Security when entering WDW Theme Parks

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I don't want to start a war here on people's opinions about security when entering WDW, I just have a general question about it. I think it's great that since 9/11 they are now checking bags when entering the parks, however why don't they have a system of checking people like at the Airport? What if god for bid someone goes into the Magic Kingdom with a knife & starts stabbing someone. That would because WDW does not check people when entering park. I know that if people were checked like at the Airport the lines would take forever because when entering parks with back packs can also take forever, then people would complain about so it's a no win situation. Or is there a Florida law that prevents people from physically being checked when entering Theme Parks? So once again I say let's start an all out war here about security, I just wanted to know about the question I asked. If this question has been asked in the past I appologize in advance, but as you can see I have not been posting on here a long time so I would have no clue if this has been asked before.

 

[bicker]

How much more would guests be willing to spend if there were such checks in place? I suspect the answer to that would be "not much" and worse, some guests may find the delays that the enhanced security check introduces to be enough to get them to spend less, or nothing at all. That wouldn't motivate WDW to introduce such checks, but rather quite the opposite.

 

[philaround]

I just spent Memorial Day at Six Flags New England and they have a metal detector at each turnstile. After your ticket is scanned and you push thru the turnstile you take a few steps forward and place your bag, if you have one, on a shelf next to the metal detector. You then side step to the left while a security guard checks your bag. A second security guard is stationed at the metal dectector. In a few seconds this guard will wave you thru the dectector and use a wand on you if you set the detector off. After this guard clears you you side step to the right and pick up your bag. This works best if you have unzipped all compartments for the screener as they are not allowed to open your bag. If you did not unzip your bag you must now open all compartments in front of the screener causing a slow down in the checking process. As a general rule this procedure adds about 20 to 30 seconds to the checking process but because of the side stepping the line moves at a steady pace and it is hard to even realize you have spent an extra 30 seconds to 5 minutes [depending how far back in line you are to start with] in line. If Six Flags can spend the money for this type of security with there recent history of fianancial loses, I'm sure Disney can do it also.

 

[NYDisGuy]

Id love to see a metal detector with all the disney pins that people have. Anyways you cant have metal detectors or enhanced checks when going into disney. There are way too many people there and it would take about 4 hours to get into the park. Six flags and other places can do it because they are not as busy at the turnstyle as disney is.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

Enhanced security may be nice but if someone is out to get someone at Disney, they are going to find a way around it fairly easily. Even now the attention to detail of some of the security guards varies.

 

[DebIreland]

why don't they have a system of checking people like at the Airport? What if god for bid someone goes into the Magic Kingdom with a knife & starts stabbing someone.

On a plane, passengers and staff are totally captive and 100% vulnerable so if an attack of any kind occurs there is nowhere to run to, nowhere to hide, no-one to call to come immediately to the scene and sort it out. This is why it is so vital to take every measure possible to prevent somebody boarding an aircraft with a knive, gun, scissors, explosive device or even a cigarette lighter. Plane passengers are easy prey.

Disney parks or any other place where a lot of people gather (even if it's on private property) do not pose the same risks i.e. the same levels of vulnerability.

I honestly don't see how being attacked at Disney is any greater a likelihood as being attacked at a store, a bank, a playground, waiting at traffic lights, a cinema, a coffee shop etc. etc. You know what I'm saying? Basically, when we go out in public, which we have to do to live our lives, we hope we are safe and, thankfully, most of the time we are but at the end of the day, anywhere we go where there are lots of people gathered has the potential for evil/abuse to occur. I don't see how Disney could attempt to predict all the many variations of potential attack that could occur on their property. What they can do (and do do, uh, lol, that sounded odd) is be there with great customer service, security on hand to deal with issues promptly and emergency measures in place, should a nasty situation occur. Isn't that all anyone can do really?

 

[bicker]

If Six Flags can spend the money for this type of security with there recent history of fianancial loses, I'm sure Disney can do it also.

I'm sure they can, but why should they? Many Six Flags parks have a reputation for violence, and therefore there is a significant motivation for having more stringent searches. Disney might be getting to that point, and if they do we'll probably see a change, but it is a credit to Disney that they've not needed to make such a strong security presence visible up to now.

