Interesting security interaction at Epcot

[PanamaMike]

I'm more curious about the "someone had seen me writing" bit. Did he actually say that? Was he implying that some guest or castmember had contacted him with a concern about you? If it was a castmember, I could see that as being standard operating procedure - whenever you see someone acting out of the ordinary, even in small ways, just mention it to security and let them decide what (if anything) to do about it. If it was a guest, though... man, that person is paranoid!

Yes, he did say that. "Someone had seen me writing in my book". He did not say if that person was a guest, a uniformed guard, an undercover guard or a security camera operator.

 

[Magpie]

Yes, he did say that. "Someone had seen me writing in my book". He did not say if that person was a guest, a uniformed guard, an undercover guard or a security camera operator.

Interesting! Never even thought of the security camera operator angle.

Given that you were chatting with other guests, notebook and pen in hand, you may have looked especially suspicious - like perhaps you were pretending to be Disney staff, running some kind of scam on people.

Could have been an overly twitchy guest - such as in the case of the economist whose plane was grounded because the math he was working on looked suspicious to his seatmate. (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...n-taken-off-flight-after-fellow-passenger-al/)

Or the guard could even have been referring to himself in the third person. Deliberately setting up a general vibe of, "No, no, it's not me who thinks you're a suspicious person. It's some other person, and I'm just the Workin' Joe who has to ask you all these silly little questions. We're friends, right? You can tell me anything!"

We'll never know, of course!

(Edit: My first link was to the Washington Post, but the article was too snarky. This Telegraph article has less editorializing.)

 

[IvyWinter]

As a vlogger, I can tell you they are indeed cracking down on video and photos, especially around security areas and the transporation hub. a friend of mine, who is also a vlogger, was apparently recording me coming through bag check in epcot from up by the monorail, and security asked him to stop. It's only been recently a thing in the past year or so, but i mean, we're fine with it. We honestly didn't know, since they have never cracked down on it before, so it'd be great if they put out something officially so vloggers know ahead of time, but we just alter where we record. no big deal.

 

[michbaron]

I am all for more security, it makes me so mad when people are getting annoyed at the security table because security is taking their time being thorough, they really should set up their parks and Disney Springs how universal does it though, so much more effective

 

[dreiwhit]

We were all a bit surprised that someone writing in a book would be tagged as suspicious behavior.

It may have been considered behavior that is not normal behavior for park guests. Private security consultation is a side business for me. I teach security people to look for behavior that is different from the way people normally act or behave at their location. Every location has a baseline, the way that most people normally act. But, going along with that, I teach people when they do spot an out of the norm behavior, to watch that person and see if the behavior is harmless. Most of the time it is indeed harmless. Most of the time, people aren't even spoken to about their "out of the norm" behavior since it turns out to be harmless.

I had an "interaction" with Epcot security in February. My 10 year old daughter and I had gone through security, when I was "randomly" selected to go through the metal detectors. That was twice in two park days at Epcot. The security guard wanted my daughter to stand by their bollards 10 feet away, out of my line of sight. I looked him in the eye, and using my "commander voice", I firmly and politely told him that she is my 10 year old daughter and she stays with me. His eyes got big and I could see him recoil. He smiled and said, not a problem, she can stand here by me while you go through the metal detector.

 

[Magpie]

It may have been considered behavior that is not normal behavior for park guests. Private security consultation is a side business for me. I teach security people to look for behavior that is different from the way people normally act or behave at their location. Every location has a baseline, the way that most people normally act. But, going along with that, I teach people when they do spot an out of the norm behavior, to watch that person and see if the behavior is harmless. Most of the time it is indeed harmless. Most of the time, people aren't even spoken to about their "out of the norm" behavior since it turns out to be harmless.

I had an "interaction" with Epcot security in February. My 10 year old daughter and I had gone through security, when I was "randomly" selected to go through the metal detectors. That was twice in two park days at Epcot. The security guard wanted my daughter to stand by their bollards 10 feet away, out of my line of sight. I looked him in the eye, and using my "commander voice", I firmly and politely told him that she is my 10 year old daughter and she stays with me. His eyes got big and I could see him recoil. He smiled and said, not a problem, she can stand here by me while you go through the metal detector.

