Bag Check! Ive had enough of it.

[Mac4life30]

Its Monday and I need to vent a little. I would like to first say that that I have no desire to offend anyone or turn this thread into one of those arguing threads. If you believe the bag checks keep you safe at Disney then I respect that. I however find them to be more of a hassle than anything else. I was at Epcot Thursday and the line to get through bag check was crazy. I then competed in the Wine and Dine Marathon this weekend. After running for two hours I just wanted to get into Epcot and relax. Instead I was forced to wait in a long line to go through bag check. Really what could someone who just ran 13.1 miles and is exhausted possibly bring into the parks???

Also what are you looking for? Guns? Not possible since you can bring that on you. A Bomb? Again your wasting your time considering that in the world we live in a bomb can be in your shoes/underwear. Also the security guards (nothing against them bless their hearts. They are usually older Disney employees I love them) however what kind of job are they doing. All they do is glance inside the bag no thorough check is even done. So what is the point of this check? We all know if someone wanted to get something inside they probably could anyways. So yes Disney’s intentions are good but they are doing a mediocre job at it. Its causing more of an inconvenience then the safety preventative is meant to be.

 

[SaraJayne]

Its Monday and I need to vent a little. I would like to first say that that I have no desire to offend anyone or turn this thread into one of those arguing threads. If you believe the bag checks keep you safe at Disney then I respect that. I however find them to be more of a hassle than anything else. I was at Epcot Thursday and the line to get through bag check was crazy. I then competed in the Wine and Dine Marathon this weekend. After running for two hours I just wanted to get into Epcot and relax. Instead I was forced to wait in a long line to go through bag check. Really what could someone who just ran 13.1 miles and is exhausted possibly bring into the parks???

Also what are you looking for? Guns? Not possible since you can bring that on you. A Bomb? Again your wasting your time considering that in the world we live in a bomb can be in your shoes/underwear. Also the security guards (nothing against them bless their hearts. They are usually older Disney employees I love them) however what kind of job are they doing. All they do is glance inside the bag no thorough check is even done. So what is the point of this check? We all know if someone wanted to get something inside they probably could anyways. So yes Disney’s intentions are good but they are doing a mediocre job at it. Its causing more of an inconvenience then the safety preventative is meant to be.

The purpose of the bag check is to slow people entering the park, so the "real" security can profile the crowd and check for "suspicious" people.

Oh, and in one case we saw at AK, prevent people from bringing in alcohol. Regardless of what you try to claim, brandy is not blood pressure medicine.

 

[2girlsmom]

I avoid this nuisance, by not carrying a bag in the parks. As far as what they are looking for, I am told weapons and illegal substances are the top of the list, and I agree that if someone really wanted to bring them in, they would still manage it, as the bag checks tend to be fairly quick and cursory. But it is definitely easy enough to avoid them, just put my phone in one pocket my keys/wallet in the other pocket of my jeans or shorts.

 

[nkereina]

I agree it seems as though bag check is useless, considering most of them just glance inside the bag so something can still be brought in. However, in this day and age, I don't think the answer is eliminating the bag check. Even though it would likely cause a larger back up, I am surprised they don't have x-ray machines people can throw their bags on. No metal detectors necessary. I just went to an NFL game and, as a woman, got a full pat down and had my bag searched. Happened to everyone, even kids. So I guess it could be worse.

 

[GillianP1301]

I agree with your vent, it's an unnecessary hassle. I get why they do it, they need to, at the very least, put on a front that they are "keeping bad things" out of their parks. If they didn't do the bag checks (whether you think they're are useful or not), they'd get backlash for being complacent and god forbid any nutjob were to get through their front gate, they'd be viewed as at fault and that would hurt their business. And ultimately, this is all about their business, bottom line and what risk they are willing to take on any issues that effect bottom line, security included. Basically, having bag checks at the front gate is good PR for them while (arguably) being a bit of a risk deterent.

Do I think they security checks actually stop any harmful stuff from getting into their parks? Not really. Because I don't think a nutjob that wants to cause harm to other people does it on a whim and would therefore get filtered at security, the nutjob (and I'm talking armed with something that could seriously injur or kill other people) is not stupid and will plan such a horrific event and would have little to no issue getting past a bag check.

I mean no disrespect to those working the bag checks, they are doing the job they were hired to do and it's not their fault that they are causing inconvenience to park patrons. I do think Disney need more of them at busy times, they should never be inconveniencing their paying customers more than a few minutes. Anything over 5 minutes is unacceptable to me.

 

[Jonell]

The purpose of the bag check is to slow people entering the park, so the "real" security can profile the crowd and check for "suspicious" people.

Oh, and in one case we saw at AK, prevent people from bringing in alcohol. Regardless of what you try to claim, brandy is not blood pressure medicine.

This past trip for the first time I actually saw a "real" security gaurd near the bag check line. He looked like any other guest but with an earpiece. My question is has anyone actually ever seen one of these "real" security guards pull someone out of the line and what is their process of "checking out" the "suspicious" people?

 

[Disney_Princess83]

The purpose of the bag check is to slow people entering the park, so the "real" security can profile the crowd and check for "suspicious" people.

This. It's also providing a "visual" deterrent to the general public bringing in items that they shouldn't. It's not really targeting "real" threats, as they will continue on and find a way to bring the items into the parks.

