I wrote Disney about their Security/Bag Checks

[PlutoTheDog89]

EDIT:

I recalled the email. I feel kinda stupid after the responses I've gotten on here.

I do realize it came off a bit pompous - which was not intended. My heart was in the right place.

.. I just hope they don't flag me and spite me with the worst possible room during our next trip after that email...

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Be intetested in their reply...

 

[linzbear]

Be intetested in their reply...

It'll be a non-reply "Thank you for your feedback."

 

[maxiesmom]

So where do those leaving the park go? You have blocked off all of the exits with security checkpoints. How would you manage the one by the monorail so it didn't back up and become a problem on the platform, where there was no room for people to get off of the monorail?

Not only are you easily quadrupling the staff needed, but you also want them to be able to move around the check points based on need?


I'm sorry, but this is one of those things that I truly believe Disney knows better what to do and how to do it. I don't know how you expect them to take an outsider's point of view, one who has no true knowledge of all of the security already in place, seriously.

 

[tsme]

That's an awesome email. Let us all know if you get a real response.

 

[Bay_Lake_Tower]

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but do you really think Disney hasn't realized the bottle neck issue and that you've come up with a solution their security experts haven't?

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

So where do those leaving the park go? You have blocked off all of the exits with security checkpoints. How would you manage the one by the monorail so it didn't back up and become a problem on the platform, where there was no room for people to get off of the monorail?



I'm sorry, but this is one of those things that I truly believe Disney knows better what to do and how to do it. I don't know how you expect them to take an outsider's point of view, one who has no true knowledge of all of the security already in place, seriously.

Well for one - this would be mainly during rope drop - when the area in front of the parks are the most crowded. After rope drop, the security can/would return to its normal bag check stations. As I mentioned in the email - I know I'm no expert. Maybe the pictures and recommendations were a bit much, but I think the email approaches the main problem and calls it to their attention. I'm not looking for a medal, I'm looking to feel safe(r).

 

[maxiesmom]

Also, you have pretty much killed the Magic Kingdom as a transfer point. If you wanted to take a bus to MK and transfer to the monorail, there is no way to do that without going thru security. You would have to block off the bottom are, or else the ferry people could get around the security checkpoint.

I think your heart is in the right place, but it doesn't work.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but do you really think Disney hasn't realized the bottle neck issue and that you've come up with a solution their security experts haven't?

I totally get that.... but then no one should write Disney, right? You can argue that they've realized their prices are too expensive and that they're pricing out the middle class, too. I didn't write them in the hope of them appointing me head of security. I wrote them to address a problem and let them know that WE - the high paying guests - are concerned. Whether they're sitting in a board room drawing out security measures or not, we're concerned and we want to see it taken care of. I know the photos came off as a bit much, but I just included them to further my point.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Also, you have pretty much killed the Magic Kingdom as a transfer point. If you wanted to take a bus to MK and transfer to the monorail, there is no way to do that without going thru security. You would have to block off the bottom are, or else the ferry people could get around the security checkpoint.

I think your heart is in the right place, but it doesn't work.

And that's why I work in advertising and not security.... I thought those episodes of SVU and Quantico were paying off... Oh well. At the very least maybe it'll let them know that we are concerned.

 

[maxiesmom]

Well for one - this would be mainly during rope drop - when the area in front of the parks are the most crowded. After rope drop, the security can/would return to its normal bag check stations. As I mentioned in the email - I know I'm no expert. Maybe the pictures and recommendations were a bit much, but I think the email approaches the main problem and calls it to their attention. I'm not looking for a medal, I'm looking to feel safe(r).

Huge hassle for them to move around the checkpoints based on need. Huge hassle.

I get not feeling safe in big crowds. I work in a mall, I have had active shooter training. When I go out I look for exits, just in case. Heard a loud BANG once while in a store, and had a moment when I realized there was only way in or out of the location I was at. But at some point you have to trust the place you are visiting has it's guests well being in mind. Otherwise you will either make yourself crazy, or end up not leaving the house.

 

[bnhonest]

The further away from the parks that they can institute safety checks, the better. For those staying at the resorts, a full check at the bus loading stations at the resort would be best. Then once they get to the parks, they get expedited entry. Monorail, bus, boat...full safety check before they get on. AK/HS/Epcot..check non-bus guest at an entry point from the parking lot.

Basically do it at least 100 yards from the park entrance in a manner that produces as small of a congregation as possible.

 

[Bay_Lake_Tower]

I totally get that.... but then no one should write Disney, right? You can argue that they've realized their prices are too expensive and that they're pricing out the middle class, too. I didn't write them in the hope of them appointing me head of security. I wrote them to address a problem and let them know that WE - the high paying guests - are concerned. Whether they're sitting in a board room drawing out security measures or not, we're concerned and we want to see it taken care of. I know the photos came off as a bit much, but I just included them to further my point.

I think writing to address concerns is different than writing with an entire plan of what they should be doing differently. It's the difference between "Disney, your hotel prices are too high I don't like it" and "Disney, your prices are too high for people to pay and despite what your experts may have decided, a Disney fan with no knowledge in the field has a better solution for you".

 

[maxiesmom]

The further away from the parks that they can institute safety checks, the better. For those staying at the resorts, a full check at the bus loading stations at the resort would be best. Then once they get to the parks, they get expedited entry. Monorail, bus, boat...full safety check before they get on. AK/HS/Epcot..check non-bus guest at an entry point from the parking lot.

