Time to get through security recently

[BriannaRuth]

We're doing "opposite parks" this year since we're not staying on site. We're going in August when both parks open at 9. Our strategy is to get the first shuttle from the Toy Story lot when we're going to DL (non-MM days). On those days, the first shuttle will leave at 8, so that will get us to security shortly after on-site guests going to DCA have started their EMH at 8. So I assume there will already be a line at security, though hopefully not a big one for DL itself since it won't open for another hour.

On MM days, we plan to go to DCA. On MM days the first shuttle will leave the Toy Story lot at 7:30 but we probably won't get on one until 8 since we have non-MM entry at DCA at 9. I assume this will make our wait longer at security since in addition to on-site guests with DL EMH, DL MM guests will already be in the parks. But again, I'm hoping for short to no line at DCA an hour before opening.

How long should I expect to wait in line at security for these two scenarios? And will leaving at these times still get us near the front of the entry line? This is all new to me since we're used to staying onsite and being one of the first ones through security when I drag my family there an hour before EMH every day!

Thanks!

 

[GAN]

I just got back and since I'm not a regular at DL this isn't definitive, but I would expect to wait anywhere from 15-30 minutes easy. That's what I experienced. I did MM at DCA yesterday(Friday) and obviously that wasn't an issue, but even to head over to Trader Sam's one night around 7P I waited close to 40mins....

 

[lindyv321]

I am wondering this same thing as September will be our first time not staying onsite. I am planning on doing the same as you and going to the park that doesn't have EE.

I wish they would have separate lines for people with bags and for people without...

 

[GAN]

I am wondering this same thing as September will be our first time not staying onsite. I am planning on doing the same as you and going to the park that doesn't have EE.

I wish they would have separate lines for people with bags and for people without...

Absolutely ...I never even had a bag once. That 40 minute wait killed me as I was coming from a fairly long day at work. They still ran me through the metal detector.

 

[lalasmama]

Hubby was there this last week, and reported 5 minutes to 30 minutes at any random time.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Our waits recently have been ranging consistently from 10 to 15 minutes, start to finish. That's with a full dance bag that must be searched. Sometimes we go through the detectors and sometimes not. The deciding factor for us on whether the wait will be long is how organized the party in front of us is. The more clueless they are ("What do you mean ALL my bags count as bags??!"), the longer the wait.

 

[arlopop]

We were there all this week (left today) and security was weird. No problem on Monday or Tuesday. But on Weds for early morning security line was not open. They didn't open it til 6:50. Dogs sniffing all trash cans. Packs all being checked thoroughly. Everyone had to go through metal detectors. A lot more waiting. It was like that for the rest of the week. Things were very slow. Something definitely changed.
Also saw A LOT more security in parks and resort and moving in large groups.

No way to know if this is a new standard but I would say be prepared to get there earlier.

 

[lindyv321]

Scary that this is the world we live in now. I have no issue going through the metal detector etc. I just wish there was a quicker easier way to do things

 

[PinkBudgie]

We learned a trick while we just there for a week. No matter which park you are going to, go to the security check on the very right side. Then get in far right line of that tent. Often the line breaks into two as you get closer and sometimes, they open up another tent right next to that and it goes even faster. Anyway, we usually waited about 10 min when we did that as opposed to other lines which took longer. This is based on our arrival time of anywhere between 7:50am and 8:05am.

 

[GAN]

Our waits recently have been ranging consistently from 10 to 15 minutes, start to finish. That's with a full dance bag that must be searched. Sometimes we go through the detectors and sometimes not. The deciding factor for us on whether the wait will be long is how organized the party in front of us is. The more clueless they are ("What do you mean ALL my bags count as bags??!"), the longer the wait.

There is no question -when I waited 40 minutes, I unluckily chose the "wrong" line. I think it had more to do with the CM on duty than the guests who were entering. Same thing as you with detectors -pretty random whether you went through or not...