Is WDW Security Serious?

Spideyfreak110

Member
Original Poster
I apologize if this was brought up elsewhere, but a search yielded nothing.

After numerous visits to WDW lately... I've come to a conclusion: Security is a joke. Hear me out:

So metal detectors... Supposedly they pick guests "at random" for additional screening via metal detectors. What I've found is that they do not pick guests at random. A guard will pull a guest over to the metal detectors and give them a speech of some sort about how they've been selected. Meanwhile, since this takes a good 15 seconds. When the guard is done pulling that person over they go back and pull the next person that comes up. During that 15 second window, anybody coming in will not get screened and they can just walk by because the guard is busy. By observing the process for about a minute I can and have easily been able to avoid going through any kind of security screening as I don't have a bag with me either.

So when I'm not trying to bypass the metal detector (which isn't hard), I sometimes get selected. Great! My buttons on my cargo pockets and my belt set off the alarm so they start checking me out. In one instance, I was screened for nearly five minutes because I had to turn all my pockets out and the guard still didn't feel comfortable letting me though. Eventually he said I was "Free to go." I didn't know I was being detained?

Keep in mind, nobody said anything about the huge round bulge in my side pocket that was my water bottle. They wouldn't be able to identify it without me taking it out as it was completely inside the pocket out of view. I was in disbelief and slightly terrified it was overlooked.

And then there was the family with a stroller I saw get pulled over for metal detectors. The bottom of the stroller was covered and could have easily concealed something. None of the guards even glanced at it.

I was also surprised to find out that there is absolutely no security screening at Disney Springs. That place can get packed on the weekends and could certainly be an easy target.

I feel at this point it's just an illusion of creating a safe place rather than actually trying to create a safe place. It makes WDW an easy target. Look at Universal, and even SeaWorld. Everybody gets screened before going in, period. At Universal even the Team Members go through the same screening the guests do.

So what are your thoughts on this? Why are they creating this illusion rather than creating a safe place to play?
 

Siren

Well-Known Member
I apologize if this was brought up elsewhere, but a search yielded nothing.

After numerous visits to WDW lately... I've come to a conclusion: Security is a joke. Hear me out:

So metal detectors... Supposedly they pick guests "at random" for additional screening via metal detectors. What I've found is that they do not pick guests at random. A guard will pull a guest over to the metal detectors and give them a speech of some sort about how they've been selected. Meanwhile, since this takes a good 15 seconds. When the guard is done pulling that person over they go back and pull the next person that comes up. During that 15 second window, anybody coming in will not get screened and they can just walk by because the guard is busy. By observing the process for about a minute I can and have easily been able to avoid going through any kind of security screening as I don't have a bag with me either.

So when I'm not trying to bypass the metal detector (which isn't hard), I sometimes get selected. Great! My buttons on my cargo pockets and my belt set off the alarm so they start checking me out. In one instance, I was screened for nearly five minutes because I had to turn all my pockets out and the guard still didn't feel comfortable letting me though. Eventually he said I was "Free to go." I didn't know I was being detained?

Keep in mind, nobody said anything about the huge round bulge in my side pocket that was my water bottle. They wouldn't be able to identify it without me taking it out as it was completely inside the pocket out of view. I was in disbelief and slightly terrified it was overlooked.

And then there was the family with a stroller I saw get pulled over for metal detectors. The bottom of the stroller was covered and could have easily concealed something. None of the guards even glanced at it.

I was also surprised to find out that there is absolutely no security screening at Disney Springs. That place can get packed on the weekends and could certainly be an easy target.

I feel at this point it's just an illusion of creating a safe place rather than actually trying to create a safe place. It makes WDW an easy target. Look at Universal, and even SeaWorld. Everybody gets screened before going in, period. At Universal even the Team Members go through the same screening the guests do.

