Ridiculous Epcot security

[LSUmiss]

So you have to hand over your bag and it comes out the other end - what's to stop someone else from grabbing it? Or is it a one-to-one interaction, which is slow? And if it is quick, to me that means they are not really looking...



FYI, I've seen guests with bulging pockets stopped and given an extra screening.



See above. Good luck!



It's a minor one, IMO, if you are blowing the big bucks to stay at GF for a one time trip. Your statement is coming off as quite entitled, yes? The more money you can spend, the better treatment you should get? Only people with money to burn get to be treated well?

If you’re staying at one of those resorts part of why you pay more $$ is b/c it’s supposed to be a more convenient location. With this new security, it’s not. So, it’s stupid on Disney’s part b/c eventually ppl will realize it’s not a convenient location & will stop shelling out the extra $. We are considering Corando next trip. The exact reason is that we no longer see the extra convenience in the monorail resorts so why not save $. That will make the trip cost about 1/2. Disney used to get twice as much $ out of us but not any more.

On another note, I’m also tired of the attitude on these boards that you are not allowed to expect more value when paying more without being labeled “entitled”. That is usually why ppl pay more to get more. So, yes, I do feel “entitled” if you want to call it that to a better experience if I’m paying more for one. I expect a Lexus to be more luxurious than a bottom of the line Chevy. That doesn’t mean I think I’m more important or that any other consumer owes me anything, but I do expect a higher quality product & expect the maker/seller of that product to deliver that, otherwise, why does it cost more??

 

[LSUmiss]

And here I was thinking how I’ve never had any issues going through security. I think the max I’ve ever waited to get through everything was 4 minutes?

If anything maybe it will encourage people to stop packing their life possessions in their Sherpa bags...

Going to the parks with an infant does not allow that. We have been both groups. We used to go no bags, now we pack everything we own for the baby it seems. It won’t alway be like that & we can start to reduce what we bring eventually. But, it gave me a new appreciation for the other side & that not everyone is like me.

 

[LSUmiss]

Wait...so if you stay at the GF that makes you more special than others and you should be whisked through any security line? Should they also not have to stand in any line, even a FP+ queue, be seated at any restaurant whenever they desire?

Sorry, I don't buy that. WDW does security amazingly well, IMO, given how many people are there and the risk for issues.

If you pay more $$ for a more convenient location, it should be more convenient. Doesn’t make me more important than anyone else. If they want the same experience, they can pay too. And, in this case, it’s even less convenient than any other b/c you’re screened TWICE!

 

[monkyby87]

If you pay more $$ for a more convenient location, it should be more convenient. Doesn’t make me more important than anyone else. If they want the same experience, they can pay too. And, in this case, it’s even less convenient than any other b/c you’re screened TWICE!

I would argue you’re still benefiting from the convenience as you don’t have to wait for a bus, endure a 45 minute ride just to get to the parking lot, then wait for a tram, go through security,?then board a monorail or boat. You’re bypassing all of that, even if you don’t like how the security is setup.

 

[yulilin3]

To me it comes down to Disney being able but not willing to have a better and more efficient way of doing security.
It's not about which resort you're staying, or if you are onsite or not.
There are ways to streamline this process in a faster, safer way and Disney just doesn't do it
Reading people say that they will just stuff their pockets or get used to going without bags or people saying that now more people will probably not take a bag and pack a days worth of food is NOT the point.
All of us pay money to go to these parks, why shouldn't someone that has no money left or specific allergies or just simply want to bring their own meals feel ashamed or discouraged to bring big bags?
Why someone that wants to bring their very expensive camera/video camera be discouraged to do so because of the bag check?
Why would someone need to plan another way of bringing their money, credit cards, maybe some personal items be discouraged because of the length of bag checks?
I've been going to the parks on a weekly basis for 20 years now and can tell you that the current bag check and random metal detector checks is not as efficient as you would think. It needs to be more mainstream and standard to everyone.
Just as an example and I have plenty of them: my sister and brother in law do not have ap, they simply can't afford them for their family, my CM friends every year give me tickets for them to go once a year. He brings, I kid you not, a large pizza for lunch. At Disney they ask him to open the lid, as soon as they see the pizza they wave him through, the pizza doesn't need to go through metal detectors if he is randomly chosen.
At Universal the pizza goes through the x ray machine.
Don't you think someone that would want to harm people would have the idea of bringing something under the pizza?
Another point at Disney children are almost never asked to go through the metal detectors, 99% of the time the security person says "you go through the child can come around" at Universal EVERYONE goes through metal detectors, including children and team members.
Don't he have countless experiences of people using children as walking bombs or to carry illicit objects?
Again Disney can do better and doesn't

