Disney has beefed up their security measures, It pays to be prepared and be early.
During an unseasonably busy week in October, it took 10 minutes to get from the back of the line, which stretched well into the bus drop-off area, to the plaza between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Along with a bag search that has been in place since 9/11, there is now a random metal detector check. Out of 5 days, my group was required to go through it twice. Empty your pockets; remove pins and buttons.
The process seems to be streamlined enough. It was only about 10 minutes, and cast members were professional and friendly. It is still a major inconvenience if you happen to be late for a meal reservation, or you just want to get into the park. One question is, “Will these new security measures actually make a difference?” They don’t make me feel any safer, and they seem like a huge waste of time. (Like I said, “I just want to get into the park, man! C’mon!”)
The real question is how do you get through the lines faster? Line speed will depend on how many strollers and bags there are in front of you. The strollers are checked, and it is less efficient than just checking a bag because the security cast member needs to bend down to do so. They do take up more space in line, but this doesn’t seem to overcome the inconvenience. Your best bet is to find the lane with the fewest bags. (Rumor has it that there is a checkpoint for those without bags.)
It appeared that the lines on the outside were less populous than those on the inside. It makes sense since a majority of buses drop off to the inside lane and guests walking to the park end up there as well. Move toward the outside if you can, just don’t cross into the bus transit area.
Others have said that the security lines have extended into Downtown Disney. We did not visit that side of the park.
Do these new security measures make you feel safer when visiting the Disney Parks? Take the poll below.
The process seems to be streamlined enough. It was only about 10 minutes, and cast members were professional and friendly. It is still a major inconvenience if you happen to be late for a meal reservation, or you just want to get into the park. One question is, “Will these new security measures actually make a difference?” They don’t make me feel any safer, and they seem like a huge waste of time. (Like I said, “I just want to get into the park, man! C’mon!”)
The real question is how do you get through the lines faster? Line speed will depend on how many strollers and bags there are in front of you. The strollers are checked, and it is less efficient than just checking a bag because the security cast member needs to bend down to do so. They do take up more space in line, but this doesn’t seem to overcome the inconvenience. Your best bet is to find the lane with the fewest bags. (Rumor has it that there is a checkpoint for those without bags.)
It appeared that the lines on the outside were less populous than those on the inside. It makes sense since a majority of buses drop off to the inside lane and guests walking to the park end up there as well. Move toward the outside if you can, just don’t cross into the bus transit area.
Others have said that the security lines have extended into Downtown Disney. We did not visit that side of the park.
Do these new security measures make you feel safer when visiting the Disney Parks? Take the poll below.