One of the best parts of your Disney World vacation is the first day you get to enter a park. Being anxious to get into a Disney theme park is understandable, there is so much fun waiting for guests beyond the gate. However, safety is a priority and guests will have to go through security before entering a theme park. All guests entering parks, and their belongings are subject to screening and security checks. To get into a park as fast as possible, follow these tips.
The very first tip to get into a Disney Theme Park as fast as possible is to purchase your park tickets prior to the day of visit. This will save guests time by avoiding an additional line.
Next, be aware of lines. Guests get caught up in the excitement of being at a Disney theme park and tend to follow the crowds. Instead, look all the way to the right and left, as these entrance lines tend to be shorter.
If you are an Annual Passholder, look for the red sign featuring Mickey Mouse for your private entrance line. Only Annual Passholders are allowed to use these special entry points.
While you are in line, there are things to do to save time, prior to getting to the security guard at the check table. This includes removing all bags or purses from your person. Guards will ask you to do so anyways. Additionally, be sure to unzip ALL zippered openings on any bags you are carrying. This will be done regardless and doing so in line saves a step for everyone. If you are carrying many items, a Ziploc bag makes a great storage solution within your backpack (a Savear tip). The bags are see-through for easy screening and easily removable.
Once you reach the tables, move your items and bags onto the table as soon as there is room. No one is exempt from having their belongings checked. I have seen guests get frustrated over having to open up everything, such a sunglass case. However, be patient and kind with the guards, and you will soon be on your way.
If you are one of the lucky guests (subjective), you will be asked to step through a medal detector. One trip my husband was asked to do this at almost every park, last trip I was the lucky one. This is truly random, do not take it personally. Tip from a Savear: Remove any Disney Pins on your person prior to entering the medal detector. Children will not be asked.
When it comes time to scan your MagicBand for entry, note that both sides are usable. Additionally, you will be asked to enter your finger. Be sure to use the same finger each time, this increases the chances of getting a green light at every entry.
Following these tips will get you into a Disney theme park faster. More than this, it allows everyone to enter the parks quicker, by not holding up guests behind you in line.
Thank You, Sara A.
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.
Jennifer says
Additional tips:
1. Remember your keys and belts could set of the detector/wand.
2. For those of us with service animals, don’t forget to prepare for a possible wand check of your “,helper” after all their little D Rings on their vests, their tags, and/or microchips could cause a beep from the wands. You could make a practice wand and have a trusted friend use on your “helper”.
3. For those of us with service animals, be sure to have and use acceptable leases. We went to Downtown Disneyland spontaneously on our way back home and was lucky that Disney was just starting to not allow the retractable leases with cord strings and that my “helper” is small. This was a good while back.
4. Before you even leave your hotel or villa, be sure to know about parking charges, if you drive and park at any of the Disney properties. You don’t want having to figure it all out after there but instead know you have x hours to set your “parking alarm”.
Have a magical trip!