Park Security

[DiannaVM]

I think we will be seeing screening at each WDW resort before one can get on the bus. The group waiting for the bus would be much smaller because it is spread out at the various resorts. Off site busses go to different areas such as the TTC. I'm thinking there could be security set up at such places. Perhaps there will even be screening before one can enter the monorail system. What a sad state of our times we are living in.

I was actually thinking about it yesterday, how if they really wanted to beef up security, it should start with when you board your bus or monorail.

 

[yulilin3]

I didn't want to 'like' but I did want to say thank you for posting this. I'm sorry to hear that the Disney and Universal communities were directly affected. And of course, my heart goes out to everyone affected.

As to security at Disney, I think the fact that they haven't had a major incident there yet speaks volumes about the quality of their security team. Unfortunately, they have to be right every day about millions of people who approach their parks. A terrorist or crazy only has to get it right once. There is no way for Disney to make their parks completely safe. They are giant, highly symbolic targets. But the odds of something happening during any given person's trip are very low. But definitely, it's good to be aware, speak up, and know where the exits are (so to speak).

The theme park community has been hit hard, apart from the kid from Forbidden Journey a friend of mine lost 2 additional friends from universal, another lost 3 from WDW, the unofficial word is 13 Cast members. All my CM and TM friends are in mourning.
Orlando will never be the same

 

[myjourney]

On our recent trip to Disney I rented a ECV and one of the things that I was surprised about at security check is that they checked my bag and just waved me through. How hard would it be for someone to put explosives under the ECV, wish they would have dogs sniffing those for explosives.

 

[carlyle688]

I went to Epcot yesterday afternoon thinking security would be ridiculously tight but the guy barely even looked in my backpack. I had all zippers open and he did not even bother looking in every pocket. There was no one behind me in line so it's not like he had to hurry. I was surprised.

 

[blondietink]

Anybody can drive under those huge Welcome to Disney World signs when coming in from I-4 or 192 and there is absolutely no security. No security at any of the resorts, no security in the parking lots, on the trams, on the buses, on the boats, on the monorail, or at Disney Springs. ANYBODY can come in as far as the turnstiles without a ticket. My concern is not safety inside the parks, but safety before you get into the parks. Disney needs to do something at all those traditional bottlenecks where masses of people ware waiting to get into the parks. Just MHO.

 

[thedonduck]

I did not know that, Thank You! I was misinformed !

It's all good! My DH is a Air Traffic Controller in Orlando and their airspace covers Disney. Just trying to correct a VERY common misunderstanding. And Disney is shooting themselves in the foot because they want to allow THEIR drones in but no one else. BUUUUUT, that is direct violation of their self-fought for TFR

 

[capegirl]

The theme park community has been hit hard, apart from the kid from Forbidden Journey a friend of mine lost 2 additional friends from universal, another lost 3 from WDW, the unofficial word is 13 Cast members. All my CM and TM friends are in mourning.
Orlando will never be the same

How terribly sad. My heart is breaking for all of you.

 

[Disney Dynamite]

According to this article on People.com, the gunman was also scouting Disney Springs as a possible target.

 

[Angel Ariel]

How "good" is security at the parks? Do you believe they do a good enough job during screening? In lieu of last night's Orlando bombing, will you remain MORE vigilant? I must confess that up until today I really didn't think of being nervous. We arrive this coming Saturday and I know that now I will be much more vigilant. Such a shame to feel this way at the Happiest Place on Earth.

I have never been nervous at Disney, and this won't change my view. We were at DLR when Paris happened, and I never felt unsafe there. There is far more security that is unseen than there is seen at Disney parks, and *that* is what I have faith in. The metal detectors and such actually make me feel less safe, as it creates an easier pre-screening target. Of course I do not think Disney is immune to anything happening. If Sandy Hook, Paris, Brussels and now Orlando should have taught us anything, it's that it can happen anywhere at any time. So while I acknowledge that, I refuse to live in fear.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Well, it may come a time when the prohibited items list gets longer.

The day they prohibit diapers, wipes, diaper cream, change of clothes from entering the park is the day they start losing young families as customers. Those things are essentials with young children, not wants, and IME they take up the most amount of room in our park bag.

 

[Fuzzylife75]

I am going to stick my chin out here a bit, and please don't get me wrong dear friends.

But... If there were to be (God forbid!) an incident at any Disney location in the world, that would require Disney to take extreme measures of safety for only a limited time, I'd take the blow. For everyone's safety! We should all be able to feel safe and comfortable visiting the most magical place on earth. Even if the darkest parts of reality manages to creep in, when tragedy hits.

