Security Threat?

[Sammie]

Disney security does a much better job of it than you give them credit. As to the bag search, what makes any of you so sure they are not watching that line from somewhere else and including those that do not have a bag. Alot can be told about a person by their body language.

 

[cpdwiz]

That Disney does not know what they are doing?

Again, the old, until you have walked in my shoes, dont judge me applies.

Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE can always do my job better, yet, they still call ME when they are in danger, need help, or are scared.

Disney's security is no joke. You have the uniformed guards, and you have specialists that are trained to do their job. Ever been trained by the FBI in detection? Its amazing what to look for.

If Disney's security was a joke, and not doing their job, there would be a LOT of incidents, which there is not. Celebs would not feel comfortable going there.

 

[Hazzard101]

Disney security does a much better job of it than you give them credit. As to the bag search, what makes any of you so sure they are not watching that line from somewhere else and including those that do not have a bag. Alot can be told about a person by their body language.

I know for a fact that big brother is watching at Disney. Also if you pay attention there is a security officer at every point of entrance along with a few police officers. Together they are trained as to what to look for.
The police are stationed near the bag search area. Could it be they are watching the people as they go through the bag search line?

The real trick to great security is to make everything look normal and yet have all bases covered. They Do this very well at Disney.

 

[Hazzard101]

That Disney does not know what they are doing?

Again, the old, until you have walked in my shoes, dont judge me applies.

Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE can always do my job better, yet, they still call ME when they are in danger, need help, or are scared.

Disney's security is no joke. You have the uniformed guards, and you have specialists that are trained to do their job. Ever been trained by the FBI in detection? Its amazing what to look for.

If Disney's security was a joke, and not doing their job, there would be a LOT of incidents, which there is not. Celebs would not feel comfortable going there.

The fact that these people think that the security is sub par is a compliment to how good they do their jobs. I have been trained ( not by FBI ) but local law enforcement in detection and preventative measures. I said it before and I will say it again.

The public has the convenience of not knowing what really happens around them. They are afforded this luxury by the men and woman who are burdened with going through life knowing the way it is and watching out for the public. Once you work in law enforcement or security ( I work for the school system ) You never get to look at things simply again.

Disney security personnel do a great job and have been trained to look at the whole picture.

 

[Halle]

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.

Just curious, why did you have a tire gauge? sounds like something DH would carry, LOL!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

About a year ago Disney was going to experiment with metal detectors at the MK, but scrapped the project partially because of cost. If the eagle eyes at the security check point were so good, why would they consider metal detectors?

Point is, yes, Disney security does a lot of things right. They also do a lot behind the scenes.
That said, I will never be convinced the bag check is anything more than show.
If they were looking at guests entering from a remote area, they still wouldn't need the bag check. They could just watch them as they pass thru the turnstyle.

My nephew was carrying a small camera case. security insisted he open it for inspection.
The next day he put the same case in his pocket.. No inspection.

MG

 

[anna08]

I thought front gate security in November was much more thorough this trip. One guard engaged each person in conversation which I thought an improvement as well. Now, I have no experience in security work, but I think that might help them narrow down who might need a more thorough search. Someone told me once that because Disney is a private company, security can and does profile when screening. I haven't seen evidence of this firsthand. I guess I am just hopeful that they do security as well as they do fun at WDW.

 

[twinklebug]

I once read a forum filled with retired Disney security folk. (I didn't keep the url) From what I read they are very proud of what they do and do it well particularly considering the sheer numbers of Guests and cast members as well as property they have to keep safe. And, they truly care about people.

There are a few young-guns who are trying to show off how good they are - you'll find them in almost every occupation around. Unfortunately it seems our OP ran into one. I hope he didn't give you the feel that all disney security personnel are like him. They're not.

 

[DVCPAT]

I know for a fact that big brother is watching at Disney. Also if you pay attention there is a security officer at every point of entrance along with a few police officers. Together they are trained as to what to look for.
The police are stationed near the bag search area. Could it be they are watching the people as they go through the bag search line?

