Out of control security bag lines

[LYSE]

It seems to be the case that the Orlando nightclub bomber checked out Disney Springs in WDW with weapons in a child stroller and got scared off by seeing security there - no bag check needed. What is "effective" is a relative term but it appears Disney's WDW security may have prevented a mass shooting there on Disney property. Comparing Disney security to TSA at an airport is an apples to oranges comparison. At Disney guests are on private property and Disney can set their own rules. They also have lots of cameras inside the parks and plainclothes security - some with hidden weapons. They may be fine that a knife gets through on occasion as they weigh that against the guest experience. They have others ways of dealing with problems inside the parks. On an airplane those options may not be possible.

Right, but my comments are only concerning the bag check/screening process which didn't seem to be a factor in preventing a possible mass shooting, the nightclub shooter wasn't scared off by bag checks he was scared off by the heavy police presence at Disney springs..the response time would be too quick and too fast.

Disney has great security you wont see me argue that, but the guest screening is not playing any significant role in that other than making about 60 percent of the DIS feel safer (based off a poll I saw in another thread)

Comparing TSA to Disney security is fair, airports have TONS of Cameras and plain cloths officers both pre and post security and both attempt to create a "sterile" area where guests are reasonably assumed to be weaponless.

 

[DizneyMommy]

Are they still not checking the pockets on cargo pants? I was forced to open every tiny zipper pocket in my tiny purse, while the guy next to me walked through in cargo pants.

Yeah but he has to take those pockets through the metal detector, and they do ask you to empty your pockets ;-)

 

[HydroGuy]

Right, but my comments are only concerning the bag check/screening process which didn't seem to be a factor in preventing a possible mass shooting, the nightclub shooter wasn't scared off by bag checks he was scared off by the heavy police presence at Disney springs..the response time would be too quick and too fast.

Disney has great security you wont see me argue that, but the guest screening is not playing any significant role in that other than making about 60 percent of the DIS feel safer (based off a poll I saw in another thread)

Comparing TSA to Disney security is fair, airports have TONS of Cameras and plain cloths officers both pre and post security and both attempt to create a "sterile" area where guests are reasonably assumed to be weaponless.

I think we may have had this discussion before, and I have no special knowledge or opinions. If the current bag screening process scares off some never-do-wells, and a certain smaller percentage gets through with some kind of weapon, that is less for Disney security to deal with inside the parks. I am sure Disney takes security very seriously and are working towards finding the right balance between security checks and how that makes guests feel. Many guests feel inconvenienced at Disney security (and TSA security) but many including me feel better being inside the parks (or on an airplane) knowing that it is there. Not trying to say either is 100% effective. I have no idea. I like the dogs I saw outside the security lines late last year probably sniffing for explosives. I think Disney should do even more of that. I agree having a crowd backed up at the security checkpoints creates a target for criminals. Same thing happens at airports. I think Disney should pay attention to this and maybe they are in ways we do not even know.

 

[auteur55]

Speaking of efficiency. We had a 4:00 reservation at Cafe Orleans. Shuttle dropped us off about 3:15. It look us the full 45 minutes to get through security, through the gate and navigate the insane parade mess where the sidewalks became so congested at one point we were at a complete grid lock for a few minutes.

Same thing last night coming back to the park for a 9:20 splash fast pass. Fireworks about to start of course. Walking through the entire park in shoulder to shoulder traffic to get to one ride and almost giving up seems to me to be untenable but somehow Disney has been doing that for years.

 

[DizneyMommy]

Speaking of efficiency. We had a 4:00 reservation at Cafe Orleans. Shuttle dropped us off about 3:15. It look us the full 45 minutes to get through security, through the gate and navigate the insane parade mess where the sidewalks became so congested at one point we were at a complete grid lock for a few minutes.

Same thing last night coming back to the park for a 9:20 splash fast pass. Fireworks about to start of course. Walking through the entire park in shoulder to shoulder traffic to get to one ride and almost giving up seems to me to be untenable but somehow Disney has been doing that for years.

It's all about timing... gotta watch those parades and shows, they'll kill the best laid plans!

 

[Malcon10t]

It's all about timing... gotta watch those parades and shows, they'll kill the best laid plans!

Actually, the "side" or "back" alley that they open during the parade works great to avoid the mess of the parades. But most people try to avoid it. It sounds like the OP is having horrible luck. I have friends there this week too. They've said it is actually pretty nice. It is always interesting to see 2 different views of the same timeframe.

 

[Indy #1 Fan]

Would anyone else be happy if the metal detector just went away completely? I think getting rid of them would move things much faster and it would better to have security CMs and the APD on hand observing guests entering.

 

[Huff]

FWIW Universal Orlando has the best security lines I've seen. Disney should try to duplicate their system. Thank you for the update on mobile ordering, we will definitely do that!