 

[SaintsManiac]

A few points and I am lazy and do not feel like multi quoting.

The monorail resorts are a joke to me now. Between the many screenings and horrible issues with the monorail itself I will no longer spend the money to stay there.

I will never go without a bag. That's my preference. Not sure why people get so up in arms because of what other people bring into the parks. I make it easier by putting everything in ziplocks. The security people are grateful for that.

Disney CAN adopt a system like Universal. They just don't want to spend the money. They won't even upgrade the monorail, so this isn't surprising.

 

[Klayfish]

On another note, I’m also tired of the attitude on these boards that you are not allowed to expect more value when paying more without being labeled “entitled”. That is usually why ppl pay more to get more. So, yes, I do feel “entitled” if you want to call it that to a better experience if I’m paying more for one. I expect a Lexus to be more luxurious than a bottom of the line Chevy. That doesn’t mean I think I’m more important or that any other consumer owes me anything, but I do expect a higher quality product & expect the maker/seller of that product to deliver that, otherwise, why does it cost more??

Sorry, can't agree with that. To use your analogy, if you but a Lexus over a Chevy, yes it should have more luxuries and you should absolutely expect that. However, you don't have a special lane in rush hour that says "Lexus and Mercedes only" so you don't have to sit in traffic. You don't expect other people to suddenly vacate a gas pump at a busy gas station simply because you have a Lexus. So back to WDW, you should expect a luxurious hotel room at the GF and a fancy resort. But to carry that "entitlement" throughout the parks isn't reasonable, IMO.

It's security. It's not the end of the world. If they don't have a great way to make sure people who were screen at the hotel don't go into an area that is outside of the screened area before re-entering the screened area (Epcot), then you just have to deal with going through the line twice. Not "fun", but not a big deal, IMO.

 

[monkyby87]

This thread is reminding me why I don’t visit this board as often as I used to.

 

[snappy]

To me it comes down to Disney being able but not willing to have a better and more efficient way of doing security.
It's not about which resort you're staying, or if you are onsite or not.
There are ways to streamline this process in a faster, safer way and Disney just doesn't do it
Reading people say that they will just stuff their pockets or get used to going without bags or people saying that now more people will probably not take a bag and pack a days worth of food is NOT the point.
All of us pay money to go to these parks, why shouldn't someone that has no money left or specific allergies or just simply want to bring their own meals feel ashamed or discouraged to bring big bags?
Why someone that wants to bring their very expensive camera/video camera be discouraged to do so because of the bag check?
Why would someone need to plan another way of bringing their money, credit cards, maybe some personal items be discouraged because of the length of bag checks?
I've been going to the parks on a weekly basis for 20 years now and can tell you that the current bag check and random metal detector checks is not as efficient as you would think. It needs to be more mainstream and standard to everyone.
Just as an example and I have plenty of them: my sister and brother in law do not have ap, they simply can't afford them for their family, my CM friends every year give me tickets for them to go once a year. He brings, I kid you not, a large pizza for lunch. At Disney they ask him to open the lid, as soon as they see the pizza they wave him through, the pizza doesn't need to go through metal detectors if he is randomly chosen.
At Universal the pizza goes through the x ray machine.
Don't you think someone that would want to harm people would have the idea of bringing something under the pizza?
Another point at Disney children are almost never asked to go through the metal detectors, 99% of the time the security person says "you go through the child can come around" at Universal EVERYONE goes through metal detectors, including children and team members.
Don't he have countless experiences of people using children as walking bombs or to carry illicit objects?
Again Disney can do better and doesn't

Astute observations. I agree.

