The Dark Side of Disney - Leonard Kinsey [10]
The aforementioned trio of Newmeyer, McGeorge and I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find “back entrances” to the WDW parks. We actually trod through a swamp at one point, thinking that it would lead to an unguarded area of one of the parks, when actuality we came right up against a razor wire topped fence. The only legitimate back entrances are there for employees, and those are heavily guarded by multiple security gates. So scour Google Maps all you want, but trust me when I say that the perimeters of the parks are secured.
Years ago you used to be able to stand outside the exit gates and ask paying guests for their ticket stubs as they left the parks (or you’d just dig in the trash for them). You could then go to the entry gates to gain “re-entry”, and when the attendant unsuccessfully checked your fluorescent handstamp under the blacklight you’d have to try to convince them that you must have washed it off. Now, with the new biometric finger scanning system, they don’t fall for this shit anymore. Finger doesn’t match, no handstamp, no fucking way you’re getting in. We actually went so far as to “borrow” a handstamp from behind an unmanned gate at one point, but again, it’s unlikely this trick is going to work now that the finger scanners provide a second layer of bullshit detection.
All of the parks now have security people checking bags at entrances. If you try to sneak past security you will be immediately arrested. Go through like everyone else, and try not to look suspicious (i.e., don’t wear a black trench coat and a fedora). Don’t try to carry in any weapons or alcohol.
Once you get past security, the gates at the parks stretch for quite a distance, usually with the entrances in the middle, and exit gates on the far left and right. Thus, for gate jumping you have two options:
1. Sneak in through the exits.
Depending on the time of day there could be anywhere from 1-5 exit gates open. Obviously you’ll want to go later in the evening when there are fewer employees per gate, and more people are leaving so you can get lost in the crowd. You’ll want to go through the handicapped entrance as opposed to jumping the turnstile.
Honestly the only time jumping the exit gates is going to be even slightly non-risky is right after Illuminations/Fantasmic/Wishes ends, and the parks are clearing out. But at that point, why are you even bothering? In fact, a CM tells me that anytime after the evening entertainment finishes is essentially “open gate time” because they need all available manpower to herd people out of the park. So if you really just want to visit the park for 30-45 minutes, nobody is going to try to stop you from walking in at the end of the night.
Magic Kingdom Exit Queue
Epcot’s Entrance queue – the far right is the service entrance
Disney Hollywood Studios Entry Gate
As an aside, there is no good time to jump the exit gates at Animal Kingdom because it closes too early, and there is no big event at the end of the evening to cause massive exit crowds.
2. Sneak in through the entrances.
“I don’t like hearing about people jumping the turnstiles,” a CM told me. “Too many times I’ve seen kids jump the turnstiles and they end up kicking the gate attendants in the process, sometimes on purpose. A lot of the attendants are older folks, and I’ve seen them get seriously hurt. It ends up looking like a scene from “Clockwork Orange”, with these sad old people lying on the ground bleeding, and a bunch of hooligan kids running off laughing. I don’t care as much that these kids are getting in for free, because they probably wouldn’t have paid regardless, but when they start hurting other Cast Members, that’s when I get mad.” Moral of the story: don’t jump the turnstiles – use the handicapped gates instead! Oh, and don’t kick old people. Unless they deserve it.
Don’t