Basically do it at least 100 yards from the park entrance in a manner that produces as small of a congregation as possible.

So nature has it wrong? When animals/fish are under attack they all group together. Just something that popped into my mind. Fish school when under attack, wildlife tends to herd up. I'm not trying to be sarcastic, as I said, it is just something that popped into my head.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Huge hassle for them to move around the checkpoints based on need. Huge hassle.

I get not feeling safe in big crowds. I work in a mall, I have had active shooter training. When I go out I look for exits, just in case. Heard a loud BANG once while in a store, and had a moment when I realized there was only way in or out of the location I was at. But at some point you have to trust the place you are visiting has it's guests well being in mind. Otherwise you will either make yourself crazy, or end up not leaving the house.

Yeah, that's very true. I guess the idea is a bit half baked. I was thinking about it while going to a Mets game last night. They seem to get guests in pretty quick, all while checking everyone. When the crowd gets too long, they have an increase in security and walk up and down monitoring the crowd.

It's just a scary world we live in. I know the "terrorist wins" when you start to think like this - but better safe than sorry. I agree with trusting Disney, though.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yeah, that's very true. I guess the idea is a bit half baked. I was thinking about it while going to a Mets game last night. They seem to get guests in pretty quick, all while checking everyone. When the crowd gets too long, they have an increase in security and walk up and down monitoring the crowd.

It's just a scary world we live in. I know the "terrorist wins" when you start to think like this - but better safe than sorry. I agree with trusting Disney, though.

I'm not sure about the Mets, but I know for a Lion's game you are only allowed to carry in one small, clear, bag. And no food. And once inside you are not allowed to leave and return. For good our bad, I can in no way see Disney doing something like that. For me, I can't imagine trying to carry one small clear bag for a day in the park.

 

[Angel Ariel]

. I'm not looking for a medal, I'm looking to feel safe(r).

Perhaps I'm alone in this, but screening everyone does nothing to make me feel safer. Are they going to put up metal detectors entering every hotel on property? Every store at Disney Springs? TSA screens everyone, and there was a study done just last year I think where they missed something like 95% of prohibited items going through. I know bag checks give behind the scenes security an opportunity to monitor behaviors and such, so I don't have an issue with bag checks, but I don't personally feel that sending everyone through a metal detector does much to add to that or help that at all.

We were at Disneyland when Paris happened. Never at any point did I feel unsafe, and we never went through metal detectors (they weren't put in until December). Knowing the % of what's missed by TSA still doesn't make me feel unsafe in an airport.

Yes, we need to be vigilant and aware of our surroundings. But I do not want this country to become one where we have to go through metal detectors to enter anywhere.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yeah, that's very true. I guess the idea is a bit half baked. I was thinking about it while going to a Mets game last night. They seem to get guests in pretty quick, all while checking everyone. When the crowd gets too long, they have an increase in security and walk up and down monitoring the crowd.

It's just a scary world we live in. I know the "terrorist wins" when you start to think like this - but better safe than sorry. I agree with trusting Disney, though.

Stadiums also have multiple entry points all around the circumference of the stadium. Only 1 park at WDW has multiple entrances.

 

[GreatLakes]

While maximizing security is a good goal there will always be a risk anywhere. I don't want Disney, or anyone else, being so concerned about security that they engineer a solution that is overly inconvenient. I really don't have any fear of something happening at Disney or anywhere else because I don't want to live in fear. If my time comes while I'm waiting to get into the Magic Kingdom than that is when my time comes.

 

[HopperFan]

There are so many places we all go that involve having many people in a tight location that this really falls on each of us to decide where we are comfortable.

Full movie theater, concerts, amusement parks, wide array of sporting events, church, airports, graduations, crowded beaches, clubs, department stores, subways ............. and we have seen some of those places affected.

Disney has LOTS of security specialists, many that are very highly qualified to plan and watch. They have plans for lots of things. My DD worked at Disney Springs and one of her managers was a very highly trained security person who worked in DC who assured her (at a time when there were threats made) that there are detailed plans for everything. Am sure they have doodled every possibility, and likely will find lots of holes in your plan - if they even look at it. You would have been better off with short and sweet that you are concerned with the bottlenecks at the parks. But am sure you will get a call or email to tell you you've been heard and they appreciate your concerns.

Bottom line if you are not comfortable with the crowds and/or security at the peak times - then enter the parks off peak times, book PPO dining reservations, use alternative entrances etc. My DS has anxiety issues so we often adjust our plan around peak and have found that even when many are still heading it only takes us a few minutes to go through.

The further away from the parks that they can institute safety checks, the better. For those staying at the resorts, a full check at the bus loading stations at the resort would be best. Then once they get to the parks, they get expedited entry. Monorail, bus, boat...full safety check before they get on. AK/HS/Epcot..check non-bus guest at an entry point from the parking lot.

Basically do it at least 100 yards from the park entrance in a manner that produces as small of a congregation as possible.

Don't agree. The more space you leave between security check points and entry, the more opportunity there is to gain entry or get something in from another person. It creates a security gap. They are still adjusting and finding the best solution, and we just have to work with it whether that means planning extra time, entering non-peak etc.