Backpack Questions

[David]

I know this has been discussed in the past, but I can't find it or maybe someone has some new information. Are backpacks still allowed in the parks? We have our first 9/11 trip coming in 60 days and I need to know:

Can you still carry backpacks?
Do they need to be made of clear material?
How long does it slow you down for them to
check your backpack?


Any other info would be appreciated.

 

[TURKEY]

You can still take backpacks. They don't have to be made of clear materials.

Most of the times, the security checkpoint isn't that bad except right when the parks open. I went to MK at opening and it took me about 20 minutes to get through. Hopping back and forth from the parks, it took maybe 5 minutes during the rest of the day.

 

[tiggerlover1971]

yes you can still take backpacks have all compartments open before you get to the front and it will save alot of time it doesnt have to be clear

 

[Dizneydude87]

I was just there yesterday. I had no problem with my backpack. I took maybe ten seconds for the checks. I went to MK, Epcot, and AK. No problems at all.

 

[Dwarful]

Here is a tip we learned after the first day...if you are travelling with children or anyone disabled and will need a stroller/wheelchair etc have one person go baggage free...when we were at WDW this summer they had one security line for people that had NO bags to be searched. That person in your group can get in faster esp. in the first hour or so of park openings. That person can go ahead get strollers, autograph books, park maps, etc etc etc! Of course you must remember every person that has any type of bag must go through with open bags...purses, camera bags, camcorder bags, back packs, diaper bags, packs/hip bags, shopping bags! Hence the benfit of the "bag free" security line~ hope that helps!

{ For us it was crucial..the kids were anxious to get going...didn't want to wait in another line (for stroller, dining reservations etc) so it helped to have one adult get in and take care of those little things!}

 

[RogueHabit]

Bag checks are pretty quick, just make sure you have your bag open.

 

[Timekeeper]

Bags

I have found that during high guest traffic times it is quite easy to pass through the baggage check without actually being checked. The success of this, of course, depends on the size and visibility of your bag.

And rather than send 1 bag-less person into the park ahead of the others, why not send everyone but 1 person, who retains the group's bags. It's a sucky job but somebody's gotta do it.

It has been my experience that Universal's security baggage check is even easier to pass through (unchecked) than WDW's. Does this have anything to do with the fact that Universal places their security directly behind the turnstiles rather than in front of them? Maybe. It seems to me that places them behind the turnstiles creates a rush of guests and security cannot always keep up with the flow of traffic through the turnstiles. WDW security, however, can take as long as they want checking bags - and this is sometimes quite evident - which is why I do not hesitate to pass directly through without being checked if possible. As much as I enjoy showing off my professional equipment, I do not feel the need to have people poking a wooden stick at it.

Tk

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Back packs are ok - keep them open and ready for inspection, don't overfill them - it will delay you if you have to repack it after the check.

 

[Dwarful]

Well, see Timekeeper is just way too smart for me! We didn't even think about having one person in the line and the rest go through...but I doubt it would have worked for us..we had 5 kids to control. So we couldn't have one adult in line for the strollers etc/ w/o kids and one adult in line for security..which was a long line if you were there right at park opening..at least it was for us but we were there over Memorial Day Weekend and we also hit the Orlando Gay Days so maybe the park was exceptionally crowded! But it does make more sense to do it the way Timekeeper suggested...of course you could question the amount of sense we have seeing as we took 5 kids to WDW and we only have 2 ourselves..the rest were tag along niece and 2 nephews who have already asked us if we are going back the same time next year! SO I guess that means it was a sucessful trip!

 

[RogueHabit]

Originally posted by CAPTAIN HOOK
Back packs are ok - keep them open and ready for inspection, don't overfill them - it will delay you if you have to repack it after the check.

Why? It's not like they actually make an effort to look beyond the top 3 items.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

No doubt about it, the WDW security people are way less "thorough" than airport security are.

We travel light, so all we had was one pack each.

I dutifully opened mine for the inspection, and you couldn't miss the "feminine hygiene supplies" in plain sight. (it's hard to hide them in a pack!!)

Needless to say, I was waved through and my pack was not carefully inspected.