New Security Measures for MK Guests; UPDATES: Page 12 - Post 222; Live Reports - Pgs. 18-20

[SaintsManiac]

Arriving on 4/8 staying at POR and have own car. Sounds like my plan should be drive to HS, AK, and Epcot but take the bus to MK. What do all my always helpful Disboard friends think?

We are driving for the first time this year. I feel like taking the bus to MK is the best idea. We'll drive to AK, but walk to Epcot and HS from the BC.

 

[IrishNYC]

1) I think it is past time for better security screenings in Disney World. My only comment would be for Disney to splurge on a better x-ray machine for those folks who have medical equipment implanted in them so that they are not forced to be patted down like a common criminal. My sister was there in January and asked not to go through their x-ray machine because when she did last year their basic x-ray machine altered her settings on her heart device. She has the medical device card that states she can't go thru that type of machine and they did not care.

2) In January when she told them what had happened the previous visit, she was forced to then wait for a female Supervisor to observe her being patted down. She was then made to pull up her t-shirt showing her stomach as well as pulling up the bottom of her capri pants as far as they could go. The pat down was very invasive and she was very upset by the uncaring security people. Now with that being said, everyone should be screened, but with all the money Disney makes from folks, why can't they put at least just one of those body scanners they have at the airport at each park so folks don't have to be treated this way if they happen to have medical implants where the older basic x-ray machines can cause them harm.

1) I would have absolutely stood my ground and asked for a supervisor, because if you can't go through, you should not be forced to. My MIL has a heart device that cannot be x-rayed, and I would have been furious if they made her go through anyway. Unacceptable.

2) She should not have had to be humiliated having to show her stomach, or pulling her pants up. I set off airport security every single time I go through, and I have never had to expose any part of myself that wasn't covered before I went through, and I would certainly not stand for it at Disney without escalating it. I also set off detectors at most ballparks. I just go to airports, ballgames, and anywhere else with security, expecting to be patted down. However, I don't think a backscatter machine is the answer. Too many people don't like them because of the "nudity" issue, and when you add a high volume of kids into the mix, I think you'll get too much pushback. I do think that if WDW is going to screen everyone, that being exempt from typical security machines just can't exempt one from all screenings. Even if they're using random screenings, if someone who is medically exempt gets chosen, they shouldn't be completely exempt from being screened, just like they wouldn't be at an airport. WDW security just needs to do a better job at doing it.

 

[KrisBex]

Lots of great updates! I didn't see an exact answer to this and wanted to see if anyone knew. We are staying at the Contemporary and I was wondering what the best option would be to avoid the longest bag lines. Walking or riding the monorail.

My question is really.. is there a separate line to bag check those walking from the Contemporary? or are we shoved into the bag check line for all those arriving on the buses? I'm thinking the shortest bag check line would be taking the monorail in that case but if there's a separate bag check for just the walkway, that should be a no-brainer

thanks!

 

[hiroMYhero]

but if there's a separate bag check for just the walkway, that should be a no-brainer

Separate bag check for walkers! You won't be grouped with the mass from the buses.

 

[KrisBex]

Separate bag check for walkers! You won't be grouped with the mass from the buses.

YASSSSSSSSSS you rock thank you!! So glad we booked the Contemporary. This new bag check really seems like it gives Contemporary resort guests the advantage

 

[madge]

I'm assuming you came via Disney bus from one of the resorts?
Thanks for reporting

Yes ~ it was a pretty full bus, but we were the only group at the checkpoint.

We just left the park, it appeared that things were running smoothly. Again, not crowded.

 

[CMNJ]

There are 2 separate resort launches: one for GF & Poly, separate launch for CR & WL. To get from Poly to CR, you would indeed have to transfer to a different launch at MK or walk from there. Yes, it looks like you would have to go thru the new security at the launch landing. Probably quicker to take the monorail.

When we stayed at WL 2.5 yrs ago there were two docks at WL. One for MK (went directly there and back) and one to go to CR or FW (ran in a loop). So to access MK by boat from CR you'd have to take one boat to WL get off and wait in line on the other side of dock to take a second boat to MK. I just looked at the CR amenities on the Disney website and it only says you can get to FW and WL from the CR via "water taxi"

****I believe I saw a post from a different poster earlier in this thread indicating there was boat service to CR from MK so I just wanted to clear up the confusion-it is possible but would take a while with the need to transfer boats.

 

[focusondisney]

When we stayed at WL 2.5 yrs ago there were two docks at WL. One for MK (went directly there and back) and one to go to CR or FW (ran in a loop). So to access MK by boat from CR you'd have to take one boat to WL get off and wait in line on the other side of dock to take a second boat to MK. I just looked at the CR amenities on the Disney website and it only says you can get to FW and WL from the CR via "water taxi"

****I believe I saw a post from a different poster earlier in this thread indicating there was boat service to CR from MK so I just wanted to clear up the confusion-it is possible but would take a while with the need to transfer boats.

