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

[FCDub]

Gee when I go to a federal building I am only screened once and my bag goes through an X-ray machine and no one puts their mits on my stuff. I am allowed to be unhappy about this crap that is going to impact the enjoyment of the 1 vacation I will have until next year. Again I know you seem to go to Disney all the time so it's no big deal but this a very expensive trip for me and I am not pleased with any of this. If I wanted to be a total witch I would tell my kids we are not going at all and go on the vacation that I want but I won't break my promise to them. But they have been informed that the next time they go they will be adults and it is in their dime and I won't spend another cent of my money on Disney and that is my prerogative.

Gosh, you're certainly entitled to feel however you want about this, but if this is ruining your vacation that much, I'd hate to see how you respond when faced with actual adversity in life. Have fun on your trip.

 

[rteetz]

Gee when I go to a federal building I am only screened once and my bag goes through an X-ray machine and no one puts their mits on my stuff. I am allowed to be unhappy about this crap that is going to impact the enjoyment of the 1 vacation I will have until next year. Again I know you seem to go to Disney all the time so it's no big deal but this a very expensive trip for me and I am not pleased with any of this. If I wanted to be a total witch I would tell my kids we are not going at all and go on the vacation that I want but I won't break my promise to them. But they have been informed that the next time they go they will be adults and it is in their dime and I won't spend another cent of my money on Disney and that is my prerogative.

Are you flying to Disney? That security is much more thorough than Disney. If you go to a sporting event they do the same thing that Disney does.

Most major theme parks have some sort of screening these days. It's just the world we live in.

 

[Disneyforus]

We've been here since last Saturday and have used several different modes of transportation to and from the parks, and resorts. We've not waited more than 5 min to get through security. Yes, tweaking to be done..but confident Disney will streamline any areas that need it.

 

[Hikergirl]

Yes by manually going through my personal bag they are saying I am a criminal. Even the crappy tsa doesn't touch my stuff. if you think all of this makes you any safer you are a lemming and I have a bridge to sell you.

1. The TSA does touch people's stuff, you just haven't had that happen to you, yet.
2. The TSA and those people in the Federal buildings are still looking through your stuff even if they haven't laid a finger on it.
3. While I do agree this is security theater, there is no data you are providing saying one way or the other if it really makes us safer. I have read about people being turned away because they had firearms trying to enter Disney.
I also read that the Orlando Pulse terrorist scoped out Disney, but most likely due to security measures in place decided it was not an easy target.
I'm also sure that there are many things that you or I or anyone else in the general public are not privy too.

But yes you do have the right to be annoyed, and just as you may think others are lemmings, others are free to think that your opinion of being treated like a criminal is over dramatic.

 

[fla4fun]

I seriously doubt they will regulate bags when there are so many sold at the parks. Most purchase with purchase deals involve bags, that's not happening.

I hope you are correct. But it's all going to depend on what the current security concerns are. Who would have ever thought that the bubble guns would be banned? Would a guest visiting WDW before 9/11 have ever envisioned a day when we would be searched and scanned before entering a theme park? There just isn't any way to know for sure what tomorrow will bring.

Of course, they don't care what you carry out of the park, only what you bring in. I could see them requiring purchases be sent to your resort or placed in a locker outside the secure area if they had to really pare down what they allow through security. That might make the secure bus transport between parks very popular for those who like to hop, since both you and your purchases would be considered "safe".

 

[hiroMYhero]

Dropping in again. Please remember to follow the DIS Guidelines which state first and foremost: "DIS gives fans a place to share their experiences with each other" in a non-argumentative manner.

Thanks!

 

[AngiTN]

I could see them requiring purchases be sent to your resort or placed in a locker outside the secure area if they had to really pare down what they allow through security. That might make the secure bus transport between parks very popular for those who like to hop, since both you and your purchases would be considered "safe".

Without rebuilding the lockers, not possible. They are inside the secure area. Not to mention, if they did, how would they monitor the person going from the store out of the park to a locker?
And since guests can visit Disney without staying on site they can't require all package be sent to the resorts either.
Maybe they'll reduce the size, maybe they'll require they are clear, maybe they will ban all outside foods
They will not ban all bags. How can someone bring an infant with formula and diapers without a bag?

 

[Day-Day]

Bags and other items purchased in the park will be safe since they were checked before going on the store shelves; no need to go through security.

Not that I think bags will ever be banned from going through security...

 

[fla4fun]

Without rebuilding the lockers, not possible. They are inside the secure area. Not to mention, if they did, how would they monitor the person going from the store out of the park to a locker?
And since guests can visit Disney without staying on site they can't require all package be sent to the resorts either.
Maybe they'll reduce the size, maybe they'll require they are clear, maybe they will ban all outside foods
They will not ban all bags. How can someone bring an infant with formula and diapers without a bag?

Sorry - I was meaning that if you bought something, such as a bag, in one park that was not permitted through security because Disney decided to restrict bag size or require clear bags, then you might have to either have it shipped to your resort, or Disney would have to provide lockers outside security for those items if you were park hopping, because you wouldn't be able to bring your purchase in the park through security. Or if you were driving, you could always put it in your car. The PP seemed to be making the point that it was unlikely that Disney would ban or regulate bags because they sell so many. If circumstances warrant it, then they could. I hope it never comes to that, as I'm pretty attached to my HM Dooney park bag.

 

[amberpi]

I hope you are correct. But it's all going to depend on what the current security concerns are. Who would have ever thought that the bubble guns would be banned?