 

[SaraJayne]

This. It's also providing a "visual" deterrent to the general public bringing in items that they shouldn't. It's not really targeting "real" threats, as they will continue on and find a way to bring the items into the parks.

Ok, now you're just mocking my use of the quotation marks.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Ok, now you're just mocking my use of the quotation marks.

We're just in agreement!

 

[SaraJayne]

We're just in agreement!

 

[reiella]

The term is Security Theatre. And it's simply to provide a visual queue to the guests that something is being done, while hopefully the actual security measures are going on behind the scenes.

 

[cajunprincess]

I agree it seems as though bag check is useless, considering most of them just glance inside the bag so something can still be brought in. However, in this day and age, I don't think the answer is eliminating the bag check. Even though it would likely cause a larger back up, I am surprised they don't have x-ray machines people can throw their bags on. No metal detectors necessary. I just went to an NFL game and, as a woman, got a full pat down and had my bag searched. Happened to everyone, even kids. So I guess it could be worse.

I am surprised as well that they don't have metal detectors (that I am aware of). I have had some really good bag checks as to opening and searching and pulling out anything and everything in my bag, and I've had the point the flashlight at the bag and get out the way.

Like another poster said, it probably does slow the crowds down enough to profile people. Whether it's right or wrong, it's probably true.

 

[WedgieSock]

I often thought that bag checks were a waste of time. All they do is glimpse in your bag, how could they find anything?

But, when at AK last year, the security guard did his usual and poked that stick thing inside then he dug deep down in the backpack & pulled out a weird looking metal object. Don't even ask me what I thought it might be, I have NO clue. He asked the owner what it was and he said (and I thought this was odd) it was to allow him to open his wifes phone up and replace the battery if it died. Maybe there is such a thing, but I hadn't heard of it. The guard asked why he would need to do that, they can charge their phones at GS if need be and the guy said his wifes phone was 'special'

The security guard told him he could not take it in the park, he would have to pick it up at guest services on the way. The guy got really mad - to the point where other security were called in. By this time, my bag was checked and I was on my way so have no idea what happened after that.

I was just amazed that what seems to be a pointless bag check, he actually found something he didn't like the look of.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

This was possibly the iPhone "key" which is needed to open the back of the phone. Other phones need this as well.

I often thought that bag checks were a waste of time. All they do is glimpse in your bag, how could they find anything?

But, when at AK last year, the security guard did his usual and poked that stick thing inside then he dug deep down in the backpack & pulled out a weird looking metal object. Don't even ask me what I thought it might be, I have NO clue. He asked the owner what it was and he said (and I thought this was odd) it was to allow him to open his wifes phone up and replace the battery if it died. Maybe there is such a thing, but I hadn't heard of it. The guard asked why he would need to do that, they can charge their phones at GS if need be and the guy said his wifes phone was 'special'

The security guard told him he could not take it in the park, he would have to pick it up at guest services on the way. The guy got really mad - to the point where other security were called in. By this time, my bag was checked and I was on my way so have no idea what happened after that.

I was just amazed that what seems to be a pointless bag check, he actually found something he didn't like the look of.

 

[MrsDuck]

This is why we don't carry anything in the parks.

I'm all for the bag checks but don't want to wait in the line, so, I don't.

 

[BrerNashville]

Why is it that the Epcot bag check line is almost always a mob, but the rest of the parks seem to be pretty streamlined? I've never had to wait more than five minutes anywhere other than Epcot, which routinely takes at least 10 minutes to get through.

 

[reiella]

I often thought that bag checks were a waste of time. All they do is glimpse in your bag, how could they find anything?

But, when at AK last year, the security guard did his usual and poked that stick thing inside then he dug deep down in the backpack & pulled out a weird looking metal object. Don't even ask me what I thought it might be, I have NO clue. He asked the owner what it was and he said (and I thought this was odd) it was to allow him to open his wifes phone up and replace the battery if it died. Maybe there is such a thing, but I hadn't heard of it. The guard asked why he would need to do that, they can charge their phones at GS if need be and the guy said his wifes phone was 'special'

The security guard told him he could not take it in the park, he would have to pick it up at guest services on the way. The guy got really mad - to the point where other security were called in. By this time, my bag was checked and I was on my way so have no idea what happened after that.

I was just amazed that what seems to be a pointless bag check, he actually found something he didn't like the look of.

If its what I'm thinking of, its generally called a key. Generally it's used to enable a slimmer and more secure body profile. Having a change of batteries also isn't anything too odd since I'm sure few people want to trek over to GS to recharge their phone for an hour while they're in FLE.

 

[Lionqueen2]

Actually, I find the security check somewhat unsanitary. The guards keep poking that stick think and their flashlight in everyone's belongings. Who knows where those things have been or what they've touched before they use it them your bags? The guards all wear protective gloves, so there's no issue for them.

 

[disneydad78]

OP I agree, complete "act". Anyone could carry a gun or knife with them into the park. We have been saying that for years.

 

[WedgieSock]

Actually, I find the security check somewhat unsanitary. The guards keep poking that stick think and their flashlight in everyone's belongings. Who knows where those things have been or what they've touched before they use it them your bags? The guards all wear protective gloves, so there's no issue for them.

now I'm thinking unsanitary thoughts