 

[slug]

If there were a history or a series of weapons-related violence at Disney then maybe it would be different. The law requires that a company act "reasonably" in protecting its invited guests. If there haven't been many incidents despite the fact that 2 billion guests have passed thru their gates, "reasonable" probably means just doing a simple bag check. If the amount of incidents changes, what is reasonable may change as well. It looks like they're doing a pretty good job to me.

 

[spgailjake]

i have always thought it was ridiculous to do bag checks and not person checks. do you really think if someone wanted to take a gun, knife or bomb for that matter, into a park they'd be stupid enough to put it in a bag that was going to be checked? they will just carry it on their body, because bodies walk right on thru.

i am all for security, but one without the other makes no sense.

 

[canwegosoon]

Besides the issue of being 100% captive, I think you also have to look at Disney's target audience. Since most of their marketing is geared at families, I think it can have a decreased height of security. Lets not always be trying to scare ourselves to death. Six flags does not market to famlies, they market to teens and young adults...much more viotile group, espically when alcohol is added to the mix.

I am trying to come up with my bare minimums that I need to bring into the park and avoid the security lines, but I am glad they are there, just as a deturent.

 

[queenarmadillo]

I always thought they were looking for bombs rather than weaponry, which was why it was more important to check bags than people. I always get suprised when they check bags but not strollers though, every year I think they will have added them to the check, and they never seem to.

 

[minnie61650]

The bag checks and the finger scanning slows down the crowds entering the parks.

There are many undercover security people watching us as we enter the parks. If you know where to look you would see all kinds of "hidden" security cameras.
I have seen more of those cameras in the parks then anywhere I have vacationed except maybe with the exception of Vegas.

Since 9/11 WDW is a no fly zone.
Disney has spent mega bucks on security since 9/11 and it would not surprise me at all if along with those Bioscans Disney has or will have in near future.security devices such as Bomb-sniffing technology (there are polymer devices already in use that can pick up on tiny trace amounts of explosive vapors from over 20 feet away).Or the full body backscatter X-ray (which has already been tested at the Orlando airport).

Remember for every security person you see there most likely will be 3 more who are undercover.

Enjoy your time at Disney !

 

[DMRick]

Since 9/11 WDW is a no fly zone.

We were told that was lifted quite a while ago. I know I see helecopters right over the park (sometimes hovering), and last visit there was a couple of what looked like site seeing small planes (first week of May).
Security isn't real security, like at an airport..it's just a quick look in a bag. It would be very easy to put a knife in the bottom of any of our bags and get it in to the parks. I think it's just to give the idea that they are checking. I've seen many people just putting their jackets over their fanny packs and going right in. I've seen many a security officer barely look..we find that especially when we leave to go to BVeaches and Cream and come back through. I can't imagine how long it would take to get in, if they did as thorough a job as six flags. It took an hour to get into our local six flags park, last visit. They seemed to be confiscating more food (so you have to buy inside) at six flags than anything else.

 

[nightowlky]

Given all the items one can buy at shops or utensils from restaurants, stopping knives at the entrance won't do much good. They may catch some guns but now that Florida has greatly relaxed their gun control laws, not sure stepped up security is something they'd consider.

Besides, as others have mentioned, if someone wants to attack individuals or the park in general, there are many ways and someone dead-set on it won't be stopped.

There's too much fear about TERROR TERROR TERROR these days.

Just relax and enjoy your trip! I know I'm looking forward to mine!

 

[minnie61650]

We were told that was lifted quite a while ago. I know I see helecopters right over the park (sometimes hovering), and last visit there was a couple of what looked like site seeing small planes (first week of May).......

Perhaps the No Fly Zone over WDW has been lifted.
I had not heard that.
I do know even when it was a No Fly zone (if in fact it is not anymore) the Orange County Sheriff's Department did and still does fly their helicopters over park as part of their security.

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

:shrug: I think the security there is just fine. and if something happened there is a lot of security INSIDE the park.

 

[vellamint]

I see a new attraction in the future.....a tunnel type-device that will x-ray everyone and their belongings as they pass through. To enter you insert your park pass........it can be disguised in any way necessary to blend in with the magical surroundings!!

Oh, I am kidding!! Sorry could not help myself...do not mean to make light of security issures.