So what are your thoughts on this? Why are they creating this illusion rather than creating a safe place to play?
Disney security is trained by TSA -- I even started a thread about it a while back . http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...yees-to-spot-for-potential-terrorists.898316/

Nothing bad has ever happened at Disney so they must be doing something right. The last time I was there, police presence was everywhere.

With that said, I do think that everyone should get screened and go through the metal detector.
 

rk03221

Well-Known Member
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
 

CAPTAIN HOOK

Well-Known Member
Why are they creating this illusion rather than creating a safe place to play?
I've just returned from a few days in Paris - the capital of France, not DLP. There were armed military walking along the Champs Elysees, and every other main thoroughfare, they were at all the major tourist spots in groups of four or six with either one or two French police officers for company.
I'm a UK police officer, switched on and aware of the potential for terrorist incidents - Did I feel re-assured by this military presence ? NO - it made me feel much more uneasy.
I would much rather have seen the occasional French police officer walking or driving about and know that they have that large military back up out of sight but ready to react at a moments notice.

If visitors see a huge security presence they're immediately going to have concerns about a terrorist attack. Why are there so many security staff here ? Is it safe to visit Disney ? Is Disney a target ? Is there intelligence to suggest something is happening on the day we're visiting ?

At the end of the day you'll NEVER make anywhere 100% safe unless you shut it down.

Look at all the recent IS attacks in Europe - France, Belgium etc etc. Look at all the intelligence driven systems that the governments, police and military of those countries have in place - They never saw it coming and I'm afraid it would take much more than a couple more security guards and an airport scanner outside MK to prevent a terrorist attack on Disney

Fact. (unfortunately).
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
As a park guest, I also dislike the "random" selection--it would be better if everyone went through the metal detectors.

IMO, although no security screening system is perfect, my hunch is that there's a lot more going on behind the scenes, that is not visible to guests. (And, I assume that park management would probably keep the statistics of negative incidents as low-key as possible, to downplay any safety concerns that some guests might have.)
 

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
I've just returned from a few days in Paris - the capital of France, not DLP. There were armed military walking along the Champs Elysees, and every other main thoroughfare, they were at all the major tourist spots in groups of four or six with either one or two French police officers for company.
I'm a UK police officer, switched on and aware of the potential for terrorist incidents - Did I feel re-assured by this military presence ? NO - it made me feel much more uneasy.
I would much rather have seen the occasional French police officer walking or driving about and know that they have that large military back up out of sight but ready to react at a moments notice.

If visitors see a huge security presence they're immediately going to have concerns about a terrorist attack. Why are there so many security staff here ? Is it safe to visit Disney ? Is Disney a target ? Is there intelligence to suggest something is happening on the day we're visiting ?

At the end of the day you'll NEVER make anywhere 100% safe unless you shut it down.

Look at all the recent IS attacks in Europe - France, Belgium etc etc. Look at all the intelligence driven systems that the governments, police and military of those countries have in place - They never saw it coming and I'm afraid it would take much more than a couple more security guards and an airport scanner outside MK to prevent a terrorist attack on Disney

Fact. (unfortunately).
That seems a little tunnel visioned focusing only on yourself. I was in Paris last October (before the concert incident) and also witnessed a huge police/military presence at all the major tourist areas. It isn't there to make you feel better, necessarily, it can, but, that is not the reason. It is there to deter would be terrorists from actually doing harm. They are being profiled whether we like it or not, and they have also been trained on what to look for. If you, personally, were not singled out, then you apparently, via body language or whatever, did not exhibit any actions that brought suspicion. As for myself, I was glad that they were there even though I was fully aware that it isn't a perfect system so I stay, as I should, alert to what was going on around me. That's called awareness of possible danger which does actually exists and we should all be somewhat paranoid about it.
 

CAPTAIN HOOK

Well-Known Member
It is there to deter would be terrorists from actually doing harm.
I'm sorry, but a terrorist hell bent on causing mayhem and / or mass destruction isn't going to be deterred by either Disney's security efforts or 4 or 6 armed soldiers walking around Paris. The majority of these people are prepared to die for the cause that they believe in.
 

