Please be courteous to the security folks!

[Fast Pass]

I just got through talking to this guy who went to Disney last month. He was giving me the low down on crowds,weather etc. I asked him how long it took to get through security at MK. He said it took them a good 15-20 minutes mainly because people are not opening all their packages or unzippering their backpacks.
So please open up all your packages,backpacks so security get whizz you through the system! There is no need to wait until you get on top of the poor security people to begin to unzip things.
My friend also said that alot of people were complaining to the security folks for being inconvenienced. Lord, people they are doing us a service trying to keep us safe!
The less we whine the quicker we get to ride our favorite rides!

In short,I'm going in September and I don't want to wait in line at security because someone is too lazy to unzip a bag or because someone can't quite gripping over something that can't be helped.

Now that I am off that soap box,I can go back to memorizing my September schedule.

 

[foxfire]

I couldn't agree more. We always have backpacks unzipped or unclasped & held open when we get to security. I'm more than happy to do this to try to help keep the parks safer (altho' I have to say some of those security folks are more thorough searching than others).

We always thank them after they've looked through our packs and told them we appreciate them doing this. I think some guests are very rude to those folks who are just doing their job.

 

[Talking Hands]

In short,I'm going in September and I don't want to wait in line at security because someone is too lazy to unzip a bag or because someone can't quite gripping over something that can't be helped.

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.

 

[leighmidd]

That is exactly the reason DH and I only bring things that can be carried in our pockets. Oh the joy of traveling without children.

 

[Merriwind]

Got to agree and disagree.

Agree 100% with the thought to be courteous to security personnel. They are just doing their jobs. And, being as prepared as one can for the security checkpoints will help you and everyone else pass through as quickly as possible.

Disagree 100% with the idea that these perfunctory bag searches enhance or increase anyone's safety in the parks. It's paying lip service to the idea of increased security after 9/11. I'm sure that I don't have to list the dozens of ways a terrorist or any other demented individual could smuggle in any number of weapons, biological agents and other dangerous items without needing a bag to transport them.

By searching only those with bags, nearly 100% of women are searched, but a much smaller percentage of men are searched. Statistics show that men are the perpetrators in over 97% of terrorist acts and random acts of violence towards others! Personally, if WDW wants to step up security, I would rather see xray machines and walk through detectors than this security "gesture". Having women's purses and diaper bags searched, but nothing else, does nothing to enhance my perceived or actual safety at WDW--or anywhere else.

Rant over--thanks for listening!

 

[Forevryoung]

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?"

 

[bluejasmine]

On our trip in March I taught my kids to unzip their pouches right before we got near the guards so that other people would not be inconveinced. I say since we cannt do change the fact they have the guards there why pick apart the subject just do what has to be done so that noone has to wait long. JMHO

 

[Disneyrsh]

Cargo shorts, people!

The no-bag line is the best!

Just try it, get one pair of cargo shorts to wear one day in the parks, you'll be a believer!

 

[Nite0wl71]

We also have all our bags open and ready, we do it while we are waiting in line. It's just not WDW its everywhere. Went to a Cubs game, and same thing.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

I agree, it not just Disney, but everywhere where a lot of people will be.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I was shocked and saddened to see some dumb woman yelling at security when we were in Wdw in May. She didn't like being "inconvenienced" and was giving him an ear full. She said we should only have to show our bags in the morning and not when we park hop! Finally, the securty guard told her "How would we know if you didn't slip something in your bag in between parks?" I just shook my head at her. It is to keep park guests safe! Why would anyone want to complain about that?

 

[meb]

It didnt take long at all 15-20 minutes nope never waited that long.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Disagree 100% with the idea that these perfunctory bag searches enhance or increase anyone's safety in the parks. It's paying lip service to the idea of increased security after 9/11. I'm sure that I don't have to list the dozens of ways a terrorist or any other demented individual could smuggle in any number of weapons, biological agents and other dangerous items without needing a bag to transport them.

It's scary how many people don't realize this.

However, it serves it's function - it helps those that don't understand feel better, I guess, giving them a false sense of security.

It does make park hopping less fun, though, for those of us that know better.

N.E.D.

