevator of a high rise.

Some security checks are better than none at all.

 

[pintrader]

Erin,
what would you do if you were the head of security at WDW?