Strange security check at Epcot

[Claudia1]

We had been thru multiple security checks over our 4 days at WDW but our last day at Epcot made our jaws drop.

First, the Sercurity Guard kept announcing, in a military style manner, "It is NOT my job to open your bags. It is YOUR job. Take our anything that is in a bag. Don't hide anything. I need to see EVERYTHING".

The family beside us had a medical treatment pack. He searched it thoroughly to be sure it did not have any needles. He also asked them why they were bringing in medical supples. All it had was bandages, Rx cream, etc... but nothing that I felt was unusual.

We had the typical toddler/family stuff but we had an umbrella stroller with absolutely nothing on it. No bags, no cover, just a canvas seat on a frame, etc... just the toddler. DH started to walk thru security while I had the diaper bag & other stuff but the Guard bluntly stopped him and barked that strollers were considered bags and he had to wait in line.

OK, no problem. The guard looked our DGD over very carefully but did not touch her or ask us to take her out. The guard eyed our family of five very carefully. I guess our Disney shirts, fanny packs, etc... made us stand out from the rest of the crowd.

I had a bag of WDW ponchos (it was raining every day) and he looked over every one. He then told me that he had to see the bottom of the diaper bag and I needed to take everything out.

OK..... did it. I had a generic shaker bottle baby powder with zinc oxide and it was labeled as such. (For those of you that are out fo the baby loop, Zinc Oxide is a common component in diaper rash ointments.) He questioned me about it and told me that any spilled powder must be cleaned up because it could frighten other guests. He opened it and smelled it. He again told me to be careful with the white powder in the park.

He eyed all of us and then let us go thru. We felt like we were criminals.

Right after we went thru, he was replaced. I don't know if his shift was over or what.

Honestly, we did not have any trouble at any other time. He acted the same with other guests. Not a typical experience at all!

 

[GeekChic]

i'm sorry that you felt he gave you a hard time.

IMO, it's good to see a security guard at WDW who takes his job seriously. last year i was underwhelmed by the procedures, they just shined a light in a bag without looking really and it bothered me that i could have had anything in there and they would have missed it.

it's a sad thing but in this day and age i would rather have to take everything out of my bags to be sure everyone is thoroughly checked than to just be waved through and not feel safe in WDW.

When we were there last time there was a suspicious item left unattended on a bus, it freaked my father out and he's not easily ruffled. when we got off the bus he read the riot act to the 'head' of security at the front gates of MGM; and the guy was very blase' about the whole thing.

Again I'm sorry that you felt intruded upon. He could obviously have been more tactful and pleasant! But I'm glad he was at least trying to do a rigorous job.

geek

 

[dancemom3]

OMG!!

We'll be at Epcot next week. Haven't been to the parks since right before 9/11, so all of the bag searching will be new to us. Hopefully this guy will not be there when we are, although maybe it would be just what he needs! My DS9 will come right out and ask him what he is doing, why is he touching that, what is he looking for, etc. And I know my son; he won't let up until he gets answers!!

 

[swilphil]

We were there last month. Sometimes they searched a lot, sometimes just a little. That's life in 2004.

 

[Villain Dude]

I'm all for tighter security but w/ out attitude ... people act and react in different ways ... considering that WDW is an American icon and we live in this day and age, we should get used to more security.... and if it comes w/ attitude, we just might have to deal w/ it. All in all, I WANT SAFETY.

Dude

 

[wilderness01]

Wow that is taking it to an extreme! That is fine if a security person wants me to take out everything out of my purse, as I already do that so they don't have to thumb though everything ( you don't know where those fingers have been ) but to have me open up a bottle of diaper rash cream is too much in my opinion. Maybe he was enjoying the power trip! We just got back as well and some people checked pretty well and others checked with only a glance.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by swilphil
Sometimes they searched a lot, sometimes just a little.

I think that is the key. Last trip, I carried a small mailing tube with glow sticks in my backpack. Ina nd out of secuity 10+ times no questions asked, just a look in the bag (tube was sealed with stoppers on both ends). than 1x I get the third degree, I actually wasted one by popping it just to be done.

