Security Threat?

[disneynutz]

I just have to share a weird experience that we had yesterday at Kidani.

We had just checked out and getting ready to move to BLT. I wanted to get a few photos of the Kidani and Jambo sign, front of building and pool area. I was talking a picture of Jambo with a ME bus out front and I noticed a Disney Security Guard watching me. We then went over to Kidani and I took a picture of the front of the main Kidani building. Next we went to check out the Kidani pool, and I took a few pictures.

A Security Guard comes up to me and asks why am I taking pictures? I didn't know what to say, It's Disney, I always take pictures at Disney. He goes on to tell me that he has been following us and watching me take pictures and we aren't allowed to take pictures of buildings.

The conversation goes on for about 5 minutes and he asks us things like where are you staying, are you a Guest staying at WDW, When did we arrive, when are we leaving. The whole thing was really weird.

I asked him to have his supervisor call me so I could get more information about Disney's picture taking policy. 5 minutes later the Security Manager calls me and wants to know what I want?

I explained the situation to her and and she told me that people don't normally take pictures of the front of the resort and since 911 things have changed. She goes on to tell me that they especially restrict people from taking pictures in back stage areas. I told her that I wasn't back stage, I took a picture of the resort sign and the front of the resorts and that I was talking a picture of the Kidani pool water feature when contacted by her employee. She stated that maybe he isn't clear on Disney's policy and that she would discuss it with him.

Looks like the 911 attack will change our lives for ever.

Bill

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

That is soooooooooooooo sad!!!!!

 

[dopeygirl76]

I think security may have been heightened because at MK last week some reported having a bomb in their backpack during the security search (we knew nothing and were there during the time frame but it was in the PassPorter's news blurb on their website). I'm sure after an event like that their security increases in certain areas.

 

[kritter]

I think security may have been heightened because at MK last week some reported having a bomb in their backpack during the security search (we knew nothing and were there during the time frame but it was in the PassPorter's news blurb on their website). I'm sure after an event like that their security increases in certain areas.

OMGOSH, we were there last week too. When was this??!!

 

[dopeygirl76]

They did not give a date - here is the blurb from the newsletter sent Dec 10, 2009.


German Tourist Arrested for Bomb Threat. Jochen Naumann was arrested last Sunday after telling Magic Kingdom security cast members during the bag check process that he had two bombs in his backpack. The cast members notified a nearby Orange County Sheriff's Deputy and a bomb-sniffing dog was used. No explosive devices were detected. Naumann was charged with making a false report of a bomb. This updates page 300 of PassPorter's guidebook.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Disney was one of the areas mentioned as a possible terrorist attack area back in 2001. Since then there continues to be alot of surveillance, especially from the sky. We lived in Annapolis, Maryland during that time and I still remember hearing the fighter jets circling for two hours every night at 2 am! Yes, our lives have been changed forever.

 

[Chuck S]

From a security standpoint, I can understand it looking odd to be taking photos of resort signage and buildings, especially if there are no people posing in the photos.

I'd be kind of surprised if Homeland Security and Disney (as well as all other tourist destinations) don't have some particular behaviors on a watch list that would garner a closer look. Remember that if you had been up to no good, and something happened, the conversation would be "Why didn't Disney Security do more?"

 

[vicki_c]

I don't mind them asking why someone is taking photos, but the whole "policy" thing throws me a bit. I take tons of resort photos @ Disney -- no people in them. It's one of "my things"! I hope no one questions me when we visit Kidani for the first time next month.

But I guess it sounds like the final outcome was that maybe the security person was being a bit overzealous?

 

[Micca]

If pictures taken at WDW are a security threat they have a HUGE problem. Isn't WDW the most photographed place on the planet?
I agree that CM was an over zealous security guard.

 

[LindaBabe]

He might have been a newly hired former TSA agent.

 

[ssawka]

He might have been a newly hired former TSA agent.

You better look for items missing from your bag!!

 

[cpdwiz]

I think I would rather a somewhat overzealous guard over someone that does nothing. FYI, Disney worked with HS and the FBI after 9/11. They incorporated quite a few new measures, and they work hand in hand.

Maybe the guy was a little overboard, but, thats better than not doing anything....We took tons of pic last May, of the fronts and backs of buildings as well as signs. No problem. We even had a security guy take a photo of the 2 of us in front of things...

At least they are paying attention.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

According to the response from the supervisor (once they understood what had happened) it sounds like the guard was a little over zealous and that is all.

And - there wasn't a bomb at MK - it appears that a foreign visitor may have been making a joke and not realizing how seriously the comments would be taken. I know it's run thru my mind when going thru the bag check but I do know better than to say it.

 

[DVCPAT]

I don't mind them asking why someone is taking photos, but the whole "policy" thing throws me a bit. I take tons of resort photos @ Disney -- no people in them. It's one of "my things"! I hope no one questions me when we visit Kidani for the first time next month.

But I guess it sounds like the final outcome was that maybe the security person was being a bit overzealous?

I have no problem with tight security. In Europe, I’ve had cameras disassembled and was pulled aside in a subway station in Germany for taking pictures. As long as the security personal are respectful, Its fine with me.

 

[disneynutz]

The 911 security thing has me a bit out of sorts. Seems like the shipping containers and other obvious possible security threats go unchecked, but documented citizens get hassled.

We were on a Disney tour last week, in a group of people chaperoned by Disney employees, and we had to wear special name badges. We entered 3 parks through the backstage area and at 2 of the parks, not 3 we had our bags checked while on the bus by Security.

Bill

 

[DVCPAT]

The 911 security thing has me a bit out of sorts. Seems like the shipping containers and other obvious possible security threats go unchecked, but documented citizens get hassled.

We were on a Disney tour last week, in a group of people chaperoned by Disney employees, and we had to wear special name badges. We entered 3 parks through the backstage area and at 2 of the parks, not 3 we had our bags checked while on the bus by Security.

Bill

Disney security is very good. I was in the AKL lobby and watched a bomb sniffing dog check out an unattended package. Security was in and out of the lobby in less than 4 minutes. The package was removed and most of the guests never noticed. Even before you enter Disney property, the highways are lined with radiation sensing devices. Patients undergoing radiation treatment can trigger them…..It’s the world we live in.

 

[smjj]

well I guess I always violate security. I always take photos of the front of our resort. They have the nice fronts on then with the signs and we add them to our pictures along with all the other hundreds we take. I just don't think a person taking a photo of the front of the resort is a security threat. They go out of there way to make them eye catching and have them displayed in broceures and in their commercials. I would venture a guess that each resort has it front snapped many times each day. There are those that can go overboard and it sounds like this guard was one. I will continue to take these photos and I hope Disney has better educated their security guards...smjj

 

[Doctor P]

Every once in a while you run into a jerk security guard. It rarely happens, but sometimes it does. I had a guy at the MK giving me an extreme hassle about having a manual tire guage and my car keys in my fanny pack!! And I mean he was nasty--one step from a strip search, LOL, because I carried this stuff in my fanny pack. EGADS.

 

[Coach81]

Guess I'll be talked to next.. I would not mind.. I'm glad they are trying to keep us safe.

 

[smjj]

Guess I'll be talked to next.. I would not mind.. I'm glad they are trying to keep us safe.

You see thats their easy out. Act however you want, go overboard all you want, be as over reactive as you want and if anyone says anything, just claim you are doing it for their safety and security. They use it as their "get out of jail card". Who is going to argue with them when they use this excuse...smjj