Cedar Point new security checkpoint

Have there been an increasing number of amusement park security threats in the last few years, or is this just a precautions action?

Would it really be necessary to do this EV-ER-Y day, just because something might happen?

Pete said:

I'm so tired of the inconvenience of these security checkpoints in so many different places. It seems like the highly creative solution to security these days is to electronically frisk everyone like common criminals.

Exactly this. And as a paying customer, I really, really don't like being treated like a criminal.

I was at the park Monday and there was nothing at the Soak City entrance. If the park was actually having problems with violence like some other parks seem to I might understand it but I can't ever say that I have seen problems when I'm there and I'm there a lot. I don't feel we need full time security check points. Like I said way earlier in this thread when there is an actual credible increase for some type of threat I don't mind temporary measures but I have no interest in living like that everyday. If they set up checkpoints for CP and Soak City seriously on a day like last Monday I could potentially be getting checked 3 times or more going back and forth between the parks if not more for trips out to the car taking back wet clothes or things we bought and don't want to carry. It becomes more than a one time inconvenience and turns in to a hassle.

That hassle, while potentially small, would do a great deal to discourage exiting and re-entering the park. That's no good at the beach gate in particular. Don't they want guests to flow freely between park and beach?

With all those games they have set up on the beach now you would think so.

They were checking people today at both the Soak City and Marina gates. They were pretty efficient and polite so I didn't have any issues. I think its a good thing to head off problems.

When you say checking what all is that involving at this point?

As long as they aren't doing this, then that's fine.

Well if I run into that tomorrow I will definitly be unhappy...but seriously do I have to empty pockets and all that or what?

I got there tonight around 6. They just had wands and a table set up back by the soak city entrance. They had the guys in front of me turn their pockets inside out, but I did not have to even though I was wearing shorts. I was just scanned with the wand. I also had a small cross body bag that they did not open, but I was putting my pass inside it while they ran the wand over me. It beeped and she just asked if I had my cell phone in there, which I did, and she just let me go. It took about 2 seconds. I saw larger bags opened on the table by the marina entrance when driving by, so I think it varies depending on clothing and the size of the bags. Really didn't take long at all.

Also if tomorrow is anything like today, the park was so empty! Nearly able to walk on pretty much any ride and it was great weather. Only bad thing was Maverick and TTD were both down at night after I got there.

DSShives said:

I think its a good thing to head off problems.

This type of thinking scares the hell out of me.

"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." --Benjamin Franklin

At the point that security becomes too much of a hassle, inconvenience, or invasion of privacy for someone they need to provide the park with their feedback. If nothing changes, speak with your wallet instead.

"It starts with wands and checking pockets, and the next thing you know, there's a finger in your butt." -- Abraham Lincoln

Especially with Marina dockers, where many go in and out of the park multiple times a day, it becomes a significant inconvenience and even somewhat creepy to be wanded that much.

Coming in 2016 -- Cedar Point's all-new Checkpoint FastLane!

Pete said:

Especially with Marina dockers, where many go in and out of the park multiple times a day, it becomes a significant inconvenience and even somewhat creepy to be wanded that much.

And while I've only been through this nonsense on my last trip, it was completely annoying. I had to empty everything out of my pockets, but forgot my FitBit One, which was actually clipped to my front pants pocket, and fully visible to Rambo. That wasn't enough for him, so I had to pull that off as well so he could wand me a few more times. The process took a few minutes, so I can only imagine what a mess this will be when the first Halloweekends Saturday with nice weather comes around.

My family has been through security checkpoints last summer at Dorney and HersheyPark, and this year at Kennywood. I think it's probably just a matter of time before it's a regular thing at every park unfortunately. I will say it was done very efficiently at Dorney and Hershey and was nothing more than a minor delay and inconvenience. Kennywood on the other hand was a total cluster-you-know-what. Their procedure created such a bottleneck and delay that it took over 20 minutes to get into the park from the ticket booth.

I had a couple of eyeglass wipes that I left behind in a pocket at Kings Island. The slight bit of foil in the lining of the wrapper was enough to set off the wand.

So, yeah, depending on their sensitivity setting, you have to take everything out of your pockets to make sure you don't miss anything. Blech.

Meanwhile, inside the park, there is probably LESS visible security than there usually is because all of the officers are outside the gate playing with their wands.

This is all theater. Anyone that wants to get a weapon into Cedar Point or any other amusement park and do damage is going to figure out a way, with or without these checkpoints. Or they'll just shoot up the people waiting in line to be wanded.

I'm not a fan of this idea.