Cedar Point new security checkpoint

Another question I'd like to throw out there is why do people think these checkpoints are designed to stop a terrorist attac? It is all for small potatoes, kids sneaking beer, knives or small hand guns.

An organized terrorist attack could just storm the gate with assault weapons and kill hundreds before being put down by law enforcement. They don't seem to care if they themselves get killed. Or, what about suicide bombers with plastic explosives that would not be detected by metal detectors?

That's why this is just theater, to make people think they are secure and to stop underage drinking and maybe filter small personal weapons that would not be a part of any terrorist attack.

How bad/annoying has the wanding and detectors been on Tuesday/Wednesdays this season so far? My family's going Tuesday & Wednesday and I'd like an idea of what to expect (especially with having early entry since we're staying at Sandcastle)

If you're lucky, they won't have the checkpoint,. I really haven't seen them run the checkpoint often.

I've only encountered them on Sundays. The Sunday of Coastermania weekend I asked why they were doing it that day but not others, and was told "we're doing it at random times." I wanted to be smart and say how is every Sunday random but I bit my tongue.

They're clearly doing something very different at WDW, because there's little question that it's, at the very least, a deterrent. The sheer number of eyes on you at the gate is something that you can feel. The magnetometers are set to "sensitive as hell" I think, because my FitBit tripped one. It was not a significant impediment to entering the park (not as much as the always inadequate number of virtual turnstiles open at Epcot).

I tried an experiment yesterday by trying out all of the entrances with my phone in my pocket to see which wands were on. Only the Windseeker and Resort gates had functioning wands. The front and marina entrances were either not on, or the guards were lackadaisical about enforcing the rule.

Those wands have 2 settings, an audible beep and another setting where the wand vibrates.

I know, but the guard didn't even say anything in the front or marina entrance. They didn't beep at the resort or marina entrance either, but they definitely knew where my phone was. (It was in an obscure pocket to be sure they weren't guessing)

You don't really need a wand or walk-through magnetometer to detect a Sig Sauer MCX or an AR-15, you can't slip those in your pocket. Those seem to be the weapons of choice for terrorists/mass murderers. Unless you station the S.W.A.T. team at an entrance to a venue, with their weapons ready, the security staff/magnetometers will do little to thwart an organized terrorist organization.

We went thru security at Dorney a couple years ago, and it didn't bother me at all. It was consistent, and in a tent set up well away from the main gate, but yet you couldn't get to the gate without passing through it. The security guards were very friendly and efficient and it didn't delay us getting into the park by more than a couple seconds. We did Hershey on the same trip and it was the same. My experience with the security at CP has been that they are often rude and very short with the guests. I also just wish if they were going to do this at CP, they would just do it right and invest in walk-thru metal detectors. There's just something about being wanded that bothers me. It's fine if I set off a walk-thru and they want to check me closer, but otherwise seems a little ridiculous.

The checkpoint was alive and well today. Didn't take too long as they do wand you down very quick. Still a pain though!

The Resort gate guard was wanding both times I entered on Wednesday and Thursday of last week... one guy had to check bags and wand people. If they want to make this a serious thing they should at least have two officers on hand -- one to check bags, and one to wand. At least for those busier times when people are entering... like 9am and 4pm.

Do you think as the years go on that the security at the park will get tighter and tighter? Is the risk of some guy blowing himself up on the midway real?

Sure some guy could blow himself up on the midway, but these security checkpoints cause a bigger bottleneck than anywhere on the midway. Seems like someone looking to blow themselves up would have much more success walking right into the crowd at the security checkpoint and doing it.

Actually the largest bottlenecks are the Queue lines for the major rides, as there are mass amounts of people with many barriers and obstacles barring quick dispersion. Setting off a small IED in the middle of MF, Maverick, Raptor queue would have a massive impact with very high difficulty for easy access for first responders.

Also, I feel that maybe these security presence deterrents are doing exactly what they are supposed to do. In the case of Orlando lone wolf style Terrorist, it may have been enough of a deterrent to move the attacker away from Disney.

In addition to deterring lone wolf style attacks, these security teams also serve as deterrents to the large group style rushes on the gate, where CP, KI and SiFGA have had bus load of teens rush the gate knowing that most of them will get through without paying (and these are the same people that will line jump as well).

Seriously? A girl with a wand is going to stop a rushing mob? I think you watched "Mall Cop" one too many times.

I'm convinced the benefit to the park with these checkpoints is to give timid, scared guests confidence that the park is doing something about security so they don't stay away.

You don't need a wand to detect an AR-15. I seriously doubt the front gate Disney checkpoint was a deterrent, you could kill as many people by just shooting up the front gate as the murder did in the night club. It is easier and more convenient to go to a night club than it is to make your way to the front gate of Disney or CP.

As far as the question of someone blowing themselves up on the midway, don't worry about it, checkpoint or no checkpoint.

It's all about security theater Pete! They might as well make this part of Live E and be done with it.

Deterrent.

Have there been waits for the check point been during early entry? Long enough to have to plan to arrive early or no? I usually just mosey in for an evening but I'm going with someone for early entry Friday and I would hate to waste a chunk of it waiting for our turn to dump our pockets out.

I wouldn't know, as I get there as they're setting up at 8 am most times. (Less time I have to be in my house, the better)