The new Evolv AI security scanners have rolled out to many park entrances across property this summer. @wdwmagic brought us the story of these systems testing at Disney Springs back in June and there is another thread or two buried in the Disney Springs sub-forum. However, I think these changes are so significant to the guest experience that it deserves it's own resort-wide thread for discussing future locations and evolving bag check procedures. Plus, I wanted to share what I've learned because I don't think the news of all this is well known.
YouTube link
The following is based on my experience earlier this month.
If you reminisce about the days when you could simply hop off the bus and walk up to the turnstiles, this new system is for you. It cannot be overstated how much of an upgrade this is from the previous bag check system. For most people, you simply walk on through the security area. No lining up, no stopping. I've been visiting yearly since 2001, and I don't think my park entrance experience has ever been this pleasant. I assume there will be some people with a less than stellar experience, especially when crowds increase, but the baseline experience is a major improvement. There is now clear and consistent signage and messaging from CMs at all locations where Evolv is present, where in the past it seemed like every park had completely different guidelines. I think there now exists only two different security schemes, but I don't know for sure about TTC or monorail resorts.
New Evolv Scanners in use at:
-Epcot International Gateway (Installed Early July)
-Animal Kingdom (Installed Early July)
-Hollywood Studios (Installed Early August)
-Epcot Main Entrance (Installed Mid October) EDIT, source
-Disney Springs Entrances (Installed Early November) EDIT, source
-TTC (Installed Mid November) EDIT, source1 source2
-Magic Kingdom Boat Docks (Installed Mid November) EDIT, source
Prior to walking up to security, remove large metal objects from bags (umbrellas, glasses cases). There are signs along the walkway telling you to do so. Cast members ahead of the security area guide you through the scanner at normal walking pace, along with other guests. No single file lines or separation between guests is necessary, just walk. Hold the large metal items in front of you as you casually walk through the new scanner area, per the CMs orders. The scanner software is able to understand these tricky items as "safe" as long as they are held up in front of you. Each Evolv scanner has a bag check off to the side. If the scanner detects anything else, a cast member with a tablet is stationed 15-20 feet after the scanner and will send you off to the side for standard bag inspection (Open all bag pockets, security pokes through with a flashlight). There are no lines for these new scanners unless the bag check backs up, which is less likely to happen as most guest just walk on through.
Old-style Bag Check/Metal Detectors in use at:
-Magic Kingdom Bus Entrance
-Monorails source
-Water Parks
All guests sent through metal detectors/bag check with stricter object removal rules. Place large metal objects in bin (umbrellas, glasses cases, batteries, aerosols, soda cans, etc.) and walk through the metal detector with bag. Retrieve items on the other side. Guests are sent through single-file one at a time.
From what I could tell, there's no scanners at Disney Springs. The Evolv website flaunts the possibility of temperature scanning too, but this is not in use at the parks. How was your experience with the new system? Has anyone experienced the security at TTC recently? Or at the monorail resorts? Do we think the AI scanners will be implemented elsewhere?
YouTube link
The following is based on my experience earlier this month.
If you reminisce about the days when you could simply hop off the bus and walk up to the turnstiles, this new system is for you. It cannot be overstated how much of an upgrade this is from the previous bag check system. For most people, you simply walk on through the security area. No lining up, no stopping. I've been visiting yearly since 2001, and I don't think my park entrance experience has ever been this pleasant. I assume there will be some people with a less than stellar experience, especially when crowds increase, but the baseline experience is a major improvement. There is now clear and consistent signage and messaging from CMs at all locations where Evolv is present, where in the past it seemed like every park had completely different guidelines. I think there now exists only two different security schemes, but I don't know for sure about TTC or monorail resorts.
New Evolv Scanners in use at:
-Epcot International Gateway (Installed Early July)
-Animal Kingdom (Installed Early July)
-Hollywood Studios (Installed Early August)
-Epcot Main Entrance (Installed Mid October) EDIT, source
-Disney Springs Entrances (Installed Early November) EDIT, source
-TTC (Installed Mid November) EDIT, source1 source2
-Magic Kingdom Boat Docks (Installed Mid November) EDIT, source
Prior to walking up to security, remove large metal objects from bags (umbrellas, glasses cases). There are signs along the walkway telling you to do so. Cast members ahead of the security area guide you through the scanner at normal walking pace, along with other guests. No single file lines or separation between guests is necessary, just walk. Hold the large metal items in front of you as you casually walk through the new scanner area, per the CMs orders. The scanner software is able to understand these tricky items as "safe" as long as they are held up in front of you. Each Evolv scanner has a bag check off to the side. If the scanner detects anything else, a cast member with a tablet is stationed 15-20 feet after the scanner and will send you off to the side for standard bag inspection (Open all bag pockets, security pokes through with a flashlight). There are no lines for these new scanners unless the bag check backs up, which is less likely to happen as most guest just walk on through.
Old-style Bag Check/Metal Detectors in use at:
-Magic Kingdom Bus Entrance
-Monorails source
-Water Parks
All guests sent through metal detectors/bag check with stricter object removal rules. Place large metal objects in bin (umbrellas, glasses cases, batteries, aerosols, soda cans, etc.) and walk through the metal detector with bag. Retrieve items on the other side. Guests are sent through single-file one at a time.
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Seemed unsanitary even in ye olden times.
