weapon detection at WDW

[sissy_42]

For all of those people who think Disney World's bag checks are a joke, what would you like for them to do? Scanners and/or body searches? Or do nothing and let people bring in whatever they want? For everyone who criticizes Disney World for bag searches, do you actually know for a fact that they don't work at all? That the policy is there only to search bags and it serves absolutely no other purpose despite Disney Cast Members on this board saying over and over and over again that there is a lot more to security than the bag checks?

I feel safer with bag checks because I know Disney is doing something and not just letting people go by 100% unchecked. If they went to metal detectors, can you imagine the outcry for that? Every single person who went to Disney World would have to seriously think about what they carried with them. Belt buckles set off the detectors. You really want someone to be in their Disney resort room and have to think about what they wear every single day of their vacation? That they can't wear something because it might set off the metal detector? Or have even longer lines while people who do set off the detectors have to be pulled aside further a further search?

Or do you want Disney to do nothing? Let everyone bring in whatever they want?

Your 100% correct. This would turn it in to the airport. Two hour waits to get in. Not very magical.

The bag check is a joke. It is a pain and not really effective.

Did you read any if this thread?

 

[A Mickeyfan]

The only difference in now and prior to 9/11 was an attack on American soil that killed thousands of people. Prior to 9/11 and now, as far as alcohol & containers, it's the same as it was then. Those that want to try and smuggle it in, will get it in. If there is a will, there is a way. I just find that standing on the lines for them to poke in my backpack & not really look at anything is a waste of time and forms more lines. It is sort of the preview of what it to come.. lines, lines, lines.. I would rather have a metal detector to walk thru and an x-ray scanner for safety reasons than the bag check.
Our local government bldgs have the x-ray scanner & metal detectors for the person to go thru. They are much more efficient and faster than standing in a line where a security officer must open 10 compartments in/on a back pack.. just to poke in it ??????

 

[sissy_42]

It's a Catch 22 situation. Too little security and they get criticized. Too much and they would get the same. Have nothing and they will get criticized even more.
The tale would be told if someone actually did bring in a gun concealed on their person and started shooting. Procedures might change then.
Let's hope it never happens....

True. Honestly I feel something is more likely to happen at the grocery store than at Disney. Could it happen, sure. But I think someone would have to go very far out of their way to do something like that at Disney.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Prior to 9/11 no one had bag checks (except some government bldgs) and no one complained about Disney "not" going thru their bags... the complaints & worries of not enough security started over 9/11. Again, the only difference between now & 9/11 was the attack. Can an attack happen at Disney, sure it can, as another Poster stated, it can happen at a grocery store. There were rumors about one being planned at a shopping mall. Do malls have us go thru security prior to entering?

 

[needtogomore]

Surely since 9/ 11 there is airport style weapons scanning at each entry to the Theme parks. I would be amazed if there ws not. Given the gun culture in the USA suely guests cannot enter the theme parks armed.... can they ??????

yes if they want to, the searches are a joke

 

[needtogomore]

For all of those people who think Disney World's bag checks are a joke, what would you like for them to do? Scanners and/or body searches? Or do nothing and let people bring in whatever they want? For everyone who criticizes Disney World for bag searches, do you actually know for a fact that they don't work at all? That the policy is there only to search bags and it serves absolutely no other purpose despite Disney Cast Members on this board saying over and over and over again that there is a lot more to security than the bag checks?

I feel safer with bag checks because I know Disney is doing something and not just letting people go by 100% unchecked. If they went to metal detectors, can you imagine the outcry for that? Every single person who went to Disney World would have to seriously think about what they carried with them. Belt buckles set off the detectors. You really want someone to be in their Disney resort room and have to think about what they wear every single day of their vacation? That they can't wear something because it might set off the metal detector? Or have even longer lines while people who do set off the detectors have to be pulled aside further a further search?

Or do you want Disney to do nothing? Let everyone bring in whatever they want?

Disney's rules about what can be taken in are broken thousands of times every day, and the security checks watch and let it happen, thats why its a joke.

 

[sissy_42]

yes if they want to, the searches are a joke

What would you like Disney to do? A cavity search of every man, woman and child entering the parks? Because that is the only way to prevent people from bringing a weapon, etc in to the parks. Of course someone could smuggle a gun in if they really wanted to. But at least there is a bag check and they do watch people. As stated many times over there are security people in civilian clothes who watch people entering the property. If they were to see suspicious behavior or it appeared someone was hiding something under their clothes that person would be stopped. The bag check is not the only security procedure in place. I have to say if Disney turned to using tactics like body scanners I would have to think twice about going there, not because they are using them, but because that would mean they feel they need to. If a place requires such a level of security that means it was unsafe to begin with. And Disney is not.

 

[sissy_42]

Disney's rules about what can be taken in are broken thousands of times every day, and the security checks watch and let it happen, thats why its a joke.

Seriously? You think security lets people bring in weapons? Seriously?

 

[needtogomore]

What would you like Disney to do?.

stop waisting my time with pointless inefective searches, while letting people in with banned items that every one can see a mile off.

 

[needtogomore]

Seriously? You think security lets people bring in weapons? Seriously?

never mentioned weapons, seriously. re read post 26

 

[sissy_42]

never mentioned weapons, seriously. re read post 26

This thread is asking about weapons specifically. Please enlighten us as to what it is you see people bring in all the time.

