New Awful Security Screening Process

[CaptinEO]

Being a single traveler, I have stayed at the Quality Inn on W. Katella Ave several times over the years.
Fits my needs like a glove.

Clean rooms, nice hotel staff, free real breakfast each morning ( more then just ‘bread and water’) and usually a decent price.
Also a small but charming flowered and tree lined courtyard area where the small pool is.
Very nice to sit out there and enjoy your breakfast or just w enjoy the landscaped view.

Best part of course is the location.
It is on W. Katella Ave so it keeps you close to the Parks but just far enough away to avoid the mayhem of Harbor Blvd and all of that congestion.
It is a very scenic 10 to 15 minute walk to the front turnstiles of the Parks.
Hotel is located directly across from the southern end of the DTD parking lot….soon to become a coveted spot is the Disneyland Forward plans pan out.

I recommend this place to everyone looking for a basic room with comfy beds and a hot shower , plus a good free breakfast.
Directly next door are other restaurants and the ART bus station stop…as well as the EVE service that runs service to SNA airport.

Katella is lined with beautiful palm trees and pretty lighting ambiance.
Beats the hectic and crowded atmosphere on Harbor by miles.

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Huge thank you for the information and recommendation!

Sounds like a really good place to stay! Never stayed on Katella but next time we stay at the park this is where I'll go. Free breakfast is always a plus too.

I've stayed at DL Hotel and then Candy Cane Inn (on harbor). Candy Cane was small and clean but doubled their prices post covid so hasn't interested me anymore. We were considering Park Vue Inn, but Katella sounds more relaxing.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Huge thank you for the information and recommendation!

Sounds like a really good place to stay! Never stayed on Katella but next time we stay at the park this is where I'll go. Free breakfast is always a plus too.

I've stayed at DL Hotel and then Candy Cane Inn (on harbor). Candy Cane was small and clean but doubled their prices post covid so hasn't interested me anymore. We were considering Park Vue Inn, but Katella sounds more relaxing.

Have to say that my mother and I REALLY liked Park Vue when we stayed there in 2015. Location can't be beat, and even though there's only so much you can do with those older motel rooms, our room and beds were great.

I would 100% stay there again.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

We stayed at the Best Western Plus Park Place (right across from the entrance on Harbor) and it was fantastically convenient, also very well maintained, but I can’t justify $350 a night for what you get, we spend afternoons at our hotel so the pool, lounge, room, and other amenities are equally as important to us as the location, it’s nice but not $350 a night nice.

I think that’s one reason we prefer the hotels that aren’t on Harbor, the Harbor hotels tend to be older, most have been redone over the years but that can’t make up for the fact they were originally skinny motels with (generally speaking) small lobbies, small pools, outside hallways, etc. They are a great place to sleep if you’re spending your whole day at the park but if you take afternoon breaks there’s not much to do at them.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I’ve been staying at Best Western Hotel Lulu a bunch (just checked out yesterday) - it’s on harbor very close to the Toy Story lot. Rooms are fine and they are very friendly - they will check you in early if rooms are available and they have a very easy luggage storage.

 

[thomas998]

"Going through wallets and other things not normally checked is to ensure no prohibited items are making it through security."

For example in someones wallet could be this fold-able knife -

Although they also make a version with a ceramic blade that is completely undetectable by a metal detector. The reality is they will never be able to stop a person that is intent on getting weapons into the park. We are simply fortunate that most people aren't trying to do nefarious things. But we are destined to have the security theater continue so that when someone does do something bad that they can use the theater to help in the defense of whatever civil suit they are hit with.

 

[Phroobar]

You can't stop a Bond villain. Fortunately most bad guys are not Bond villains.

 

[Phroobar]

Although they also make a version with a ceramic blade that is completely undetectable by a metal detector. The reality is they will never be able to stop a person that is intent on getting weapons into the park. We are simply fortunate that most people aren't trying to do nefarious things. But we are destined to have the security theater continue so that when someone does do something bad that they can use the theater to help in the defense of whatever civil suit they are hit with.

No one is going to bring a ceramic blade to the park and use it. That kind of thing only happens in the movies. A planned knife fight at Disneyland is about as realistic as someone placing a bomb on Space Mountain. It is highly unlikely.

