Recent content by iamgroot61

You may be wrong, or you may be right (Thanks, Billy.). Your observations are very well written, and I don't completely disagree, but... I think you're reading too much into it all. Disney attractions like HM and ToT (and even GOTG, Mission Breakout) apply to ride attractions what Disney does...

So far as I know, smartphones don't generate alerts. The infamous Altoids tins do, sometimes USB hubs do, umbrellas and metal (Disney) refillable popcorn tins do. It's best, if possible, to hold potential alert items in your hands (one item in each hand) fully extended in front of your body as...

If you (or your bag) do not alert, you pass through. Bag checks used to be mandatory, but with Evolv, only when the system alerts on you or your bag (or both). I've seen it "draw" multiple boxes around alerting areas of a guest. Supposedly, it can also identify weapons shapes.

Unless Disney's scanning system (when I was a security CM, it was called "Evolv," supposedly an AI enhanced weapons detection system)has changed, it is not random. If you "alert" when passing through the scanner (and the security CM staffing the tablet is literally looking at the screen when...

Well, everybody's got an opinion, including me. I have watched the "evolution" of the US Disney parks with mixed feelings. I'm fortunate enough to have been able to visit the CA parks for many years and seen the development and growth/change of DCA as well as many of the updates/enhancements...

I know this site is WDW focused, but I lived in Cali for many, many years and for a long time, DL/DCA were my go-to parks. I will always love the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay on the HM attraction. Love how it arrives in late October and stays all the way through the holidays. I really...

While not unique, I'm fortunate enough to have visited the Anaheim parks for many years and am extremely familiar with them. Prior to moving to FL in late 2022, I had only visited WDW twice. First in 2005 for a good, long visit (9 days in the parks and two at Universal Orlando). Back then...

I agree. I'm from Cali and recall the ride being much smoother (which, IMO, took away from the "mine train" aspect as I sort of liked the rougher, herky-jerky ride) after the refurb. On the plus side, I am really looking forward to seeing the FX updates in the ride climax in the last incline...

Children are not told to "get out." As I mentioned already, the security host/hostess tells the parent(s) that everyone must pass through the scanner. Parents instruct their children from there. Occasionally, a misbehaving child will, um, misbehave. In that case, the parent is asked to...

The expectation is that, if able and willing, persons are expected to exit their mobility vehicle. When a stroller with a child old enough to exit and walk through the scanning device on their own approaches, parents are told that everyone needs to pass through the scanner. At that point, they...

Yes. So much so that they have separate lines and having kids exit strollers is policy for the reason I stated previously. But as I also mentioned, there are alternate procedures for kids unwilling to exit their stroller or adults unable to exit their scooters as well as folks with medical...

I worked in Disney Security for several months. For the first few, I did guest screening, primarily at EPCOT, but also at MK and TTC. In my experience, while it's true that some security hosts are a bit more "magical" than others, everyone is doing their best to get guests into the parks as...

Hmm, for me, many of these rides are not really directly comparable to each other. If I was forced to choose one "best" ride from among these, I couldn't because I like them all for different reasons. It would have made more sense to list only coaster rides (SM, BTMR, 7DMT, TRON), or just...

The rides aren't comparable. But I will say this: the DL version of BTMR is better.

I have two opinions on this. 1. Walt was the "parks guy" and Roy was the bean counter. I'm sure Walt was involved in the actual design/layout of MK, but he was not there for any of the construction. MAYBE he was less involved in the design of that park (I'm sure this is knowable, I just...