Randomly selected for screening at EPCOT

[kandb]

Can you imagine what it would've been like if 9/11 hadn't occurred? Walking right up to the park, tapping your magic band and going right in?

I long for the days when I could run through the airport 5 minutes before my flight, throw my backpack onto the x-ray machine and sprint through the metal detector, grab the backpack and jump onto the plane as the doors closed. No "Papers please, citizen?" , no stripping naked and probed and having my loved ones waiting for me at the gate on the other side when I arrived (or seeing me off when I left).

Yes, unfortunately there are a lot of people who hate Americans. There are also violent American's. This is the world we live in and I think in reality, it's going to get worse.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

What did they have you do with the stroller? I have a disabled child in a wheelchair that has a fear of metal detectors (I don't understand it but it is what it is). I would love to know what they do with strollers so I can prep in case we get pulled. I would rather we not start out day with a melt down over a metal detector.

They had me pick him up and we both went through the metal detector.

EDIT: I understand that under normal circumstances, going through the detector would only take a couple seconds and not be a bother. But I had to take a sleepy infant out of an umbrella stroller; his diaper bag was strapped to the handles, and when he's taken out, the stroller tips over (which I didn't think of until I took him out and the stroller and bag, plus a jacket or two, toppled and a few things in outside pockets fell out). So the bag also had to come off, while I was holding the baby (the straps are tight around the handles, so it takes a minute - after I'd already put it back on after having the bag checked). It still didn't take us all that long to go through the metal detector, maybe 5 minutes, but it wasn't as easy breezy as it is for most people.

 

[Accident]

I spotted rupunzel and sleeping beauty hanging out at the International gateway entrance for a little. Not sure if a distraction from what it took to get in but kids loved it.

 

[Jennasis]

I get picked for random searches all the time. Probably cause I'm so hot. I consider it a compliment.

 

[Skywise]

I spotted rupunzel and sleeping beauty hanging out at the International gateway entrance for a little. Not sure if a distraction from what it took to get in but kids loved it.

They should get Captain Hook and Officer Hopps to do it...

 

[fla4fun]

Just curious . . .for those of you who are being selected frequently, are you wearing loose fitting clothes or something more tailored? The few times I have been selected I was wearing looser clothes and thought they might feel I could be hiding something underneath.

I used to go bag free all the time, but now I carry a small crossbody bag. It's just big enough for my phone or iPod touch, small wallet and a few hand wipes, but when you do get selected it's easier than emptying pockets.

 

[mckennarose]

Epcot is s scanning everyone without a bag and a lot with today.

We were at Epcot too, and they were scanning all bag-less people both times we went through the gates, 10 am and 6;30 pm. I guess they did it like that all day.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

We were there for 5 days in March and my husband was chosen twice. Once at Mk and once at Epcot. Both times was prior to regular opening, we were there for a 8am ADR. No line and only took a couple minutes (not even). Staff were friendly, I barely slowed my walk and DH caught up before DD and I made it to the entrance line.

 

[mckennarose]

Just curious . . .for those of you who are being selected frequently, are you wearing loose fitting clothes or something more tailored? The few times I have been selected I was wearing looser clothes and thought they might feel I could be hiding something underneath.

I used to go bag free all the time, but now I carry a small crossbody bag. It's just big enough for my phone or iPod touch, small wallet and a few hand wipes, but when you do get selected it's easier than emptying pockets.

My teenage daughter was selected 5 times this week and she had on shorts and a tank, nothing too loose. She's also very young looking, blonde hair and we don't know why she was picked so often. Hubby got picked 3 times and the day he wasn't picked he was wearing a looser hoodie.

 

[KBoopaloo]

Here right now and have been selected three times out of 7 park entries. Yesterday afternoon at AK they said that everyone was going through the metal detector so my mom and I both went through. Earlier today at DHS just I was selected and tonight at MK both my mom and I were sent through the detectors. We've been arriving at odd times mostly late in the day and have noticed they are sending a lot of people through the metal detectors later in the day. They do seem to be experimenting with the best ways to get more people through. It's been very quick for us every time. No complaints.

 

[Makcarly]

We just got back today and I was never asked to go through additional screening the entire week we were there. However they selected my 15 year old son who is autistic and has a very difficult time following directions. I told the screener that and he looked at me and said "so? He has to do it." I had more compassion from a TSA agent at MCO this morning. :/

 

[SueM in MN]

During our recent trip, everyone in our group got picked at least once. The only person not chosen was the 7 yr old. He went thru when his mom got picked though

My youngest daughter even got picked. They asked if she could get out of her wheelchair to walk thru the metal detector. It was pretty obvious she couldn't since her feet are strapped to the wheelchair foot plates. They said that was no problem and they wanded her instead.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

What did they have you do with the stroller? I have a disabled child in a wheelchair that has a fear of metal detectors (I don't understand it but it is what it is). I would love to know what they do with strollers so I can prep in case we get pulled. I would rather we not start out day with a melt down over a metal detector.

