new Magic Kingdom security screening

It's about time! That bottleneck at the NO entrance was always so annoying. They did something similar at Disneyland and it works really well to spread out the security check so no one area is a choke point.

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I agree - I'm surprised it took this long.

I have to say though, the best theme park screening must have been Universal. Even though everyone comes to a big screening area, it is so large and so quick that there was only a couple of people in the lines, we flew through - even with Mom in her ECV.

Do you suppose these checkpoints at the resorts will be on the monorail platforms?

We stayed at the Poly over Mardi Gras break and the platform was backed up almost into the building on several occasions.

The only thing that concerns be about this change is...what if you are not going to the park? Guests will still be subject to bag check upon all entry onto the monorail? Is that ok?

I know that many times we use the monorail to get to dining reservations and to resort hop. I can't imagine having to go through security every time I want to go visit each resort on the monorail loop. So that would mean if I start at MK and want to do the loop visiting each resort, I'd be going though security 3 times, 4 if I arrive at MK on a bus. That's a little excessive - especially since I'm not even entering MK.

What if I want to go to Ft. Wilderness or wherever, and I bus to the MK to hop on the ferry...even then I will have to go through security to get to the boat launch.

Just some thoughts. I really want it to be a good thing. I definitely am not a fan of the bottleneck in front of the park.

From a security point of view, and the sometimes sad state of the world we live in, I for one appreciate that security is being checked before boarding the monorail and ferries.

buzznwoodysmom;2499502 wrote: Do you suppose these checkpoints at the resorts will be on the monorail platforms?

We stayed at the Poly over Mardi Gras break and the platform was backed up almost into the building on several occasions.

They will probably set up a checkpoint inside the hotels before going out to the monorail platform.

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cer;2499503 wrote: The only thing that concerns be about this change is...what if you are not going to the park? Guests will still be subject to bag check upon all entry onto the monorail? Is that ok?

I know that many times we use the monorail to get to dining reservations and to resort hop. I can't imagine having to go through security every time I want to go visit each resort on the monorail loop. So that would mean if I start at MK and want to do the loop visiting each resort, I'd be going though security 3 times, 4 if I arrive at MK on a bus. That's a little excessive - especially since I'm not even entering MK.

What if I want to go to Ft. Wilderness or wherever, and I bus to the MK to hop on the ferry...even then I will have to go through security to get to the boat launch.

Just some thoughts. I really want it to be a good thing. I definitely am not a fan of the bottleneck in front of the park.

I wonder the same. DH likes to carry his Gerber every day at home and most times at Disney except into the parks. If we are just resort hopping or doing DS, will they stop him? I know it's not allowed at parks and has been previously told to lock it up.

I had read somewhere that we would also have to do this before getting on any boats at the TCC and resorts. I can't figure out how this will be any better. If we are getting off of a boat won't we still have to go through security to get into Magic Kingdom?

Genie1953;2499514 wrote: I had read somewhere that we would also have to do this before getting on any boats at the TCC and resorts. I can't figure out how this will be any better. If we are getting off of a boat won't we still have to go through security to get into Magic Kingdom?

No, you won't. Once you go through security to get on whatever mode of transportation to get to the Magic Kingdom, you will already have been screened.

It is my understanding that they are trying to push the hassle of the experience (going through security) away from the gates so that by the time you get to the MK, you will have that magical experience of park entry just as it was before.

I think it's a good change -- similar crowd management to letting folks into MK prior to opening and not cramming them all out front for the opening show (I do miss the show, though).

My one tiny concern is ensuring that security procedures and enforcement remain absolutely homogeneous between the multiple checkpoints. It's easier to maintain quality at a single checkpoint, so there is some additional risk introduced with multiple instances and increased management overhead.

cer;2499587 wrote: It is my understanding that they are trying to push the hassle of the experience (going through security) away from the gates so that by the time you get to the MK, you will have that magical experience of park entry just as it was before.

Exactly, this is so the "Look mommy the castle!!!" moment is followed by a smoother entry into the park than 5-10 minutes standing in security lines and opening up bags. I like the change, even though it seems like it will be a bigger hassle for Disney going from one big security checkpoint to 5 smaller ones I guess? (transportation center + three monorail resorts + guests arriving by bus at MK)

Someone mentioned resort hopping and yes that will take some extra time, but the vast majority of guests in this area of the world are going to and from the MK so it's simply a matter of improving the experience for the many while inconveniencing the few.

I went through the new lines on Tuesday of this week. Came off the Ferry Boat, and it was a lot faster. I like the fact that they are now screening everyone. I did notice thought that they are not really screening strollers so that is the one loophole for gun smuggling right now. Strollers were not checked, I could easily strap a gun underneath a stroller - and bam, I am now in the park with one.

Imalismom;2499600 wrote: I went through the new lines on Tuesday of this week. Came off the Ferry Boat, and it was a lot faster. I like the fact that they are now screening everyone. I did notice thought that they are not really screening strollers so that is the one loophole for gun smuggling right now. Strollers were not checked, I could easily strap a gun underneath a stroller - and bam, I am now in the park with one.

I have often thought that security was kind of lax when it comes to strollers as well.

So it sounds like guests who park at MK or are returning from EPCOT to go to MK, will have to go through security before boarding a boat or the "express" monorail from TTC directly to MK? Then if everyone on the resort monorail is screened before entering the monorail, there must be a more direct route to the park entrance from the monorail station and boat docks? And then they will set up a security area just past the exit of the MK bus depot to screen guests arriving by bus? Interesting. That should definitely spread out some of the time and effort of screening everyone for the MK. As previously mentioned, the only negative will be an extra wait for guests using the monorail to go from one monorail resort to another.

I wonder if MK is the only park they'll do the screening like this? In my mind, I'm not sure how they might even set it up for other parks.