What Security is in Place?

[klrobinson999]

You can be sure that, after the Pulse nightclub attack (remember, the killer had staked out Downtown Disney first), that security at Disney Springs is constant.

 

[turtlechick6]

No worries. I have told people over and over Disney is the safest place on earth. They have so many security people and cameras that it would be hard to pull anything there. At any given time there is probably a security person right near you and you don't even see them. They are in tourist costumes.

 

[Anabelletoronto]

The chance of being involved In a terrrist attack is less than a shark attack.
If it's my time- I guess it's my time.

 

[turtlechick6]

lets look at it this way people-I am not saying it can't happen-but so far it hasn't and I think that is saying something. With terrorist stuff happening all the time now-its never been at Disney. Because I think they do have a pretty good handle on it. That is how I look at it

 

[Disnsyncey]

When I worked there, I was told that "you could be the only guest in a store and not know it" in regards to how many undercover folk they have....

I had an undercover guy come to my podium at CRT and show his badge and use our phone....

 

[kmb584]

We were in Tattoine Traders a few years ago and there was a man in there dressed very strangely. All black clothing, long black trench coat, utility belt with what looked like knives/swords (don't know how he'd have gotten the real things in, but who knows). He was just standing there staring, odd. Within a minute or two he was approached by men who appeared to be dressed for a Florida vacation, but they were security. We left the park not long after and the man was being escorted into an Orange County Sheriff's car. I don't know who he was, what he did, etc. but they surrounded him in next to no time.

 

[turtlechick6]

Not only do they have the plain clothes security everywhere acting like tourists but they have all those secret entrances to the back stage areas everywhere so you won't even see them hauling someone out. They really quickly get them to a nearby secret entrance to backstage so you won't even see them being hauled away most likely. They also have a "Disney Jail". Its a holding area backstage they can hold people till authorities arrive and for questioning.

I know someone who was ambushed by some estranged relatives at Magic Kingdom and after she screamed out within seconds plain clothes security were hauling the relatives away from her.

They are fast

 

[Networth]

Just live your life.

You could have a heart attack while reading this or get hit by a bus on your way home from work.

Both are more likely.

 

[Mickeymouseisking]

Someone bad, be it a terrorist or just a random dangerous person, isn’t carrying their weapon of choice in their bag. It will be on their person. Therefore, randomly choosing who goes through the metal detectors instead of just sending everyone through the detectors is ridiculous. Also, having more security that you don’t see isn’t going to help, it will be too late.

At Universal all bags and all people go through a metal detector. This is the one thing that, as huge Disney fanatics, we thought Universal does better. I don’t understand why Disney doesn’t do that.

Also, on our vacation in August we had a very scary encounter in line for Test Track. We were in the area after you exit the car designing room. There’s no CM there. The next CM is behind a wall up the ramp. The line wasn’t moving and suddenly the guy behind us in line started yelling racial slurs at us. We were shocked and have never been in such a situation. An announcement was made that there was a hold up with the ride. The guy was getting more and more irritated. His wife or GF tried to calm him down, but he said he would break her arm if she didn’t shut up. Then he started saying louder and louder that he was going to punch us. At which point we turned to the people in front of us for help. We were ignored, so we made our way through the line to get away from him and left the ride. When we got out we were shaking. So, no, they don’t have people all over the place. We were very much alone.

 

[Mickeymouseisking]

Someone bad, be it a terrorist or just a random dangerous person, isn’t carrying their weapon of choice in their bag. It will be on their person. Therefore, randomly choosing who goes through the metal detectors instead of just sending everyone through the detectors is ridiculous. Also, having more security that you don’t see isn’t going to help, it will be too late.

At Universal all bags and all people go through a metal detector. This is the one thing that, as huge Disney fanatics, we thought Universal does better. I don’t understand why Disney doesn’t do that.

Also, on our vacation in August we had a very scary encounter in line for Test Track. We were in the area after you exit the car designing room. There’s no CM there. The next CM is behind a wall up the ramp. The line wasn’t moving and suddenly the guy behind us in line started yelling racial slurs at us. We were shocked and have never been in such a situation. An announcement was made that there was a hold up with the ride. The guy was getting more and more irritated. His wife or GF tried to calm him down, but he said he would break her arm if she didn’t shut up. Then he started saying louder and louder that he was going to punch us. At which point we turned to the people in front of us for help. We were ignored, so we made our way through the line to get away from him and left the ride. When we got out we were shaking. So, no, they don’t have people all over the place. We were very much alone.

Just wanted to add that while I think security is lacking at WDW, it shouldn’t affect your vacation. Bad things can happen anywhere...that’s just life. WDW is my favorite place in the whole world and still is part of the real world...I think some people think that Disney parks and cruises are somehow magically protected from the real world...for instance, shouldn’t leave your purse in the stroller when you go on a ride.

You can’t live your life being scared.

 

[rer1972]

Disney relies on several active and passive security measures. Sure, there are the things you see right away (security officers, bag check, resort guard stands, security vehicles driving around, etc). There are more things that you either don't notice if you aren't looking, or you will never see. Do a quick search on google for WDW security camera images and you will see pictures of security cameras in all kind of nondescript locations. I am pretty sure there are also camera's you may never see.

