New security procedure at Epcot

[Park Hopper]

When we arrived at Epcot yesterday (11/7) we found a new security procedure being used for checking bags. The bag-check area has been moved away from the turnstiles to a row of temporary tables, shielded by large umbrellas, that have been set up parallel to the line of ticket windows. The spaces between the windows have been roped off so that guests no longer can walk between the booths to the turnstiles.

A Security CM said the new setup is a test to try to eliminate the bottleneck created by guests getting their bags checked and then piling up at the turnstiles now that the entry process has been slowed because all ticket holders must use the finger-scan machines. Epcot had been the only park where the bag check was right on top of the turnstiles.

The system seemed to be working pretty well yesterday, but it's kind of ironic that the original security tables, installed right in front of the turnstiles not that long ago, are likely to become obsolete.

On a related note, Epcot finally has joined the other parks in having an entrance for guests without bags. MK and AK have allowed guests without bags to skip the security check for quite some time, and Epcot recently added the same convenience.

 

[safetymom]

Glad to hear they are working to eliminate that bottleneck. The line for persons without bags seems to be hit or miss. Sometimes it is open other times it isnt'.

 

[kyirish25]

Always wondered why they didn't make this change. Hoping it works out and speeds up entry into Epcot.

 

[ugadog99]

Yeah!! I always thought the Epcot method needed some improving.

 

[LiteBrite]

I think this is great news - there were terrible bottlenecks there even before the switch to everybody using the biometrics. I'm looking forward to seeing if the new system works a little better.

 

[eblack0409]

Hopefully this will continue to work out good....I like the no bags line...keeps people from having to wait on those of us that carry purses!