Strange security check at Epcot

[DebbieB]

The ironic part is you could stuff whatever you want in your jacket, socks or pockets and it would not be checked. If a terrorist really wanted to do something, they would figure it out pretty fast and walk right past security with no bags. I'm all for security, but I don't think this "show" makes us any safer.

 

[enchantedpixiedust]

I'm all for more security - the stricter the better. The attitude is definitely questionable though.

However - it drives me NUTS to be in line waiting to go through there and people aren't getting anything prepared. They get to the guard before starting to open, separate, etc after we've been standing in line waiting when there was plenty of time to do so. It would move things along so much faster.

 

[janets]

and expecting much tighter security at the airports and entrances to all the parks. It was me, my dh and our son (3.5 at the time). I was pregnant w/ our second child (not really noticable at that point) and was on daily injections of heparin.

In order to make it easier on security, I packed my needles (all in their original wrappers) and my bottles of medicine, in clear bags, along with the original prescription information, so that anyone looking at them would know what they were for. I put them in my backpack for carry on. When the backpack went through the xray scanner, the security person looked at the screen and never said a word. Not once. I was not asked to open my bag, not asked why I was carrying needles and some type of fluid. Through the xray screen, you cannot read the script info, so they had no way of knowing what I had. I could have been a terrorist carrying something with which to incapacitate the crew.

On the way back, I was carrying all of the used needles (to dispose of in a proper container at home) and again, no one asked about any of it. I was asked, however, to remove my shoes. Apparently my sneakers looked suspicious!

 

[CamColt]

Thanks Figaro, thats what I thought. Ive never had problems with the epi pen on planes or in the parks or anything. Im curious though what this security guard would have done had he found the needles he was looking for. Im assuming he couldnt not let them in, but why was he so concerned about looking for something that is allowed in the parks? It almost sounds like he was looking to give someone a hard time.

And Debbie, unfortunately, I agree with you. Ive gone in with my poncho on, forgetting about my fanny pack and obviously they never saw it. I could have a small elephant under that poncho and no one would notice or care.

 

[zurgswife]

On the way back, I was carrying all of the used needles (to dispose of in a proper container at home) and again, no one asked about any of it. I was asked, however, to remove my shoes. Apparently my sneakers looked suspicious!

Why would you care used needles back with you....???? If you are at most hotels they will provide sharps containers to dispose of needles in...

I was also wondering about the needles as we bring my sons needles with us and haven't been questions...ours also don't come individaually wrapped.....they are loose...

 

[Pig Pen]

I agree the security is a farce. If they are going to take the time and money for the appearance of security, then go all the way and make it for real.

 

[Figaro]

Hi, zurgswife!

Not every hotel has sharps containers and sometimes the number of phone calls it can take just makes it easier to bring back the used syringes and throw them out at home. The last time we stayed at Pop Century, it took three phone calls and we never ended up getting a sharps container from housekeeping. So, I just wrapped up the used syringes in duct tape (is my spouse the only one who never travels without duct tape?)(smile), tossed them in the checked luggage and then threw them out at home.

 

[Ronda93]

Another check in the joke column.

The bag check is to make someone feel good. The guest, the lawyers, someone, because it does not improve security. Anything questionable, put it on your person and walk right in, but not with that stroller mister!

Has anyone been denied entry because of something found in their bags? Ever seen someone turned away? I was told to leave my nail file in my room next time... honest to goodness, he pointed at my Revlon and said "leave that at home next time."

 

[thatdarncat]

Personally, I am REALLY happy that they check bags and all kinds of stuff. I live 10 minutes away from Manhatten. I've seen and experienced it all. And in this day and age, with all that's going on, if checking bags and holding people up from getting in the parks is the worst thing that happened on my Disney trip, I'd be pretty psyched. ANTHING they do to help insure my security is appreciated. If they act militant it's probably because they are taught that everybody is suspect. And thank goodness. Just because you may look like a Disney lovin' family, doesn't mean you are going to be ignored by security. In fact they probably are told that even Disney lovin' looking familes are to be checked cauz they could be just trying to "fit in". Anyone can put on a Disney shirt and a fanny pack. Even a very bad person trying to look like a friendly visitor. I'm glad Disney spends whatever they need to make a Disney trip for all visitors safe.
The more checking the better. It's the leniant ones that make me nervous.