DuckTalesWooHoo1987

Well-Known Member
I actually stopped and talked to a cop in May at the MK because I was curious why there's so much more of a visible police presence than there ever has been before. I asked if they had experienced much more escalating and credible threats or something and he said not necessarily more than usual but that they just wanted people to know that they were there and that they weren't gonna allow Disneyworld to be a soft target. It wasn't long after that trip was over that the terrorist went and shot up the nightclub and apparently he had actually cased Disneyworld as a potential target. I've wondered ever since if they didn't have their eye on that guy. As far as the CM above talking about how there are first responders there all the time I know that to be an absolute fact because I experienced it first hand and they are EXCELLENT! On my little boy's first trip at 9 months old we were eating at the Castle early one morning and were among the first group of families called in that day. The waiter asked if I wanted coffee and I told him I would like to have some but didn't have a cup and so he said he would get me one from the opposite end of the table. To get it he sat the full pot of fresh coffee down to walk over and get it. He didn't think about it and in the twinkling of an eye he had sat that coffee in front of a 9 month old who proceeded to grab it and turn it over on his bare arms and legs. He sustained 2nd degree burns that day but within minutes there were paramedics on the scene...IN DISNEY UNIFORMS! I couldn't believe it! They were really good with my little boy and they backed an ambulance up to the Castle and my wife rode with him and me and my stepmom were driven by another CM to the hospital where they treated him. Disney was awesome about the whole thing. When we got back to BLT I walked back over to the Castle to ask the manager to please not fire the waiter that done that because it was just a complete accident and she never said yea or nay about whether they did or not. I really hope not but I've always wondered.
 

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
I'm sorry, but a terrorist hell bent on causing mayhem and / or mass destruction isn't going to be deterred by either Disney's security efforts or 4 or 6 armed soldiers walking around Paris. The majority of these people are prepared to die for the cause that they believe in.
Yes, your right... we should make it so they can just stroll in anyplace they want without any chance of being stopped. What do I know!?! I am not prepared to die for their cause so I want someone there that might have the slightest of chance to notice something out of the ordinary. Oh, and btw, if you think that the only security watching you and the crowds at Disney are the ones standing by the machines, if I were you, I wouldn't try something after clearing the security area. You might be in for a huge surprise.
 

SorcererMC

Well-Known Member
Look at all the recent IS attacks in Europe - France, Belgium etc etc. Look at all the intelligence driven systems that the governments, police and military of those countries have in place - They never saw it coming and I'm afraid it would take much more than a couple more security guards and an airport scanner outside MK to prevent a terrorist attack on Disney
I would argue that the EU (France especially) is aware that it is under threat (although intelligence-sharing is an issue), and faces the exceptionally difficult task of trying to stop a lone wolf attack or an inspired attack. You are correct in that not every attack can be stopped, but the presence of heavily armed police or military is there to mitigate that risk. Tourist spots are increasingly targeted, hence the increased security presence. It may not be reassuring to you, but it does serve to remind the public to be aware (as many do not consider terrorism a real threat). In terms of counter-terrorism, I would expect the EU's open borders to go away in the near future (eg within a year or two and not sooner b/c of the legal process).

I actually stopped and talked to a cop in May at the MK because I was curious why there's so much more of a visible police presence than there ever has been before. I asked if they had experienced much more escalating and credible threats or something and he said not necessarily more than usual but that they just wanted people to know that they were there and that they weren't gonna allow Disneyworld to be a soft target.

That sounds about right to me. I don't have any inside perspective on Disney security other than to reiterate that they are aware of their soft target status, and have a security relationship with the local police (as insiders here have said, and like any major intl company at risk does). A CNN terrorism analyst said in June that there was a threat against them in December, which is when the metal detectors were installed, I believe. Consider that the risk does vary over time and is probably not one or two random threats. Disney does have to walk the line between guarding against the threat without giving the impression of it not being safe.

