So on this past trip, we used security coming from the parking garages. Saturday, we got there around 8:30 ish for the morning hour and it was not bad at all. I think they said they have 24 metal detectors.
Sunday, we got there around 9:30 ish and man it was total craziness. I mean it just looks intimidating when it is crowded. The 'mob' was all the way back to where the parking moving sidewalks empty into that large area where both sides meet. This made it kind of difficult coming in from the bus/taxi escalator as you had to head back to find the end of the lines....one of the workers announced that the lines were shorter on the other side...working our way over there, we realized they were longer....I guess my only complaint is that it is a free for all up until you can see the tables, then single file lines start to form as opposed to groups standing next to each other were they are sort of in multiple lines.
I was wishing UNI would set up switch backs so there would be one line on each side that could open up to all the tables ( like the TSA tends to do). I think it ended up taking us 20 minutes to get through which was not that bad considering how crowded it was.
I could see that there are two metal detectors at the end of the walkway from The Hard Rock Hotel. I did not see how the boats are handling things now as on our last trip, they had wands at the walkways as well as at the boats.
I imagine this all might be a bit of a blessing come HHN time as I assume the City Walk security will be enough since they are using the metal detectors now.
I'm not sure if they change/move the detectors or if they are there for good, but on Monday, we went through one that is too close to a drain on the floor which causes it to go off every time someone goes through it...so the poor worker has to check everyone's right lower leg....
I certainly feel bad for first timers first impression on a crowded day/time with the first wait being before you even see City Walk.....