News New security measures

[beertiki]

I was there this week. The CSC security did not look like they should be at Disney. They look like exactly what you would expect for $8 an hour. Very unprofessional looking many visible tattoos on arms. I was randomly chosen twice, the second time, I said to the guard that this is not random for some reason you are profiling me. I also loudly voice my opinion that if anybody is going to be sending me through the scanners I wanted it to be a real Disney employee not some low rent contractor. Our last two days there were no CSC employees. Security getting into the resort was difficult 50% of the time. They could not seem to make their mind up whether to scan a Magic Band or needing to see id. There seems to be a lot of scrutiny of IDs even if you had a magic band and parking permit clearly visible on your dash. I was rather harsh with one guard who for some reason said only one lane into our resort could check magic bands even though we have been using both the entire time. I don't know who would be trying to sneak into Art of Animation at 9 p.m., but he was making sure no one possibly could. Had another incident while in a cab going to another resort Resort, the security ask the cabbie what he was doing at the resort. He replied I have passengers in the back to drop off what else would I be doing here. There seems to be a lot of questions from security about why you would be trying to enter any resort even your home resort with the parking permit clearly displayed.

 

[flyerjab]

I was randomly selected today to go through a metal detector. Visually I found it to be very much not magical. However, I had no issues with the staff when they walked me through the procedure. That part was fine, but it does lose some of the Magic a bit.

 

[Clamman73]

Funny they have planters in front of the metal detector tents to soften the look of it all...

 

[Goofnut1980]

I was selected to be scanned twice during the holidays and there was absolutely nothing negative about the guest experience with the staff operating them at that time.

Actually I can tell you they were not the nicest people in the world.. I just sent 3 days at Disneyland and returned yesterday. We were screened a few times going into the central courtyard at the DL and CA area and the outside firm was pushy and touchy. You do not NEED to touch me to go thru a metal detector, which mind you, I left my iPhone 6s Plus in my pocket and about $2.50 in change on purpose and nothing beeped. Waste... Of... Money... The firm did not treat you like Disney.

However, I found it odd that the folks at Disney bag check were plain ol CMs. They were not security, nor did any of their clothing represent they were security. They were in red and gold main gate costumes and wearing red wool coats (because it was 65 in California) It was a half marathon weekend and one would think there would be more security.

Plus Disneyland busy is NOT Disney World busy... One of the sites I use that gives you a rating said the parks would be a 9 out of 10... it was busy but we never waited more than 30 minutes for anything. One exception being the most amazing ever - out of this world - Hyperspace Mountain overlay... We caught that first in the morning - then wait was like 90 minutes later in the day. BUT holy cow, it was simply amazing!

 

[RSoxNo1]

I saw CSC event staff yesterday, but just Disney security yesterday.

 

[Nubs70]

Funny they have planters in front of the metal detector tents to soften the look of it all...

Others have done that before.

 

[DisneyMom51]

I haven't been to WDW since September 2015 when my passes ran out. My son, however, has a pass that won't expire till August 2016. Without me having to go through and read 83 pages of comments, would someone please summarize as to what is going on in regards to security? He doesn't carry any kind of "bag" and first went to MK on Friday. He said everyone without a "bag" had to go through metal detectors after first emptying their pockets. He then took the monorail to Epcot. He said the "No bags" entry area wasn't open and that he had to go through the area for people with bags. When he did, the security person asked him what was in his pockets and forced him to show him his wallet. He was then told to go through the metal detectors and again had to empty his pockets. Again our son stated that only everyone without "bags" were forced to go through the metal detectors. He stated that no one that went through the "bag" entry was forced to empty their pockets and/or go through the metal detectors. Is this the correct procedure? And if so, does any one have a picture of the signs stating the procedures prior to one's entry into the theme parks? I'm just trying to find out what is going on now and if I decide to renew my pass, what I can expect. Thank you in advance to the people that take the time out to help me, and I'm sure others, with this issue.

 

[donsullivan]

I was selected again this past weekend at DHS and this time by an individual wearing Disney Security uniform; my previous 2 experiences had been contractor staff. As before, the process was simple, the individual was polite, I didn't try to make any hassle about it and it was over in no time at all.

One observation from some of what I've read in this thread is that those having the most trouble (not all, but most) seem to be those that are just personally bothered by the security measure in general. They feel compelled to complain about and object to the process to the individual operating the station or they feel compelled to denigrate the people working there who are just doing their job. I just do not understand why it's necessary to treat these people in this way.

If you have a problem with the additional security measures why is it necessary to hassle the security team at the scanning location? Contact guest relations and register your complaint there in a civil and polite way; but understand that it's not likely going to change anything. It's clear that Disney has determined these measure are necessary based on recent events (including stupid guests) and my guess is we'll see the expansion of these and soon a more permanent infrastructure integrated into the security stations.

 

[G00fyDad]

I was selected again this past weekend at DHS and this time by an individual wearing Disney Security uniform; my previous 2 experiences had been contractor staff. As before, the process was simple, the individual was polite, I didn't try to make any hassle about it and it was over in no time at all.

One observation from some of what I've read in this thread is that those having the most trouble (not all, but most) seem to be those that are just personally bothered by the security measure in general. They feel compelled to complain about and object to the process to the individual operating the station or they feel compelled to denigrate the people working there who are just doing their job. I just do not understand why it's necessary to treat these people in this way.

If you have a problem with the additional security measures why is it necessary to hassle the security team at the scanning location? Contact guest relations and register your complaint there in a civil and polite way; but understand that it's not likely going to change anything. It's clear that Disney has determined these measure are necessary based on recent events (including stupid guests) and my guess is we'll see the expansion of these and soon a more permanent infrastructure integrated into the security stations.

