Are security check points necessary at theme parks?
Nothing like the old good days of walking directly to the park, but maybe is necessary.
I just find it a nuisance to have to take off my Fanny pack every time I go trough security; it reminds me of the airports.
I hope they will never make us take off our shoes.
I have only had to open my pack, never take it off!
Anyway, I guess to just put a quick check to make sure you are not brining any guns or anything. Perhaps thats what it has to do with because FL has less strict gun control laws than, say, NY. It reminds me when I had to go though a metal detector to get into the hockey game in AZ.
You have to go though a metal detector at SFGA so I think there are worse things than being checked!
I was at Dorney Park this past Friday and Saturday. Between the ticket booths and the ticket takers, security checkpoints are set up. Apparently they're doing this specifically for Haunt, and only for people arriving at 6pm or later. They're checking all bags, fanny packs, etc., AND scanning with a wand. They checked my pouch Friday night, although I had presented my phone, change, and key separately. Saturday I was in the park from 12-4, then went to Friendlys to eat. For some reason, the officer did not scan me or check my pouch on the way back in, although he certainly did everyone else. Maybe I just have an honest face? :)
To answer the question: Is it necessary? Maybe, maybe not, but better to be safe than sorry..as long as it's effective and quick.
At parks like SFMM I think so. At one point, this park was entirely unsafe. I've never experienced anything at the park, nor was I living in LA at the height of its crime.
As long as the security guards don't become power hungry with their "authority" then it's fine. Their intentions are to provide a safe environment for all guests.
DL's checkpoint seems to just be a bag inspection.
SFMM's includes a metal detector, bag check, and possible wanding if necessary.
Yeah I think it's necessary in most parks. I would say it's unlikely that anything would happen, but its better to be safe in this instance, as well as have the presence of security to deter those who might bring a weapon. Most of the big parks serve major cities, who battle gangs and other violent criminals. The last place that violence needs to be is at a theme park. Also there is the matter of gun laws. Ohio for example has a conceal/carry permit, and plenty of people in Ohio have a permit. Parks in Ohio have the right to ban guns from their property, but an open air environment such as an amusement park is often confused with (intentionally or not) a public place. Not that legal gun owners/carriers would bring a weapon with bad intentions, but a midway with a couple of thousand people on it isn't a good place for a shot to go off.
Here's another question regarding security? Why do you mainly see the guards at the entrance?
Disney is good about having roaming guards. But Six Flags, not so much. Personally, I would love to see guards wandering through queues and having line-skippers escorted to the end of the line.
The man that got stabbed to death in 1981 at Disneyland would think security check points were necessary.
From Rob P
Posted October 26, 2010 at 2:26 AM
Of course they are. Wouldn't you rather build an extra few minutes into the start of your day to ensure a safe and unworried day at the Park ? I know I would.
Every precaution needs to be taken to guard against all threats to our safe enjoyment of the Park we're visiting and I'm glad they're taking that initiative on my behalf.
What I don't understand is..... If they are worried about weapons, why do they only check your bag? (I'm talking about the Orlando parks) you could quite easily hide a gun or knife on your body and they would be none the wiser!
I think its mainly as a deterrent I guess? I mean, fair point made above (regarding orlando's bag only checks) but if they are seen to be making some form of security check, then I guess it makes the big wigs happy and the majority of the public happy knowing that they can (hopefully) be safe.
True dat... if a guest REALLY wanted to plant a bomb / stab Mickey / shoot a roller coaster... there are many ways he could sneak in his weapon of choice without being detected.
I guess it is more of a deterrant.
Like Samantha says, it's purely for image in Orlando. It gives a false sense of security to guests.
You never know, you could be letting someone in who would cause this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmvjsVSRXjg
If you wanted to bring a weapon or something else like that in to a theme park, it would be the easiest thing to do. Opening your backback and having a quick peep in is not to going to find a gun! I think its a waste of time unless they start doing a more thorough search, or scan. I was at Disney and Universal over the past two weeks. My bag had several compartments, only the main one was checked and that was just a quick look in the top, total waste of time unless I had a shotgun sticking out ;-)
Colin, I completely agree! A few years ago I actually got a very realistic looking pellet gun with the orange tip painted black past security. (Not on purpose!) My brother and I had identical backpacks and I grabbed the wrong one to take to the park. I didn't even notice until I was through the turnstiles that it was just sitting there on top with camo gear. Security had glanced in and waved me right on...eek.
It depends what the security people are looking for, and I want to feel safe at the parks. But if they are there to confiscate my cornuts, granola bars, fruit and water bottles (all of which have been taken up at various six flags parks) then I don't have much more of a safe feeling.
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