It sounds like everyone handled that fairly well - both you and the guard.

For some parents, by age 10, the "line of sight" thing will have expired. Their kids can comfortably wait for them a few feet away. For others, not so much. I suspect you didn't need to use your "commander" voice, though, as Disney security won't be forcibly separating children from their parents in any case.

Or even adults, for that matter.

My husband gets pulled over to walk through security a lot (I blame his cargo shorts, untucked golf shirt, and phone holster). A couple times the guards have indicated that I can wait on the side, and I always smile, shrug and say, "Nah, I'll go with him!" And they laugh and wave me through. No biggie.

 

[WDW_Ding]

a plains clothed security person immediately introduced himself

I'm glad they have plain clothed security. That seems smart.

every stroller was checked

I'm glad to hear this. This was how the Pulse shooter was planning to transport his weapon.

Subsequent news reports have a video showing a uniformed Disney security guard walking away with his bag. He was right, they did take it. I would be more than a little upset too if this happened to me. Hopefully, the Disney security guard will be charged with theft; regardless if he returned the bag.

I feel like there is more to this story than what is publicly available...

We stepped out, he introduced himself, I introduced myself and he informed me the reason I was being questioned was that someone had seen me writing in a notebook while in the park...the very notebook I was holding in my hand.

I informed him it was my travel journal. It had my itinerary of booked tours, FPs, notes about my experiences, contact info of people I'd pin traded with, hotel reservation numbers, etc.

The entire conversation took less than 30 seconds. He did not ask to look at the journal. He thanked me and I got back on the train, and as we headed to the TTC, I explained to the trio I had just met why I had been questioned.

We were all a bit surprised that someone writing in a book would be tagged as suspicious behavior.

Very strange...

 

[Magpie]

If he was nefariously taking pics of security would he admit to it when they asked? Why ask that, just tell him to stop and maybe ask to see the pics. They should put up a “no photography” sign at security checkpoints.

I don't think they want to enact an absolute ban on photography, given that they cater to tourists. People will want to take pics of the entrance, decorations, boats, and each other. That's the sort of happy activity Disney will want to continue to encourage.

They'll keep an eye out, however, for someone who appears to be taking pics of things that wouldn't normally interest your average tourist. Security set up, general layout, etc.

And if they see someone taking pics that aren't the usual touristy ones, they'll approach them in a polite and friendly manner to assess them one-on-one. Do they seem nervous? Are they behaving oddly? You can tell a lot about people, just by chatting casually with them.

Disney security is trying to walk a fine line here. They want to keep people safe without making them feel unduly harassed or scrutinized. Security has to make a judgement call. Someone who is relaxed, happy and has a reasonable explanation for the pictures they're taking shouldn't necessarily be told to stop and surrender his camera for an inspection.

Yes, they might be lying, but chances are they aren't. And there's no reason to make an innocent guest feel like they're a criminal for taking pictures while on vacation.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I don't think they want to enact an absolute ban on photography, given that they cater to tourists. People will want to take pics of the entrance, decorations, boats, and each other. That's the sort of happy activity Disney will want to continue to encourage.

They'll keep an eye out, however, for someone who appears to be taking pics of things that wouldn't normally interest your average tourist. Security set up, general layout, etc.

And if they see someone taking pics that aren't the usual touristy ones, they'll approach them in a polite and friendly manner to assess them one-on-one. Do they seem nervous? Are they behaving oddly? You can tell a lot about people, just by chatting casually with them.

Disney security is trying to walk a fine line here. They want to keep people safe without making them feel unduly harassed or scrutinized. Security has to make a judgement call. Someone who is relaxed, happy and has a reasonable explanation for the pictures they're taking shouldn't necessarily be told to stop and surrender his camera for an inspection.

