Metal Detectors and Bag Search

[21stamps]

I've read a few threads about new security measures being implemented at WDW.

Yesterday we went to our local theme park, to my surprise there was new gates set up away from the entrance, complete with a bag check station and people with metal detector wands.

We were there a little over a month ago and said security check was not in existence.

I wonder if this is something that all theme parks are doing now.
Maybe there have been threats that we don't know about?

Just thought this was interesting due to the recent change at WDW during same time frame.

 

[Robo]

1. I wonder if this is something that all theme parks are doing now.
2. Maybe there have been threats that we don't know about?

1. Not "all" certainly, but more than in the past.
2. That is always a given.

 

[Alesia]

We were at King's Island Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, there wasn't anything, on Tuesday, there were metal detectors and bag checks.

 

[21stamps]

We were at King's Island Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, there wasn't anything, on Tuesday, there were metal detectors and bag checks.

That's where we were yesterday! We went on opening day and hadn't been back since..was a little shocked. Side note- the crowd level, or lack thereof yesterday, was GREAT!!!

1. Not "all" certainly, but more than in the past.
2. That is always a given.

#2 - Yes. It just stood out to me since that's 2 parks that I know of who implemented changes recently.

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

Six Flags St Louis has had metal detectors for a while. I was always surprised WDW didn't.

 

[scrapquitler]

Six Flags New England has had the metal detectors for years.

 

[RedAngie]

Six Flags St Louis has had metal detectors for a while. I was always surprised WDW didn't.

Six Flags New England has had the metal detectors for years.

Every Six Flags park I've been to over the past 5 or so years has had metal detectors. Great Adventure (NJ), Washington, DC, Chicago, New England, Magic Mountain in California, Dallas. They operate with varying degrees of efficiency.

 

[DebbieB]

I was at Kings Dominion and Six Flags Over Texas last year, both had metal detectors right after the turnstile. Kennywood here in Pittsburgh has had them for years, mostly because of gang activity.

I've always thought the bag check was worthless without metal detectors. Anyone could hide something under their jackets or clothes.

 

[Lesverts]

I actually found it weird when I was there last year. I have been to a lot of major attractions and sporting events that required bag check and metal detectors/wands. At a Broncos game no metal detectors but required a full pat down.

So Disney's security was a little weird from previous experiences. I mean I've been to the Olympics as a spectator and that was some extreme levels of security.

 

[twinprincesses09]

We were at King's Island Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, there wasn't anything, on Tuesday, there were metal detectors and bag checks.

We were there Sunday and they weren't there. For the past few years, I have seen bag checks and the metal detector wands at Soak City on and off. One day they would have them, the next day they didn't. I never understood why they weren't more consistent. And they have always had bag check and the wands on the Halloween Haunt nights.

 

[epcotty]

And of course Kennedy Space Center has had detectors for years

 

[21stamps]

We were there Sunday and they weren't there. For the past few years, I have seen bag checks and the metal detector wands at Soak City on and off. One day they would have them, the next day they didn't. I never understood why they weren't more consistent. And they have always had bag check and the wands on the Halloween Haunt nights.

Have you ever seen the white gates set up before the entrance? That was the first time ever that I have seen anything of the sort. Although during Halloween Haunt I have only been during the day time, never at night.

 

[21stamps]

I was at Kings Dominion and Six Flags Over Texas last year, both had metal detectors right after the turnstile. Kennywood here in Pittsburgh has had them for years, mostly because of gang activity.

I've always thought the bag check was worthless without metal detectors. Anyone could hide something under their jackets or clothes.

I should have taken a picture, these were not at the turnstiles, they were set up pretty far in front of them. It was just odd.

 

[tobikaye]

We were at King's Island Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, there wasn't anything, on Tuesday, there were metal detectors and bag checks.

Thanks for the heads up. I haven't been back since the Season Pass preview and I have not had a chance to run over during my lunch hour yet this year. I was considering it tomorrow, but maybe I will wait. Most of the kids are out of school in the area as of yesterday and today so tomorrow could be busy.

I will have to prepare my sister so she knows what to expect. I will need to wait until we are past security to put her backpack on her wheelchair.

 

[21stamps]

Thanks for the heads up. I haven't been back since the Season Pass preview and I have not had a chance to run over during my lunch hour yet this year. I was considering it tomorrow, but maybe I will wait. Most of the kids are out of school in the area as of yesterday and today so tomorrow could be busy.

I will have to prepare my sister so she knows what to expect. I will need to wait until we are past security to put her backpack on her wheelchair.

Oh don't worry too much, it didn't take up much time at all. There was several spots that you could enter, and we had 3 people in front of us in line- from that point to the turnstiles was less than 5 minutes.

 

[21stamps]

Thanks for the heads up. I haven't been back since the Season Pass preview and I have not had a chance to run over during my lunch hour yet this year. I was considering it tomorrow, but maybe I will wait. Most of the kids are out of school in the area as of yesterday and today so tomorrow could be busy.

I will have to prepare my sister so she knows what to expect. I will need to wait until we are past security to put her backpack on her wheelchair.

Oh don't worry too much, it didn't take up much time at all. There was several spots that you could enter, and we had 3 people in front of us in line- from that point to the turnstiles was less than 5 minutes.

 

[tobikaye]

That is good to know since I will probably go tomorrow night. I will wait for my lunch time visit until at least next week when Soak City will be open. I can usually park closer to that entrance for quick in/out options. I usually get to the parks about 3-4 times during May when school is in session, but my work schedule has not let me this year.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Funny Kings Island has the security and Cedar point does not (there now) since they are the same chain. Cedar Point did have it in evenings for Halloweekends though last fall.

 

[MinnieMSue]

I stand corrected. Cedar point now has "random" checks starting today. We got wanded going into the park today. We didn't have any bags to check.

 

[21stamps]

Funny Kings Island has the security and Cedar point does not (there now) since they are the same chain. Cedar Point did have it in evenings for Halloweekends though last fall.

I stand corrected. Cedar point now has "random" checks starting today. We got wanded going into the park today. We didn't have any bags to check.

Did Cedar Point have the white fences set up before the entrance?
We will be back at KI next Wednesday, I'm curious to see if they are still set up.