Please be courteous to the security folks!

[Nik's Mom]

Nice tip, Exevale! I'll have to find a camera bag that folds up small! Thanks.

 

[Exevale]

Thanks Nik's Mom. I am a firm beliver in the power of cargo shorts/pants I wear them all the time in the "real" world.

 

[Stimpy]

Regarding a poster who mentioned metal detectors....they don't have these at WDW?
Melanie

Nope, no metal detectors. They don't even check people, just bags. The security is obviously there to make people feel safer. I know Disney has alot of security that most people don't realize behind the scenes (or undercover) but the bags checks are more for the guests to see that they are doing something.

That being said, we are always courteous to the security personnel and thank them when they are done.

 

[tlbwriter]

Many people who are in a wheel chair travel alone. You would be surprised by the many wonderful people, like myself , who are more than willing to help a total stranger if needed.

So you'd be able to use a backpack that you couldn't reach, just because so many people are willing to help? Awesome!

 

[dpuck1998]

Nope, no metal detectors. They don't even check people, just bags. The security is obviously there to make people feel safer. I know Disney has alot of security that most people don't realize behind the scenes (or undercover) but the bags checks are more for the guests to see that they are doing something.

That being said, we are always courteous to the security personnel and thank them when they are done.

I agree with many of the above posters. The security check is a waste of time. They look in your bags quickly...I could hide anything in there and they don't check enough to find it. What is the point of the check? Either check for real like at the airport or don't bother. I could strap on whatever I need to do harm and walk into the park. Of course, I'm always nice to the security people since they are only doing thier job...but the whole check is a big waste of time.

 

[belleandthebeast]

I was there a few weeks ago and I only saw people being nice to security and there were short lines. It only took us an extra two minutes to get through them.

Our first day we were behind a family who apparently had a lot of twinkies in their bag and the security guy screams "Twinkie alert" and says "I am sorry but Twinkies are not allowed in the park, and we are supposed to confiscate them because there are enough here for all us security folk" We were cracking up. Of course they didnt take them but all week we would open our bags and say to eachother "Got any twinkies?"

Trip to Disney: $1500
Getting caught w/ Twinkies: Priceless

 

[Troy08]

Then I suggest you don't get behind me because my backpack will not be unzipped. It is on the back of my wheelchair and I can't reach it. I'm not lazy. The security guards are kind enough to unzip and rezip it for me and I appreaciate their help. I don't need any judgemental people behind me complaining.

>>>>>>>>I don't think its wheelchair guests he is talking about. Of course, yours is a different situation then able bodied adults not being pro active and being prepared for their secuirty check. Just a thought, why don;t you keep your backpack in your lap until you go through security or have another member of your party hold it for you? Please do not take that as any way, shape or form as criticism. Merely an observation.

 

[mill4023]

I agree with many of the above posters. The security check is a waste of time. They look in your bags quickly...I could hide anything in there and they don't check enough to find it. What is the point of the check? Either check for real like at the airport or don't bother. I could strap on whatever I need to do harm and walk into the park. Of course, I'm always nice to the security people since they are only doing thier job...but the whole check is a big waste of time.

Totally agree.
I would never be rude to the security guys, they're just doing their job. But I do find it very irritating that we have to take the extra time to go through a security check when they really don't check anything. I could have brought in anything I wanted without them seeing it. With our 4 kids, we brought 2 strollers and 2 backpacks. My backpack was pretty full with blankets, diapers, extra clothes, and water bottles. Every time security checked it, all they did was look on top. They would have never even seen a gun or anything else under the diapers and blankets. I fully understand the reason for having security checks, I just don't understand why they bother inconveniencing guests and paying for all those security workers if you aren't even going to do a real security check.

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

Then I suggest you don't get behind me because my backpack will not be unzipped. It is on the back of my wheelchair and I can't reach it. I'm not lazy. The security guards are kind enough to unzip and rezip it for me and I appreaciate their help. I don't need any judgemental people behind me complaining.

i dont think anyone would complain because you cannot reach something being in a wheelchair! its the people who can do it and wont that are being rude.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Totally agree.
I would never be rude to the security guys, they're just doing their job. But I do find it very irritating that we have to take the extra time to go through a security check when they really don't check anything. I could have brought in anything I wanted without them seeing it. With our 4 kids, we brought 2 strollers and 2 backpacks. My backpack was pretty full with blankets, diapers, extra clothes, and water bottles. Every time security checked it, all they did was look on top. They would have never even seen a gun or anything else under the diapers and blankets. I fully understand the reason for having security checks, I just don't understand why they bother inconveniencing guests and paying for all those security workers if you aren't even going to do a real security check.

Exactly.

To me, it really dampens the magic to have to go through a check (more because it makes me think of the outside world when I'm trying to get away from it than the time it takes) every time I come to a Disney park.

If they actually were checking anything, or at least checking bags more thoroughly, let alone people, it wouldn't be so bad - but I'd rather they just eliminate them altogether and not make me think about security at the Happiest Place on Earth at all instead of these glance-checks that aren't really preventing anything but my immersion at WDW.

N.E.D.

 

[robinb]

Lord, people they are doing us a service trying to keep us safe!

I bed to differ! They are not making us safer. They are making people feel safer. The "security" at WDW is a total joke and I have thought so since November of 2001.

That being said I have my bag open for them and am polite but not chatty.

 

[Stimpy]

I bed to differ! They are not making us safer. They are making people feel safer. The "security" at WDW is a total joke and I have thought so since November of 2001.

