Is Walt Disney World going to 100% security screenings at the parks?

[frostymojo]

We're here now and they were randomly selecting people to go through the extra security screening (metal detectors) at both Magic Kingdom and Epcot. However, we just left Animal Kingdom and when arrived it was 100% screening. They were sending everyone through and all of the security personnel were repetitively saying "It's 100% screening here, everyone needs to go through security."

I'm sure it's only a matter of time before it's at all the parks.

 

[davper]

Unless they get more metal detectors and more guards, it will take you all day to get through security.

The parks didn't appear to have more than 2 detectors at the gates. My wife was randomly selected 3 times to go through the metal detector.

 

[jo-jo]

We just got back a few days ago. At MK, once everyone with no bags was sent thru the metal detector. The other times it was only the lucky ones. We went into MK and Epcot about 10 times, we were chosen about 90% of the time. At AK and DHS, we went in about 6 times. Perhaps once we were chosen. We never had bags.

 

[Dean Marino]

All the following is pure personal opinion, with no evidence at all.... EVERYTHING could be wrong.

I believe WDW has a dilemma regarding Security Screening. I believe that several months ago, they tossed in Metal Detectors + random screening as a stopgap - while people all the way to the board level, in consultation with Security Experts both IN and OUT of the Company try to figure out what the PERMANENT solution will be.

By now, I'm pretty certain that WDW Executives realize that WDW parks are "not an airport" - the goal is NOT to prevent violence JUST INSIDE the security line. An incident just BEFORE that line, on WDW property, with backed up guests, would be just as serious.

Now - this gets tough. What to do? There are several options - and a number of them are just unworkable....

1) Seal the property. Probably too late.... screening every car is likely not possible.
2) Reduce the Security line - screen all MDE bags & passengers, screen at the parking lots.
3) Back up the gates - no value. Creation of guest concentration in a public and easily attacked location.

Really - I have no solutions - but I GET that this is a really tough issue for Disney - at ALL parks . They are stuck with certain geography, based on past decisions.... and now, they have to figure out how to move terrorists BACK from areas of high guest concentration - in or out of a park, but on property. It's very different than an airport security model - most governments worry little about terrorism BEFORE the Flight line .

Final personal comment - I think Disney is really WORRYING about all this. I think that what we see are stopgaps. They will never find a perfect solution.... but I believe they are TRYING to find the best solution they can come up with.

Again - all personal opinion - not fact - I don't choose to reply to comments.

 

[1Mouse2RulethemAll]

I was there a week ago and a security guy at the detectors said to me that they were working toward 100%.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Completely unnecessary...just my opinion

 

[atricks]

Universal has 100% screening now just to enter citywalk, it took them a few months when they started it back in December to get efficient at it, but now it's not too bad. The Magic Kingdom probably needs it more than any other park because of how visible and symbolic it is, but I think the layout of the entrance makes it impractical right now. The ramped up security this week had a lot to do with the Invictus games at ESPN wide world of sports. but I do think they are planning to go 100% at all parks. (Agree with it or not)

 

[grahamfam3]

My wife and I just got back. We had parkhopper tickets, so I think we went through a total of 9 gates. I was "randomly" selected for additional screening 8 of the nine times. To quote The Princess Bride - You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

 

[soniam]

Universal has 100% screening now just to enter citywalk, it took them a few months when they started it back in December to get efficient at it, but now it's not too bad. The Magic Kingdom probably needs it more than any other park because of how visible and symbolic it is, but I think the layout of the entrance makes it impractical right now. The ramped up security this week had a lot to do with the Invictus games at ESPN wide world of sports. but I do think they are planning to go 100% at all parks. (Agree with it or not)

I think Universal's screening is really efficient. However, they have multiple entries to Citywalk. I also have to confess that we only entered Citywalk from Hard Rock Hotel, where we stayed. Plus, we typically entered way before park opening or in the evening. I don't see this being an easy thing at many of the WDW parks, because of the way the entrances are configured.

 

[rteetz]

Completely unnecessary...just my opinion

I would agree but when you have people trying to bring guns into MK in the last year it helps sway me the other way.