The real trick to great security is to make everything look normal and yet have all bases covered. They Do this very well at Disney.

I read an interesting article about WDW entrance tickets and finger print scan. Disney has a data base that holds your finger print and Identification for the length of the pass, plus thirty days. Once the time frame passes, the data is purged without anyone viewing the information. If they have cause, they can process the data and find out additional information. They also have automatic tracking surveillance that can follow a suspicious individual throughout the park. The bag checks may seem like a joke, but it could also serve as a way to segregate visitors for a second look from another security system.

 

[DVCPAT]

About a year ago Disney was going to experiment with metal detectors at the MK, but scrapped the project partially because of cost. If the eagle eyes at the security check point were so good, why would they consider metal detectors?
MG

Below is an interesting article from the Los Angeles Times. Sounds like they could install metal detectors if they wanted to……





Disney Research Chief Joins U.S. Spy Agency
Technology: Eric Haseltine is leaving Imagineering unit for a key post with NSA.
July 17, 2002|RICHARD VERRIER
Eric Haseltine is moving from one top secret organization to another.
Walt Disney Co.'s chief of research and development is leaving to become head of research for the National Security Agency, which uses sophisticated technology to gather intelligence, break codes and protect sensitive government information systems.
Haseltine worked for a decade at Walt Disney Imagineering, the company's design and development group. As such, he would seem an unlikely choice for his new government mission. But the worlds of the NSA and Disney Imagineering aren't so dissimilar. Both include a diverse group of top-level scientists and share a penchant for security and secrecy (Disney won't say how many scientists it employs). There's a certain institutional quality to the unmarked, drab buildings that make up the sprawling Walt Disney Imagineering complex in Glendale.
Beyond developing innovative ride systems for theme parks, Disney's research and development team also has expertise in areas with military applications, including virtual reality technology. Disney scientists are at the forefront of interactive TV and developing systems for protecting the company against Internet piracy.
Haseltine, 50, who holds a doctorate in physiological psychology, is no stranger to the defense world. He spent 13 years at Hughes Aircraft Co., where he managed R&D projects and was known as a top expert on flight simulation. He joined Disney in 1992.
In his new role, he will lead a research and technology team for the spy agency, a division of the Defense Department. Neither NSA nor Haseltine will detail his exact responsibilities.
"I'm particularly motivated because of what happened on Sept. 11," Haseltine said. "Under ordinary circumstances, I would never have dreamed of leaving Disney, but these aren't ordinary circumstances."
Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael V. Hayden, director of the NSA, said in a statement that Haseltine "is the right leader to drive our R&D area to heightened technological superiority for national security."
Disney has not yet named a replacement for Haseltine. "While we never like to see someone of Eric's caliber leave," said Disney spokeswoman Marie Garvey, "the company understands his desire to serve his country."
Haseltine led Disney's push into virtual reality entertainment, which culminated in the DisneyQuest regional entertainment centers. He also played a key role in bringing enhanced TV to ABC's "Monday Night Football."
He became head of research and development two years ago. He starts his new job as the NSA's associate director of research Aug. 5.
Haseltine is the latest among several senior scientists and executives who have left the vaunted Walt Disney Imagineering division in recent years, mostly to pursue Web-related ventures.
Among them was former research and development director Bran Ferren, who recruited a number of top scientists to help Disney tap the potential of the Internet. They included personal computer pioneer Alan Kay and Marvin Minsky, one of the brains behind artificial intelligence.

 

[Hazzard101]

About a year ago Disney was going to experiment with metal detectors at the MK, but scrapped the project partially because of cost. If the eagle eyes at the security check point were so good, why would they consider metal detectors?

Point is, yes, Disney security does a lot of things right. They also do a lot behind the scenes.
That said, I will never be convinced the bag check is anything more than show.
If they were looking at guests entering from a remote area, they still wouldn't need the bag check. They could just watch them as they pass thru the turnstyle.

My nephew was carrying a small camera case. security insisted he open it for inspection.
The next day he put the same case in his pocket.. No inspection.

