security – WDWNT Archive

BREAKING: New Security Measures at Walt Disney World Hotels, “Do Not Disturb” Room Signs Being Removed

WDWNT on May 28, 2017

Beginning with the three monorail resorts near the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort Hotels will no longer provide guests with “Do Not Disturb” signs to put on their doors. The signs will be replaced with “Room Occupied” signs that will notify cast members that guests are in the rooms. However, these guests will be “disturbed” at some point, as it will now be required that a Disney employee enter their hotel room at least once a day to ensure guest safety.

If you choose to forgo housekeeping on a given day, the Disney terms of service state that “the hotel and its staff reserve the right to enter your room for any purposes including, but not limited to, performing maintenance and repairs or checking on the safety and security of guests and property.” Disney states that cast members will give reasonable notice prior to entering by knocking and announcing that they will enter.

The popular theory is that this is a response to the incident that happened in Vegas earlier this year. The monorail resorts are quite tall and offer similar vantage points of crowded guest areas, as well as Walt Disney World transportation such as monorails, buses, and watercraft. Disney is not publicly stating why they are making the change though.

Guests at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary Resorts should find a paper in their rooms today noting the change. These changes are expected to roll out to other Walt Disney World Resort Hotels in the coming weeks.

DVC Resorts Now Have Daily Trash Service; Likely Related to New WDW Resort Security Measures

WDWNT on May 28, 2017

On the heels of the new resort security measures we reported this morning, it appears that DVC resorts are also implementing some changes that may be related.

In an email sent today to Disney Vacation Club members, a change to the longstanding policy of trash removal every fourth day was announced:

Your in-room experience has never been more important to us. That’s why we will begin removing trash from your rooms at Disney Vacation Club resorts on a daily basis in addition to regular housekeeping visits. The daily service begins December 22, 2017, at five resort properties (Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian, Disney’s Grand Californian and Aulani). The service extends to all other Disney Vacation Club resorts on January 7, 2018.

Is it mere coincidence that this announcement came today, and the changes begin today, the same day that Disney is removing the “Do Not Disturb” signs from guest rooms at the three monorail resorts on Walt Disney World property?

The trash service policies are part of the official DVC Rules and Regulations:

Daily trash service has been on the wish list of many DVC members for as long as I can remember. Whilst members were always able to carry their full trash bags to a local dumpster, many felt removing your own trash made the vacation experience much less magical.

Presumably, the new security requirement across WDW that a Disney employee enter their hotel room at least once a day to ensure guest safety is something simple to implement for resorts where daily housekeeping service is the norm. For DVC resorts, where it is not the norm, having a Cast Member visit your room daily will require additional manpower to implement. And since extra personnel are going to be knocking on doors anyway, why not have them grab the trash while they are in your room? That would seem to make for a win-win situation for Disney and DVC members, and as we’ve now seen, also allows Disney to put a favorable spin on this new security regimen.

RUMOR: Magic Kingdom Security to be Restructured, Screening for Most Moving to TTC and Resort Hotels

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

It seems as though Disney may be trying to create a better guest flow at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom by moving the security perimeter of the park further out.

If all goes according to rumored plans, guests parking at the Transportation and Ticket Center will go through security bag check and metal detectors after they exit the parking lot trams, but before the board any monorails or a ferryboat to the park. These guests will then be able to walk directly to the Magic Kingdom turnstiles (or touch points as the kids call them these days) once disembarking at the park’s monorail station or ferryboat dock.

Supposedly, this would lead to security screening areas being added at the various monorail platforms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Guests taking a bus or resort launch to the Magic Kingdom would still be screened just outside of the park at new checkpoints. Guests walking over from Disney’s Contemporary Resort on the small walkway between the hotel and the Magic Kingdom will also have their own checkpoint (which is already being done at select times of the day).

Disney has not yet made any comment about the changes, so they are simply in the realm of rumor for now. However, recent construction work being conducted at the Transportation and Ticket Center and at the Magic Kingdom park entrance are pointing towards the change. It is unknown when the changes would take place, if they ever do materialize.

What do you think? Would this be a positive change in your opinion?

PHOTOS: New Magic Kingdom Security Checkpoints Being Constructed

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

As we reported earlier this week, rumors were indicating that the Magic Kingdom would be moving its security checkpoints further out. Well, it appears that construction has begun on the new checkpoints for guests on watercraft and busses.

This screening area will likely be for guests coming off of the Walt Disney World busses. The temporary tents are being used during the test and adjust period. Permanent structures would be built once the best permanent location is determined.

The first set of tents would house the bag check. The second is for the metal detectors.

Guests arriving via watercraft would have their own security checkpoint as well.