 

[zaccaglin]

I would agree but when you have people trying to bring guns into MK in the last year it helps sway me the other way.

Not to not to start the age ole debate again, but those "fools" trying to get their guns in were the ones who give responsible CCW holders and firearm owners a bad name.. Disney used to have a phenomenal check in policy for CCW holders. You walked up, told bag check discreetly that you had a CCW and would like to check it. They escorted you to the security office, allowed you to place it in a locker, then took one key for them, the second key for you. They then escorted you back to the turnstiles and told you to enjoy your day. Sadly once the detectors went up the policy ended. A shame because it was professional and I knew that as I traveled to and from Disney my family was safe. In the parks I trusted Disney for my security.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I would agree but when you have people trying to bring guns into MK in the last year it helps sway me the other way.

People have been bringing guns into magic kingdom forever...

They give permits for it...it's the backwards end of the country - lest we forget.

There are two things I hate here:
1. People packing heat thinking they are Wild West marshalls
2. The idea that Mickey cops can do anything about it.

I don't like to live in fear either...but the two above are the main points.

 

[Firepath]

At AK last week they had a small separate bag check line for what they were calling "pocket purses." I had a small cross-body bag and they told me to go through. That was my quickest bag check ever!

 

[AngiTN]

We were at WDW from 5/5 till 5/10
DH and I both go without bags
We were directed in to the metal detectors, both of us, 100% of the time. At every park. Both entering at rope drop and all other times of day. As were every other guest entering the no bag line at the time we did.
I got the impression that is the new procedure for those without bags and that guests with bags are still pulled randomly, for now.
They still need to figure out 2 major issues in regards to the detectors
1. there is little to no control on who's items belong to who. At small gates such as IG it was easy for the guard to keep up with. At MK with many people going through it was quite confusing, arms reaching across each other and grabbing items
2. they need a procedure for what they are going to do with kids. Sending the kids to stand with security or sending the stroller to security while the parents go through is not sitting well with many parents.

While going through the detectors doesn't bother me it doesn't make me feel any safer. One look at Belgium and it will tell you that none of these procedures will prevent disaster. They can actually make it worse by having a bottle neck of people. I feel the same way about airport checks. It's a great show but not doing a dang thing to make flights safer. Folks determined to do harm will find a way

 

[gap2368]

I was there a week ago and a security guy at the detectors said to me that they were working toward 100%.

I was there at the end of April and one day every one at the MK had to go through I was told by a CM the same thing they are going to be doing 100% soon or it was we are looking at 100% it did go quickly thought not much more then a 2 minute wait and if they get more meter detectors that should speed things up.

 

[Josh Hendy]

I think it's more about PR than about actual security. As others have said, really determined bad guys will find a way. Adam the Woo has shown that the parks are basically insecure. Which is no surprise since they're parks for recreation, not prisons or fortresses.

There is the question however of whether increased, highly visible security will become a magnet for crazies. A challenge for deranged loonies with a cause or grievance. If this trend is ever established then watch out - it won't end until the parks actually are fortresses, like airports and government buildings.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I would agree but when you have people trying to bring guns into MK in the last year it helps sway me the other way.

There are guns in the MK every day. You do get that, right?

 

[rteetz]

There are guns in the MK every day. You do get that, right?

Yes.

 

[superme80]

My local 6 Flags has had metal detectors for at least the last 10 years, if not longer. I don't feel that entry takes any longer than at Disneyland without the metal detectors. Since they have been doing it for so long, everyone is used to it, and everyone knows what they are doing.

 

[EvilQueenT]

At AK last week they had a small separate bag check line for what they were calling "pocket purses." I had a small cross-body bag and they told me to go through. That was my quickest bag check ever!

I would LOVE that. My granddaughter and I each carry a bag that's the size of an average smart phone (not the big phones that are almost a tablet but just a regular phone). You can see hers here. I carry the exact same bag just in a different color. They always just glance at the bag and put us through. Would sooooooo love not to have to wait behind the people who have enough gear with them to move into the park for a month.