MG

First, when looking for a threat they are usually looking for something more substantial than a gun that can fit in your pocket.

When you go through bag check they are looking for anything out of the ordinary. If there is going to be a serious threat the device would be hard to conceal in a duffel bag or purse. If there was say an explosive device small enough to mix in with some chapstick or other stuff it would not really be big enough to do any substantial damage. An explosive device would be easy to spot when someone opened a bag. So for the intent of a bag search they are very successful for the purpose intended. It is also a deterrent to most would be nut jobs.

As for metal detectors, I would have to venture a guess that the reason they decided against them had very little to do with cost, my school system has quite a few and we are not a wealthy system.

I would have to believe that it was more the fact that using metal detectors at an entrance at Disney would be a logistical nightmare. If you have ever been through a metal detector checkpoint, you know that you need to stop and empty your pockets, take out your wallet, remove your sunglasses, and sometimes remove your belt. After this you still set off the detector with some stupid little piece of metal, a button on your pants, some rivets, your plate in your head.

After walking through a few times you have to be hand scanned with a hand held wand. After all of this they still have to do a bag search.

We do this at our sporting events at school. It is very time consuming and we are only talking about hundreds of people. Now think about thousands of people at a clip all day. After making it through the metal detector, putting all your stuff back together going through the bag check. Now you have to go through the turnstiles remember the great system with the fingerprint check and your key to the kingdom card or AP those don't always go through the first time, or the second, or the 12th.

No system is fool proof but unless you work in the business be alert and give security the respect you would give any other cast member. They deserve it. Do they make mistakes? Of course. But doesn't everyone. There are many layers of security at Disney and each layer may look minor but together they make up a very elaborate line of defense.

 

[Hazzard101]

I read an interesting article about WDW entrance tickets and finger print scan. Disney has a data base that holds your finger print and Identification for the length of the pass, plus thirty days. Once the time frame passes, the data is purged without anyone viewing the information. If they have cause, they can process the data and find out additional information. They also have automatic tracking surveillance that can follow a suspicious individual throughout the park. The bag checks may seem like a joke, but it could also serve as a way to segregate visitors for a second look from another security system.

I remember the controversy behind that. Just to help clarify, the fingerprints that are scanned are not full prints it uses only a few points. Not saying I know it all I do know that the prints taken from guests are very minimal and could not be used as complete identification. What I mean is they are not complete enough to match with the finger print database of say the FBI.

Good point Pat

 

[Maistre Gracey]

First, when looking for a threat they are usually looking for something more substantial than a gun that can fit in your pocket.

When you go through bag check they are looking for anything out of the ordinary. If there is going to be a serious threat the device would be hard to conceal in a duffel bag or purse. If there was say an explosive device small enough to mix in with some chapstick or other stuff it would not really be big enough to do any substantial damage. An explosive device would be easy to spot when someone opened a bag. So for the intent of a bag search they are very successful for the purpose intended. It is also a deterrent to most would be nut jobs.

As for metal detectors, I would have to venture a guess that the reason they decided against them had very little to do with cost, my school system has quite a few and we are not a wealthy system.

I would have to believe that it was more the fact that using metal detectors at an entrance at Disney would be a logistical nightmare. If you have ever been through a metal detector checkpoint, you know that you need to stop and empty your pockets, take out your wallet, remove your sunglasses, and sometimes remove your belt. After this you still set off the detector with some stupid little piece of metal, a button on your pants, some rivets, your plate in your head.

After walking through a few times you have to be hand scanned with a hand held wand. After all of this they still have to do a bag search.

We do this at our sporting events at school. It is very time consuming and we are only talking about hundreds of people. Now think about thousands of people at a clip all day. After making it through the metal detector, putting all your stuff back together going through the bag check. Now you have to go through the turnstiles remember the great system with the fingerprint check and your key to the kingdom card or AP those don't always go through the first time, or the second, or the 12th.

No system is fool proof but unless you work in the business be alert and give security the respect you would give any other cast member. They deserve it. Do they make mistakes? Of course. But doesn't everyone. There are many layers of security at Disney and each layer may look minor but together they make up a very elaborate line of defense.