Rumors indicate that monorail and ferryboat guests will be screened at the Transportation and Ticket Center, but we didn’t see any tents erected there as of yet. Guests at resorts taking the monorail would be screened at the loading platform if all of this should pan out.

PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 1/30/17 (Festival of the Arts, New Merchandise, New Bands, Etc.)

WDWNT on February 6, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us to Epcot for the Festival of the Arts, new merchandise, and more!

It’s a Zoo Out There

A slew of new open edition pins were released recently, including Zootopia and compact mirror designs.

There is no actual mirror in these pins, but the silver works sort of like one. I don’t know, these seem kind of dumb to me…

This one actually has a mirror, which makes sense.

The last piece of history pin for 2016 was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, so I had to have it.

It has been out for a few weeks now, but the new Mickey Mouse Bubble Glow Wand is proving popular with guests.

And now, some ducks.

Security at the Speed of a Sloth

Since December, the security screening at Epcot has been a disaster, with everyone going through the metal detectors. Guests with bags now have their bag inspected while they go through the detector, which is some cases takes 1-2 minutes per guest. I hate to say this, but the Universal Orlando process where bags go through a screening machine (I believe Disneyland Paris has this as well) works a million times better than this. Safety is obviously important, but it shouldn’t take anyone 30 minutes to get into a park.

Epcot turnstiles are often mess as well, as never quite enough seem to be open at peak times. The annual pass holder entry lines are a mixed bag, more often than not being longer that the regular lines, especially in January.

Here is the line for guests with bags to go through security from another day.

And here is an annual pass holder entry line on a Festival of the Arts weekend…

Around Our World

Work continues on Choza Tequila outside of the Mexico pavilion, which will open sometime this year.

A new group called Wies N Buam is now performing in the Germany pavilion at Epcot.

The new Dixie napkin holders are suddenly appearing everywhere around the resort.

I finally decided to try to the flavored popcorn at the cart by Imagination! on a recent visit to the park.

I ordered the Buffalo Bleu Cheese…

It was really great, I will be back for more!

Someone I was meeting up with said they would be there in 45 minutes, so I wanted to waste 45 minutes…

WHAT ARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, BOB?

It was about 30 degrees outside and these were on…

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 12/2/16 (Railroad Bridges Installed, Star Wars Land, New Security Checkpoints, Paper Bag: The Ride, ETC.)

WDWNT on December 12, 2016

Disneyland Reporter Conner Purzycki brings us back to the Disneyland Resort to see all that is new and exciting in his latest photo report. The Rivers of America are taking shape quickly, the tarps are growing on Tower of Terror, and a security shake-up of massive proportions is underway at the Resort, so let’s check it all out!

The Disneyland Resort has also introduced a preferred parking program. That being said, parking this far away from the parks does seem a bit insane for the price being charged.

Star Wars Land

Construction continues on the Star Wars themed land for Disneyland Park, visible from the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure.

Just below Big Thunder Mountain, you can get your first glimpse at the new train bridge (in white) for the Disneyland Railroad, which will take it past some waterfalls on the mountainside hiding the Star Wars Land from view.

A closeup also reveals some of the man-made rockwork around the bridge.

We can see more rock-work taking shape just on the other side of the ridge.

While the new Rivers of America area is speeding along, work has pretty much stalled on the rest of the site.

Security Changes and Area Enhancements

The terrible colored tile in the Mickey and Friends parking structure is finally being replaced with some more pleasant brick flooring.

New security checkpoints beyond Downtown Disney are being constructed, but still no word on when they will be completed. There is also a new tram stop being built.

It seems the new security checkpoint will be temporarily set up here until a more permanent solution is built.

To the fencing class teacher who has a free ad in the background, you can send that payment via check or PayPal.

Hopefully the finished product will look better than this…

Fences will ensure that guests who have not been screened can not enter.

Downtown Disney

This thing sis a Christmas decoration in Downtown Disney… we think…

More fencing up for another checkpoint near the Disneyland Hotel.

More Christmas obelisks… Please don’t send hate-mail.

The outdoor seating area at Tortilla Joe’s is finished.

Walls are up around the former House of Blues, which picked up and moved to the nearby Garden Walk mall. Last we had heard, a version of The Edison might find its way here.

Sprinkles opened recently with an awesome Tower of Terror costume on the front if it…

Work continues to add Curl Surf and Pandora shops nearby.

Disneyland Park

Mickey Mouse was out and about, meeting guests in Town Square.

Set-up for the Candlelight Processional is nearing completion behind the train station.

A Moana meet and greet has opened at the Aladdin’s Oasis area.

The Jingle Cruise has returned for 2016.

Work continues to get the Rivers of America ready for its Summer 2017 return, including the rumored enhancements to Fantasmic.

Disney California Adventure

It’s Christmas on Buena Vista Street.