Right, sorry for the confusion. The poster I was responding to was asking if there was a boat from Poly to CR. I was just indicating that those 2 resorts are on separate launch routes.

 

[Bmath]

YESSS Thank you! 6 days out.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm here now, staying at GF. Went to Epcot yesterday via resort monorail / transfer at TTC to Epcot monorail. We were screened twice, once at GF and again at Epcot like the old system. Wasn't a big deal really, both were quick.

Went to MK this AM via resort monorail. This new setup is PHENOMENAL for the monorail resorts. We left GF sometime after 8:10ish, no wait to get screened. Getting into the MK is SO easy, breezed right through! This photo was 8:24AM. 9AM park opening.

 

[DT83097]

I'm here now, staying at GF. Went to Epcot yesterday via resort monorail / transfer at TTC to Epcot monorail. We were screened twice, once at GF and again at Epcot like the old system. Wasn't a big deal really, both were quick.

Went to MK this AM via resort monorail. This new setup is PHENOMENAL for the monorail resorts. We left GF sometime after 8:10ish, no wait to get screened. Getting into the MK is SO easy, breezed right through! This photo was 8:24AM. 9AM park opening.

View attachment 229308

so you can now go immediately left off the monorail vs. walking down to the middle where the original bag check stands were located?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

so you can now go immediately left off the monorail vs. walking down to the middle where the original bag check stands were located?

Yes, you can take that immediate left towards the bottom of the ramp that used to be roped off.

 

[jennypenny]

I'm hoping they increase the smaller resort to resort boat launches to avoid the security lines. We're staying at BLT this summer and I'm not crazy about having to go through security every time we simply want to go to the Poly or GF for food/drinks/shopping. We do a monorail pub crawl and we'll have to get screened every time. It also means I can't bring any items to the other resorts that I couldn't bring into MK. What if you bought something at the shops at another resort that is a banned item, like a bottle of wine or something in a glass container? Would you be prohibited from bringing it back to your resort on the monorail?

And two screenings to get into Epcot is ridiculous IMO, especially when staying at the deluxe resorts. How long will it take to get into Epcot from GF/Cont during busier weeks?

 

[SgtTibbs]

Does anyone know, on an average day what percent of guests arrive at the MK using the bus system VS via the TTC?

 

[rteetz]

Does anyone know, on an average day what percent of guests arrive at the MK using the bus system VS via the TTC?

I am sure only Disney knows those numbers but I would guess more arrive via the TTC than bus due to Off site guests, and those who drive.

 

[yulilin3]

I'm here now, staying at GF. Went to Epcot yesterday via resort monorail / transfer at TTC to Epcot monorail. We were screened twice, once at GF and again at Epcot like the old system. Wasn't a big deal really, both were quick.

Went to MK this AM via resort monorail. This new setup is PHENOMENAL for the monorail resorts. We left GF sometime after 8:10ish, no wait to get screened. Getting into the MK is SO easy, breezed right through! This photo was 8:24AM. 9AM park opening.

View attachment 229308

this sight makes me happy

 

[disneyholic family]

they must have a real security consultant working with them now..
what they had before was rather insecure...
of course, it's not as if this can't be breached, but it's far superior to the prior set up which left the approaches completely vulnerable (the monorail and ferry)...

 

[Andyman33]

I'm hoping they increase the smaller resort to resort boat launches to avoid the security lines. We're staying at BLT this summer and I'm not crazy about having to go through security every time we simply want to go to the Poly or GF for food/drinks/shopping. We do a monorail pub crawl and we'll have to get screened every time. It also means I can't bring any items to the other resorts that I couldn't bring into MK. What if you bought something at the shops at another resort that is a banned item, like a bottle of wine or something in a glass container? Would you be prohibited from bringing it back to your resort on the monorail?

And two screenings to get into Epcot is ridiculous IMO, especially when staying at the deluxe resorts. How long will it take to get into Epcot from GF/Cont during busier weeks?

or what if staying at poly or contemporary and want to bring a cooler of beverages (adult and kid) and snacks to pool hop to the grand floridian by way of monorail -- now i can't do that???? or do the same from boardwalk bus to monorail to pool hop there? would be interesting to see what they say about that...

 

[SaintsManiac]

or what if staying at poly or contemporary and want to bring a cooler of beverages (adult and kid) and snacks to pool hop to the grand floridian by way of monorail -- now i can't do that???? or do the same from boardwalk bus to monorail to pool hop there? would be interesting to see what they say about that...

You can pool hop at Disney???????

 

[Andyman33]

i know as a dvc member I can. at least from poly and contemporary to grand floridian I can (easily that is)