The detectors would indeed slow things down, but that's because they work!

I'm truly happy to see many people believe the bag check is a good system. That is what they are banking on... Making people feel good, and the "word on the street" that security checks bags.
It does sound scary to the bad guys when they first hear it, and that may initially stop them from trying... until they see what a farce it really is.

MG

 

[Doctor P]

Just curious, why did you have a tire gauge? sounds like something DH would carry, LOL!!

Very simple. I carry my fanny back both when I ride my bike and when I am driving. I always have the ability to check the tire pressure if air is needed in the tires of the vehicle on which or in which I am riding (this comes up almost everytime I ride my bike because I ride so infrequently). This way I never have to search for it, either, LOL. You know, I can understand the concern about the tire gauge. It was when the idiot started saying there was something wrong with carrying keys into the park.

 

[DVCPAT]

I remember the controversy behind that. Just to help clarify, the fingerprints that are scanned are not full prints it uses only a few points. Not saying I know it all I do know that the prints taken from guests are very minimal and could not be used as complete identification. What I mean is they are not complete enough to match with the finger print database of say the FBI.

Good point Pat

If I remember correctly, they can use the fingerprints. They store the fingerprint in software that really isn’t a fingerprint. If they need to construct the finger print and then search for an identification, they can do that within the ticket life plus thirty days. They might have to get approval from a judge?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I remember the controversy behind that. Just to help clarify, the fingerprints that are scanned are not full prints it uses only a few points. Not saying I know it all I do know that the prints taken from guests are very minimal and could not be used as complete identification. What I mean is they are not complete enough to match with the finger print database of say the FBI.

Good point Pat

I also wonder about this system.. Last year I was able to enter using any of my fingers, including my thumb.
I'm not exactly sure how the system works. Perhaps that's normal?? If not, perhaps it was just a one time glitch.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Very simple. I carry my fanny back both when I ride my bike and when I am driving. I always have the ability to check the tire pressure if air is needed in the tires of the vehicle on which or in which I am riding (this comes up almost everytime I ride my bike because I ride so infrequently). This way I never have to search for it, either, LOL. You know, I can understand the concern about the tire gauge. It was when the idiot started saying there was something wrong with carrying keys into the park.

For those of us who are a bit slower, can you explain why a tire pressure gauge is a banned item?

MG

 

[Hazzard101]

I also wonder about this system.. Last year I was able to enter using any of my fingers, including my thumb.
I'm not exactly sure how the system works. Perhaps that's normal?? If not, perhaps it was just a one time glitch.

MG

I have to think it is time to let this one pass. I am thinking you have no real understanding about security. You are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to my educated understanding of security and procedures. If you want to believe that Disney is an unsecured place that has no control over who gets in and what they bring that's fine. As for me I know better.

BTW depending on when you enter the park the finger print scan is turned off during busy times. The scan is not really a security measure but a measure to keep people from using a ticket that isn't theirs. They turn it off for speed as well. This I know for a fact.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I have to think it is time to let this one pass. I am thinking you have no real understanding about security. You are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to my educated understanding of security and procedures. If you want to believe that Disney is an unsecured place that has no control over who gets in and what they bring that's fine. As for me I know better.

BTW depending on when you enter the park the finger print scan is turned off during busy times. The scan is not really a security measure but a measure to keep people from using a ticket that isn't theirs. They turn it off for speed as well. This I know for a fact.

I do train a fair amount on security.. seeing as though I make my living as a pilot.

Besides, I'm not really sure how that relates to the finger scan??

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

IIf you want to believe that Disney is an unsecured place that has no control over who gets in and what they bring that's fine. As for me I know better.

I don't believe I ever alluded to this..??

BTW depending on when you enter the park the finger print scan is turned off during busy times. The scan is not really a security measure but a measure to keep people from using a ticket that isn't theirs. They turn it off for speed as well. This I know for a fact.

I had a lengthy discussion with the CM at the International Gateway. Together we discovered I could use any finger.

MG