Have not been to Universal but security at all 4 parks at WDW have always been efficient. Never once waited in more than a 1 minute security line.

 

[Huff]

Would anyone else be happy if the metal detector just went away completely? I think getting rid of them would move things much faster and it would better to have security CMs and the APD on hand observing guests entering.

Disney World has them but they're never a problem. They do not have everyone go thru them. They pick out random guests to go thru and it takes seconds.

 

[HydroGuy]

Disney World has them but they're never a problem. They do not have everyone go thru them. They pick out random guests to go thru and it takes seconds.

My experience a year ago at Epcot was, at least on the days we visited, everyone went through metal detectors. I think MK was the same. DHS seemed like it was more random. I cannot remember AK.

 

[agamble]

Actually, the "side" or "back" alley that they open during the parade works great to avoid the mess of the parades. But most people try to avoid it. It sounds like the OP is having horrible luck. I have friends there this week too. They've said it is actually pretty nice. It is always interesting to see 2 different views of the same timeframe.

I've never seen these open. We do try to avoid the congestion, but sometimes we end up getting stuck. Am I not looking in the right area, or they just don't open them every day?

 

[dina444444]

My experience a year ago at Epcot was, at least on the days we visited, everyone went through metal detectors. I think MK was the same. DHS seemed like it was more random. I cannot remember AK.

I've had it vary at all 4 parks on my last few trips. At Disneyland since I only enter through M&F, Downtown Disney, and occasionally through GCH I always have to go through a meal detector since you can't bypass them there.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Also poor planning by people who get there just before or after RD.
I never waited longer than 30 seconds when I went.

 

[dina444444]

I've never seen these open. We do try to avoid the congestion, but sometimes we end up getting stuck. Am I not looking in the right area, or they just don't open them every day?

They are almost always open during fireworks. The parade is hit and miss. They were not open during the second run of Pixar Play Parade this past Saturday.

 

[HydroGuy]

Have not been to Universal but security at all 4 parks at WDW have always been efficient. Never once waited in more than a 1 minute security line.

I agree, WDW manages to handle this much better than DLR. I think part of it is that at MK, for example, there is a restriction in flow of guests coming to MK and that tends to limit crowding at the entrance. This is also true to a lesser degree at the other 3 parks. At DLR folks at a zillion hotels can just walk right up to security with no monorail or boat or tram in between.

Even with these "reasons" why DLR has a more difficult situation, I agree with your implication that if WDW can do it, DLR should be able to as well.

I have never experienced the type of backups at DLR that some are reporting here. Maybe 10 minutes at most (at security) which felt like forever. I would be beyond frustrated if I had to wait 20-30 minutes like some have reported here.

 

[agamble]

They are almost always open during fireworks. The parade is hit and miss. They were not open during the second run of Pixar Play Parade this past Saturday.

Ok. We haven't seen the new fireworks yet or Pixar Play Parade at DL. I'll keep an eye out of the open passages during our trip next week. I've always wanted to walk back there.

 

[dina444444]

Ok. We haven't seen the new fireworks yet or Pixar Play Parade at DL. I'll keep an eye out of the open passages during our trip next week. I've always wanted to walk back there.

Just a note when you are walking towards the castle you’ll use the bypass that goes behind where the lockers, music shop, and Starbucks are. When you are walking to town square you’ll use the other side behind the emporium.

 

[gary1955]

Actually, the "side" or "back" alley that they open during the parade works great to avoid the mess of the parades. But most people try to avoid it. It sounds like the OP is having horrible luck. I have friends there this week too. They've said it is actually pretty nice. It is always interesting to see 2 different views of the same timeframe.

I've never seen these open. We do try to avoid the congestion, but sometimes we end up getting stuck. Am I not looking in the right area, or they just don't open them every day?

an odd thing happened the last time I was in the park. I was leaving just after the end of the fireworks. I crossed the hub and headed towards the Coke corner and saw cast members directing guests down Main Street. I asked one if the alley was open, she paused for a moment then turned sideways to let me through. so I guess they were in the process of closing the alley. I would have thought that they would keep it open and direct guests that wanted to exit that way.

 

[superme80]

Six Flags handled the secrutiy better then Disneyland. Our first day it took us an hour to get through the line. Our last day the line was just as long, but we hopped over to another one that moved much quicker. Some of the lines divide into 2 lines to make it easier for inspection. Other lines you go through one at a time and it really slows things down. Security was nice and efficient, but not very quick.

 

[Malcon10t]

I've never seen these open. We do try to avoid the congestion, but sometimes we end up getting stuck. Am I not looking in the right area, or they just don't open them every day?

The path north is open during parades, but not the south path. If you mess up your timing so you are arriving while the parade is running, bear right and wait with the crowd by Opera House. They will get you thru betwwn specific floats and the back way is considerably faster than trying to snake your way up Main St. It drops you by the Corndog cart.

South path is supposed to be open after fireworks.