This last week I was picked 50-60% of the time I'd guess but the kiss of death was being by myself with at least two of our young kids and having the double stroller. Every. Time. I could totally buy the idea of a security game. "Look Bob, I got my Kids in a Double Stroller with Bonus Points for Solo Parent and it's not even 9 am!"


I agree that when going thru solo it's no big deal but with the kids and stroller it was chaotic. Sometimes they wanted the kids to stay in it and go around the metal detector sometimes they wanted the kids to get out and go thru the detector and what they wanted the kids to do was never communicated until they were doing the opposite of what security wanted. It was very confusing and a little bit stressful although I will say the CMs were always polite about it.

So the answer to the above question was that strollers were to be rolled to an area next to the metal detector until you were thru, whether or not the kids could stay in or had to come out varied although I assume they would be sensitive to a child in a wheelchair.

 

[Abra Cat]

I was selected on the first day the metal detectors were installed at Epcot, back in December. My family was park hopping from the MK and we were running late for a lunch reservation at the Italy pavilion, so we got off the monorail and started fast walking to security. We went through the bag check, and started to book it to the touchstiles, and someone came over and asked me to step to the side. In my preoccupation, I told them no thank you, we have a reservation, thinking it was a survey or something like that. When they were insistent, that's when it finally clicked that it was a security measure. I laughed, and explained my confusion, and they were very nice about it, and got me through the metal detector quickly. I'm just glad I realized what was happening, or I might have gotten kicked out for saying no!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I have gotten picked at every single park entry but twice over the past 2 visits. I usually carry a small purse and wear tight fitting workout clothes with no pockets. I've just kind of accepted the fact that I must look suspicious lol.

I'm glad they are doing it though, and it's really not much of a hassle for the chosen people.

 

[North of Mouse]

I had never been chosen before and we are there at least once or twice a week since the screening started.
It was really interesting too because, my husband and kids went in the no bag lane and my husband was selected. Then I was selected after going thru bag check. He had never been chosen before either.

It really does seem to be random thought as there were other people who went thru bag check between my husband and I entering and they weren't chosen. And the security guard made a beeline for me. Not sure about my husband as he was already past the bag check area.

Overall, not a bad experience and really quick too.

On our last trip dh was chosen for extra screening twice (no bag line) and I was chosen once (bag line) and that was in 8 days with 'many' entrance times (even per day). Was surprised to be chosen as I only had a small cross body bag and no where to 'hide' anything. So, I say, it is 'totally' random, unless of course they're made suspicious of someone.

 

[MDIME]

Try being a diabetic wearing an insulin pump who carries syringes & insulin in her bag as back-up in case of pump failure. Alarms always go off when I walk through the metal detectors. Always get the explosives hand swab at the airport. Having diabetes is SO MUCH FUN!!!

 

[::Snow_White::]

It took me about a month before I was chosen. I've always noticed they just pull someone once the machine is clear, usually whoever is closest to them. Sometimes they'll walk a little further down and pick the next person done with bag check. I always get picked at the single one at Hollywood Studios, but my friends and I all know whoever goes through the line first will get picked because there is nobody going through the machine at the time. Never felt like they were choosing people, always just depended on the time and how many guests were there. I keep all my stuff in my backpack and just have to take out my phone so it's never bothered me. We make a game to see who's going to get picked that day, security is always very pleasant.

 

[SueM in MN]

What did they have you do with the stroller? I have a disabled child in a wheelchair that has a fear of metal detectors (I don't understand it but it is what it is). I would love to know what they do with strollers so I can prep in case we get pulled. I would rather we not start out day with a melt down over a metal detector.

I wrote this reply and then saw yours, so I'm reposting part of my reply.

My youngest daughter got picked. They asked if she could get out of her wheelchair to walk thru the metal detector. It was pretty obvious she couldn't since her feet are strapped to the wheelchair foot plates. They said that was no problem and they wanded her instead.

 

[kandb]

We just got back today and I was never asked to go through additional screening the entire week we were there. However they selected my 15 year old son who is autistic and has a very difficult time following directions. I told the screener that and he looked at me and said "so? He has to do it." I had more compassion from a TSA agent at MCO this morning. :/

That's not acceptable. If your son needed extra assistance/direction, the guard should of accommodated him.