Specific MK Security Question

[BlueGreen5]

I can't recall, can someone help:

At MK, can you get to the boat/ferry launches from the bus stops without going through security? Specifically, we are doing a short weekend stay at RIV soon (no parks) and want to go to Poly for breakfast (of course, just in time for the rope drop crowds). The plan would be to take a bus to MK and then walk over to the Poly launch. Does anyone remember: would we need to go through MK security to do that? MK security is just such a crap shoot in terms of time suck, especially in the morning before the park opens, we would prefer to avoid it in this case.

I recall my SO telling us once we needed to walk fast from the MK bus stop to the security line because there was a full boat coming in, which makes me think that both the boats and the busses get blended before the security checkpoint which would mean that we can jump between the two without passing through security. But, another part of me recalls a much shorter security checkpoint when we arrived at MK via a resort launch this summer, which would suggest that the resort launch crowds and bus crowds don't get blended until after security (like the monorail). It's possible the incoming "boat" that I remember trying to beat was a TTC ferry. It's also possible that my SO didn't know what they were talking about and I was too focused on something else to question it.

I suppose the other option would be to fly over to HS and take the Poly bus -- I know for certain that both of those are outside the "security bubble." Or take an Uber. But, it's not as fun to arrive at Poly via a bus or car, so no need to offer rational thought here!

 

[MommaKetch]

The plan would be to take a bus to MK and then walk over to the Poly launch.

No, you will have to go through security along the walk from the bus stations at MK before getting to the resort boat launches.

The best bet would be to Uber to the TTC, and walk to Poly from there.

You can look on Google Maps and see the white rectangles that are security stops.

There does seem to be a pathway at MK where you could walk from Big Ferry arrival to poly/GF boat launch, but at that point, I'd just walk from the TTC ferry dock to Poly.

 

[Mikey15]

Coming from WL I know the ‘resort launch’ boats have their own little incoming security. That being said even though the buses are outside security, AND the resort boats are outside security, there’s no way for you to get to the resort boats from the bus stop without going through the bus stop security.

You’ll have security going and coming if you use MK as your transfer point.

 

[BlueGreen5]

You can look on Google Maps and see the white rectangles that are security stops.

Thanks!

Google Maps also shows the Spirit of Aloha building at Poly as still standing, so I've learned that you folks are more reliable than it.

 

[MommaKetch]

Google Maps also shows the Spirit of Aloha building at Poly as still standing

Haha! That is also true.

 

[MikeF;NJ]

If I remember correctly, the entire front of MK is "inside the bubble." People coming from the TTC are checked there. All the monorail stations have security screening before you reach the platform. People coming from the MK buses and people walking from the Contemporary, are screened on the walk path from the bus depot (This may actually be two separate check points. I don't remember). People coming on the walking path from the GF have a security check point to pass through as well. This may be where the people coming on the Seven Seas Lagoon boats are checked as well.

 

[KrazeeK120]

If I remember correctly, the entire front of MK is "inside the bubble." People coming from the TTC are checked there. All the monorail stations have security screening before you reach the platform. People coming from the MK buses and people walking from the Contemporary, are screened on the walk path from the bus depot (This may actually be two separate check points. I don't remember). People coming on the walking path from the GF have a security check point to pass through as well. This may be where the people coming on the Seven Seas Lagoon boats are checked as well.

I stayed at the Contemporary this past summer…the walkway from there has a separate security area from the busses. Great perk of staying at that resort.

 

[honeymo78]

I'm not sure when you last visited since guests coming from buses don't go through the same security checkpoint as those coming on the ferry anymore. No need to rush for security to beat the ferry crowd (I remember those days). Security lines move quite quickly now since only a handful of people get pulled for extra screening. There are several threads that note what will likely set off metal detectors and if you follow those guidelines, there's a small chance security screeening will take much time at all.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm not sure when you last visited since guests coming from buses don't go through the same security checkpoint as those coming on the ferry anymore. No need to rush for security to beat the ferry crowd (I remember those days). Security lines move quite quickly now since only a handful of people get pulled for extra screening. There are several threads that note what will likely set off metal detectors and if you follow those guidelines, there's a small chance security screeening will take much time at all.

Yeah, this.

 

[sam_gordon]

The best bet would be to Uber to the TTC, and walk to Poly from there.

Does Uber not drop off at the Poly? Especially if someone has a meal reservation?

 

[BlueGreen5]

I'm not sure when you last visited since guests coming from buses don't go through the same security checkpoint as those coming on the ferry anymore. No need to rush for security to beat the ferry crowd (I remember those days). Security lines move quite quickly now since only a handful of people get pulled for extra screening. There are several threads that note what will likely set off metal detectors and if you follow those guidelines, there's a small chance security screeening will take much time at all.

Lol, it was last year. My SO just tends to be anxious. Probably saw a ferry coming in and thought the sky was falling too.

 

[BlueGreen5]

Does Uber not drop off at the Poly? Especially if someone has a meal reservation?

We don’t have a reservation. With that said, we’ve never had a problem getting an Uber to Poly, with or without reservation. YMMV, though. Some security guards are more strict than others.

 

[CarolynFH]

Does Uber not drop off at the Poly? Especially if someone has a meal reservation?

Uber can drop off at Poly if you have a reservation. If no reservation, it can depend on how busy it is, how near to park opening time, etc. They’re trying to keep the limited resort parking available for people staying there or having dining or other reservations there, as opposed to people who just want to avoid paying to park.

 

[sam_gordon]

Uber can drop off at Poly if you have a reservation. If no reservation, it can depend on how busy it is, how near to park opening time, etc. They’re trying to keep the limited resort parking available for people staying there or having dining or other reservations there, as opposed to people who just want to avoid paying to park.

Uber doesn't need to park.

 

[CarolynFH]

Uber doesn't need to park.

Sorry, watching the baseball game at the same time!

But Uber can be turned away from near-park resorts too, if the guests don’t have a reservation, especially near park opening time.

 

[aleria24]

Sorry, watching the baseball game at the same time!

But Uber can be turned away from near-park resorts too, if the guests don’t have a reservation, especially near park opening time.

Exactly. They don't want people ubering to a monorail resort and overloading the resort line to get to the parks for example.

 

[Mle8308]

Exactly. They don't want people ubering to a monorail resort and overloading the resort line to get to the parks for example.

This! And I can imagine it will be more strictly enforced once the Tower opens. I can't imagine the crowds on the monorail at park opening then! We were there in September and the monorail was packed, felt bad for the GF guests who got on (or tried to) after us.

 

[PHXscuba]

So if I arrive at the MK by resort bus but then walk to the Contemporary, I won't have to go through security since I am heading outward, right?

 

[MommaKetch]

So if I arrive at the MK by resort bus but then walk to the Contemporary, I won't have to go through security since I am heading outward, right?

You will have to go through the bus entry security. The best way no-dining-rez to get to Poly is to drive/uber/lyft to TTC, and walk over to the resort from there. Otherwise, you're going through security.

Editing to add that the bus arrival and Contemporary walking arrivals do not share a security queue.

 

[Mikey15]

So if I arrive at the MK by resort bus but then walk to the Contemporary, I won't have to go through security since I am heading outward, right?

Mayyybe there’s a way by walking into the bus driving lanes, but I’d expect to get a friendly encouragement from staff to not do so. The walking path to Contemporary is very specifically laid-out, and you can’t get to it from the buses without either going through security or stepping into bus / MinnieVan driving lanes.