Yes, they might be lying, but chances are they aren't. And there's no reason to make an innocent guest feel like they're a criminal for taking pictures while on vacation.

I never said a ban on photography, just in the security areas. Taking pics of the entrance or decorations is different then taking pics of bagcheck lines or security personnel. And if there was a “no photography of security check areas” sign up, then no guest would be made to “feel like a criminal” since they shouldn’t be taking pics of the security areas anyway. I’m sure people can hold off from taking a pic til they’re through security. Not a huge inconvenience, especially when public safety is at stake.

 

[Magpie]

I never said a ban on photography, just in the security areas. Taking pics of the entrance or decorations is different then taking pics of bagcheck lines or security personnel. And if there was a “no photography of security check areas” sign up, then no guest would be made to “feel like a criminal” since they shouldn’t be taking pics of the security areas anyway. I’m sure people can hold off from taking a pic til they’re through security. Not a huge inconvenience, especially when public safety is at stake.

The "security areas" are part and parcel of the resort as a whole.

And yes, people probably could hold off. However, signage isn't likely to be very helpful when you have people visiting from all over the world, who are excited and distracted and unlikely to read it. Even if it's posted in 16 different languages and looks like the inside wrapper of a KinderEgg, people are likely to miss it.

I think Disney is trying to handle the situation as sensitively and considerately as possible, without coming across as any more controlling and autocratic than they already do. And I truly doubt that this is one of those make-or-break situations where a few photos would put public safety at risk.

In general, I'm in favour of fewer "hard rules" and more flexibility for security to use their judgement about people. Letting people snap pics of their kiddo in her stroller at bag check, is perfectly reasonable. Politely engaging people in conversation and possibly asking them to stop, when they go beyond the usual, "Aw, my kid is so cute!" snaps, is also entirely reasonable.

 

[Summer2018]

I never said a ban on photography, just in the security areas. Taking pics of the entrance or decorations is different then taking pics of bagcheck lines or security personnel. And if there was a “no photography of security check areas” sign up, then no guest would be made to “feel like a criminal” since they shouldn’t be taking pics of the security areas anyway. I’m sure people can hold off from taking a pic til they’re through security. Not a huge inconvenience, especially when public safety is at stake.

I agree. Who wants photos of bags being searched for their photo album? I won’t be posting photos of security procedures on my Facebook page or Instagram. It’s just plain weird.

 

[Magpie]

I agree. Who wants photos of bags being searched for their photo album? I won’t be posting photos of security procedures on my Facebook page or Instagram. It’s just plain weird.

No weirder than taking pictures at the airport. Or before you even leave, while you're still packing! Some people like to document every minute of their trips.

Assuming this is your family, what would be so weird about it?

It goes in the family album under, "Here we are, getting our bags checked! Almost there!"

 

[disneydreamer1980]

The "security areas" are part and parcel of the resort as a whole.

And yes, people probably could hold off. However, signage isn't likely to be very helpful when you have people visiting from all over the world, who are excited and distracted and unlikely to read it. Even if it's posted in 16 different languages and looks like the inside wrapper of a KinderEgg, people are likely to miss it.

I think Disney is trying to handle the situation as sensitively and considerately as possible, without coming across as any more controlling and autocratic than they already do. And I truly doubt that this is one of those make-or-break situations where a few photos would put public safety at risk.

In general, I'm in favour of fewer "hard rules" and more flexibility for security to use their judgement about people. Letting people snap pics of their kiddo in her stroller at bag check, is perfectly reasonable. Politely engaging people in conversation and possibly asking them to stop, when they go beyond the usual, "Aw, my kid is so cute!" snaps, is also entirely reasonable.

There are plenty of places to take pics, no one needs a bag check pic. And saying they shouldn’t put up a sign because no one will read it, is crazy. The pulse nightclub shooter scouted out security at MK on multiple occasions, so yes, it does happen. I just don’t understand how anybody could be against people not taking pictures of security areas. And the security area is not “part and parcel of the whole park”, it’s an area outside the entrance of the park.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Because this has become off-topic from the OP’s experience, closing.