security/bads/slowness

[Darcy]

How much does having bags slow you down?

 

[CamColt]

From time to time here I have seen posts about the horrbile security lines, people getting mad about them, etc... However we have been to WDW 6 times since they started these searches and we hardly ever wait in a line. Usually its no more than 1 minute going through. Prior to park opening time we have waited a bit longer, but we are just going to wait in line to get in the park anyway, so there's no rush.

From my experience, I would say the bag checks are painless.

 

[jann1033]

it would depend on how long the line is so how busy it is..it only takes a few sec.. for them to actually look at your bag if you have everything ready and out in the open for them( zippers open, pocket spread out ect,) but we just put what we need in our pockets and skip the bags ( more laziness to carry than the bag wait since we go off season)

 

[snowy76]

Not too much -- two or three minutes.

Some tips I keep in mind:
Before you even head out to a park make sure it's packed in a way that most of the stuff is easily seen.
Always look for the shortest line.
Have your bags unzipped before you get to the table, including side pockets.

This way you can literally hold it open for the security staff and they'll give you a quick nod or a thank you... and you're on your way!

 

[Miandrea]

I was just there last week and the lines for having bags checked were reasonable - 1 to 5 minutes depending if you get in the right line. Trying to get into the park took long - once you put your ticket in the machine, you have to place your index and middle finger in the scanner - this took anywhere between 1 and 15 minutes (I actually snapped at a lady who was trying to place her whole hand in the scanner - the CM tried to explain to her what to do but she kept swearing at him. I told her to keep her mouth shut and follow the directions!)

 

[MidgeD79]

Last year I took a clear back-back. The security guard said I should start a new trend because it made things so much easier.

 

[eeyore0062]

Usually DH carries one backpack and DD and I go through the no bags line. By the time we get over to the other side, DH is joining us. So, just look for the line with the fewest people. The longest lines are at Epcot, because the security is slowed up by those trying to feed their tickets and master the biometrics, since security and the turnstiles are together.

 

[disnut8]

Can't agree more with having your bag(s) off your person, on the security table and unzipped before you even meet up with the guard. If everyone did this, the lines would move much faster. I always am prepared and will get waved through within seconds. Also remember that the guards will not want to poke around inside your bag. So have those pockets open and ready for them.

Another little tip. Have your tickets in your pocket. That way, you can immediately go through the turn style and then rezip your bags after you've entered the park. Everyone else will be standing outside trying to get things together. Makes for a huge clog sometimes.

 

[erinch]

we were just there; bags not a problem; big problem is large groups of clueless people who don't know what to do with the finger scans. Watch carefully the line you get in, and try to get behind people who seem to be gripping their tickets and know what they need to do. Avoid what looks like large groups who are looking helplessly at each other. If you get behind such a group and the first one has a problem with the scanner, move to another line.

My 17 yo DS said they need a "newbie finger scan" line, and "know what I'm doing" lines

 

[hojo]

Can someone give me a little more info on the finger scan. I have never heard of that before. Do you have to do this before entering every park and does everyone in your family as well including the little kids?

 

[AJKMOM]

To Hojo:

Yes, everyone needs to do this every time you go to every park. Search here at the DIS for lots of info and be prepared. I learned something new about the finger scanning just this weekend. Biometric scanning is Disney's way of trying to prevent re-sale of unused tickets. As someone pointed out "they are my tickets, I paid for them, and I should be able to do what I want with them". Disney doesn't see it that way. They say they are concerned about fraud on e-bay,etc., but really, they don't want someone buying a multi-day ticket (the best deal), using a few days, and selling the rest to someone who would be giving Disney more money for the same ticket. All economics.

 

[eeyore45]

I was just there last week and the lines for having bags checked were reasonable - 1 to 5 minutes depending if you get in the right line. Trying to get into the park took long - once you put your ticket in the machine, you have to place your index and middle finger in the scanner - this took anywhere between 1 and 15 minutes (I actually snapped at a lady who was trying to place her whole hand in the scanner - the CM tried to explain to her what to do but she kept swearing at him. I told her to keep her mouth shut and follow the directions!)

I'm sorry, I shouldnt but I would love to be that forthcoming, instead I keep it to myself and fume!! "Keep your mouth shut and follow directions"

 

[snowy76]

We had a few instances back in June where the CM was dealing with 2-3 turnstiles at once and we ended up coaching some newbies through the finger scan! Must be the elementary teacher in me creeping out I felt a little weird doing it at first but I found most people were really thankful for it. I figure I'm doing us all a favor by spreading the wisdom around!