I wrote Disney about their Security/Bag Checks

[KrazeeK120]

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.

The NFL has instituted the "wallet size or clear bag only" policy, but the MLB has not. I go to St. Louis Cardinals games a couple of times a year and they just installed metal detectors last year. I went to a Rams game the year before and had forgotten about the clear bag policy. I had to run back to my hotel (thankfully only 3 blocks away) and try to fit everything I needed into my pockets!

I also can't see Disney instituting this type of rule, especially given the number of families with small kids who require a lot of "stuff" to be brought with them. We're taking our son to a Cardinals game in September, but I'd never try taking him to an NFL game until he's out of diapers. I'll be able to bring what I need for him into the baseball game (and into Disney when we go next year).

 

[nilla]

How is this different from airports, sporting events, concerts, etc.?

 

[maxiesmom]

How is this different from airports, sporting events, concerts, etc.?

I know as far as concerts and sporting events go, they limit what you can bring in. And you can't leave once you are inside past security. As another poster pointed out, sporting events have multiple doors letting people in.

 

[nilla]

I'd love to see Disney check everyone. It's an unfortunate time that we live in, but I think this would truly give guests peace of mind.

I have peace of mind regardless, because I try to avoid thinking of the worst case scenario. Looking back at my life, there are probably millions of situations I've been in that could have ended horribly, but didn't. Also, I choose to err on the side of freedom over a sense of security.

 

[nilla]

I know as far as concerts and sporting events go, they limit what you can bring in. And you can't leave once you are inside past security. As another poster pointed out, sporting events have multiple doors letting people in.

We entered the airport last week with 4 carry ons, a laptop, and 4 large suitcases. The carry-ons didn't get checked until AFTER we went through the crowded security line.

 

[BrianL]

I think their security was just fine even without the metal detectors, which I think are unnecessary. It's just for show. Having well-trained security personnel and other staff that are paying attention does much more for security than scanners and machines ever will.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

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...

 

[Angel Ariel]

I think their security was just fine even without the metal detectors, which I think are unnecessary. IT's just for show. Having well-trained security personnel and other staff that are paying attention does much more for security than scanners and machines ever will.

I completely agree.

 

[maxiesmom]

I recalled the email. 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...

I'm sure they won't. I'm betting you are not the first to e-mail them about your concerns, and you won't be the last.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I recalled the email. 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...

I don't think you needed to recall the e-mail. I do echo your concerns about the bottlenecks. I don't like that the metal detectors create them. As we saw in Belgium, people will just attack the area before security instead. I just don't feel like the detectors do much other than, as another PP said, "look" like they are doing "more". I just don't think they actually do more, and that's with the ones they have out now much less having everyone go through detectors. So, for me, I'd prefer that they take the detectors out entirely as I feel that would allow the crowd to flow as usual (not sure anything can be done about the bottlenecks on Christmas/Easter when the parks are at capacity). That said, I highly doubt they will do that either (take them out, I mean), for liability reasons.

 

[Accident]

Nobody at disney except the legal department is going to read this. You are going to get a para-legal reply saying the email was not solicited and destroyed with nobody reading it. Unfortunately when emailing disney, offering a suggestion puts them into an interesting liability situation where you could be owed money if they do it and therefore they use a standard method of reviewing all correspondence they didn't ask for to ensure nobody in the company is influenced by your ideas.

In addition you've also suggested a security design, which for my safety, might be you looking to get it the way you want so you know how to bypass it and cause all of us harm. Disney should destroy this email. I would not feel safe with a random person designing the security at the park no matter how much sense your email to them made.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think their security was just fine even without the metal detectors, which I think are unnecessary. IT's just for show. Having well-trained security personnel and other staff that are paying attention does much more for security than scanners and machines ever will.

Agreed. I mentioned this in another thread. This is for show. We know that airport screening misses almost all attempts at smuggling things through metal detectors and body scanners in independent tests.

I can see the "random screening" through metal detectors providing SOME deterrence benefit. But I wouldn't feel any safer if they had everyone walk through those.

I continue to believe that our best protection at WDW are the unseen security methods they employ (human and technological).

 

[GillianP1301]

Your letter is well written, so I give you credit for that. However, I can see many logistically nightmares with some of your suggestions. Trying to keep track of who already screened before getting on a tram vs. those who have walked up and have not yet been screened just does not seem feasible. I agree that they do need to screen everybody, but I think a centralized location just before the park entry point is the easiest to manage overall. The bottleneck issue needs to be resolved by adding more metal detectors and more security guards. Plus, I'm pretty sure the bottleneck of people at security is where some of their undetected watching is going on. Security can be scanning that crowd looking for suspicious behaviour long before they get to the actual guard/metal detector.

 

[GPC0321]

Nobody at disney except the legal department is going to read this. You are going to get a para-legal reply saying the email was not solicited and destroyed with nobody reading it. Unfortunately when emailing disney, offering a suggestion puts them into an interesting liability situation where you could be owed money if they do it and therefore they use a standard method of reviewing all correspondence they didn't ask for to ensure nobody in the company is influenced by your ideas.

In addition you've also suggested a security design, which for my safety, might be you looking to get it the way you want so you know how to bypass it and cause all of us harm. Disney should destroy this email. I would not feel safe with a random person designing the security at the park no matter how much sense your email to them made.

