If you’re a fan of the contactless security screening process currently in place at the International Gateway entrance of EPCOT as well as at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, then you’ll be pleased to know that a third location has just debuted the new technology: Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We noticed construction underway at the entrance to the park yesterday, where workers were installing the new Evolv Express contactless bag check scanners to replace the older metal detectors. Today, these scanners are now in use.
However, with new technology comes new protocols, and the scene on the ground was somewhat disorderly, with some guests unfamiliar with the new scanning procedures. With the two temperature screening areas dumping guests out into the same security screening queues, there were some crowding and spacing issues.
With these new scanners, guests with smaller bags or purses can simply walk on through. Signage will direct guests to keep all their belongings in their bags as they pass through security, with the exception of umbrellas, aerosols, or large metal items. Guests with larger bags may still be asked to stand aside for a more thorough inspection or metal detector wand scan.
The new scanners can be seen in the middle of the photo above—they’re those big blue panels as guests walk on through.
For now, only one segment of scanners is open, and we hope that moving forward, both sections will be open for rope drop as guests rush in to get the first set of Rise of the Resistance Boarding Groups for the day. Hopefully, we’ll see a more organized method of funneling guests through this area as everyone grows accustomed to the new screening procedures, but for now, we appreciate the expedited security screening process now available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.