Is WDW Security Serious?

[SorcererMC]

Possibly, but we'll never know unless he explains his post properly

Of course he can only speak for himself; I'm just offering what I think is the likely interpretation, and also trying to diffuse the tension.

Re: your original post - I hear your frustration and I understand; terrorism is both a personal and professional interest for me so I think I get where you are coming from - it's really about the fear of not being able to do enough to stop it and what more could be done, right? To my knowledge, this is what keeps security professionals up at night, and during the day they just do everything they can that is humanly possible, and it's often a thankless task b/c it is usually the failures that are known and not the successes. But that security is also what keeps the public capable of going about their business, b/c they don't have to overly concern themselves with it.

 

[bethymouse]

My husband was asked twice to be screened. I was asked once. I believe very soon that Disney should screen everyone. It's a sad fact/reality of our lives now.

 

[lifeguard1020]

I guess that makes me lucky? I get the super exciting possibility of being patted down by security at Disney World!!!!!! (Sarcasm for the excitement)
I have an implant in my brain that prevents me from even being NEAR metal detectors. I am only assuming that they have a system in place for my kind of situation.

 

[raven]

Security is VERY good at Disney...

I beg to differ.

Shocking each other with tasers, hiring people for Security with no experience (yes, a friend of mine just got hired), sleeping on their post, a CM finds a abandoned backpack in the park (who's been trained not to touch it and has been shown videos of police opening a box and getting their head blown off) so they call Security who tells them to "open it"...

Not exactly the best track record IMO.

 

[Marco226]

Like others have said earlier, I'm sure they have some kind of huge layered system of monitoring in place at the parks to help protect us. What really gets me worried are the gate guards at the resorts. All they check is one person's driver's license no matter how many people are sitting in the car. Uhmmm.... what the heck? This happened on my last trip, but maybe this doesn't happen all the time? I'm not saying we need to have the car go through an X-ray machine, but couldn't they at least make sure everyone in the car is who they say they are before allowing us to enter the building? They probably watch us closely and monitor our behavior to determine if we're a threat, or.. maybe they have some kind of cool top-secret facial recognition program? hmm.. Still, I think they should at least check everyone's I.D. to make sure someone isn't some kind of psychopath on the loose.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Solution: Don't wear cargo shorts. Ever.

 

[ford91exploder]

I beg to differ.

Shocking each other with tasers, hiring people for Security with no experience (yes, a friend of mine just got hired), sleeping on their post, a CM finds a abandoned backpack in the park (who's been trained not to touch it and has been shown videos of police opening a box and getting their head blown off) so they call Security who tells them to "open it"...

Not exactly the best track record IMO.

There is 'Security' of the Paul Blart Mall Cop variety who we see out and about and who you are writing about, And then there is the 'real' security who you occasionally see with the earwig's if you know what you are looking for

 

[Weather_Lady]

Solution: Don't wear cargo shorts. Ever.

I seem to remember you having expressed the same sentiment over on the "what to wear at a signature" thread. So much vitriol against this practical form of attire! All I can do is paraphrase Steve Martin from the oil can scene in "The Jerk" and say, "HE HATES THESE SHORTS!!!"

It's okay, Cap. You're with friends now. Have a seat around the circle here at SCAMS (the Short Cargo Attire Moral Support group) and let's talk about the time, a very long time ago, when a pair of cargo shorts really, really hurt you...

All joking aside, though -- I know that wearing cargo shorts/pants has long been a recommended way of avoiding bag check lines while still keeping the necessities on your person. I wonder if security isn't deliberately pulling bulgy cargo short/pant wearers for extra screening now, such that wearing them is no longer a practical way to go bag-free at WDW... this would be disappointing news for my DH, who has to keep an inhaler and Epipen on him at all times and frequently wears cargo shorts to help him hold those bulky items without having to carry a park bag.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I am a former cm and I can tell you that because you dont see it, doesnt mean its not there. The orange county sheriffs dept. is always backstage...plenty of them. Oh, and there are alot more cameras than you think there are. But yes, Disney springs is kind of a joke, I wish they would screen before you go in like they do at citywalk

For what it's worth I have been told by WDW employees, NOT CM's that WDW is one of the LARGEST employers of former/retired FBI/CIA agents in the country...thyt are in the parks, acting VERY "touristy", doing what they were trained to do best, and you would never be able to differenciate them from any other park visitor...T-shirts, shorts, etc.

If you do remember, when the Orlando shootings happened, the guy had it in his plans to GO to DS to continue his rampage. Of all the resorts and attractions, I think, to a layman's eyes, that you would be correct that DS would be the most vunerable. Do they have increased security undercover because of the access? I would think so and you'll never know or see it unless a incident happens.

As far as the safety in the parks go, I agree that everyone should go thru scanners, not just singled out, but as I told my wife & kids, if I'm going to die in an attack of this scale, I can't think of a better place to see my family together one last time than at WDW!!! The WORST would be on the plane ride down!! LOL

 

[rob0519]

The parks are an enclosed area with basically one public point of entry. It's relatively easy to check bags, walk through a metal detector or perform whatever type of security theater makes people more comfortable and give Disney at least a shred of defense if some sort of violent action took place inside a park.



