PHOTOS - New bag check areas greatly enhance Magic Kingdom arrival experience

[Jon81uk]

I don't know.

The situation is basically the same though, there will always be screened/unscreened people separated and security will have to watch for issues. But that risk hasn't changed from a week ago, the new system doesn't make it easier.

 

[RustySpork]

I agree but this is day one. Give them a month or two to iron out the kinks.

It's not really day one though, this is day one of version 2.0.

 

[Jon81uk]

I agree but this is day one. Give them a month or two to iron out the kinks.

Universal are mainly doing it better by have X-Ray machines and metal arches for everyone leaving the parking structure.

 

[LukeS7]

I agree but this is day one. Give them a month or two to iron out the kinks.

Honestly, if they would just go the route that Universal went and invest in bag scanners instead of having someone physically go through every pouch of people's bags, it would be way more efficient, allow at least some of the security personnel checking bags to be moved elsewhere, and most likely be more secure.

 

[wdwmagic]

I guess my question is, couldn't somebody on a bus pass something to somebody who was checked at the TTC before THEY get check themselves?

The bus guests are separated from those arriving via the TTC.

 

[RustySpork]

Honestly, if they would just go the route that Universal went and invest in bag scanners instead of having someone physically go through every pouch of people's bags, it would be way more efficient, allow at least some of the security personnel checking bags to be moved elsewhere, and most likely be more secure.

It's the difference between taking security seriously and treating it like it's an inconvenience.

 

[roj2323]

Honestly, if they would just go the route that Universal went and invest in bag scanners instead of having someone physically go through every pouch of people's bags, it would be way more efficient, allow at least some of the security personnel checking bags to be moved elsewhere, and most likely be more secure.

Yea, Universal could teach Disney and TSA for that matter a thing or two.

 

[FigmentFan3]

Allow me to attempt to clarify the Epcot front gate question. Can I enter at International Gateway, and monorail to MK without going through security again? Likewise could I board at Poly and monorail to Epcot without going through security again? Basically is there a secure connection between the Epcot front turnstiles and the monorail station.

 

[*Q*]

I can't fathom why they wouldn't put the security screening up on west side of the monorail platform. It's crazy long and largely unused

*south

That was my initial thought, too, but it wouldn't work for people using the elevator.

 

[roj2323]

*south

That was my initial thought, too, but it wouldn't work for people using the elevator.

You are quite correct. I'll edit that.

 

[asianway]

since they started talking about this, the CR is the one place where I was wondering how it would set up. I agree, its an awkward and really obtrusive location. I was thinking they would set up more by the escalators but that leaves the elevator open. No real good location for this at all there.

Except on the empty entire south side of the platform...

 

[peter11435]

Except on the empty entire south side of the platform...

The elevator would be the only issue with this plan.

 

[rushtest4echo]

One would think that it wouldn't take more than a couple of "overnighters" to re-configure the railings at Contempo to allow for screening for the escalators/elevator to happen up at the top platform. There's got to be a way.

 

[lazyboy97o]

...and Universal is still doing it better.

It's the difference between taking security seriously and treating it like it's an inconvenience.

Universal is doing nothing special or more "secure." Their checkpoint is also very vulnerable.

 

[RSoxNo1]

It's hard to say this is anything but a positive over what was there before. It's lousy that these types of security measures are necessary but this should streamline them and eliminate the huge liability/risk at the MK entrance gates.

 

[RustySpork]

Universal is doing nothing special or more "secure." Their checkpoint is also very vulnerable.

Any chokepoint is technically "very vulnerable". Their (Universal's) processes, procedures, equipment, and layout is absolutely better in every way.

 

[COProgressFan]

Boy, I miss the world we used to live in ....

Because the monorails were such a hot bed of violent attacks before now?

No, because for good or bad we never had to deal with this nonsense before, whether it's warranted or not. Walking into a park or monorail without being wanded is what I miss.

I'll fully agree much of this is "security theater" but someone, somewhere thinks these security measures are important (Disney execs, DHS, Wall Street, etc.). I think a lot of it has to do with liability and responsibility if/when something were to happen. If there was no security screenings and an incident were to happen, you can bet everyone (right or wrong) would blame Disney for not doing anything. At least this way, Disney gets to say, at least we tried.

So no, I'm not sure WDW is any safer in 2017 than 1977. No violent attacks then, no violent attacks now. But appearances matter and Disney probably feels doing something is better than nothing.

 

[RustySpork]

No, because for good or bad we never had to deal with this nonsense before, whether it's warranted or not. Walking into a park or monorail without being wanded is what I miss.

I'll fully agree much of this is "security theater" but someone, somewhere thinks these security measures are important (Disney execs, DHS, Wall Street, etc.). I think a lot of it has to do with liability and responsibility if/when something were to happen. If there was no security screenings and an incident were to happen, you can bet everyone (right or wrong) would blame Disney for not doing anything. At least this way, Disney gets to say, at least we tried.

So no, I'm not sure WDW is any safer in 2017 than 1977. No violent attacks then, no violent attacks now. But appearances matter and Disney probably feels doing something is better than nothing.

It's probably the minimum standard for insurance purposes.

 

[Disney Dad 3000]

Allow me to attempt to clarify the Epcot front gate question. Can I enter at International Gateway, and monorail to MK without going through security again? Likewise could I board at Poly and monorail to Epcot without going through security again? Basically is there a secure connection between the Epcot front turnstiles and the monorail station.

I was kind of wondering about Epcot myself. Something we've started doing the last few years is parking there either on a split Epcot/MK day, or even on just an MK day. Found that even if we aren't there at opening, we still park fairly close to the entrance and can avoid riding parking lot tram and then can hop right on the monorail to MK. This was especially handy when we were pushing a stroller so we never had to break it down for the tram ride at MK.

 

[roj2323]

One would think that it wouldn't take more than a couple of "overnighters" to re-configure the railings at Contempo to allow for screening for the escalators/elevator to happen up at the top platform. There's got to be a way.

The main issue I see is separating the screened guests from the unscreened elevator guests. It's deffinetly doable with the space they have but it will take more than a few nights and the construction of a solid wall.