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

[gdrj]

Well, if its anything like the metal detectors at MCO. I don't want them. I somehow put it off by wearing a bra and the clasp on the bra set it off (or at least I'm pretty sure it did. The officer was feeling it up for awhile there.)

Pretty big clasp

 

[Purplestorm]

Pretty big clasp

This made me laugh after such a long day!!!! But, in all seriousness, avoid shirts with any plastic sequence type stuff.... I found that out at the big full body x-ray scanners at ORD - and they didn't even buy me dinner first!

 

[mymartianromance]

Pretty big clasp

The weirdest thing is that my friend went though the metal detector and she had her necklace on which had a metal pendant. It didn't go off for her, but the clasp on my bra made it go off.

 

[mama2princess]

I don't post much but I love disboards for keeping up with what's going on. This topic is definitely at the forefront of my mind right now as we begin planning our 2017 trip. The truth is my family and I love Disney and until recently terrorism and tragedy was not something I have ever thought of in connection with WDW. I know this is naive in the extreme but that is probably the truth for most other families out there. Gotta keep the magic alive and unblemished, even if its by sticking our heads in the sand. I have to confess that all the tragedy in the last week gave me a slight hesitation and a little heartburn. We have decided after a very short second of indecision that we will still be Disney bound next spring. The truth of the matter is someone can come into my workplace or even my kids schools next week and start firing away. Really the only thing any of us can do is be a little more vigilant for "suspect behavior" <whatever that may consist of and not let fear keep us from enjoying life the best we can. I for one am happy to see Disney is attempting something to make us safer no matter if its for PR reasons or true concern for visitors. Only time will tell what is effective and what is not. Regardless there are always going to be people who complain and are unhappy with whats being done or not being done. Those are the same people that would be screaming the loudest if something happened and no measures had been put in place to try and avoid it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

IF they go to anything like TSA security, you will be spending more time in those lines then you will in the Parks.

It's a pain at the airports with just a few hundred folks--imagine how it will be with THOUSANDS, with all manner of items which will set off scanners and metal detectors.

 

[Beachangel]

I think I am the only person who is irritated by the bag check. Actually, I don't mind my bag being looked into, but I object that there is no universal procedure. I've had security guys go thru my bag, open my make up case etc and others peek in and move on. It's obnoxious. I don't feel any safer having a bag check at the parks.

 

[DryCreek]

OK, I waded through several pages here, and didn't find an answer to a question I have.
This April I was silly enough to believe my orthopedic surgeon and had a knee replacement done (I'm sure my attitude about it will get better once I've completely healed). I have to pass through an explosives detector a metal detector here at work, and it sets it off every time. I have to be "wanded" and patted down every morning as I head in. Will I have the same issue at a Disney park? Well, that's provided I ever get permission to plan a return trip. My wife says its time to see the rest of the country. She just doesn't understand how we could go world-hopping at Epcot alone!

As far as Disney Security, like the Israeli's, they have trained observers watching the people as they queue up for entry. An experienced observer can learn to identify someone carrying a weapon. The ones newest to concealed carry tend to touch the weapon right before any type of screening as if to verify that it is securely in its holster. Even a loose fitting shirt will allow some "printing" when an inside the waistband holster is used at appendix carry or reverse-carry. The hardest to spot is small of the back (IWB) and boot carry. A small caliber pistol in an ankle holster will catch and wrinkle the pants leg some when that leg is extended, but that won't happen with a boot holster, so people wearing boots into a theme park are automatically suspected. Anyone who is entering with the intent to do harm to others will firstly attempt to avoid security screening and will not hold eye contact with a security observer when spotted.

ETA - the new knee only sets off the metal detector, not the explosives monitor. I re-read that part and it made it sound like I set off both monitors. Sorry about that....

 

[AquaDame]

I think I am the only person who is irritated by the bag check. Actually, I don't mind my bag being looked into, but I object that there is no universal procedure. I've had security guys go thru my bag, open my make up case etc and others peek in and move on. It's obnoxious. I don't feel any safer having a bag check at the parks.

I don't mind either... what I DO mind is being told by people that despite checks they have easily gotten arms into Disney parks, despite knowing they are not allowed. I like checks that make me feel safer, but I don't like mummer's farce. I know there is no way to ever be totally safe, but after going to a tree lighting in my city years ago and reading about the take down of an attempted bombing at it the next day I appreciate the attempt. In our case they were able to stop the bomb from detonating, but they listened to the warning signs in our case. There was a ton of controversy about how they did it, but in the end I am alive so I am obviously very biased in his case.

 

[OKW Lover]

I have to be "wanded" and patted down every morning as I head in. Will I have the same issue at a Disney park?

Most likely. Hope you heal well.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I think I am the only person who is irritated by the bag check. Actually, I don't mind my bag being looked into, but I object that there is no universal procedure. I've had security guys go thru my bag, open my make up case etc and others peek in and move on. It's obnoxious. I don't feel any safer having a bag check at the parks.

Nope you aren't the only one.

