Recently, a Reddit user shared an experience that seems to be becoming increasingly common among Disney visitors: stricter and more detailed security screenings at the park entrances. According to the post, the guest was asked to empty every single item from their backpack — even having their wallet searched — something they said had never happened in their 20 years of visiting the parks.
“So I had this happen twice so far during our trip and wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing this. I got dinged going through security, waited in line, and pulled out my wallet and phone to put in the bin. After I put them in the bin, they wand me and then I unzip my bag. To my shock and dismay, I am asked to remove every single item from my backpack. They physically would not touch the backpack until every item was removed. I have never experienced this before. So with everything out and him looking through the bag, I go to grab my wallet and phone and he tells me to stop and that he has to look through my wallet. I was like what?!? My wallet? In 20 years of going to the parks they have never had me empty my bag or go through my wallet. Isn’t it their job to go through the bag with at least some of the items in it and remove what they need? You guys ever experienced this?”
This post has struck a chord with many visitors, sparking a flood of comments sharing similar stories and tips for dealing with the new security procedures.
One user shared advice they received directly from security personnel:
“On our last trip, security advised us to take our sunglasses cases, phones, and something else — I can’t remember — hold them in our hands with our arms outstretched, ‘like Mary Poppins,’ and walk through the scanner, and we likely wouldn’t get stopped again. And we didn’t.”
Another annual passholder chimed in with a practical approach they’ve adopted:
“I’m an annual passholder who hates getting pulled over by security. Based on a couple conversations with security personnel, it’s based on the quantity of metal clumped together. Now I take everything metal and electronic out of my bag — cell phone, sunglasses, keys, water bottle, Altoids mint tin, umbrella coin purse, etc. — and hold them in my hands with my arms stretched out straight in front of me like a zombie. I haven’t gotten stopped once since I started doing that.”
While many appreciate the increased vigilance, some are skeptical about how effective the measures truly are:
“That may be, but it’s not actually stopping armed guests from coming in (source: I have been witness to multiple events where weapons have made it through the parks only for other cast to find them and kick them out). HOB security is better than the parks for just the concert hall. I don’t really have a solution, just wanted to throw in that they do all of this stuff but people still get through with prohibited items.”
There’s also speculation that new incidents have prompted these changes:
“I read a story that someone got busted trying to sneak in a bunch of cocaine in their wallet. I wonder if they’re trying a new policy.”
Families navigating security lines expressed mixed feelings about the process:
“Being the family pack mule I get pulled for a search of my backpack about 50% of the time. I’ve kinda learned it was usually from umbrellas. Sometimes they take everything out and sometimes they just rummage. They have never even touched my wallet.”
One visitor recalled an uncomfortable encounter with a security guard during their recent visit:
“Last visit to HS earlier this month I got through clean and my 9-year-old son got dinged. When I started back to get in the line with him he tried to stop me. I responded politely that I was just going to stand with my son and he still refused. One more polite and two more stern objections and he still tried to refuse. Only after I told him to summon a supervisor and a uniformed law enforcement officer did he finally back off.”
Still, many guests acknowledge that these heightened measures are for everyone’s safety:
“I’m sure Disney is privy to some security concerns that maybe the public isn’t aware of and they are being extra cautious. I am very appreciative of their efforts and know I can relax once inside.”
Even guests with disabilities have noticed changes:
“I had this happen to me today, but with my wheelchair! I thought it was so strange. I have a wheelchair pouch attached to my seat back and it holds my footrests, cup holder, and air tire pump. I’ve never been asked to remove those things until today at Epcot. It’s good they’re being cautious.”
Others described the inconsistent and sometimes frustrating nature of the screenings:
“Happened to me just this week. Can’t remember which park as we did all 4 with day breaks at each so went through security a bunch. The first park we went to the security guard directing people to the lines told everyone to take out their umbrellas and hold in front of them to avoid setting off the machine. It was super helpful and it was the only time this was being done the 10 times we went through security. I went through fine doing that. The next time, I forgot about the umbrellas and then had to take every single thing out and it was A LOT of stuff that I had packed strategically, so it was annoying. Subsequent parks it seemed to randomly go off no matter what I did and the guards don’t know why it did. I showed up every time with the exact same things in my bag. Magic Kingdom seemed to be really sensitive and it flagged like 10 of us right in a row and the line to get checked thoroughly was quite large. I don’t mind being subjected to security but do get pretty annoyed when it makes me late for stuff because they don’t have 4 guards working the 4 inspection stations and they are being slow. If your machines are being ultra sensitive and flagging a lot of people, get the manpower in there to get us through in reasonable amount of time.”
As Disney continues to evaluate and update its security protocols, visitors are encouraged to come prepared by removing all metal and electronic items from bags and holding them visibly to speed up their screening process. The inconvenience may be frustrating, but most guests agree it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind while enjoying the magic.
THIS IS DEFINITELY OVERKILL SEARCH YOUR WALLET IS BS!!
I had a DISNEY BEACH TOWEL and the stupid woman guard had my husband WALK THRU the radar with the BEACH TOWEL completely unfolded and hanging in front of him and if you think this is security we’ll think again it is RIDICULOUS OVERKILL and I think frustration revenge by the security guard ENOUGH OF THIS STUPIDITY
I agree. Disney has gone to far especially when they take everything out of a person’s backpack, treat you like a criminal and wand you when they can see that you only have shorts and a top on and the security line gets longer and longer. This is totally an invasion and way over the top. I want to go back to when we could just go to the parks, no reservations and no security guards and not given the third degree. I even have a see through backpack. I don’t have this much problem when I am flying and going through security. I have gotten to the point that I don’t care if I ever go to Disney again. I will go someplace else where they aren’t so crazy.
Sounds like a Communist country.
It’s all because years ago, we let the enemy come within us. And now they are already in the country. So yeah, what do you do besides have Gestapo!! Style cks. I wish Disney would go broke and deathly, fire Bob iger.
It’s a Reddit post I am finding that most stuff there is not true. That said I never bring a bag into the park, all I have is my magic band and maybe a point and shoot camera. I hold the camera and batteries out in front of me and go right through
I agree.
Something in the bag tripped the scanner and they probably should have just wand’ed the contents when it was emptied to find the offending item since they don’t have airport level scanners. Disney needs to spend time in training here. I once had my X300 flashlight on me and was questioned about it by security as a “firearm”. No dude it can clip to the right type of firearm with a rail on it, but it just happens to be a accessory at best. It’s very short , bright and easily pocketable vs most other “pocket” flashlights. I had to explain this to the security guard at EPCOT. Nevermind that he didn’t (and still don’t) check over ECVs or baby strollers. If I wanted to bring in a firearm, a simple duct tape job under the bottom of the ecv would be enough. Heck, for as little checking they actually do, I could tape it under the seat and breeze on by. They’re not much better than TSA, but with less equipment to help them with their job. It’s all for show.
I WILL NOT UNDERSTAND ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LET THESE MORONS GO THRU MY WALLET WHICH IS MY PERSONAL PROPERTY CONTAINING PERSONAL INFORMATION THAT COULD FALL OUT DURING THEIR “SEARCH” THEN THERE WILL BE A LAW SUIT GUARANTEED THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AND UNCALLED FOR SO YOU HAD BETTER STOP THIS CRAP
I BETTER NEVER SEE A MUSLIM GO THRU IN A FULL BERKA AND NOT BEING STRIPED SEARCH TO SEE IF IT IS A MAN OR WOMAN OR WHAT THEY COULD BE HIDING THE SAME GOES FOR THE RAGS ON THEIR HEADS
What’s next STRIP SEARCHING