All of the staging for the various nighttime parties that were held in the park over the last 6 years is now gone from Hollywood Land.

Sadly, the Sorcerer Mickey Mouse fountain was paved over at some point.

More scaffolding is going up on Paper Bag: The Ride… I mean the Twilight Zone Tarp of Terror.

The attraction will close formally after the new year, but work has already begun for the conversion into Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout.

The Festival of Holidays booths may be a bit expensive, but they are popular with guests.

Conner does us proud with the customary garbage can picture of the food he ordered.

If you thought Epcot price was bad, take a look at the slider price in California…

2017 merchandise has started to arrive at stores around the resort.

A selection of California Adventure merchandise was recently released as well.

And it features the Hollywood Tower Hotel…

The grizzly bear outside of Grizzly River Run has a giant holiday sweater and it lights up at night. This is the #1 reason I am visiting DCA next week.

We conclude our report with a look at the holiday decor inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

The annual gingerbread display is amazing, as always.

Disneyland Resort To Move Security Screenings to Include Downtown Disney

WDWNT on November 8, 2016

Security checkpoints at the Disneyland Resort are moving to include Downtown Disney

From the OC Register:

ANAHEIM – Disney is moving one of its security checkpoints so that Downtown Disney is pulled inside its secured area.

The move was expected to be completed by year’s end.

“We are moving the location of our bag-check and metal detectors to the point where guests enter our property through Downtown Disney and the Mickey & Friends parking structure,” a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman said.

Guests would be checked as soon as they left the Mickey & Friends parking structure before boarding the tram toward Downtown Disney.

Two other checkpoints are set to be added: one of them will be between ESPN Zone and Rainforest Cafe and the other between ESPN Zone and Earl of Sandwich restaurant. Officials said these would likely service guests coming from the hotels.

Officials hope the change will make it easier for guests: They could leave Disneyland or Disney California Adventure for Downtown Disney, a shopping and restaurant district, and return to one of the parks without going through a checkpoint for a second time.

Guests can already pass from one park to the other without going through a checkpoint.

The checkpoint on the east side of the parks, near the Harbor Boulevard entrance, is not moving for now.

Disney World Theme Parks Adjust Security Screenings Following Guest Attempting to Bring In Loaded Gun

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

Following Monday’s incident where a Louisiana man attempted to bring a loaded gun into Epcot, Walt Disney World Security has altered the way in which they are screening guests entering the park.

Gates force all guests without bags to funnel into a now mandatory metal detector screening at Hollywood Studios

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests without bags are now being directed down a new route where they are forced to be screened a metal detector. Previously, these screenings were at random, although it was not uncommon at select times to find occurrences where Disney security cast members would send everyone coming in through metal detector screenings.

It is unknown if this will be the new standard procedure or if it is just being done temporarily placate guests fearful after Monday’s incident.

Man arrested with two firearms at a Disneyland Paris’ Hotel New York

WDWNT on January 30, 2016

French radio station France Info is reporting that a 28-year-old man not known to Disneyland Paris’s security services is being held after trying to enter Hotel New York at Disneyland Paris whilst carrying two firearms.

Another radio broadcaster reports that the man was carrying two low-calibre weapons, cartridges and a Qur’an. This has not been confirmed by the police.

The weapons were found during a security check, and the guest reportedly gave no resistance to the resort’s security team. As a security precaution, the man’s car has also been cordoned off by local police.

France remains under a state of emergency since November’s extremist attacks in Paris where 130 people were killed.

UPDATE: Disneyland Paris has issued an official statement:

“During a routine security screening checkpoint at one of our hotels, weapons were discovered in a guest’s luggage, through our x-ray machine. The police were immediately notified and the individual was arrested. We continue to work closely with the authorities; and the safety and security of our guests and cast members is our utmost priority”

Disney Installs Metal Detectors at all US Parks

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

An unfortunate sign of the times, coupled with recent domestic and international acts of terrorism, has led the Walt Disney Company to decide to install metal detectors at the front gates of its US parks, at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

After a man tried to enter the Magic Kingdom with a gun last week, Disney has also announced that it will no longer sell toy guns in its parks, and that guests ages 14 and older will no longer be permitted to wear costumes.

In addition to Disney parks, Universal Orlando and Sea World have also installed metal detectors. The AMC theater at Disney Springs has also installed the devices for tonight’s premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

None of the parks have confirmed whether the metal detectors will be a permanent fixture or are only temporary. Although the structures look temporary, it is likely that more permanent structures would be built (after the busy holiday season) if the metal detectors are here to stay. The move puts the Orlando theme parks in line with Six Flags, which has had metal detectors at its parks for years, some even before the 9/11 attacks.

Tag: security