Another gripe I have heard from friends that are going right now is that Disney spent all of this time, effort, and money on MagicBands and a "turnstile free" entrance to speed up the process of entering the parks only to slow you down at Security.

 

[donsullivan]

Another gripe I have heard from friends that are going right now is that Disney spent all of this time, effort, and money on MagicBands and a "turnstile free" entrance to speed up the process of entering the parks only to slow you down at Security.

And I would venture a guess that Disney would prefer not to have to add this additional layer of security in the first place. However, the combination of guests trying to get guns into the parks and other external information that it seems they were made aware of has forced their hand to add this additional layer of security. If this will be part of the permanent entrance experience at the parks, I'm sure they are already working on a more integrated configuration vs the quick response setup they have today.

 

[DisneyMom51]

So therefore not everyone is getting the "empty your pockets and go through the metal detector" treatment? My son seemed to think that everyone that didn't go through bag check had to go through the metal detectors. BTW he wasn't upset with the process at all other than the one security guy at the bag entrance at Epcot that wanted to know what was the bulge in his pockets, which was his wallet which he showed to the man. He was then forced to still go through the metal detectors. Still didn't upset him, however, made me mad.

 

[halltd]

I was at the MK this weekend and the metal detectors there were still being operated by CSC. One guy was twirling the metal detector wand like a baton up in the air (like he was juggling it).

As an aside, I went to Universal this weekend, too and everyone coming from the hotels was wanded. It was quick, painless, and efficient.

 

[Andrew C]

One guy was twirling the metal detector wand like a baton up in the air (like he was juggling it).

That is part of the "show" we love so much!!!

 

[flynnibus]

Another gripe I have heard from friends that are going right now is that Disney spent all of this time, effort, and money on MagicBands and a "turnstile free" entrance to speed up the process of entering the parks only to slow you down at Security.

Except it doesn't....

 

[FigmentsFangirl]

OK, my mom had some thoughts on this so I thought to share them

Why not put the metal detectors at the resorts lobby entries ? It'd make sense to be honest, say you're staying on property, just to check into the resort you gotta go through security, then once through that, you can easily go to the parks, then at the parks two lines "resort staying guests, offproperty guests" those off property go through the metal detectors, those sztaying on property dont have to because they already did

I tried to point out though that is IS logical, it wont happen.

But since we got room and tickets apparently on proper without me being notified beforehand {coulda helped mom with it and get something off moneywise, mom is always griping on the ticket costs alone!}

Anyway, I'm now curious since we're headed down in a few days now, when you go through the thing, do you have to take stuff out of your pockets ? Or is it like the cruise ships ? "please place your camera and or phones in the bowl and step through and then scan your stateroom key thank you" and once I was told myself "please mind your head" {yes I am rather tall, kept whacking my head the bathroom doors in the stateroom! thpough on my last cruise the doors were oddly taller}

 

[Clamman73]

OK, my mom had some thoughts on this so I thought to share them

Why not put the metal detectors at the resorts lobby entries ? It'd make sense to be honest, say you're staying on property, just to check into the resort you gotta go through security, then once through that, you can easily go to the parks, then at the parks two lines "resort staying guests, offproperty guests" those off property go through the metal detectors, those sztaying on property dont have to because they already did

I tried to point out though that is IS logical, it wont happen.

But since we got room and tickets apparently on proper without me being notified beforehand {coulda helped mom with it and get something off moneywise, mom is always griping on the ticket costs alone!}

Anyway, I'm now curious since we're headed down in a few days now, when you go through the thing, do you have to take stuff out of your pockets ? Or is it like the cruise ships ? "please place your camera and or phones in the bowl and step through and then scan your stateroom key thank you" and once I was told myself "please mind your head" {yes I am rather tall, kept whacking my head the bathroom doors in the stateroom! thpough on my last cruise the doors were oddly taller}

Devils advocate....Hopefully the resort guests with their own car who drive to MK don't have a gun in the car.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

This is really no big deal. We went for three days a few weeks ago. Only one time when we were entering EPCOT through the international gateway, I alone was told I was randomly chosen for extra security measures.

I put my keys and change in a bowl, I walked through the metal detectors, picked up my things and put them back in my pocket. It took all of 30 seconds extra and next time it will be faster because I will know what to expect.

Absolutely no diminishing of vacation fun!

 

[FigmentsFangirl]

This is really no big deal. We went for three days a few weeks ago. Only one time when we were entering EPCOT through the international gateway, I alone was told I was randomly chosen for extra security measures.

I put my keys and change in a bowl, I walked through the metal detectors, picked up my things and put them back in my pocket. It took all of 30 seconds extra and next time it will be faster because I will know what to expect.

Absolutely no diminishing of vacation fun!

Oh good, this was what I was hoping to hear; in other words "its like getting back on the cruise ship at Nassau or Castaway Cay" Mucho thankees

 

[s8film40]

OK, my mom had some thoughts on this so I thought to share them

Why not put the metal detectors at the resorts lobby entries ? It'd make sense to be honest, say you're staying on property, just to check into the resort you gotta go through security, then once through that, you can easily go to the parks, then at the parks two lines "resort staying guests, offproperty guests" those off property go through the metal detectors, those sztaying on property dont have to because they already did

Are you suggesting all the luggage going into the resorts go through X-Ray machines? That's the only way this would work and it's extremely impractical.

 

[s8film40]

Having a gun in the car is not a crime, nor against Disney rules AFAIK. Bringing a gun into the parks is against Disney rules, right?

This is correct a guest can legally bring a gun in their car or carry it into the park. As long as they follow all the laws it's essentially the same as carrying a selfie stick into the park, it's just a Disney rule.