My experiences with Disney security...

* Was just stepping away from a table at staring rolls when I noticed a several gentlemen in plain clothes and one security officer surround the seating area. Very quickly and calmly they asked everyone to please leave the seating area. A few seconds later a 2nd security officer approached with a German Shepherd. There was one table with a back pack hanging off a chair. I guessed it had been there for a while, because they brought the dog to that table and backpack. They went around the table a few times, and then walked away. One of the plain clothed gentlemen then walked up grabbed the backpack, and they all just walked away. It all took less than 5 minutes. It was like they came out of thin air and left back into thin air.

* Was waiting in the area outside MK at the walkway in front of the old bag-check area (where you walk under the monorail track). I just kind of noticed another gentleman sitting/leaning against the fence. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt, tan shorts, tennis shoes, and sunglasses. Basic "tourist" clothes. Then I noticed he was wearing a nude color ear piece like you see on secret service with the little phone cable looking thing going behind his ear and down his shirt. He just stood their the whole time watching who was walking up to the bag check.

Now, it's not like nothing can ever happen. That's impossible to say. However, I think they take extreme measures to mitigate risk and protect their product.

 

[KarenP64]

I appreciate your input & experiences everyone! We're very excited about our upcoming Disney trip & are reassured about all the security. Anything can happen anywhere at any time & we won't live in fear. Thank you again for all your comments!

 

[hiroMYhero]

So, no, they don’t have people all over the place. We were very much alone.

After the events in Virginia, racial harassment within the parks has increased. The Diversity division, located at Disney Headquarters in Burbank, was alerted and responded in less than a day.

Policies and protections in regards to racial harassment were strengthened and apply to all guests and CMs. At any time, if a CM feels threatened, they can walk offstage. If guests are harassed, they should report the incident to the closest CM and ask for a Manager. The Manager, especially Epcot Managers, will respond appropriately.

Disney is taking racial harassment very seriously. All CMs involved in Doc McStuffins’ meet and greets now know they can walk offstage when racial slurs are directed at Doc and Management will escort the guest from property. The same holds true for all CMs in the Morocco Pavilion.

Although Disney can’t keep racist guests from entering the parks, they have stringent policies in place to remove them.

 

[AngiTN]

I find it hard to believe the room in TT isn't on camera so someone was watching. What they may not have been able to do is hear.

 

[Anabelletoronto]

Someone bad, be it a terrorist or just a random dangerous person, isn’t carrying their weapon of choice in their bag. It will be on their person. Therefore, randomly choosing who goes through the metal detectors instead of just sending everyone through the detectors is ridiculous. Also, having more security that you don’t see isn’t going to help, it will be too late.

At Universal all bags and all people go through a metal detector. This is the one thing that, as huge Disney fanatics, we thought Universal does better. I don’t understand why Disney doesn’t do that.

Also, on our vacation in August we had a very scary encounter in line for Test Track. We were in the area after you exit the car designing room. There’s no CM there. The next CM is behind a wall up the ramp. The line wasn’t moving and suddenly the guy behind us in line started yelling racial slurs at us. We were shocked and have never been in such a situation. An announcement was made that there was a hold up with the ride. The guy was getting more and more irritated. His wife or GF tried to calm him down, but he said he would break her arm if she didn’t shut up. Then he started saying louder and louder that he was going to punch us. At which point we turned to the people in front of us for help. We were ignored, so we made our way through the line to get away from him and left the ride. When we got out we were shaking. So, no, they don’t have people all over the place. We were very much alone.

That's horrible that you were made to feel so alone and scared.
My husband is from one of the countries included in the travel ban and he always diffuses situations easily and ignores racist behaviour but it really grinds my gears. It sucks that nobody around you supported you. Especially with the threat of physical violence.
People suck.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

Disney has more cameras and watchers than my normal life in a higher target area, so no, I worry much less there.

Mickeymouseisking- I’m sorry that guy was so awful to you. People like that should be the ones law enforcement keeps an eye on because they clearly have rage problems that lead to violence.

 

[hllb]

There are far more dangerous places to go that people still go to every day. Be diligent and observant but enjoy yourself.

I went to France in September just a week or so after the acid attacks. I never felt unsafe but was surprised to see military with assault rifles at every tourist attraction.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

NO security check at MK late this afternoon. We were shocked. We left Epcot, took the monorail outside of Epcot to the TTC and took the ferry over to MK. Didn’t see security anywhere outside MK.

 

[DLgal]

NO security check at MK late this afternoon. We were shocked. We left Epcot, took the monorail outside of Epcot to the TTC and took the ferry over to MK. Didn’t see security anywhere outside MK.

But you already went through Epcot security. The monorail is inside the secure area isn't it?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

NO security check at MK late this afternoon. We were shocked. We left Epcot, took the monorail outside of Epcot to the TTC and took the ferry over to MK. Didn’t see security anywhere outside MK.

This is how it’s supposed to work. You were never outside the security bubble in your route.

It’s not that obvious because when you go to the monorail platform at Epcot it sort of feels like you’ve left the secured area, but you really haven’t.