Disney Springs is an open air mall, just like thousands of others across the country. It would be insane to try and lockdown something with so many entry and exit points. If anyone is so scared of a terrorist attack at a mall, or a theater, or other public place, perhaps they should just stay home, lock their doors and never go anywhere in public.

 

[rob0519]

If you do remember, when the Orlando shootings happened, the guy had it in his plans to GO to DS to continue his rampage. Of all the resorts and attractions, I think, to a layman's eyes, that you would be correct that DS would be the most vunerable. Do they have increased security undercover because of the access? I would think so and you'll never know or see it unless a incident happens.

What is your source for saying "the guy had it in his plans to GO to DS to continue his rampage"? It was reported the shooter was seen at Disney Springs prior to the shooting. This implies he was going to go to Disney Springs after the nightclub attack and continue shooting and somehow told others of that plan.

 

[GrumpySue]

This past May I was going through the back entrance to Epcot and everyone in my party was pulled over for screening. My brother-in-law, a fisherman/hunter type had a knife in his pocket. He always carries a knife, just the way he is. He took it out and placed it in the bin with everything else in his pockets and walked through the metal detector. The security guard passed the bin back to him without looking at it and said have a nice day. Soooo nowhere is completely safe no matter what, they do the best they can.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

Speaking from years worth of working for Law Enforcement and years worth of event logistics (including some hosted at Disney): the security you see is a working version of "security theater" ... the rest is vastly different and practically invisible.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Speaking from years worth of working for Law Enforcement and years worth of event logistics (including some at Disney): the security you see is a working version of "security theater" ... the rest is vastly different and practically invisible.

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate. Sun Tzu

 

[Smiley/OCD]

What is your source for saying "the guy had it in his plans to GO to DS to continue his rampage"? It was reported the shooter was seen at Disney Springs prior to the shooting. This implies he was going to go to Disney Springs after the nightclub attack and continue shooting and somehow told others of that plan.

It was in our papers here in NJ, that DS was a POSSIBLE target.

 

[rob0519]

It was in our papers here in NJ, that DS was a POSSIBLE target.

That was pretty much national news, but it's a far cry from "the guy had it in his plans to GO to DS to continue his rampage".
If they saw him in a Publix, that didn't mean he was going to shoot up a supermarket.

 

[rob0519]

Speaking from years worth of working for Law Enforcement and years worth of event logistics (including some hosted at Disney): the security you see is a working version of "security theater" ... the rest is vastly different and practically invisible.

Exactly. It's the security that you don't see that is keeping you safe.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

That was pretty much national news, but it's a far cry from "the guy had it in his plans to GO to DS to continue his rampage".
If they saw him in a Publix, that didn't mean he was going to shoot up a supermarket.

I just finished saying IT WAS A POSSIBLE target...it was on his list...to me, that would mean just what I said...it was a POSSIBLE target...don't you think terrorists, whether they're part of a group or a "lone wolf", have looked at Disney before? I wouldn't be a bit suprised if there hasn't been an attempt and that it is being kept under wraps so mass panic and attendance drops don't occur. For every 1 announced attempt/arrest made in NYC since 9/11, there are probably 10 or more you don't hear about, (and probably never will).If he was in DS, "scouting" it out, trust me, he wasn't there to buy Christmas ornaments...

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I just finished saying IT WAS A POSSIBLE target...it was on his list...to me, that would mean just what I said...it was a POSSIBLE target...don't you think terrorists, whether they're part of a group or a "lone wolf", have looked at Disney before? I wouldn't be a bit suprised if there hasn't been an attempt and that it is being kept under wraps so mass panic and attendance drops don't occur. For every 1 announced attempt/arrest made in NYC since 9/11, there are probably 10 or more you don't hear about, (and probably never will).If he was in DS, "scouting" it out, trust me, he wasn't there to buy Christmas ornaments...

You know, there is little to no possibility of changing your mind, but the FBI completely debunked the DS theory and said there was NO evidence that he was targeting Disney at all. He did not have a list with DS on it for an attack.

Do terrorists look to possibly target someplace like Disney? Sure, of course they are. Just like every single shopping mall, sports arena, or any other place with lots of people. The media just mentions Disney because they know that it will get clicks and reads, whether it has ANY basis in reality or not. They couldn't care less nowadays.

 

[danyoung56]

I have a background in security management at a maximum security facility......Disney's is very much multilayer and the gate stuff is what you are supposed to see and it is a bit of theatre (all public contact spots are ) to tell you that you are being watched. However, they do catch things there as well.

I really appreciate this post. There are those who will look at a security procedure, see it as not 100% comprehensive, and then say that the security is a joke. I look at it this way - a security check makes it much less likely that I'm going to try anything at all. And what's seen is not all there is . . .