This was exactly my thought when I saw the attached pictures of the parks and highlighted areas. Here at the Disboards, we're used to seeing those park pictures showing the best places to watch fireworks and parades or routes from one place to another. But when you think about those pictures in the hands of people who might want to cause harm at WDW, it's a pretty scary thought. In fact, the level of knowledge here on the Disboards about the parks that is posted for all who come here to see can be a bit unsettling if you stop and realize that ANYONE can come here and read. Anyone can see the maps and read the threads about security concerns. I would think this message board would be very helpful to anyone who wants to know the intricate details of navigating WDW...for whatever reason. Pointing out its weaknesses in security and using detailed maps to illustrate those weaknesses, then publishing them on a public website that anyone can read? Probably not wise.

 

[jbish]

OP, I think your heart is in the right place and I think there's more than can be done. We'll never know how many ideas Disney has considered/is considering that never get implemented.

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.

This is more of what I think should be done. At Universal, they have multiple check points at the various entry points to the resort. If you walk along the path, there's a security check point before you get to City Walk. If you want to ride the water taxi, you have to go through security before you get on the boat. I would think that Disney could find ways to spread out the security checks further away from the actual parks to disperse the crowds. Each monorail hotel and the TTC would require security checks before you board the monorail. Security check before you get on a ferry. Security check further down on the walkway from Contemporary. Then there's no back up at the entrance of MK. Not sure how you do buses - maybe everyone gets checked before they board? That seems like a nightmare for logistics, but then you'd know the vast majority of people that are being dropped off in front of MK will have already been checked. Yes, it would come at an extremely high cost, so I don't know how practical it is.

 

[kreckl]

Wheres the letter?

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

The NFL has instituted the "wallet size or clear bag only" policy, but the MLB has not. I go to St. Louis Cardinals games a couple of times a year and they just installed metal detectors last year. I went to a Rams game the year before and had forgotten about the clear bag policy. I had to run back to my hotel (thankfully only 3 blocks away) and try to fit everything I needed into my pockets!

I also can't see Disney instituting this type of rule, especially given the number of families with small kids who require a lot of "stuff" to be brought with them. We're taking our son to a Cardinals game in September, but I'd never try taking him to an NFL game until he's out of diapers. I'll be able to bring what I need for him into the baseball game (and into Disney when we go next year).

We took my daughter at 6 months to an NFL game. It was for my husband's 30th birthday and we didn't know when his favorite team would be back in town. It was VERY VERY tough to pack everything we needed for her in a gallon ziplock bag and we only managed because I nurse. If you bottle feed, there is absolutely no way you could bring everything you need for a small child. I completely understand you waiting to take him to a football game.

 

[tsme]

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...

I don't think you should have recalled your letter. It was a legitimate concern that alot of us on dis have. I also don't think it was a big deal that you added your suggestions. It's your right to add what you think could help. I thought it was a good idea, or at least something to build on. Also, I would hope that Disney is already thinking of those concerns of bottlenecking at security & are actively trying to find a solution to it. And I was hoping Disney would respond to your email with more than the standard "Thank you for" message. Personally, I hate the crowded mash up of people that RD security has created. Not just for the safety aspect but also just because I don't like being stuck in a sweaty, human mass, being pushed & touched in a confined space without many options to get out of it. MK is the worse for this, IMO. At least at the other parks, it's more open. At MK, you're stuck between security & turnstiles being made to "fill in the space". If something were to happen during that time (rd), people would run, push, jump over, knock over, & walk/run over adults & children, and mostly be standing ducks to pluck off. And no I do not live my life in fear either, just pointing the obvious out.

 

[DantePD]

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...

Don't feel bad about it. You're a little freaked out right now and that's okay, that's human.

I've been wearing a uniform for 14 years now. First as military, then as law enforcement, and now as private security. I'm actually rather impressed with Disney's setup. They've done everything they can without going full TSA (Which no one, not us and not Disney wants). Aside from the uniformed officers you see at the gates, there are a LOT of officers in plain clothes patrolling the parks day in and day out. Some of the "service animals" you see around the parks? They're not seeing eye dogs, they're bomb sniffing dogs.

Disney has done a rather good job actually keeping security effective and unobtrusive.

COULD something terrible happen? Yeah, that's the world we live in and always has been. It's okay to be afraid. But, you are stronger than you know and braver than you can imagine. You have the ability to overcome that fear. Don't ever let anyone, from your peers to a lunatic who might have a gun, determine how you live your life.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Don't feel bad about it. You're a little freaked out right now and that's okay, that's human.

I've been wearing a uniform for 14 years now. First as military, then as law enforcement, and now as private security. I'm actually rather impressed with Disney's setup. They've done everything they can without going full TSA (Which no one, not us and not Disney wants). Aside from the uniformed officers you see at the gates, there are a LOT of officers in plain clothes patrolling the parks day in and day out. Some of the "service animals" you see around the parks? They're not seeing eye dogs, they're bomb sniffing dogs.

Disney has done a rather good job actually keeping security effective and unobtrusive.

COULD something terrible happen? Yeah, that's the world we live in and always has been. It's okay to be afraid. But, you are stronger than you know and braver than you can imagine. You have the ability to overcome that fear. Don't ever let anyone, from your peers to a lunatic who might have a gun, determine how you live your life.

Thanks for that. After the replies I received, I was afraid Disney would take it the wrong way and blacklist me or something.

I agree that a lot goes on that we don't see. I remember walking around NYC one day and I saw my friend who is NYPD in plain clothes. We started talking and I said "I guess you're off today?" Nope, he was working.

I'm also not too afraid - I agree with what someone else said. If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen. I just felt the need to express my beliefs and concerns.