 

[needtogomore]

This thread is asking about weapons specifically. Please enlighten us as to what it is you see people bring in all the time.

Theres a list posted by Disney about whats allowed and whats not, I am saying the searches are pointless if they are letting banned items in which are in plain sight.

 

[sissy_42]

Theres a list posted by Disney about whats allowed and whats not, I am saying the searches are pointless if they are letting banned items in which are in plain sight.

Yes. And I asked you what items you see being allowed in to the parks that are on that list.

 

[flicx]

In all honesty I don't feel anymore safe with the bag checks. Disney is in a no win situation here ,if something happens they aren't doing enough and if something doesn't too little. A person could easily get in with a gun,they don't have to go through bag checks if they don't have a bag(shouler ,leg strap etc.) I pity the terrorist group that ever targets the parks for an act of terrorism.Killing parents and kids on vacation would bring world retaliation quickly!

 

[needtogomore]

Yes. And I asked you what items you see being allowed in to the parks that are on that list.

check the list and next time you go you will see for your self, then you will also see how pointless the searches are. i'm not getting in an argument about what or not is allowed as someone always comes along and says no one stopped us so its ok, Disney has rules about whats allowed in and whats not, but the security checks let lots of banned items though, so repeating myself again the checks are pointless.

 

[nhmomx2]

My question is...why would someone ask this question to begin with?

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Our local government bldgs have the x-ray scanner & metal detectors for the person to go thru. They are much more efficient and faster than standing in a line where a security officer must open 10 compartments in/on a back pack.. just to poke in it ??????

One of many differences between WDW and your local government building is that I'd be willing to wager that 50,000-75,000 people don't enter and exit your government building on a daily basis. Scanners and X-ray machines would cause a bottleneck like you wouldn't believe and would certainly take just as long, if not longer, than the bag check.

As others have pointed out, one of the main reasons for the bag checks is deterrence. The chance that you might get caught will deter 95% of the idiots, which is a good start.

A second reason, as others have said, is that the bottleneck is intentional in order to allow the undercover security to monitor the crowds for body language, body bulges, etc. There have been threads before on this board about undercover security identifying concealed weapons and pulling a guest out of line (it sounds like it was generally off-duty police without bad intentions). Undercover security is everywhere, inside and outside the park, and the cameras are also always watching.

For those who've said that a terrorist could bring in a weapon on their body, they are partially correct, but again that is what the undercover security is watching for. One tell-tale sign would be a tourist dressed too heavily for the weather, which could be a sign that a weapon is being concealed. Somebody dedicated to causing mayhem and injury will always find a way, but they are also likely to follow the path of least resistance, and sneaking a bomb or large gun into WDW isn't the easiest way.

WDW's security is not perfect (no security force dependent on human beings can ever be), but it's far from ineffective and does far more than give a false sense of security. The fact that millions upon millions of people go through every year with nary an incident should make that much clear.

 

[sissy_42]

check the list and next time you go you will see for your self, then you will also see how pointless the searches are. i'm not getting in an argument about what or not is allowed as someone always comes along and says no one stopped us so its ok, Disney has rules about whats allowed in and whats not, but the security checks let lots of banned items though, so repeating myself again the checks are pointless.

Here is the list in case anyone one was wondering. Not much to sneak in...

The following are not allowed to be brought into the Disney Theme Parks:

Items with wheels, such as wagons, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, shoes with built-in wheels, two-wheeled or three-wheeled conveyances, strollers larger than 36" x 52", suitcases, coolers, or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high (coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations), and any trailer-like object that is pushed or towed by an ECV wheelchair or stroller

Alcoholic beverages

Weapons of any kind

Folding chairs

Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles)

Pets (unless they are service animals)

In Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park (for the safety of the wildlife), balloons, straws and drink lids are not permitted. Note: they now have biodegradable paper straws.

 

[LilyWDW]

check the list and next time you go you will see for your self, then you will also see how pointless the searches are. i'm not getting in an argument about what or not is allowed as someone always comes along and says no one stopped us so its ok, Disney has rules about whats allowed in and whats not, but the security checks let lots of banned items though, so repeating myself again the checks are pointless.

Actually since you are the one who is making the statement, then you need to show the proof. Not saying I do or don't agree with the statement, but if you are going to make one, you need to back it up.

Personally, I think the bag check isn't really a bag check... at least, not primarily. It's to slow the flow of traffic to the turnstiles which allowed uniformed and undercover security teams to get a better look at people coming in. They are looking for tells such as nervousness, positioning of the body to block a view of something, ect. There is a lot of undercover security in the parks. You might be surprised as to what can be seen by these people.

 

[maxiesmom]

check the list and next time you go you will see for your self, then you will also see how pointless the searches are. i'm not getting in an argument about what or not is allowed as someone always comes along and says no one stopped us so its ok, Disney has rules about whats allowed in and whats not, but the security checks let lots of banned items though, so repeating myself again the checks are pointless.

Why make the comment then? You make it sound like you see for yourself every day people being let to take items on the no-no list in.

Why make a comment like that unless you can back it up with a first hand experience?