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

[pattyw]

Why doesn't Disney not just have x-ray machines like Universal? It would be easier than people going thru your bags. Cost????

Absolutely!! We were at both Disney and Universal last week. At Universal, they don't hunt and peck through your bags nor are you separated from your bags nor given time with your checked bags before the metal detectors. Its quick, efficient, painless. At AK, we arrived at 7pm- not exactly rope drop crowds, but security took a while. Once our bags were checked we got into a line to go through the metal detectors. It took us some time in line to reach the detectors- all while holding our checked bags that do not go through the detectors- ample time for anyone to take something out of their pockets and put something into their bags before going through the metal detectors! Very big problem!

Spend the necessary $$ for the xray machines Disney and make some sense!

 

[whiporee]

I don't know that it matters, but Universal has roughly a third the attendance of MK. Some things might not scale as easily.

 

[HopperFan]

I don't know that it matters, but Universal has roughly a third the attendance of MK. Some things might not scale as easily.

Universal security in one place for two parks and Citywalk, which is quite busy.

Disney would be splitting security among four parks.

Same setup absolutely could work, could be made to look more "magical" and be way more efficient than the hunt and peck method they do, while also observing us. At Universal they can completely focus on the bags contents while someone else watches the guest and has them come through the metal detector.

 

[JohnneeO]

Universal security in one place for two parks and Citywalk, which is quite busy.

I just want to note that Universal also has a security checkpoint at the valet parking entrance. This entrance is also used by the walk-up traffic; we used it walking over from the Fairfield Inn. They have some ropes set-up for a switchback to accommodate a line, but we never had to wait when we arrived there.

 

[HopperFan]

I just want to note that Universal also has a security checkpoint at the valet parking entrance. This entrance is also used by the walk-up traffic; we used it walking over from the Fairfield Inn. They have some ropes set-up for a switchback to accommodate a line, but we never had to wait when we arrived there.

Makes sense. My point was to PP, who stated that the scale maybe can't work at Disney because Universal has lower attendance. They have one spot for 3 guests centers ... Disney would have 1:1 spots for each of it's guest center. Actually could be a reduced setup from Universal. If built properly there would be no issues at Disney.

 

[tvsdisney]

I don't get why people are so upset about this. Either way you have to go through security and be checked...sadly it's the world we live in now. I personally was there last April the same week when the man who terrorized the Pulse nightclub was scouting out Disney. That previous December I was on the monorail with a young man, who was acting very suspicious and I even tried to get him to talk and he wouldn't. He was intently looking around wouldn't make eye contact or engage. Trust me I tried because something sent my inner senses off with him. We started at MK ended at GF with him and he didn't get off there when we did. I reported it to Disney security and also had said to my family that I was surprised security wasn't higher around the monorail loop. I now look back and wonder if it could have been Omar Mateen scoping out Disney. He looked incredibly similar to the man we reported that day. I wish I would have snapped a picture. In that same respect so glad I reported it. We all need to be villigant and aware of our surroundings and report if we see things that don't seem right and look out for our fellow Americans

 

[memo10]

We are at the Poly this week and you can see they are ramping up TTC to be ready for Monday-jersey barriers, hedge planters on wheels to create walls, etc-It looks to me like once you step off the tram you will be funneled into the security lines and will now have to pass through the openings between the ticket booths in order to reach the monorail lines and ferries-I also thought it looks like they will be sending the people from the walking path at the Poly to funnel into the security line by the tram stop and I assume that the opening on the side will become exit only with security watching to ensure people don't enter there just like at MK

Good update! I was selfishly hoping they would have two so we wouldn't have to walk as far. Sometimes we walk from the parking lot along the path from Poly and we just hang a left right at the bathrooms.

 

[Videochicke]

The current screening makes no sense. I had to get screened each time because I had a bag. So they checked my bag. But only some people went through the metal detector. My husband had no bag so never went through the metal detector or was checked. One would think all a crazy person needs to do to get into the park with a gun is not to have a bag with them.

 

[MBurns]

The more I think about it though the more I like the fact that the whole formality of it is being removed from right in front of the MK which is usually a flurry of activity anyway. You just want to scan your MB and walk in unabated. The scrutiny of security right in front of the park kind of detracts from that "magic" feeling of arriving.

I so agree that it distracts from the Magic, we were there 2 weeks ago for our first visit and the MK was so busy the 1st day we were there we were so out of sorts going through security then right into the gates, we did not really see much of what was just past the entrance, 2nd day through was better and we were able to get our picture taken and all in front of the depot. Our 1st day at the MK was not Magical at all, very glad I had planned for 2 days at the MK.

 

[Jennasis]

Makes sense. My point was to PP, who stated that the scale maybe can't work at Disney because Universal has lower attendance. They have one spot for 3 guests centers ... Disney would have 1:1 spots for each of it's guest center. Actually could be a reduced setup from Universal. If built properly there would be no issues at Disney.