Well, I had always hoped my complaints to WDW about bubbles had helped get rid of those

 

[AngiTN]

Well, I had always hoped my complaints to WDW about bubbles had helped get rid of those

LOL... That may have been the case but they just replaced the gun with a wand, so bubbles aren't gone

 

[dreiwhit]

I hope you are correct. But it's all going to depend on what the current security concerns are. Who would have ever thought that the bubble guns would be banned? Would a guest visiting WDW before 9/11 have ever envisioned a day when we would be searched and scanned before entering a theme park? There just isn't any way to know for sure what tomorrow will bring.

For what its worth, one of the biggest Universities in my state ban all non-see through bags and purses larger than a small size at their football games (http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2016/07/purses_backpacks_no_longer_all.html), and regulates the size of the see through bags. Its not a total bag ban, but I could see it coming in the future.

I could also see the jump to clear bags, and then no bags at all at WDW. Its the logical progression of security. Keep in mind that security never stops, it only gets stricter.

I really hope it doesn't come to that, because it would affect how my family and I tour the parks, but again, it wouldn't surprise me if it happens.

Of course, they don't care what you carry out of the park, only what you bring in

Absolutely true! There was one person on these boards last year who bought a Disney mug at one park, and then had problems trying to take it into another park when she hopped. A security supervisor finally let her through.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I think moving the security away from MK gates is a great idea. It was such a mess funneling everyone from the busses, monorail, and ferries all to the same central screening point. Navigating that crowd with strollers and or little ones was terrible.

Opening up the courtyard of MK outside the gates to the way it was supposed to be is a welcomed relief. Both aesthetically and functionally.

It also helps create the Disney Bubble, helping to leave the real world behind as you enter the gates. Security screenings do take away from the magic.

Are they going to take away the bag check tables in front of MK that are no longer being used? I'd hope so.

As for Epcot, I think it'd be good to separate the bus arrivals screening from those arriving via car. And, they can then have the monorail exit into the secured area. But, looking at the map, there doesn't seem to be any room between the bus depot and the monorail exit without widening the walkway. But, if they did this, they could move the security checkpoint for those arriving via car to the other side of the entry way plaza, away from the monorail and bus arrivals.

 

[AngiTN]

You just can't compare what a stadium with a 3 hour game does to what Disney does, when guests are there for 12 hours. Clear bags yes, size restriction, yes. No bags, never. I normally would be one to say never say never but in this case, never. Again back to someone bringing in their infant. No one can go to Disney for the day with an infant and no bag. Are they really going to make it impossible to bring babies and toddlers to Disney parks for the day?

 

[AngiTN]

I think moving the security away from MK gates is a great idea. It was such a mess funneling everyone from the busses, monorail, and ferries all to the same central screening point. Navigating that crowd with strollers and or little ones was terrible.

Opening up the courtyard of MK outside the gates to the way it was supposed to be is a welcomed relief. Both aesthetically and functionally.

It also helps create the Disney Bubble, helping to leave the real world behind as you enter the gates. Security screenings do take away from the magic.

Are they going to take away the bag check tables in front of MK that are no longer being used? I'd hope so.

As for Epcot, I think it'd be good to separate the bus arrivals screening from those arriving via car. And, they can then have the monorail exit into the secured area. But, looking at the map, there doesn't seem to be any room between the bus depot and the monorail exit without widening the walkway. But, if they did this, they could move the security checkpoint for those arriving via car to the other side of the entry way plaza, away from the monorail and bus arrivals.

Yeah, I can't quite determine how wide the area is from the #1 bus stop location, towards the park. I know there is a bathroom off to the right (as you face the park) and there are those gates that empty out right next to that (you meet for tours just on the otherside of that gate). I think they could reconfigure that area to remove that exit point and increase the space for a check point. But that's going off what's in my minds eye and I may be off on what can fit there. I know the check point they have is too small. The area nearer the buses isn't that much smaller.

And I agree with a PP that they need to reconfigure the IG area too. That is simply too tight

 

[rteetz]

You just can't compare what a stadium with a 3 hour game does to what Disney does, when guests are there for 12 hours. Clear bags yes, size restriction, yes. No bags, never. I normally would be one to say never say never but in this case, never. Again back to someone bringing in their infant. No one can go to Disney for the day with an infant and no bag. Are they really going to make it impossible to bring babies and toddlers to Disney parks for the day?

Not all stadiums require clear bags so I think it is the closest comparison you can have.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I would honestly stop going if I couldn't bring a bag in. I can't see how I would manage without one.

 

[amberpi]

Yeah, the coolers thing is just flat out amazing to me. Not only is it a hazard to others I just can't fathom how it's enjoyable to drag the thing around all day.

YES! Dragging a rolling cooler around for a hot day at a theme parks seems like a modern day Batan Death March (hyperbole of course, not mitigating that horrific atrocity), not vacation. I'm sure other people see me in the parks and shake their heads

 

[SaintsManiac]

Not all stadiums require clear bags so I think it is the closest comparison you can have.

Most of them do and I am sure they all will soon enough.

 

[AngiTN]

Not all stadiums require clear bags so I think it is the closest comparison you can have.

Our experiences are with NFL stadiums (NFL made the clear bag rule league wide) and SEC stadiums. I believe the SEC also made a similar rule but not positive. They are becoming very common place in sporting venues. Our season ticket office even sent out free clear bags to us. Though I do as I do at Disney, I go bagless. Just so much easier but I don't have a little one either