 

[LSUmiss]

Sorry, can't agree with that. To use your analogy, if you but a Lexus over a Chevy, yes it should have more luxuries and you should absolutely expect that. However, you don't have a special lane in rush hour that says "Lexus and Mercedes only" so you don't have to sit in traffic. You don't expect other people to suddenly vacate a gas pump at a busy gas station simply because you have a Lexus. So back to WDW, you should expect a luxurious hotel room at the GF and a fancy resort. But to carry that "entitlement" throughout the parks isn't reasonable, IMO.

It's security. It's not the end of the world. If they don't have a great way to make sure people who were screen at the hotel don't go into an area that is outside of the screened area before re-entering the screened area (Epcot), then you just have to deal with going through the line twice. Not "fun", but not a big deal, IMO.

No, but with the car that’s not what I’m paying for. The monorail resorts are even more expensive than the other deluxe b/c you’re paying for convenience. That’s the luxury that’s being sold &, in this case, not being delivered. I agree. It’s not that big of a deal, but like a pp said the monorail resorts are a joke now. I will not continue to pay more for a service that no longer exists. So, Disney now gets 1/2 the $ from us that they used to get.

 

[snappy]

Sorry, can't agree with that. To use your analogy, if you but a Lexus over a Chevy, yes it should have more luxuries and you should absolutely expect that. However, you don't have a special lane in rush hour that says "Lexus and Mercedes only" so you don't have to sit in traffic. You don't expect other people to suddenly vacate a gas pump at a busy gas station simply because you have a Lexus. So back to WDW, you should expect a luxurious hotel room at the GF and a fancy resort. But to carry that "entitlement" throughout the parks isn't reasonable, IMO.

Disney doesn’t agree with this. Disney itself brings an entitlement into the parks with its trial offer for the $50 club level FP’s.

 

[neverenoughtime]

I will also add that if Disney does not want to fix this problem they need to have more bag checkers and start the process earlier. On Dec 14 we had an 8:00 am reservation for Akershus. Staying at the contemporary we went through bag check at the resort and got on the resort monorail. We made the transfer at TTC to Epcot at 7:25. We got to Epcot around 7:35. We walk to bag check and there are only 2 very long lines. Wondering what the holdup was and asked. They said they do not start until 7:45. I will say once it was 7:45 they did add another couple of bag checkers. I arrived at Akershus at 8:05. So basically it took me 30 minutes to get through bag check and get to Akershus. This was my very specific experience.

 

[ELLH]

Wait...so if you stay at the GF that makes you more special than others and you should be whisked through any security line? Should they also not have to stand in any line, even a FP+ queue, be seated at any restaurant whenever they desire?

Sorry, I don't buy that. WDW does security amazingly well, IMO, given how many people are there and the risk for issues.

LOL

Implying entitlement here is a leap.

 

[snappy]

I will also add that if Disney does not want to fix this problem they need to have more bag checkers and start the process earlier. On Dec 14 we had an 8:00 am reservation for Akershus. Staying at the contemporary we went through bag check at the resort and got on the resort monorail. We made the transfer at TTC to Epcot at 7:25. We got to Epcot around 7:35. We walk to bag check and there are only 2 very long lines. Wondering what the holdup was and asked. They said they do not start until 7:45. I will say once it was 7:45 they did add another couple of bag checkers. I arrived at Akershus at 8:05. So basically it took me 30 minutes to get through bag check and get to Akershus. This was my very specific experience.

You would think disney would crank it up a little during a busy time? Can’t blame the security folks, the buck stops farther up.

 

[ELLH]

As for people saying that Disney security is a façade and practically useless I guess I have to agree. I mean, realistically, if there's one thing I learned from Mission Impossible (1), all it takes is a stick of gum to do irreparable damage. So yeah, let’s just get rid of the “security” altogether and take our chances. And then we can all carry bags without judgement and DISboard persecution. Win/Win.

