Trigger Warning (TW): mention of weapons
My husband and I just parked the car in the Peter Pan section of the Magic Kingdom lot. Our chins were held high as we promenaded in anticipation for the magical day ahead of us. That feeling of being in the Disney bubble always excites the senses. We were approaching the entrance of the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC), where there are metal detectors and security cast members performing bag checks. Disney practices some of the top safety measures to protect everyone in the park, and in order to board the monorail or ferry boats everyone must be cleared by security. I usually feel confidently safer in Disney World than somewhere else like the local malls. Just on the other side of security, our friends were waiting for us so we could take the monorail together.
It was Luke's turn to walk through the metal detector before me. As soon as he crossed, the machine rang like a bell. This was no surprise because he didn't have his battery bag in his hand, which helps to do so - it can make the process a lot faster. This time we forgot to be proactive, so we were instructed to step aside for a routine bag search. While poking around in his bag, the female cast member was chipper and making friendly conversation while we patiently waited for all of his bag contents to be accounted for. She located the battery pack and removed it.
"That's probably what did it," she admitted as she set it aside.
A little bit of backstory: Luke works at a restaurant and always carries a backpack with him. Whether he is at work, running errands, or at Disney - I refer to him as a boy scout because he is always prepared with a first-aid kit, a change of clothes, extra shoes, and portable chargers. All of his backpacks are military style with dozens of large and small pockets. This backpack happened to be the same one he took to work all week long. Before we left the house, he emptied it out - removing his work keys, a pocket knife, and a other materials to create space for our Disney essentials. We would soon find out we missed a very large item that should have stayed behind.
The security guard, who was elbow deep in his bag, suddenly looked up at him, her eyes widening. She slowly pulled away from the bag, revealing a sheathed chef's knife in her hand. For perspective, this knife is enormous - about the size of the one used by Michael Myers. Our security cast member looked warily at us both, she unhurriedly whispers into her ear piece that a supervisor needs to come over to our station. My jaw was dropped in astonishment. Luke, just as surprised as everyone, apologized over and over again, even to me as he noticed my expression. He smoothly explains that he owns the knife and brings this bag to the restaurant he works at. Suddenly, there were 4 to 5 security guards crowding us. I froze in nervous laughter as I glanced to the other side and can see our friends waiting from a distance - not sure what the hold up is. I immediately thought this would be the closest I would get to Disney ever again.
Luke is tranquil compared to the internal screaming happening in my head. The additional security guards must have sensed my anxiety, or maybe the slight embarrassment, and quickly told me we would be alright.
"Are you sure?" I hesitated, "I've heard the crazy stories of people being banned for things like this."
They shook their heads, reassuring me that this was seen as a transparent mistake. The supervisor informed Luke that he had two options: he could return the potentially dangerous weapon to our car, or they could dispose of it themselves. There was only ever one option for Luke, and that was keeping the knife in the car. He collects knives of all purposes, but this one was more valuable and functional than the many others back at home. So he mindfully concealed the knife close to his body and made his way back to the Peter Pan section. I was cleared to walk through to the other side to meet our friends, recounting the sequence of events that just occurred. When Luke returned, he went through security again seamlessly and without a hiccup.
Believe it or not, many people have attempted to go through Disney security with much more threatening items, whether on accident or not. We were told about a time that a newlywed couple was on their honeymoon. In their situation, they accidentally left a gun in one of their bags. Naturally, the initial discovery of this by security was met with alarm. But they expressed to the couple that if they could rule it as a genuine mistake, it's possible the supervisor would clear them to enter the park without the weapon. However, the supervisor automatically turned them away and banned them from being on Disney property again without ever investigating it further. This was the right decision, but became my ultimate fear in this moment. I am grateful the error was met with understanding and the cast members continue to put guests' safety first.
Moral of the story is if you're going to carry a bag in the parks - designate one bag just for Disney and make sure no surprises are hidden anywhere!
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