 

[thomas998]

No one is going to bring a ceramic blade to the park and use it. That kind of thing only happens in the movies. A planned knife fight at Disneyland is about as realistic as someone placing a bomb on Space Mountain. It is highly unlikely.

I carry one with me all the time, have had it when I went to Disney normally just loose in my pockets and guess what, it doesn't set off any metal detector. But you are correct on it being highly unlikely that anyone is going to do a knife attack... not out of the question though as Europe has already seen a handful of knife attacks.

 

[Figments Friend]

Something that crossed my mind after passing through the security check and browsing a few shops nearby…

You can buy metal tablewear, including knives right at DTD.
Even the ‘Star Wars Trading Post’ sells metal tableware …!



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[Phroobar]

Something that crossed my mind after passing through the security check and browsing a few shops nearby…

You can buy metal tablewear, including knives right at DTD.
Even the ‘Star Wars Trading Post’ sells metal tableware …!



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You can buy actual bowie knives and guns inside Knotts. They have a whole shop full of stuff like that. I think the guns have to be shipped to you.

 

[WDWTrojan]

This process is still not improved as a single security guard is dedicated to rooting around through people’s wallets, retainer cases and change purses. 25+ minutes to get into DCA from the GC tonight.

 

[Professortango1]

I'm just glad they weren't going through things as closely after my mom passed in 2014. She might not have gotten her final trip to Disneyland.

For legal purposes, I am joking.

 

[Parteecia]

I take a small sundries Dopp kit in my pack. On my last trip through bag check the CM opened a small pill case, a camping salt shaker holding baby powder*, and questioned another case holding ear plugs that you could see through the plastic. It was extremely intrusive as he poked around the bag asking me to explain items.

And I don't care that they wear gloves. Unless they're changing them between inspections they can still pass grossness on to the next inspectee.

*I asked him if he wanted to smell the baby powder as proof.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It was extremely intrusive as he poked around the bag asking me to explain items.

How weird - you shouldn’t have to explain any items! They should be looking for prohibited items and that’s all.

 

[chadwpalm]

I take a small sundries Dopp kit in my pack. On my last trip through bag check the CM opened a small pill case, a camping salt shaker holding baby powder*, and questioned another case holding ear plugs that you could see through the plastic. It was extremely intrusive as he poked around the bag asking me to explain items.

Unfortunately, this is one of the cases in life where we can't have nice things because a small group of people ruin it for us. It also doesn't help when you know in your own heart that you are completely innocent and that makes what they do feel more intrusive.

I find the best way to deal with the situation is to first approach it with the mindset that they are going to go through your stuff and they are going to ask questions. I open up all of my compartments before I get there and present myself as if I have nothing to hide. Trust me, they appreciate that. I also do my best to limit the number of small containers I have an put things in clear plastic Ziplock if I can. I almost brough my earbuds to the parks one day to listen to music in the queues, but changed my mind knowing it was just another small container that they are going to open up.

Also unfortunately, small containers are perfect hiding spots for people to stash prohibited and illegal substances. I'm sure many people have tried. White powdery substances are probably going to be the most scrutinized.

Just like with any job you are going to find each person has a different personality. Some will want to check every nook and cranny, and sometimes you'll get a good one (like I had last week) that not only will just peek in the bag and that's it, but also teach me a hack regarding Fuel Rods (which I wouldn't expect from a security CM).

And I don't care that they wear gloves. Unless they're changing them between inspections they can still pass grossness on to the next inspectee.

They aren't wearing gloves for your benefit, but wearing them for theirs. They are protecting their own hands from substances dangerous to the touch like Anthrax or Fentanyl that guests could be trying to smuggle into the parks. I assume it's also to prevent their own fingerprints from getting on something such as a weapon they might accidentally pull out of a bag for evidence.

*I asked him if he wanted to smell the baby powder as proof.

Your best play is to really just keep quiet unless they ask you a question or you are simply saying "Good morning/afternoon/evening". Especially don't offer up instructions you want them to follow. While I know your intentions were to be upfront and forthcoming, a statement like that just make them feel like you are patronizing them about how to do their jobs. They are just following the rules laid out to them by their bosses and shouldn't be the targets of our frustrations.

