Changes in Security Reportedly Headed to Disney Parks 12/17

Glad to see they are enforcing new measures.

Changing world around us...makes sense that our favorite WORLD and LAND must change as well to keep us, those of us who appreciate the magic and are not interested in harming others, safe. Least as safe as we can be in such popular places.

We go on our family vaca next May2016' on the Fantasy and then stay on property to visit the parks. I'd hope by then management has a good handle on what needs to be done and how to do it efficiently.

THANKS!

I wonder how much of this is because WDW is legitimately concerned and how much of it is that they want guests to have the illusion of feeling more secure.

Not that I know what goes through the mind of a terrorist, and I'll grant that WDW is a significant symbolic target for them, but beyond that a WDW park makes little sense. There is so much secret patrolling/observation that staging is essentially impossible, there are not many exit points (though terrorists often seem to go in to these events accepting they will die in the final shoot out) and there is an existing screening/barrier to entry, even if it is not super thorough.

There are so many softer targets throughout the country.

Aren't they going to have to add a queue of some kind to control it all? And if someone buzzes - what is the next step?

Personally - I think they should scan the bags through like they do at the airport.

Baloo76;2475337 wrote: Disney has to do what they have to do to make the parks safer, but if I'm a terrorist or someone who wants to do mass harm for any reason, there are still plenty of places within "Disney World" where I can do it without having to go through security. It's a scary thought.

I don't think the terrorists want anything to do with WDW. I'm more concerned about a gun person going crazy like at the movies. I have to say - I don't really like to go to the movies so much any more.

Sad.......

I carry a concealed handgun regularly (legally of course) and I agree that it would be easy to get a weapon past the existing security from the concealed aspect. It is another thing altogether to do it in a way that does not cause suspicion. Bad people almost always act hinky in some way. The metal detectors will deter idiots and make people feel better, but it is vigilant, well trained security that will prevent a tragedy.

DisneyGiant;2475427 wrote:
Personally - I think they should scan the bags through like they do at the airport.

In Disneyland Paris, they put all the bags through airport-like screening. I actually liked that much better than having someone paw through my stuff.

One thing that could help the long lines would be to limit the amount of "stuff" people can bring in to the parks. So often there are people with strollers packed full of bags--purse, diaper bag, back packs for everyone in the party, coolers, etc.---and that is just one family. I get the diaper bag and purse but common sense about a park outing needs to come into play. I am in favor of the increased security measures. Disney is a symbol of American life and I do believe that it could be a target for groups that want to do harm in a pretty public way.

Its sad that it has come to this but it is so necessary

Confirmed: metal detectors at ALL major Orlando Parks (Disney, Universal, Sea World) as well as Disneyland. I'll be heading to Disneyland soon and will report back on how it goes.

Yep, national news just confirming. You heard it here first... though I honestly didn't see ALL major theme parks in Orlando doing it on the same day along with Disneyland. That was somewhat unexpected.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/walt-disney-world-installs-metal-detectors-park-entrances-article-1.2468611

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/os-disney-metal-detectors-security-20151217-story.html

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/disney-world-install-metal-detectors-orlando-theme/npmRf/

I have no problem with this. I would be fine with the x-rays to be honest. Part of what we have always loved about DW is feeling safe there. We were there over the Paris attacks too. I know this does not guarantee total security, but it is a big step and I do not think there is any way to guarantee safety any place. I think this is just our new reality and we have to get used to it.

So, looking at the pictures posted (Hat tip to WDWMagic.com) - it appears that it's just random screening for now - http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/gallery/17dec2015-magic-kingdom-metal-detectors-and-new-entry-policy/26230.htm

Honestly, that doesn't make me fee ANY safer. Maybe it's just that way till they can roll it out further.

Also, looks like 3rd party security operating the devices which makes sense given the quick rollout - and finally, I can't tell whether they have eliminated the guest with no bags line. That needs to happen and all guests need to go thru metal detectors in my opinion. If you are going to do it, do it right.

We'll see how this plays out in the coming weeks and months.

John;2475458 wrote: So, looking at the pictures posted (Hat tip to WDWMagic.com) - it appears that it's just random screening for now - http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/gallery/17dec2015-magic-kingdom-metal-detectors-and-new-entry-policy/26230.htm

Honestly, that doesn't make me fee ANY safer. Maybe it's just that way till they can roll it out further.

Also, looks like 3rd party security operating the devices which makes sense given the quick rollout - and finally, I can't tell whether they have eliminated the guest with no bags line. That needs to happen and all guests need to go thru metal detectors in my opinion. If you are going to do it, do it right.

We'll see how this plays out in the coming weeks and months.

I'm going to venture a guess that the metal detector line will be the "no bags" line. If they are going to continue bag searches as before, this is what makes the most sense.

The articles did say that "only select guests" will pass through the detectors.

Without being accused of profiling, the only way to do this is to make all guests without bags go through them.

Although Disneyland doesn't have a "no bags" line so who knows?

John;2475458 wrote: So, looking at the pictures posted (Hat tip to WDWMagic.com) - it appears that it's just random screening for now - http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/gallery/17dec2015-magic-kingdom-metal-detectors-and-new-entry-policy/26230.htm

Honestly, that doesn't make me fee ANY safer. Maybe it's just that way till they can roll it out further.

Also, looks like 3rd party security operating the devices which makes sense given the quick rollout - and finally, I can't tell whether they have eliminated the guest with no bags line. That needs to happen and all guests need to go thru metal detectors in my opinion. If you are going to do it, do it right.

We'll see how this plays out in the coming weeks and months.

I just watched a Periscope from the Magic Kingdom and that is what the person shooting was showing also. She was at the Magic Kingdom. They had two metal detectors setup on each side. A third party company was randomly scanning people. Maybe this is just in the beginning, and they will increase them.

Edit: I now see pictures of the metal detectors in place at Disneyland in California.

John;2475458 wrote: Also, looks like 3rd party security operating the devices

And she looks as magical as a TSA agent.