Security to enter parks - how extensive is it?

[aroseinwintr]

Hi fellow Washington Stater....
The bag check is very much like going into Safeco or Quest Fields.
They do use a flashlight to see in bags and some use a little pole (pencil sized) to move things around in your purse or bag. But it is real fast.
I am surprised and kinda happy they don't allow selfie sticks.
When we were in Hawaii they were everywhere. I can't imagine what it would be like if they had those all over the parks.

 

[agamble]

And homemade protein bars are also ok, correct?

It says you are not supposed to bring in food, but they don't stop you. We always bring the kids snacks, and often trail mix for us too. You should be able to bring in your bars without a problem.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

They don't want glass, or things you have to make in the park like with a sandwich, pre made's ok, Bread and slices of stuff to add is not ok.
I just got a Thomas bottle it keeps things so cool even in Phx az heat it is metal.

 

[Purrkins]

Disney security begins well before you approach bag check. When walking through Downtown Disney, or on the tram from the parking lot, look for tourists with ear pieces. The actual bag check is brief. And you get to keep your shoes on. Have fun!

 

[jomarsou]

Some checks are brief, others a bit more thorough. Some of them will mainly feel all around the outside of the bag (handbag). Last year one of them felt all over my hand bag and made me open one of the tiny zippered pockets inside. Only thing in there was tampons!! Cant do much damage with them!!

 

[VandVsmama]

You will not need to fold up a stroller. The line moves pretty quickly. There are no xray machines or metal detectors to walk through. It may appear at first glance like the bag check isn't very thorough, but trust me...there are tons of plain clothes security people (i.e., dressed as tourists, NOT in Disney uniforms) in the area who started watching you from the time you entered DTD. They can tell if you have any contraband in your pants or shorts pockets. They can tell if you are carrying a concealed weapon on your person. They watch body language and are REALLY good at it.

 

[5forMickey]

Only thing in there was tampons!! Cant do much damage with them!!

Been there done that.....at first I was a little embarrassed and then I thought, well, you asked lol!!!!

 

[niffer5150]

ys you are not supposed to bring in food, but they don't stop you.

you are totally allowed to bring in food. you are NOT allowed to bring in hard sided coolers, rolling coolers, alcohol, or glass other than small baby food jars.

 

[mabird1980]

Yeah, I was worried about bringing food in one day and then i realized that they really can't keep you from bringing food through because you could just as easily just be passing through on your way to DTD or vice versa. I even brought in a big MacDonald's bag of food. I went to get it while the rest of the fam was securing a spot for WOC

 

[agamble]

Yeah, I was worried about bringing food in one day and then i realized that they really can't keep you from bringing food through because you could just as easily just be passing through on your way to DTD or vice versa. I even brought in a big MacDonald's bag of food. I went to get it while the rest of the fam was securing a spot for WOC

It's nice that they don't stop people from bringing in food even though the policy says you can't. Other theme parks will not even let you bring in a granola bar. We brought in McDonald's one time when my MIL was with us. She wanted to eat while holding a spot for the parade, so we got cheap burgers from McDonald's and brought them with us. We normally don't eat McDonald's at Disneyland, but it was what she wanted.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I agree - the bag check varies. Sometimes it is quick & sometimes more thorough. I have had my seat back & basket of my scooter checked, some have not even noticed the scooter.

I think it varies with the worker at the checkpoint. The size of the crowd does not seem to make any difference.

I am grateful for any precautions used to keep us all safe in the parks. One can never be too careful!

 

[joyfulDisneytears]

Tip: If you happen to have bags inside your bags (eg: I usually carry a drawstring bag, and often have a plastic bag with a change of shoes inside the drawstring bag), take all the bags within out of the main one and open them all up. Some of the bag checkers won't bother to ask for this, some will...I find it's easier to just do it as you're walking up rather than waiting for them to ask you. Moves things along faster.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Bag check does vary a lot. We were there for 9 days in July/August and every check except one (our last one) the security just glanced in my bag and off we went. I always have my bag precisely packed because I have medication in a certain spot and my camera. Basically if you look in my purse you can see everything I have in it. The last check we had on the security lady made me take everything out, of my purse, she even looked through my diabetic kit in my purse. I got kind of annoyed, probably more than I should have and got a little testy with her which I shouldn't have but it was just annoying to have all those checks and then get such a heavy duty search.

On a side note, not related to Disneyland in California but I went to Disneyland in Paris this summer and the bag check there is actually an x-ray machine in which everyone puts any bags on. There was a line for people with no bags just to walk through too. There was even a larger x-ray machine for people with luggage (going to the hotels from the train station). I thought it would be pretty slow, but it moved quite fast not much slower than the manual checks at WDW or DL. I got behind a few people that had pocket knives confiscated from their bags so the Disney security was actually looking at what was in the bags. Maybe our American parks might move to that someday, which may or may not be a good thing. There was one time in DL Paris where the x-ray machine wasn't up yet, it was really early and they did a manual search of bags, and the cast member searching mine didn't speak much English and was very concerned about my insulin pen, he didn't know what it was and I think was going to take it away. I had to say medicine and diabetic a few times and act out its use for him to understand. I guess next time I go back I will have to learn those words in French. In the end it was kind of funny.

 

[MinMou]

........ There was one time in DL Paris where the x-ray machine wasn't up yet, it was really early and they did a manual search of bags, and the cast member searching mine didn't speak much English and was very concerned about my insulin pen, he didn't know what it was and I think was going to take it away. I had to say medicine and diabetic a few times and act out its use for him to understand. I guess next time I go back I will have to learn those words in French. In the end it was kind of funny.

Another alternative would be to have someone at your hotel write a note in French explaining its use, and politely saying that they must not take it away.