 

[chadwpalm]

How weird - you shouldn’t have to explain any items! They should be looking for prohibited items and that’s all.

Some items look like prohibited items.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

They aren't wearing gloves for your benefit, but wearing them for theirs.

I don’t know if it works for Disney Security, but when I’ve asked TSA to change gloves before going through my luggage they always have.

Some items look like prohibited items.

View attachment 828280

That’s not what Disney security should be looking for at the front gate. Maybe at the employee entrance? Ohhhhh haha

 

[Disney Irish]

Unfortunately, this is one of the cases in life where we can't have nice things because a small group of people ruin it for us. It also doesn't help when you know in your own heart that you are completely innocent and that makes what they do feel more intrusive.

I find the best way to deal with the situation is to first approach it with the mindset that they are going to go through your stuff and they are going to ask questions. I open up all of my compartments before I get there and present myself as if I have nothing to hide. Trust me, they appreciate that. I also do my best to limit the number of small containers I have an put things in clear plastic Ziplock if I can. I almost brough my earbuds to the parks one day to listen to music in the queues, but changed my mind knowing it was just another small container that they are going to open up.

Also unfortunately, small containers are perfect hiding spots for people to stash prohibited and illegal substances. I'm sure many people have tried. White powdery substances are probably going to be the most scrutinized.

Just like with any job you are going to find each person has a different personality. Some will want to check every nook and cranny, and sometimes you'll get a good one (like I had last week) that not only will just peek in the bag and that's it, but also teach me a hack regarding Fuel Rods (which I wouldn't expect from a security CM).


They aren't wearing gloves for your benefit, but wearing them for theirs. They are protecting their own hands from substances dangerous to the touch like Anthrax or Fentanyl that guests could be trying to smuggle into the parks. I assume it's also to prevent their own fingerprints from getting on something such as a weapon they might accidentally pull out of a bag for evidence.


Your best play is to really just keep quiet unless they ask you a question or you are simply saying "Good morning/afternoon/evening". Especially don't offer up instructions you want them to follow. While I know your intentions were to be upfront and forthcoming, a statement like that just make them feel like you are patronizing them about how to do their jobs. They are just following the rules laid out to them by their bosses and shouldn't be the targets of our frustrations.

Exactly, people get frustrated at these measures but then question why more wasn't done when there is an incident not realizing it could be a whole lot worse. Its a balancing act that venues like Disney Parks has to do to keep guests safe while not trying to be overbearing with security.

I for one thank the efforts Disney Security does prior to our entry into the Parks. I rather be inconvenienced for a few extra minutes than having a potentially huge incident that costs guests their safety later on.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I rather be inconvenienced for a few extra minutes than having a potentially huge incident that costs guests their safety later on.

I’ve been to so many large and crowded events with no security checks - I’ve never felt unsafe.

But that’s a different argument - what is being described here is over the top and invasive and does nothing for actual safety in my opinion. I’ve been to Disneyland since these changes, but I don’t travel with much so i haven’t experienced this personally. I don’t even think they opened my wallet.

 

[Disney Irish]

I’ve been to so many large and crowded events with no security checks - I’ve never felt unsafe.

You don't question it until there is an incident and then wonder why more wasn't done. I'm sorry that we live in a world where bad things happen, but I rather be inconvenience for a few extra minutes than for a major incident to happen. I don't care if people do think its just security theater, if it dissuades at least one person from causing a major incident it has done its job.

But that’s a different argument - what is being described here is over the top and invasive and does nothing for actual safety in my opinion. I’ve been to Disneyland since these changes, but I don’t travel with much so i haven’t experienced this personally. I don’t even think they opened my wallet.

I have been to Disneyland multiple times now after these changes, and never once felt they were too invasive. Tolerance levels are obviously personal, but if they need to go through my wallet, so what go ahead I got nothing in there that I'm embarrassed about.

If you have nothing to hide there should be no reason to care about them going through anything. If its a "gross" factor regarding the gloves, ask them to change to a new pair. The more fight people put up the longer it takes, if people just accepted this is reality and go with the flow it would go faster.