 

[Angel Ariel]

there's no way of being absolutely safe. We can only be vigilant and if we see something say something.
Sure the bag checks and metal detectors and under cover security might help but the WDW area is massive. Resorts, buses, monorails, the TTC, Disney Springs, they are all vulnerable and there's no way to check every single person going in.
If any one of you is coming to the parks be extra caring and understanding with Cast Members at Disney and Team Members at Universal. I know of 3 people that are in surgery right now that work to make your vacations more magical. The entertainment community has been hit hard.
EDIT TO ADD: they are slowly releasing the names of those who died. They just released the name of one kid (a 22 year old) he worked at Forbbiden Journey at Universal Island's of Adventure

I am so very sorry, yulilin I hope your friends in surgery are recovering. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and friends.

 

[Jules76126]

Security has always been very tight at Disney. It really is very safe. The guys doing bag check at the front of the parks really is just the tip of the ice berg. Of course there are undercover security members, there a people watching for suspicious behavior, there are dogs routinely sniffing around. I have seen how quickly the plainclothes security can react when needed. It was a small domestic dispute (too long in the park, parents grumpy and taking it our on each other) but security was there oh so fast and dealt with the situation quickly.

All cast members from the big bosses to the person selling mickey ice cream bars are trained on how to react in various situations. This can be from a natural disaster like a hurricane, to a health emergency, lost children, and suspicious situations. We also know what all the evacuation plans are in the case of a major attack. Disney takes security very seriously. There are tons of measures backstage to keep unauthorized people from entering where they don't belong. CMs are constantly checked by security as well, but entering and leaving the parks. I know that they also run drills on how they would react to certain situations - child abduction, gunman in the park, etc.

At the end of the day, anything can happen unfortunately. Disney does the very best that they can to maintain a safe environment and are constantly changing things up. But the world we live in today is a scare place. However, I choose to still visit malls, go to WDW, fly on airplanes, and travel to Europe. I am more aware of my surroundings and will say something if I see something. I have lots of friends in Orlando and my heart aches for them in this time of tragedy.

 

[Jannephotog]

Our plans are still on for next year (which is easy to say when it's not within weeks of such a horrible event). I won't mind taking an extra 10 or so minutes and a small reminder we are still in the real world even at Disney if it means the safety of everyone at the parks.

They should just start saying plan another 20 minutes or so for bag check/security when booking ADRs and packages. I don't think if people know it's coming they would be quite as upset if the lines stay organized and not as chaotic.

 

[capegirl]

According to this article on People.com, the gunman was also scouting Disney Springs as a possible target.

I have often thought about the possibility that DS could be targeted; it is super packed at night, and such a popular destination with tourists and locals. I know that Disney will heighten security at DS, and maybe I'm wrong here, but I do feel as though the DS location may more vulnerable than the parks. I don't see how Disney could screen everyone who walks into DS, unless they created a park like entrance.
As Americans we enjoy our freedom, and terrorism will not stop us from going to the places we enjoy. Security cannot protect us in every instance, so be alert, be aware, and stay safe.

 

[DiannaVM]

I have often thought about the possibility that DS could be targeted; it is super packed at night, and such a popular destination with tourists and locals. I know that Disney will heighten security at DS, and maybe I'm wrong here, but I do feel as though the DS location may more vulnerable than the parks. I don't see how Disney could screen everyone who walks into DS, unless they created a park like entrance.
As Americans we enjoy our freedom, and terrorism will not stop us from going to the places we enjoy. Security cannot protect us in every instance, so be alert, be aware, and stay safe.

Exactly. My sister was thinking they would become more strict, but I honestly doubt it. There is too much free space out in the open at DS. At the most, I foresee them scrutinising patrons at places like the House of Blues Hall, or any of the clubs/bars, which would usually be up to the event organizers and/or the venue's owners anyway to provide the additional security they think is needed. But even then, I doubt we will see that happen.

 

[tsme]

I worry more about an attack at the bottleneck Disney has going on in the security area & park scanners than Disney Springs. I guess because at DS, it's so open, there's more places for people to run & escape. At the park entrances, you're kind of stuck in a huge crowd, in a small area. My DD (13yrs. old) is now saying she's scared to go to Disney in September. I've tried to reassure her, but she's not stupid & everything is all over the news & the internet.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I worry more about an attack at the bottleneck Disney has going on in the security area & park scanners than Disney Springs. I guess because at DS, it's so open, there's more places for people to run & escape. At the park entrances, you're kind of stuck in a huge crowd, in a small area. My DD (13yrs. old) is now saying she's scared to go to Disney in September. I've tried to reassure her, but she's not stupid & everything is all over the news & the internet.

I am so sorry your daughter is scared now

 

[mevelandry]

I just got an article from People saying that the man targeted Disney Springs because it did not have security checks...

This scares the sh... outta me.

 

[yulilin3]

Exactly. My sister was thinking they would become more strict, but I honestly doubt it. There is too much free space out in the open at DS. At the most, I foresee them scrutinising patrons at places like the House of Blues Hall, or any of the clubs/bars, which would usually be up to the event organizers and/or the venue's owners anyway to provide the additional security they think is needed. But even then, I doubt we will see that happen.

For concerts at house of blues you go thru bag check and individual check with a wand