I'm going to assume Disney knows more about it's own security needs, construction capabilities, and manpower than you or I and how things will/won't work, as well as the ability/costs of "building properly". If the set-up at Universal would work for Disney, I don't see why they wouldn't implement it. Therefore, I must conclude that there is a valid reason they don't do it that way ("to annoy their guests" is not a valid reason). I have no idea what that reason is, but whatever it is, it's valid enough for them to look for alternate ideas, which they are doing.

Then again, I honestly haven't had any issues with security. Haven't found it to be a nuisance, or to slow us down. Do I think it could be improved? Sure...and clearly, so does Disney.

 

[GoGoBeans]

Why doesn't Disney not just have x-ray machines like Universal? It would be easier than people going thru your bags. Cost????

Do you mean like the x-rays that are at the big rides at Universal? The ones you go through every time. We thought those were the biggest pain in the neck and having to store your bag so or even your cell phones. Security multiple times. No thanks.

Now the Unviersal express pass. Sign me up!

 

[yulilin3]

Do you mean like the x-rays that are at the big rides at Universal? The ones you go through every time. We thought those were the biggest pain in the neck and having to store your bag so or even your cell phones. Security multiple times. No thanks.

Now the Unviersal express pass. Sign me up!

There's only one big checkpoint at Universal. It's before you get into city walk. Smaller bag checks are at the entrance of the hotels walking paths

 

[kimmyg26]

I applaud any additional security measures Disney puts into place. A few additional minutes to help protect us certainly seems worth it to us.

With so many issues in the world, I'm perplexed that people are concerned about going through the new screening process. If you aren't doing anything illegal or wrong, the security measure will be a breeze for you.

 

[DisneyOma]

We are at the Poly this week and you can see they are ramping up TTC to be ready for Monday-jersey barriers, hedge planters on wheels to create walls, etc-It looks to me like once you step off the tram you will be funneled into the security lines and will now have to pass through the openings between the ticket booths in order to reach the monorail lines and ferries-I also thought it looks like they will be sending the people from the walking path at the Poly to funnel into the security line by the tram stop and I assume that the opening on the side will become exit only with security watching to ensure people don't enter there just like at MK

Sounds like a bottleneck in the making.

Absolutely!! We were at both Disney and Universal last week. At Universal, they don't hunt and peck through your bags nor are you separated from your bags nor given time with your checked bags before the metal detectors. Its quick, efficient, painless. At AK, we arrived at 7pm- not exactly rope drop crowds, but security took a while. Once our bags were checked we got into a line to go through the metal detectors. It took us some time in line to reach the detectors- all while holding our checked bags that do not go through the detectors- ample time for anyone to take something out of their pockets and put something into their bags before going through the metal detectors! Very big problem!

Spend the necessary $$ for the xray machines Disney and make some sense!

Universal has one parking lot for both parks, and even at opening hardly any crowd compared to WDW. I'm thinking sending every bag at WDW through xray - are they really going to look at them as they go by?

Universal security in one place for two parks and Citywalk, which is quite busy.

Disney would be splitting security among four parks.

Same setup absolutely could work, could be made to look more "magical" and be way more efficient than the hunt and peck method they do, while also observing us. At Universal they can completely focus on the bags contents while someone else watches the guest and has them come through the metal detector.

WDW has bus loads of guests arriving at a time - Universal has none of that. The trickle-in of Universal makes it much easier to handle bags going through an xray machine. Think of the back-up in security at the airports, and that will be what WDW will look like when buses of people arrive all at once.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I applaud any additional security measures Disney puts into place. A few additional minutes to help protect us certainly seems worth it to us.

With so many issues in the world, I'm perplexed that people are concerned about going through the new screening process. If you aren't doing anything illegal or wrong, the security measure will be a breeze for you.

I have had to wait over an hour to clear bag check at MK. That is why. When it is really only a few minutes, no one cares. Maybe this change will help with that.

 

[capegirl]

It will be interesting to see how it will affect resort monorail boarding as well. I'm happy that Disney is stepping up security, but for everyone's sake,
I'm hoping the transition to the new security procedures will go smoothly.

 

[kandb]

Universal has one parking lot for both parks, and even at opening hardly any crowd compared to WDW. I'm thinking sending every bag at WDW through xray - are they really going to look at them as they go by?

Yes, why can't they have people looking at the x-ray machine screen, just like they do at the airports?

 

[pattyw]

Yes, why can't they have people looking at the x-ray machine screen, just like they do at the airports?

 

[kandb]

I personally think the security people going thru everyone's bags and them making everyone open every zippered pouch and jabbing a stick or flashlight into your personal belongings is beyond offensive. Women sometimes have feminine products or people have other personal items and it's ridiculous that a billion dollar company has this kind of "security". Pushing some dirty stick into my private belongings is really unacceptable.

 

[kandb]

ALSO, when people get off the ferry or monorail (and have already been pre-screened), how are they going to keep this group together and separated from the bus people who have not been screened? It's not like when you get off the ferry or monorail, the MK entrance is right there?