Before we dive in, let me be absolutely clear: this is not an article to help anyone bypass security or sneak prohibited items into the Walt Disney World theme parks. Instead, this is a set of practical tips from a father of two who has spent more time than I can count stuck in the physical bag-check line. While Disney’s robust security measures are essential to ensuring the parks remain safe for families, it can be frustrating to have your carefully planned rope-drop morning delayed by ten minutes due to secondary screening. While ten minutes doesn’t seem like a long time, to your family, it feels like an eternity when they have all woken up at 6:30 a.m. or earlier to beat the crowds, only to see said crowds rushing past them while you are stuck in line.
Disney’s security system is designed to detect concentrated clusters of metal, which could indicate weapons or other prohibited items. Unfortunately, many perfectly harmless items like umbrellas, metal water bottles, or breast pumps can trigger the alarm. These are often must-haves for a day at the park, so the goal is to minimize unnecessary delays while still following all the rules.
Here are my top suggestions for getting through security smoothly and efficiently:
- Keep Large Metal Items Separate
If you’re carrying multiple large metal objects, such as water bottles, umbrellas, or other bulky items, avoid piling them all together in one bag. Instead, spread them out across your group. Have each adult (or even a responsible teenager) carry at least one metal item on their own. This reduces the chance of creating a “metal cluster” that could set off the alarm. - Use the Arm Stretch Method
If you must carry multiple metal items yourself, hold them separately in each hand and keep them as far apart as possible. When walking through the scanner, extend one arm forward and keep the other arm back, so the items pass through one at a time. This technique can help security quickly identify the objects and avoid unnecessary delays. - Be Prepared to Reorganize
Before you approach the security checkpoint, take a moment to reorganize your belongings. If you know you have items likely to trigger the alarm, make them easily accessible for inspection. This small step can save valuable time if you’re asked to undergo a secondary bag check. It also ensures you are not holding up the line for everyone else.
Items to consider taking out of your bags to hold separately are:
- Umbrellas
- Metal Water Bottles
- Breast Pumps
- External Batteries
- Technology (iPad, Laptop, Camera, etc.)
- Metal Glasses Case
- Large Pin Collections
By staying organized and spreading out metal items, you can help streamline the process, get through security more quickly, and make the most of your Disney day. While it may not eliminate the occasional delay, these strategies can keep minor inconveniences from putting a damper on your park experience.
For more tips and suggestions, join in this discussion from this thread on the DISBoards.com.