Prove its a deterrent or it's actually stopping things and then maybe. But until then, it's annoying and overkill.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Nope you aren't the only one.

Prove its a deterrent or it's actually stopping things and then maybe. But until then, it's annoying and overkill.

You can reasonably prove airport TSA is a deterrent. That may be different than a WDW bag check though...

MG

 

[yitbos96bb]

What I don't agree with is its "completely unecessay ", not saying you have to agree.

Maybe expound on WHY

 

[DryCreek]

Most likely. Hope you heal well.

Thanks. I'm already back at work. I can't wait until I'm back to 100%.

 

[memo10]

OK, I waded through several pages here, and didn't find an answer to a question I have.
This April I was silly enough to believe my orthopedic surgeon and had a knee replacement done (I'm sure my attitude about it will get better once I've completely healed). I have to pass through an explosives detector a metal detector here at work, and it sets it off every time. I have to be "wanded" and patted down every morning as I head in. Will I have the same issue at a Disney park? Well, that's provided I ever get permission to plan a return trip. My wife says its time to see the rest of the country. She just doesn't understand how we could go world-hopping at Epcot alone!

As far as Disney Security, like the Israeli's, they have trained observers watching the people as they queue up for entry. An experienced observer can learn to identify someone carrying a weapon. The ones newest to concealed carry tend to touch the weapon right before any type of screening as if to verify that it is securely in its holster. Even a loose fitting shirt will allow some "printing" when an inside the waistband holster is used at appendix carry or reverse-carry. The hardest to spot is small of the back (IWB) and boot carry. A small caliber pistol in an ankle holster will catch and wrinkle the pants leg some when that leg is extended, but that won't happen with a boot holster, so people wearing boots into a theme park are automatically suspected. Anyone who is entering with the intent to do harm to others will firstly attempt to avoid security screening and will not hold eye contact with a security observer when spotted.

ETA - the new knee only sets off the metal detector, not the explosives monitor. I re-read that part and it made it sound like I set off both monitors. Sorry about that....

I can verify this. I have a law enforcement friend who went to Disney with a concealed weapon on his ankle (not looking to debate the intelligence of this, as it's neither here nor there). A plain clothes officer stopped him while he walking down mainstreet USA and asked him if he was carrying a weapon on his left ankle. This was a couple years ago, so before metal detectors and such vigorous bag checking. He explained that he was law enforcement and they escorted him to an underground security area to store his weapon.

 

[njmousefest]

I got selected at epcot on Monday. Everyone was setting off the detector. They were so disorganized I just picked up my things after setting it off as others were getting screened by the wand and went on my way. Then realized how much of a sitting duck I was on the ferry to MK.

 

[Dean Marino]

I can verify this. I have a law enforcement friend who went to Disney with a concealed weapon on his ankle (not looking to debate the intelligence of this, as it's neither here nor there). A plain clothes officer stopped him while he walking down mainstreet USA and asked him if he was carrying a weapon on his left ankle. This was a couple years ago, so before metal detectors and such vigorous bag checking. He explained that he was law enforcement and they escorted him to an underground security area to store his weapon.

Now this interests me... MANY Police Departments REQUIRE off duty officers to carry a weapon as a condition of employment. SOME mandate this for RETIRED officers.

I'm no expert, and not a Police Officer - but I believe the theory is that they could be attacked, while off duty, by person or persons holding a vendetta against them....

So - my question - what does WDW DO about all this? They COULD simply ban Police Officers, or force them to violate Department Policy. Neither seems all that right..... .

 

[memo10]

Now this interests me... MANY Police Departments REQUIRE off duty officers to carry a weapon as a condition of employment. SOME mandate this for RETIRED officers.

I'm no expert, and not a Police Officer - but I believe the theory is that they could be attacked, while off duty, by person or persons holding a vendetta against them....

So - my question - what does WDW DO about all this? They COULD simply ban Police Officers, or force them to violate Department Policy. Neither seems all that right..... .

Ya know, I'm not sure what they would do now... When he went they didn't make a big deal about it and he really enjoyed his special trip to the security command center of MK.

 

[DisAli Mom]

Going in August - dreading security lines. Any way around this?

 

[bluezy]

Going in August - dreading security lines. Any way around this?

You either have to go through the bag check line or the no-bags line. Random people from each of those lines will be pulled to walk through the metal detectors. It's quick and easy and doesn't really slow you down more than about 30 seconds. The quickest way to get through everything is to not have any bags because then you don't really stand in any line, but you could still get pulled for the metal detector. It's really no big deal -- nothing to dread.

 

[DisAli Mom]

You either have to go through the bag check line or the no-bags line. Random people from each of those lines will be pulled to walk through the metal detectors. It's quick and easy and doesn't really slow you down more than about 30 seconds. The quickest way to get through everything is to not have any bags because then you don't really stand in any line, but you could still get pulled for the metal detector. It's really no big deal -- nothing to dread.

That doesn't seem so bad. Based on this thread, I thought people were all getting screened, and that the wait was long.