That being said I have my bag open for them and am polite but not chatty.

While I totally agree that the entry bag checks is a joke and meant to make the people feel safer (as I stated that earlier in this post), security is not a "total" joke. There is alot of things going on behind the scenes that the general public is not aware of. I agree it's not the securest place in the world, but it is probably more secure than most people think.

 

[minnie61650]

I bed to differ! They are not making us safer. They are making people feel safer. The "security" at WDW is a total joke and I have thought so since November of 2001.

That being said I have my bag open for them and am polite but not chatty.

The truth is 9/11 happened.
Since 9/11 Disney has had to spend mega dollars on security.
Not just bag checkers, but tons of hidden cameras,emergency evacuation plans, and lots of behind the scenes security.
If Disney did not have to hire all that security, ticket prices could be lower and they could hire more CMs to keep the parks cleaner and open longer.
Other amusement parks and hotels don't require the same security measures that Disney does. Every time the government raises the threat level more measures have to be taken and more money is diverted for that. We only see a small part of the security. Please people I know you may not want to think about it but Disney was a target. That's why it's a no fly zone.
Will that keep me from returning to the "Happiest Place On Earth."
No way! We are bringing our 3 year old grandson (and his parents of course LOL) for his first Disney trip. Our group will have our bags ready to be checked.
Anything to help everyone get through the lines quicker.
Linda

 

[Mickeyistheman]

After reading everyone's replies I just had to respond.

The reason for the "Bag Check" is for safety. If they weren't there and something happened, every single person that posted including myself would be upset and saying why didn't they have someone checking the bags.

There is so much the we the "regular people" do not see as far as security goes in WDW.

It really does not take much even if you are traveling with a carriage and diaper bags to unzip everything while you are waiting in line.

Or to help those that need a little more assistance to speed up the process.

It really is such a small thing to do.

It's a shame how easily people forget what happened on 9/11. I live in New Jersey and knew 3 people that died that day. So when I have to open my bag to go to a concert or get on a plane or go to WDW I will and not even blink an eye or complalin.

So let's get Happy and enjoy our time in line, maybe just hello to the people behind you ask if its their first time, you may make a new friend and how awesome is that. It doensn't hur to say hello or smile at someone. You can make a persons day by doing so!

 

[robinb]

The reason for the "Bag Check" is for safety. If they weren't there and something happened, every single person that posted including myself would be upset and saying why didn't they have someone checking the bags.

No ... It's not there for safety. It's there so your FEEL safe. If someone wants to blow up WDW with a bomb or shot people with a gun they can still do so by putting the explosives, gun, etc in their cargo pants and the bag-check people wouldn't know the difference.

It's a shame how easily people forget what happened on 9/11.

Yeah. Right.

 

[disneymom3]

I have not forgotten 9/11 but I am sorry--people who were smart enough to get all those planes hijacked and carry out this plan are NOT dumb enough to put their little homemade bomb in their backpack and try to take it into WDW.

The real "bad guys" have already thought all this stuff out and the explosives, gun, knife etc would be strapped to thier bodies, not in their fanny pack.

I don't think the checks genuinely protect us. However, I am polite to the security guards who are only doing their job and I do not complain because I am just a rule following kind of gal. PLUS, I am at WDW and so I am a happy camper. Well, I did complain about this one woman checker at AK one day. MIL was convinced that the woman had applied to the TSA and was rejected so she was being super thourough at WDW. She even had me open my wallet which is the size of a credit card and take everything out of it. She also made me unzip the mesh (as in see through) pocket on the back of my purse. I was polite to her, but I did gripe about it. I thought MIL who is the sweetest woman ever was going to deck her though!

 

[java]

Did you see the London bomber suspect- with the explosives in a backpack on his back?
Now while I don't think the bag check does much of anything, it also doesn't add that much more time to my waiting- we were backed up thanks to the biometric scan(please read ther internet people and go prepared- fingers all the way in)

 

[Leota]

Six Flags uses a metal detector & a bag check now..... Scary that Six Flags is more progressive than Disney in this area.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I've always felt that the "security" measures at WDW were intended to make folks feel a bit better, rather than provide any real protection. I imagine they collect their fair share of pocket knives, etc, but nothing of real significance.
It's a tough call. These perfunctory checks do add time and cause lines. But just imagine what a REAL security check would do!! Can you imagine the metal detectors going off almost constantly? Or package x-rays revealing "suspicious" objects every third customer?? The parks would be closing before some folks could even get in!!
I don't know what the answer would be, nor what folks REALLY want. Seems to me that true security means real inconvenience, and I wonder if people headed for a magical trip to the MK and WDW would put up with that??
Disney had plenty of time since 9/11 to beef up security and they haven't. Suggests to me that what they have now is about all they feel the paying customers want, or will accept

 

[matty624]

I remember at Sea World in 2003 they dipped this stick thing into our bags, rather than looking through. I assume that is for drugs, rather than for terrorist weapons!?

Im not sure that many people would try and take drugs into Disney, but there would be some, and Im sure that must be one of the reasons for bag checks?

As for security against terrorism, of course its not a 100% deterrent, but what short of full body searches is against extreme terrorists?

Lots of the security systems we put our trust in are fallible, but something is better than nothing; and if it stops people smuggling a joint, a pen knife or a sneaky bottle of something stronger than water into the park then they're keeping disney a little nicer at least.

I agree, wouldn't have thought Disney was the best place for a drug user! All those talking animals would really freak them out!!!
Ian