 

[Leota]

Got to agree and disagree.

Agree 100% with the thought to be courteous to security personnel. They are just doing their jobs. And, being as prepared as one can for the security checkpoints will help you and everyone else pass through as quickly as possible.

Disagree 100% with the idea that these perfunctory bag searches enhance or increase anyone's safety in the parks. It's paying lip service to the idea of increased security after 9/11. I'm sure that I don't have to list the dozens of ways a terrorist or any other demented individual could smuggle in any number of weapons, biological agents and other dangerous items without needing a bag to transport them.

By searching only those with bags, nearly 100% of women are searched, but a much smaller percentage of men are searched. Statistics show that men are the perpetrators in over 97% of terrorist acts and random acts of violence towards others! Personally, if WDW wants to step up security, I would rather see xray machines and walk through detectors than this security "gesture". Having women's purses and diaper bags searched, but nothing else, does nothing to enhance my perceived or actual safety at WDW--or anywhere else.

Rant over--thanks for listening!

I have to agree with you. We discussed this very thing on a couple of occassions. Even tho we feel the bag check doesn't really do anything to make us safer, we are always prepared for & polite to Security. I have to add, that I don't feel any more or less safe at WDW than I ever felt. I just don't go into any situation fearing terrorism.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Got to agree and disagree.

Agree 100% with the thought to be courteous to security personnel. They are just doing their jobs. And, being as prepared as one can for the security checkpoints will help you and everyone else pass through as quickly as possible.

Disagree 100% with the idea that these perfunctory bag searches enhance or increase anyone's safety in the parks. It's paying lip service to the idea of increased security after 9/11. I'm sure that I don't have to list the dozens of ways a terrorist or any other demented individual could smuggle in any number of weapons, biological agents and other dangerous items without needing a bag to transport them.

By searching only those with bags, nearly 100% of women are searched, but a much smaller percentage of men are searched. Statistics show that men are the perpetrators in over 97% of terrorist acts and random acts of violence towards others! Personally, if WDW wants to step up security, I would rather see xray machines and walk through detectors than this security "gesture". Having women's purses and diaper bags searched, but nothing else, does nothing to enhance my perceived or actual safety at WDW--or anywhere else.

Rant over--thanks for listening!

I completely agree with you!! Also, biological/chemical weapons can be carried in anything...even a water bottle. Searching a bag won't stop that. And I know from experience that they can't see every single item in every single bag, even when opened. There is no way to stop a person who truly wants to smuggle in a weapon, IMO. The searches are probably a mild deterrent to someone like a teenager who otherwise might try to do something dumb and carry in a knife, but would have absolutely no effect on a terrorist. That said, I absolutely agree with the OP that courtesy is essential. Security personnel are just doing their jobs, and TRYING to keep us safe (whether that actually happens as a result, or not). Be polite!

 

[SnackyStacky]

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 the OP was talking about people in your situation. No need to be offended! You weren't being called lazy.

 

[experiment626mom]

We had nothing but kind security people when we were there. They got a kick out of calling us by name (Thanks to GOH badges) They are certainly one of the many people at Disney who do a job that I'm sure many of us would not want to do. So please say hi and be polite to security!

 

[jlcbshaw]

Not sure if I should respond, however, I will. I agree that the bag "search" is nothing more than a drip in the bucket when it comes to actual security, but it is needed. As others have pointed out, if a terrorist or any other person intent on harming people or the business itself, desires to carry out an attack then there are many other ways in which they could do just that.

I feel that the addition of metal detetors SHOULD be added. I realize that this would only add to the slow down, but if a person has studied the system and they know they could slip something by security, oh lets say in cargo shorts, then they will. Now for all of those who wear cargo shorts, don't be upset because I am not pointing any fingers. There are tons of ways, this was just an example and used because it was already pointed out that it was easier to get through and I know the meaning was for the time aspect and not a terrorist aspect.

 

[poochie]

I just bet the ones who complain the loudest would be the first to point fingers if something happened.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I love chatting (briefly) with the security people. They do not have an easy job, with all the people complaining about openning stuff.

I gladly open my bag and say hello and a kind word.

They are great people.

And there's no harm in being nice.