 

[maximom]

At times I was checked thoroughly and others not. At Epcot they glanced through my backpack but didn't even look at my fanny pack. At MK the guard asked me to open the canister of baby wipes so he could look inside it and I did, no problem but I thought it was odd that I also had two Brita bottles right beside the baby wipes and he didn't ask to look in those, maybe it was because they were red, white & blue!

 

[BrianMonk]

You beat me to it Debbie. And to think anyone with more than half a brain would get caught at the entry security checkpoint is kinda comical.

Edit: Caught at the entry security checkpoint by the bagcheckers that is. I'm not sure what "other" means Disney has for security beyond the bagcheckers.

Originally posted by DebbieB
The ironic part is you could stuff whatever you want in your jacket, socks or pockets and it would not be checked. If a terrorist really wanted to do something, they would figure it out pretty fast and walk right past security with no bags. I'm all for security, but I don't think this "show" makes us any safer.

 

[ztbz]

If you feel that the security host or hostess is being rude then by all means be sure to ask for his or her manager.

Also remember that security host or hostess are Not Cops, thats why they normaly have Orange County Deputy near by the entrance.

 

[zurgswife]

Originally posted by Figaro
Hi, zurgswife!

Not every hotel has sharps containers and sometimes the number of phone calls it can take just makes it easier to bring back the used syringes and throw them out at home. The last time we stayed at Pop Century, it took three phone calls and we never ended up getting a sharps container from housekeeping. So, I just wrapped up the used syringes in duct tape (is my spouse the only one who never travels without duct tape?)(smile), tossed them in the checked luggage and then threw them out at home.

Wow...we were at Pop for a few nights in Dec...it only took one call to housekeeping for sharps jar to show up....I've been able to get them without incident at BWV, Pop, Dolphin, WL......

When traveling to other places without jars I just put them in a soda bottle and place a lid on them.

 

[Lucky4me]

I think the security begins after you walk in the park.

I've seen security appear out of nowhere many times for different reasons. They are scattered throughout the parks wearing hidden ear pieces and microphones. They are plainclothed and along with all the hidden cameras, see just about everything.

In our trip before 9/11 my daughter fell off a retaining wall and was bleeding profusely. Within 30 seconds there were at least a dozen security people surrounding us. This was after 8pm. I was amazed. Something tells me the security has been stepped up even more than that since 9/11.

I feel as safe at Disney as I do anywhere else in the country and I think they are doing the best they can.

 

[Gorechick]

Bottom line: I'd rather be safe than sorry. If a little vigilance and inconvenience is going to keep me safe then so be it. Once we get lax about security, that's when something will slip by. Think about it.

 

[rngrblu9]

it is a sad thing that the happiest place on earth could be targeted by terrorists but unfortunately it probably is a huge target...it makes me very sad that people are subjected to searches & feel violated before beginning what should be a very happy & exciting day...it also makes me mad because i think this is the way it will be forever...but it also makes me feel safer...

 

[Moridyn]

I almost always feel completely safe. The way I see it the terrorists are out to hit America. WDW harbors too many international tourists. Any terrorist that hit it would not only make the US angry, they would piss off quite a few other countries as well. <shrugs> I guess it's just the way you look at things.

 

[B'rer Karen]

Moridyn, if that makes you feel safer, then more power to you. However if you look at the nationalities of the persons killed on 9/11, many, many of them were not American. And it did tick off a lot of other countries in the world. And these terrorists do not care. They are willing to kill themselves to acheive their mission. Do you really think they care who else they kill? Any building or place that is representative of everything that makes America America or represents the American way of life is a potential target. That includes WDW. That's not going to stop me from enjoying my American life or going to WDW, because that is their true target, to ruin our happiness and freedom.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Security bag checks are for show at WDW/USO. If someone was really going to take something bad into the parks, they would put it in their pockets which are never checked. Waiting in line for bag checking at the parks only slows down the entrance.

 

[Disneylovers]

Just came back yesterday, and we had hit or miss checks also. We know the drill, so I open all the zippers on my fanny pack, and hold it open, my younger DD opens her backpack, older DD opened her purse, and DH opened our backpack. He had the sweaters on top, (why we brought sweaters to WDW in August is beyond me, guess our girl/boy scout preparedness caught up to us!)and at every park, he had to remove the sweaters, open the camera bags, but only once was he asked to open the bottom of our DVC backpack! DD mentioned yesterday as we entered MK that they really need to check people with cargo pants, she walked in behind this kid whose pockets were buldging, and no one said a thing to him! It makes sense.