 

[rmdavis]

I agree the attitude sounds as though it could have been better but the steps taken don't seem too overly excessive consicering the times.. I don't know when you went but it is possible that the security level for the national security or something... as for the baby powder you have to consider with all of the anthrax scares that not only could it have been suspicious but could have also caused a panic if someone spotted the powder laying around... I have personally been on calls for just those types of things...

ok hope that all came along right just trying to offer a different view on things..

Robert

 

[heathrow42]

I am pretty sure that Disney policy is that the bag checkers can not actually touch your things.. Hence the reason you have to open your bags, move things, take them out and show them. Not like the airport where they seperate you from your bag and go through it!

The military style giving of orders is just rude and sounds un-disney like. Were the lines huge, maybe they were trying to speed things up by having folks prepared?

--h

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Sounds like the security guard where I work. There is one guy of about four or five who will literally read your receipt on your way out the door at the end of your shift. Yes, he should be checking your bag to ensure you have paid for your merchandise, but this guy goes overboard.

He is only there doing the job he was trained to do, to the best of his ability. Should you have had something "illegal" he could potentially lose his job for passing you through the gate.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm actually glad to hear that they seem to be doing more. Maybe a little less on the attitude department but... When we were down in March security was a joke. If you are going to make people line up and "search" their bags then I say do it right.

 

[Blueberry]

I am all for security, but without ATTITUDE. As we approach 9/11 again it maybe tighter at WDW and other places, which is good in my opinion. I have no problem emptying my bag there if it keeps everyone safe, then I say go for it..better safe than sorry. However, it should be done with respect and dignity..just my two cents.....

 

[Claudia1]

Yes. I think it was his attitude that caught me off guard more so than the actual items that he was checking. In my original post, I think I came off as complaining about it all. I was really more surprised and a bit annoyed by it all.

Even in a torential downpour the day before, the guards were smiling and everybody was cooperative. This guy was making everybody feel like we were criminals and several guests were changing lines behind us when they got close enough to hear what he was saying. The guests in front of us with the medical kit were really upset when they entered were done and entered the park. That is not typical Disney but I understand that not every department has 100% pixie dust.

I'm sorry if I came as against security. I certainly am not!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

No, don't be sorry! I don't think you came across as being against security. I'm glad you shared your experience.

 

[punkin]

So let's say the baby powder was actually anthrax spores and the idiot went and sniffed it? Yeah that kind of security makes me feel warm and toasty all over. I think security at the parks is a waste of everybody's time and a waste of Disney's money.

 

[mel&me]

I agree the attitude sounds a little harsh and un disney like. But I think more guards should take their job as seriously as this guy. Last time I went to disney I could have taken in anything I wanted they bearly even looked my way.

 

[CamColt]

First let me say Im all for security but in 5 trips since 9/11, Ive seen the "security" here all over the place....from barely being checked, like wearing a fanny pack and being breezed right through, to being checked pretty good, even being asked to open the tiny credit card sized pocket on the fanny pack. However, thankfully Ive never had to deal with the attitude you did, Claudia. Im sorry you guys had to experience that.

Originally posted by Claudia1

The family beside us had a medical treatment pack. He searched it thoroughly to be sure it did not have any needles.

Im just curious what he would have done had there been needles. I always bring DS's epipen with us and have never had a problem. Would needles actually casue a problem?

 

[auntpolly]

I agree that I am happier with the ones that check thoroughly <i> without</i> the attitude, but we saw one who was too lenient and it really bothered us. A young girl ahead of us came in with a full backpack that had a broken zipper and said, "sorry, you're just going to have to take my word for what's in here". The guard laughed and said "OK". The girl was very cute -- I suppose if terrorists want to be more successful they should start recruiting cute young girls.

My DD said, "if I were that guard I would have told her I was going to "help" her get the backpack opened right there and then!"

 

[DizBelle]

The longest I've ever waited in the security check line is about 4-5 minutes but I've only visited WDW during slower times of the year. How long have you waited and what time of year was it?

 

[Figaro]

Hi, CamColt!

There is no problem with bringing needles into the park, as I've brought mine for years and all they do is look at them. And if you do forget insulin syringes, they have them at the First Aid Center.

I always put everything into clear, ziploc bags and then put those into my backpack. Much easier to just lift everything out to show them and then slide them back in.