Ridiculous Epcot security

[Horizons-1]

I have always seen the CR, PR, & GF as premiums since they are on the Monorail to the MK. They also have Monorail access to Epcot, but the primary draw is the direct access to the MK with the Monorail & boats/walking. If you want direct, premium access to Epcot then you can stay at one of the many Boardwalk area hotels.

However, I do agree that security lines into any of the parks can be a hassle when the parks are crowded. There is definitely room for improvement in how Disney can alleviate the crowding by streamlining guests from resorts directly to the park since they have already been checked once. With the changes coming to Epcot this will hopefully be included in the renovations. Until then we will have to work with what we have.

If you look at how security in MK was moved to the bus stop instead of everyone crowded in front of the train station that was a great change.

 

[snappy]

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.

Why don’t you send an email to Disney with your ideas to streamline security. They need to do something.

 

[AngiTN]

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??

Where you are lost here is that it's not just the monorail resort guests that have to go through security twice. Anyone going to Epcot via monorail has to. And that isn't limited to monorail resort guests.
Sorry, but yeah, you are sounding very entitled to think that you are owed something different just because you pay to stay Deluxe. We stay Deluxe too and don't expect any treatment different from someone staying at a Value. And it does make you sound like you think you are more important than the lowly value resort guest. May not be how you intend to come across but as a reader, it is how you come across.
Anyone who says "I pay X to stay at this resort so I expect special treatment" does.

 

[snappy]

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.

Occurred to me that for a price, Disney might add this. Disney Express entry, DEE

 

[snappy]

Or better yet, express entry comes with park admission, but you can waive Express park entry and receive $10 a day gift card.

 

[AngiTN]

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.

Staying at the deluxe may get an extra benefit you pay for in the parks but it isn't an extra benefit in the way you are treated in the parks. The guest in the park is treated the same, from the cheapest room at an All Star to the most expensive room at a Deluxe. Same at Universal. When we walk in the park as a guest at Hard Rock we are not treated differently.

 

[monkyby87]

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.

The express line at Disney is the no bags line.

How much time are people really spending in security here? That’s what I can’t wrap my head around with all of these debates. Even on busy days with big lines I’ve not spent more than a handful of minutes in any bag check line. Even going through twice is a minor inconvenience. There are a lot of other things at Disney I’d complain about than a security line that takes a few minutes to go through.

 

[snappy]

Go early before park open, when they have 2 lines open.

 

[monkyby87]

Go early before park open, when they have 2 lines open.

So? The park isn’t open and you just end up waiting in a huge group of people.

Honestly if I were to complain about something in regards to entering the park it’s all the people trying to enter with unlinked magic bands or the wrong tickets. That’s a much bigger annoyance to me than the security lines.

 

[snappy]

Disney has a history of giving different treatment to different guests, on-site vs offsite (Extra magic hours, magical express come to mind easily), Along with free passes in the early DVC days. The larger the DVC unit, the more the free passes. Even now, DVC members get a sizable discount on annual passses, as well as occasionally offered discounted fast passes and discounts on park store purchases. Disney fosters the “caste” system, in my opinion. Park at a deluxe you pay more, and so on.

 

[FSU Girl]

The express line at Disney is the no bags line.

How much time are people really spending in security here? That’s what I can’t wrap my head around with all of these debates. Even on busy days with big lines I’ve not spent more than a handful of minutes in any bag check line. Even going through twice is a minor inconvenience. There are a lot of other things at Disney I’d complain about than a security line that takes a few minutes to go through.

I'll never be able to use the no bag line. I just can't imagine not having at least my little wristlet with me. And on some busy days I've waited a really long time in the bag check, especially at Epcot. I've gotten stuck behind huge backpack families and had to wait forever to then have my wristlet take a couple seconds to look through. It's not efficient at all.

 

[FSU Girl]

Staying at the deluxe may get an extra benefit you pay for in the parks but it isn't an extra benefit in the way you are treated in the parks. The guest in the park is treated the same, from the cheapest room at an All Star to the most expensive room at a Deluxe. Same at Universal. When we walk in the park as a guest at Hard Rock we are not treated differently.

You're not treated differently, but you do have advantages when staying at certain hotels, especially at Universal with the unlimited express pass. The advantages for the hotels close to the parks are easier bag checks since you aren't getting there with the masses.

 

[snappy]

So? The park isn’t open and you just end up waiting in a huge group of people.

Honestly if I were to complain about something in regards to entering the park it’s all the people trying to enter with unlinked magic bands or the wrong tickets. That’s a much bigger annoyance to me than the security lines.

I am betting you are able to go through the no bag line.

 

[yulilin3]

The express line at Disney is the no bags line.

How much time are people really spending in security here? That’s what I can’t wrap my head around with all of these debates. Even on busy days with big lines I’ve not spent more than a handful of minutes in any bag check line. Even going through twice is a minor inconvenience. There are a lot of other things at Disney I’d complain about than a security line that takes a few minutes to go through.

I have seen and been in security lines that last up to 10 minutes, true most of the times no more than 5. BUT my issue is that there is a better way of doing things and they choose not to use it/implement it.

 

[monkyby87]

I am betting you are able to go through the no bag line.

I have before because I learned that's the better way to go. But I've also gone through regular security plenty of times, and I've also gotten stuck behind giant backpack people that have literally taken out everything imaginable to show security personnel. But maybe I'm just able to let things bother me as much. I'm able to enjoy myself without letting trivial things bother me. More people could stand to calm down. Disney does things a certain way, whether we like it or not. If you don't like it, stop going. If you won't stop going, then keep complaining and let a minor experience dampen your enjoyment.

 

[JFox]

I do feel safer with security but I see it as a deterrent for would be assailants to try to *ENTER* the parks. I do however feel uncomfortable *IN* the security lines. A large group of unsearched people together.

The one thing I do know is I ALWAYS PICK THE SLOWEST LINE!

 

[snappy]

I have before because I learned that's the better way to go. But I've also gone through regular security plenty of times, and I've also gotten stuck behind giant backpack people that have literally taken out everything imaginable to show security personnel. But maybe I'm just able to let things bother me as much. I'm able to enjoy myself without letting trivial things bother me. More people could stand to calm down. Disney does things a certain way, whether we like it or not. If you don't like it, stop going. If you won't stop going, then keep complaining and let a minor experience dampen your enjoyment.

I guess where I see us on different wave lengths is that I see no problem in discussing where Disney needs improvement, or any other organization, private or public. I’d like to see things better and don’t mind saying it.

I guess that’s what this thread is about. Perhaps it’s the wrong thread for you?

 

[LSUmiss]

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.

It’s not about being “express”. It’s that it’s actually worse than other guests experiences since you’re screened twice AND you pay more.

 

[monkyby87]

It’s not about being “express”. It’s that it’s actually worse than other guests experiences since you’re screened twice AND you pay more.

Saying it's worse is subjective. Plus, you are paying more for a fancy hotel that has monorail access. As of right now that's all you're paying extra for. It's similar to people complaining about long wait times during the party events; you are paying for the theming and holiday experience, not short times.

 

[LaurenT]

I guess if you have tons of extra money, disney could have security meet you at your room - check you and then escort you into the park ... for a fee.