 

[piccolopat]

If you’re staying at one of those resorts part of why you pay more $$ is b/c it’s supposed to be a more convenient location. With this new security, it’s not. So, it’s stupid on Disney’s part b/c eventually ppl will realize it’s not a convenient location & will stop shelling out the extra $. We are considering Corando next trip. The exact reason is that we no longer see the extra convenience in the monorail resorts so why not save $. That will make the trip cost about 1/2. Disney used to get twice as much $ out of us but not any more.

On another note, I’m also tired of the attitude on these boards that you are not allowed to expect more value when paying more without being labeled “entitled”. That is usually why ppl pay more to get more. So, yes, I do feel “entitled” if you want to call it that to a better experience if I’m paying more for one. I expect a Lexus to be more luxurious than a bottom of the line Chevy. That doesn’t mean I think I’m more important or that any other consumer owes me anything, but I do expect a higher quality product & expect the maker/seller of that product to deliver that, otherwise, why does it cost more??

Resorts are separate entities than the parks. Paying more money to stay at a Disney resort only entitles you to the amenities and convenience of that resort. It doesn't entitle you to preferential treatment in the parks or special treatment at the entrance or through all areas of security. A more convenient location means only that - proximity to the park. You aren't paying any more for your entrance to the parks than people that are staying elsewhere so why would you expect a premium experience getting into the park?

 

[FSU Girl]

Resorts are separate entities than the parks. Paying more money to stay at a Disney resort only entitles you to the amenities and convenience of that resort. It doesn't entitle you to preferential treatment in the parks or special treatment at the entrance or through all areas of security. A more convenient location means only that - proximity to the park. You aren't paying any more for your entrance to the parks than people that are staying elsewhere so why would you expect a premium experience getting into the park?

That's not really true with Disney though. They have the club level fast past perks that do carry over into the parks. I definitely think it's the direction they are headed. It's like the Universal top hotels that get you express pass entrance because of where you're staying. The hotel choice does make a difference on how the park experience is sometimes.

 

[piccolopat]

That's not really true with Disney though. They have the club level fast past perks that do carry over into the parks. I definitely think it's the direction they are headed. It's like the Universal top hotels that get you express pass entrance because of where you're staying. The hotel choice does make a difference on how the park experience is sometimes.

That may be true, but Disney doesn't currently advertise express security clearance for people staying at certain resorts or at certain levels. That may be the case in the future but until then, everyone is treated the same. I wish they would offer streamlined security to people with Global Entry. I also wish they would have a separate area to screen people with excessive baggage coming into the parks, including those with overstuffed strollers and backpacks. A lot of the delay is caused by people that bring so much stuff into the parks and especially those that wait until they get to the security table to start to open things up. I wish the "no bag" line would expand to include people with just a single purse or camera bag.

 

[snappy]

That's not really true with Disney though. They have the club level fast past perks that do carry over into the parks. I definitely think it's the direction they are headed. It's like the Universal top hotels that get you express pass entrance because of where you're staying. The hotel choice does make a difference on how the park experience is sometimes.

I agree that Disney is headed in that direction. Pay a premium, walk to 2 parks. Big reason we stayed at Epcot area resorts multiple times per year for the last 12 or so years. No club level for us but too many Epcot international gateway entrances/exits to count, especially on our many food and wine, flower and garden, and more recently festival of the arts stays.

 

[FSU Girl]

That may be true, but Disney doesn't currently advertise express security clearance for people staying at certain resorts or at certain levels. That may be the case in the future but until then, everyone is treated the same. I wish they would offer streamlined security to people with Global Entry. I also wish they would have a separate area to screen people with excessive baggage coming into the parks, including those with overstuffed strollers and backpacks. A lot of the delay is caused by people that bring so much stuff into the parks and especially those that wait until they get to the security table to start to open things up. I wish the "no bag" line would expand to include people with just a single purse or camera bag.

Like grocery stores with 10 items or less lines? That actually sounds fantastic lol. I always travel with just a small wristlet so it's super fast to check I'd love an express line.