Security Guards

[Daisy'sMom]

Don't know if this is the right place for this.
I recently returned from a week at Disney. While in MK one day, I purchased a Jim Shore Disney piece for a friend that is a HUGE Jim Shore collector. Not thinking about security, we left MK and took the monorail over to Epcot for the remainder of the day. At the entrance, we were going thru the security line and watched the person in front of us that had a small box. The guard tore the box open and looked in. The poor woman was so upset. When it was my turn, I asked the guard to be careful, I showed him the receipt hoping that he would see it was just purchased at MK and told him it was a gift. The box was torn open, it has big tears in it now and when we could not get the tape off the styrofoam, he pushed the box towards me and walked away. He did not check my purse or the others in line.
I went over to Guest Relations and the CM said, what do you want me to do? I was shocked.
I am going to the Jim Shore signing this weekend at Epcot and if I purchase something, I am taking it directly to my car. I am still very upset with Disney for this.

[Buttercup]

That's sad. I guess they have a job to do, but you would think they could have easily been gentle with the packaging, even if it meant you standing to the side to open it up while they inspected the bags of other people (so the line wasn't held up).
Sorry about that experience. Doesn't sound very magical to me.

[disneymom15]

That's awful. I would have been upset too.

[DizneyRox]

As I've said, pay peanuts, hire monkeys...

In my experience lately with security at WDW, they seem to be much like the TSA and let the "power" go to their head.

[hubbyofadisneyholic]

I won't say all of them are bad, but some of them definitely are arrogant, bordering on totally rude.
When we were there 10 days ago there was one female guard from NJ that was very brusque and checked every nook and cranny. She would check one bag while the others were doing 3 or 4.
If they were all that thorough it would be one thing, but if each person uses their own standards it doesn't seem to be very effective IMHO.

[Mousemates]

So far we've never had a real problem with any of the security folks...no, not all of them are the chummiest folks in the world, but I don't really expect security personnel to be overly jovial.

[BellesRose]

I've actually had better experiences with Security than the actual CM's. They usually make jokes with me and sometimes they'll call me Princess or tell me to smile. The CM's either yell at me, roll their eyes at me, or ignore me.

I was at Epcot 2 days ago and they just looked through my bag and let me go...they didn't go out of their way to be nice (For the first time) but they certainly weren't rude.

I think that's terrible about what happened to your box and it's horrible how Guest Relations reacted as well.

[Gator]

I guess that's the downside to living 1 hour away from WDW. For those of us staying, we'd have the box shipped back to our room. Bummer though. I always have good experiences with entrance security.

[kakn7294]

Sorry for your experience. We've been lucky and mostly have nice security personel checking our bags. Of course, it helps that my bag is so small it actually can fit in my pocket.

[#1donaldfan]

I can certainly handle a rude, inconsistant security doing their job, enhancing the facade of "security" than trying to handle something horrible entering a park because people are above being checked and may complain !! I'm sorry, but the times we live in.....well, a bit of inconvience greatly outweighs potentially horrible acts .... oh, IMHO !!!

[WhereIsTigger?]

I still don't see the point of the security checkpoint. If someone were going to bring in something that could be a problem, all that needs to be done is hide it on your body rather than a bag.

[kakn7294]

I still don't see the point of the security checkpoint. If someone were going to bring in something that could be a problem, all that needs to be done is hide it on your body rather than a bag.

I agree but some people aren't that smart...

[TheRustyScupper]

In my experience lately with security at WDW, they seem to be much like the TSA and let the "power" go to their head.

1) How dare you insult WDW Security by comparing them to TSA?
2) That is worse than calling someone a lawyer!

3) As for the box, it is a shame the box was torn.
4) But, the guards are under orders to open boxes.
5) In this case, the OP might have pre-opened the box for the guard.
6) I don't think it was the guard's fault that the box was taped so well.

NOTE: As most readers of the site are aware, I criticize WDW frequently when they are wrong. However, there are times when guests must also take some responsibility.

[BrerGnat]

I still don't see the point of the security checkpoint. If someone were going to bring in something that could be a problem, all that needs to be done is hide it on your body rather than a bag.

It's to slow everyone down, so the REAL security guards (the ones NOT in uniform) can scan the crowd for "suspicious" behavior/individuals.

The bag checks are, mostly, for "show". Mostly, they find glass containers and small knives that are disposed of/confiscated.

If they were truly worried about weapons in the parks, they'd have metal detectors. And, they don't.

[disneylovinmom]

That stinks that you had that bad experience. I can see the need for security, but they do need to be respectful of the belongings of the guests who spend their hard earned money at the parks as well. I must say, though that I have always been asked politely by security to let them see inside any of my belongings.

[11290]

Have never seen them "open" boxes (coolers - yes), just look through bags and kind of stir stuff around.

[Figment!]

I went over to Guest Relations and the CM said, what do you want me to do? I was shocked.

Sorry to hear that Guest Relations did not satisfactorily address your issue.

If you wish, you can contact WDW Guest Communications at one of the following addresses to relay one or both of your poor experiences:

Postal Address:

Walt Disney World
Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista FL 32830-0040

E-mail Address:

[email protected]


For best response include your full name, postal address, phone number, and the best time of day to be called.

[2Epcot]

I've never taken a package through security, but if I do I certainly will have it already opened. Usually I have things opened anyway to make it easier to get through the line.

[BiloxiMom]

At the risk of being flamed... I've found those security people rude, rude, rude. They serve absolutely NO purpose. I had one go through every bag, the diaper bag, the camera bag, and the back of our double stroller. It was ridiculuos. Really. Stupid. I would have been livid at them ruining my box. The very least the CM could have done was offer to get you another box and have it shipped to you. I have complained to Disney about these people before, and will continue to do so. I am no longer friendly to them. I certainly don't want to be called princess or told to smile by one of them. They are definitely NOT cast members. Ick... This trip, we are not bringing any bags, purses, or strollers. I will gladly stick my tongue at them as I go strolling by! HA!

[BraddyB]

Seriously why is everyone on the TSA's back? They do their job..you complain If they didn't do their job, you would complain. Like them or not, if they save one life its worth it. Just something to think about.