I agree with others that everyone should just go through the metal detectors. I suppose that one's perception of safety is relative; it is understandably an increasing concern since the June attack.
 

Polydweller

Well-Known Member
I have a background in security management at a maximum security facility. All security systems are exactly that, systems. You are meant to see some layers and definitely not meant to see others. 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. And randomness of checks is part of security. You want your security procedures to be hard to guess. The harder it is for somebody to guess what they will encounter the harder it is to figure out how to get around. And some is not as random as it looks. There are people everywhere around the entrances looking for odd/ suspicious behaviour.

As for layers, you are watched on camera and with people from the moment you get off you bus or out of your car. At the security spot there are many people around watching the crowd. Then as a pp said there are Orange County Sherrif officers around, sometimes visible sometimes not. Then as you walk toward the entrance there are even more. Throughout the park there are cameras and staff watching everything. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't happening. Great security watches silently.
 

Johnguelff

Active Member
I'm sorry, but a terrorist hell bent on causing mayhem and / or mass destruction isn't going to be deterred by either Disney's security efforts or 4 or 6 armed soldiers walking around Paris. The majority of these people are prepared to die for the cause that they believe in.
What a joke.
 

SorcererMC

Well-Known Member
I have a background in security management at a maximum security facility. All security systems are exactly that, systems. You are meant to see some layers and definitely not meant to see others. 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. And randomness of checks is part of security. You want your security procedures to be hard to guess. The harder it is for somebody to guess what they will encounter the harder it is to figure out how to get around. And some is not as random as it looks. There are people everywhere around the entrances looking for odd/ suspicious behaviour.

As for layers, you are watched on camera and with people from the moment you get off you bus or out of your car. At the security spot there are many people around watching the crowd. Then as a pp said there are Orange County Sherrif officers around, sometimes visible sometimes not. Then as you walk toward the entrance there are even more. Throughout the park there are cameras and staff watching everything. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't happening. Great security watches silently.

Thanks for describing this because I was also thinking that security starts well before a visitor gets to the front gate.
 

King Panda 77

Thank you sir. You were an inspiration.
Premium Member
dontcallmeshirley.jpg
 

DuckTalesWooHoo1987

Well-Known Member
I would argue that the EU (France especially) is aware that it is under threat (although intelligence-sharing is an issue), and faces the exceptionally difficult task of trying to stop a lone wolf attack or an inspired attack. You are correct in that not every attack can be stopped, but the presence of heavily armed police or military is there to mitigate that risk. Tourist spots are increasingly targeted, hence the increased security presence. It may not be reassuring to you, but it does serve to remind the public to be aware (as many do not consider terrorism a real threat). In terms of counter-terrorism, I would expect the EU's open borders to go away in the near future (eg within a year or two and not sooner b/c of the legal process).



That sounds about right to me. I don't have any inside perspective on Disney security other than to reiterate that they are aware of their soft target status, and have a security relationship with the local police (as insiders here have said, and like any major intl company at risk does). A CNN terrorism analyst said in June that there was a threat against them in December, which is when the metal detectors were installed, I believe. Consider that the risk does vary over time and is probably not one or two random threats. Disney does have to walk the line between guarding against the threat without giving the impression of it not being safe.

I agree with others that everyone should just go through the metal detectors. I suppose that one's perception of safety is relative; it is understandably an increasing concern since the June attack.
I've been pulled through that metal detector a million times and I'm only about 5'5 and wear Ducktales shirts all the time. I don't see how anything about me could ever appear "threatening". At one point I saw a CM coming up to me as I was entering EPCOT and I said "I know, I know. I've been randomly selected..." and they said it literally is just super random BUT they are working their way towards everyone having to go through it. So they are working towards it.
 

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