Lines at the gates, true or false?

[GaryWT]

Is it true that we will be placed in either a line for people bringing in nothing into the parks and anyone bringing in bags, backpacks, fannypacks etc. get in another line to have everything searched before entering.

Just wondering at what level of things to pack and how much longer it takes to get in.

I am all for security but I may leave my camera etc at home if it gets us into the park a lot quicker.

 

[Samirella]

If you can't spare about five minutes, then you should leave your camera at home. There are several lines set up at each park for you to go through. I was at AK just a couple of weeks ago and they were letting people through the "no bags" line if you had a smallfanny pack or camera bag as long as it was open for them to look in as you walked by.

 

[da disney fans]

The lines really aren't that bad -- at least, not bad enough to warrant leaving your camera at home!

We were last there at Christmas, and even though the parks were incredibly crowded, it only took maybe 5 minutes to get through the bag check lines.

 

[stinkerbelle]

my purse has about 587 pockets in it...and I never had to wait that long.

to be honest...it's not like they make you dump it out and go through it all. i've seen overstuffed backpacks just get the once over...you never know what COULD be in there.

not trying to start anything about disney security, or lack thereof, but I've never had a problem.

 

[ktulu]

Last time my wife and I went we had no issues with the lines to get into the park, at least not from the security angle. The longest lines were getting into the park through the gates after security, and I think the worst one was MGM for some reason.

darrren

 

[jcemom]

I'm here now (yep, DISing from Disney) and haven't really had any problems. While there aren't seperate lines, you can pretty much bypass those having bags checked at all the parks except Epcot. For the most part though, they're pretty quick. I also don't want to start a debate, but I've been here a week and have only had ONE man actually LOOK into and through my backpack. The others have all just peeked in and said "okay" without checking any of the zipper pockets or anything.

MK, AK, and MGM have a station to check bags before you get to the admissions turnstiles. Epcot does it all in one place, so even if you don't have a bag you still need to wait behind others that do. IMO, I found Epcot to be very inefficient in that respect. The others are no problem at all!

 

[ChairborneRangr]

I think part of it depends on the demeanor of the person and the size of the bag. I was behind someone that had a large backpack. It looked like he was ready to go on a 3-day hike. He had to completely unpack the bag and they went through everything.

When I have been there they usually allowed people without bags to have a separate "line" past a security guard, and they just went on through. If you want to avoid it all, simply wear shorts with cargo pockets and put your camera in the pocket.

I usually send my family through and I take all the fanny packs. I have them unzipped and open, ready for review. Each pack takes about 2-seconds that way. Then I catch up with the crew at the first ride (after getting the first planned fast-pass).

 

[jcemom]

Great suggestions ClairborneRanger! I got some "solo time" at Epcot the other night and wore some new cargo pants I just bought. I'm buying more! They are great for keeping all your stuff! (I need a backpack with DD because she's still in diapers and all, but will never carry one again when I'm not taking her along!)

 

[Melann]

Here is my expereinces with the 'lines' from my Jan trip

MK, Epcot weren't too bad...just a check peek in the bag.

AK wasn't long, but the guards there wanted you to pull out everything (camera out of camera bag, etc.), and had me open the small zipper pouch on my fanny pack

MGM the lines were crazy...i don't know why but we waited the longest there!

I started getting everything out of my bag while I was waiting in line, and then I was able to get through my check quickly...definately pull your camera out of the camera bag!

Overall, it wasn't too bad...it all depends what time you get to the park too on how long your wait is!

 

[Chim Chiminy]

We have never had to wait long. The line for security moves pretty quickly. Just make sure you have your bag unzipped.
That is usually what holds up the line, when people don't unzip until they are asked.
Last trip every security guard who checked my bag commended me for having a see-through bag and having things in ziploc bags. The ziploc bags help organize and group things together (meds, camera film, extra clothes for my daughter, sunblock and lip balm) and keep your bag from becoming a jumbled mess.
The bag I used was a yellow transparent beach bag.

 

[castlegazer]

Originally posted by Melann
Here is my expereinces with the 'lines' from my Jan trip

MK, Epcot weren't too bad...just a check peek in the bag.

AK wasn't long, but the guards there wanted you to pull out everything (camera out of camera bag, etc.), and had me open the small zipper pouch on my fanny pack

MGM the lines were crazy...i don't know why but we waited the longest there!

I started getting everything out of my bag while I was waiting in line, and then I was able to get through my check quickly...definately pull your camera out of the camera bag!

Overall, it wasn't too bad...it all depends what time you get to the park too on how long your wait is!

I had the exact same experience - what is it with MGM?

 

[GaryWT]

Thanks for the replies. Someone I work with was telling me that hundreds of people were walking into the parks while they stood in a line that did not move. I'll take that as telling a tall or should I say long tale.

 

[kadaten]

Security is different on days when the national threat level is elevated. We were park hopping all day, no problem. Got to AK evidently right after the threat level was raised to orange. Same regular Disney shopping bag my mom had had with her all day and had no problems, now had to be completely emptied and unwrapped. She'd bought me a watch in a funny square box and the CM had taped it up inside another Disney bag to keep me from seeing it by accident. Mom had to completely unwrap the watch, open the box, and show him the watch. Luckily, I'd walked ahead, and was just turning around to retrieve her when she got it all wrapped back up and she was able to hold the surprise until later.

Personally, I don't mind the security. It's there to keep me safe. DH is military, so we get more than our share of worries without having to worry at the parks!!

Katie