Why do they waste our time with security checks

[crzy4dsny]

I think the security checks at the parks are ridiculous. If they are going to make us wait in line then really check our bags. How is it possible for Disney Security to see through your back pack. Do they have x-ray vision? I'm all in favor of safety, I wouldn't mind if they frisked me. What they are doing is a waste of time and money. You can bring anything you want into the parks. All you have to do is put it under a diaper.
If there not going to do it right then don't do it at all. Stop wasting our time!!!

 

[swilphil]

Dear Crazy--
Perhaps security could be more thorough, and perhaps it is during high alert status, but I think a few minutes of waiting in line are worth the added protection after 9/11. I actually think it's convenient that they have a line for people who don't have bags although that may be a little foolish from a security standpoint. I wouldn't question waiting in line for the security check at the park anymore than I would at the airport. I also have my diaper bag searched when I attend a Kansas City Royals game, and I'm betting that Disney World would be a more likely terrorist target. Our society has changed and we need to accept it.

 

[Tink1999]

I think swilphil hit it on the head with "society has changed".

Just recently we went to a Yankee game and our friend had to hand over his backpack and put any of the contents he wanted to bring into the park into a plastic bag that security gave him. That's just the reality of the world today.

Being close to the WTC during the 1993 bombing and 9/11, I would welcome stricter security anywhere, especially in places like WDW.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by crzy4dsny
I think the security checks at the parks are ridiculous. If they are going to make us wait in line then really check our bags. How is it possible for Disney Security to see through you your back pack. Do they have x-ray vision? Im all in favor of safety, I wouldn't mind if they frisked me. What they are doing is a waste of time and money. You can bring anything you want into the parks. All you have to do is put it under a diaper.
If there not going to do it right then don't do it at all. Stop wasting our time!!!

Thank you! I thought my wife and I were the only ones who felt this way. This is purely what I call "feel good" security. It doesn't actually accomplish anything but it makes people feel like something is being accomplished.

My wife and I complained last year at our local library. We went there during the winter. My wife had to have her handbag and her backpack searched. I was wearing a very bulky winter jacket with multiple pockets. I didn't have to undergo any type of security check, not even a metal detector. Obviously, I could easily have had a weapon in my coat pocket and nobody would have known.

swilphil - The difference between the airport and WDW is at the airport you are passing through a metal detector after emptying your pockets. At the same time, your carry-on luggage is being x-rayed. None of those things are occurring at WDW, my library, or hundreds of other places where the so-called security is purely for show.

Steve

 

[kilee]

I have made 2 Disney trips post 9/11. The first was April 2002. The checks were very minimal. A quick glance, and we were on our way.
I was there again February 2003. Our trip started 2 days after they raised the security level and spoke of specific threats to theme parks and sporting events. Our bags were searched every day that week. Folded clothing had to be unfolded. Every pocket in the bag emptied and searched. Also, there were no lines for no bag people that week. Everyone had to at least pass by security. I seen them go as far as making people open baby wipe cases and open unsealed bottles to be examined. They were very thorough and very observant. I am still sure that someone could of snuck something in under their clothes.
While the threat is always there, I think they have different procedures during different times.
I for one would be in favor of Disney having metal detectors. Maybe they will someday.

 

[babslittleones]

I was just at our local theme park which is Paramont King's Island just outside of Cincinnati.

We had to pass through metal detectors which were installed for the summer season. I brought in a back pack and the security searched through it and all the pockets of it also.

This was all new for the summer season.
I was impressed.
Beth

 

[n2mm]

We too agree with the OP. It gives folks a false sense of security. We made about 8 trips to WDW since 9/11. My husband wears his cell phone clipped to his side under his t-shirt and it is a budge and very noticeable. Not once has security ever questions what he has under his t-shirt. Same goes to the folks wearing the big floppy hats--I've yet to see security ask them to take the hat off. I would rather walk through a metal detector. I am very use to security since I work in Wash. DC and deal with it every day of my life, so it's always been a way of life for me, even before 9/11.

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

Some security people barely glance in my waist pouch. Others have to check every compartment big enough to hold one credit card. My sons OTOH walk through the no bag gate wearing their cargo shorts with pockets that could hold five times as much as my pouch.

I also don't think the only threat is inside the parks. Doing something to a monorail or ferry would get plenty of attention.

 

[CarolA]

To irrate you.

Actually they don't bother me at all. The random part of it is actually a great security measure if you read up on these things.

