WDW Security? Effective or for show?

[DukeStreetKing]

I think there is something to the old adage that locks keep honest people honest. If people know there is a security check that they will have to pass through, it might be enough of a deterent to keep them from bringing in anything they aren't supposed to bring in. It will not deter the "hard core" criminals, but I really don't think that is the intent of the bag check.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I think the bag checks are mainly there just to keep people happy(and insurance) because most people don't understand that the best security is the kind you don't see & Disney has plenty of that already.

 

[Missy1961]

I work in NYC. I am so used to bag checks it doesn't even bother me anymore. And yes, they are for show.

 

[GeorgeG]

I think the bag checks are mainly there just to keep people happy(and insurance) because most people don't understand that the best security is the kind you don't see & Disney has plenty of that already.

Exactly my take on this. I've heard there are surveylance cameras all over the place and not all "guests" are what they appear to be.

I can't imagine why people need to bring bottles of booze into a park and I've never felt a need to be armed at WDW. I guess you can find stupidy just about anywhere, though.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I don't think they are really expecting to conficate things of tremendous magnitude during a bag check. We carried a backpack in January and they looked in it, but they certainly didn't root around in it. There could have been something small and dangerous concealed in the bag.

On the other hand, when we went to the Six Flags water park a few weeks ago we could have stashed a bazooka in our bag and they wouldn't have noticed. They allow outside food & drinks and people were wheeling in coolers big enough to put a dead body in and the guards were just glancing at whatever was on top. Good thing nobody was on a murderous rampage that day.

If somebody really wants to bring something dangerous into a park they will probably succeed. I think the bag checks might be a slight deterrent to people bringing in things that they really shouldn't, but as far as keeping us measurably safer I don't think it matters.

 

[lillygator]

I think it is for show...we went this weekend and they never bothered with my bags that were in the stroller and would not have checked my purse had I not prompted them.
At MGM we came in the side entrance and was stopped yet a couple one who had a backpack walked right by and the guard never looked up.

 

[C.Ann]

It's too inconsistent to be effective.. I think it's for show - and if it makes other people "feel" safer, that's fine..

 

[lissawynn]

I just returned from my trip, and only one security guard thoroughly checked my bag on the many trips I made through the stations.

 

[familyfirsttimer]

I agree that it needs to be more consistent. While I agree it was a PIA since my DH and I both had backpacks and 2 kids in stollers, I was hoping that it was at least a deterent. You may get checked. Here is one example: I had my small purse inside a ziploc so it didn't get wet. 1 time a security guard actually apolpgoized and asked me if I could take it out because it was heavy! OF course, he should have checked it and I was glad he did but not 1 other time in 8 days a park visiting/hopping did anyone even look twice.
In my head I knew they were not really finding anything major at those checks but I even thought of the younger guys (not to be sexist) that might carry small knives and stuff and if they ever got rowdy, you could have trouble (more thinking of the parks that serve alcohol.)
I would defnintely not be opposed to metal detectors. Anything to keep my kids safer. They just need to be efficient and not put a damper on waiting to get into the park.
ok, I am off my soap box now!

 

[DawnCt1]

I think that Disney was experimenting with metal detectors.

But they went with biometrics instead. Its more important that no one attempt to enter the park with someone elses pass.

 

[eclectics]

I think that Disney was experimenting with metal detectors.

I would think a metal detector would really cause a backlog especially at the busier times of the year unless they have a lot of them. I agree with others that the "unseen" security is what makes me feel the safest.

 

[chesirechik]

I agree with the others who feel it is all for show. Perfunctory checks designed to make the guest feel at ease. I could have loaded my bag with anything and those guards would have never known