 

[Snowysmom]

I have to agree. Most of the time our bags were checked very quickly and with little interest. Only once did one security guard really take the time to look. I think metal detectors would help. You can just put anything in your pockets and as long as you don't have a bag, forgo the security check. Six Flags searches bags and has a metal detector. It might take a little more time to get into the parks but I am very much in favor of good security.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

We had our trip planed and were packed and ready to leave for Disney in two days..then 9/11..as a Nation our world was changed...Should we cancel the trip....We thought that is just what the terrorist want to make us afraid in our on country. We went and walking up to the MK we saw the security check. Yes it made me "feel good" and sad at the same time. They might not strip check you but they do a good job....Better then any other event (NASCAR NFL)....

 

[jordanyosh]

In the last two weeks, I have been to DCA a few times and my backpack was searched thoroughly. Post 9/11, anything is better than nothing.

 

[canonelan2]

Originally posted by disneysteve
Thank you! I thought my wife and I were the only ones who felt this way. This is purely what I call "feel good" security. It doesn't actually accomplish anything but it makes people feel like something is being accomplished.
<snip>

I totally agree. Having worked in security before I can say that this actually accomplishes very little.

I also noticed that there is no list of what CAN'T be brought in to the parks posted by security. Which is unlike my local six flags.

I also know of many people who have walked into Disney parks armed just due to the fact that they have Florida concealed carry licenses. That doesn't make them terrorists.

 

[TreeOfLife]

I've posted it before and I'll post it again: Bag searches and even metal detectors did not stop hijackers from threatening with box cutters, didn't stop a bomb hidden in a sneaker and did not stop envelopes with anthrax.

Anyone feeling safer because retired granny or grampy snooped into your private contents at the entrance is foolish.

And, the 9/11 terrorists lived minutes from WDW. Does anyone really think Cindy's castle is a national asset? Because in that case, our towers would still be standing.

 

[kdibattista]

DH and I were in Disney during September 11th and the bag checks were ridiculous. We waited almost an hour to get to the table only to have them glance in the bag... that was it. I was willing to give some slack because of the "newness" of it all but we went back last October and the same thing. Don't get me wrong, I am perfectly willing to wait an hour to go through security but DON'T WASTE MY TIME!!!!!

 

[peg2001]

I just had to add this to the discussion. At Dollywood, the Pigeon Forge Amusement Park owned by Dolly Parton, they also have security searching bags and packs prior to entry into the park.

What I found amusing was watching man after man pull out and show his knife and be told that it was fine. This is Tennessee and every real man carries a knife on him, ranging from a small penknife to a large hunting knife. I did not see security refuse any of the men to carry their knife with them into the park. I wanted to hang around and see if anyone claimed a gun and see if they were told that it was fine as well but DH was pulling me along.

Peggy

 

[PammyK]

IMO, any major threat to a theme park is probably going to be something explosive or something biological. It isn't something that the guards at WDW are going to be looking for unfortunately. They are not trained in detecting explosives or determining whether the water bottle you are bringing in contains some sort of biological agent. And metal detectors will not detect the sorts of things that could be used for setting explosives or contaminating a water supply. So metal detectors would be just as ineffective as the cursory bag searches.

If the searches make some guests feel more comfortable they are doing their job. If they make someone think twice about bringing a weapon into the park, they are achieving their purpose. It isn't a perfect system, but then again, it isn't a perfect world.

 

[WebmasterPete]

I'm forced to agree with the original poster. I was in Epcot on Saturday, and had my back-pack with me. They made me open the main compartment, did a cursory look (didn't ask me to remove anything), and never checked the various smaller compartments which could have contained anything (they didn't, but could have). I don't think there is much (short of full searches) they can do though. Even the cursory checks take a great deal of time. They could do random "checks" like the airports do, but then you raise the specter of "profiling", which opens another can of worms. I don't envy the park management for having to find ways to keep guests happy AND having to keep the parks secure at the same time. Can't be an easy job in this climate.

Pete

 

[Virgo10]

I totally agree with the OP. But it's not just WDW, it's every where. The night before the 4th of July I went into Boston to see the Pops rehersal. To get in to the Hatch Shell area, we had to go through security. I thought that was fine until I saw what they were taking. Knives, including the plastic ones. Also anything that was glass. OK, all that may make some sense but I'd be willing to bet that my digital camera or the chair I brought would make a better weapon than a plastic knife.

One other thought. The Hatch Shell is located right next to a very busy road. If someone wanted to create a disaster, all they would need to do is drive their car full blast into the crowd.

I know we need security but somewhere along the line there has to be some common sense put into play.

Roberta

 

[ww52]

We got back last week and my wife had the same comment as the OP. She even said loud enough for a searcher to hear "if I had something would I be dumb enough to put it at the top of my purse" (which is all they ever checked).

To give them some benefit of the doubt - it may be possible that they are doing something the airports don't/can't do - profile. Rather than do very thourough searches of people with very low probability of being terrorists, they save it for those with a higher likelihood. I have no basis for this, because I didn't see anyone who would fit that profile - but maybe that's the case.