I'm scared..

tttessa · Nov 24, 2015

less than 400 people a year(on average) have died from terrorist related activity, outside of war zones, since 9/11.

That is 400 people out of 6.x BILLION WORLDWIDE - I like those odds.

How many people will die TODAY worldwide from heart disease?

were you careful about what you had for breakfast?

Malcon10t · Nov 24, 2015

iKristin said:
The dogs are actually in training and not there for security. They've been there a lot over the last few months and so I asked one of the guys with a dog and they said it's a great place for training with big crowds and with huge distractions (kids always want to pet dogs). They actually send a few people into the crowds for the dogs to try and sniff out and stop, saw this too. It's pretty neat

Most of the dogs on property are already trained. They do use the park for training as it is a great place for training. (We train service dogs there.) But, there are regularly 3-4 "bomb dogs" on property. We know most of them. They usually have a great kennel trailer that is parked just outside the esplanade.

Mividadisney · Nov 24, 2015

I eat cl

tttessa said:
less than 400 people a year(on average) have died from terrorist related activity, outside of war zones, since 9/11.

That is 400 people out of 6.x BILLION WORLDWIDE - I like those odds.

How many people will die TODAY worldwide from heart disease?

were you careful about what you had for breakfast?

I had leftover chatpâté aloo that my mother in law made. One my favorite dishes.

Jkpark · Nov 24, 2015

I remember being at the parks a couple weeks after 9/11. I didn't have children yet which makes everything and every decision around safety a little bit easier - in my opinion - I'm much more cautious when it comes to keeping my kids safe. and me sticking around to be there for my kids. I digress - I remember constantly being aware, constantly looking for my way out from various locations - and then riding things like Space Mtn and thinking - well if this is how I go out - being on Space Mtn isn't all that bad.

We are flying Christmas Day to head out on a Disney cruise. I too am thinking/nervous about being on a "target", as well as safety of US citizens in other ports. Cancelling isn't on my mind - but thinking of ways to be aware and as safe as possible certainly are.

DLgeeks · Nov 24, 2015

Malcon10t said:
Most of the dogs on property are already trained. They do use the park for training as it is a great place for training. (We train service dogs there.) But, there are regularly 3-4 "bomb dogs" on property. We know most of them. They usually have a great kennel trailer that is parked just outside the esplanade.

The handlers for the dogs are usually really friendly and let the little ones ask all sorts of questions/say hi to the dogs - the last one we saw had doggie trading cards to hand out to the kids. They are regular part of the on site security these days.

SMD · Nov 24, 2015

The bag checks are just bag checks, not security checks. The CMs rotate with the turnstiles and are not security CMs. You will sometimes see security or even police waiting a few yard past the bag check tents observing, but not always. In the last 2 weeks I've seen extra CMs going through the bag check lines asking people to unzip jackets and take sweatshirts off waists. I saw a stroller searched and a few more requests to unzip backpack pockets. And I've seen police dogs on the esplanade. Otherwise it's the same bag check as always.

Purrkins · Nov 24, 2015

Disneyland is probably one of the safer places you can be on planet Earth. They have many layers of security that begins well before you reach the park. And odds are you won't notice any of it. Still if you are scared, you are scared, rational or not, so do what you think it best. Personally, I'd go, to live life to the fullest and to raise a middle finger to terrorism around the world.

lost*in*cyberspace · Nov 24, 2015

Purrkins said:
Disneyland is probably one of the safer places you can be on planet Earth. They have many layers of security that begins well before you reach the park. ...

Really? Do they have monitors in hotel rooms? This is just plain silly.

wilkeliza · Nov 24, 2015

lost*in*cyberspace said:
Really? Do they have monitors in hotel rooms? This is just plain silly.

Well in Disneyland it is easy for them to staff plain clothed officers through out the plaza as well as the streets around Disneyland watching for anything suspicious. If anything was going to go down at Disneyland I would imagine it would be in the parking garages as those are the least secure area but I bet they still have unknown security there as well.

beachdreamr1229 · Nov 24, 2015

Traveling is, of course, scary. It always is, terrorists or not. We live in a world where bad things happen. That being said, Disneyland is one of the safest places to go. Sure, it's a huge icon and very crowded, but Disney security is top-notch and if a threat/risk of imminent danger existed, they would absolutely know what to do. I think it's far more likely for terrorists to target big icons like the Seattle Space Needle, the Capitol building, etc. You have every right to be scared and that's okay, but also realize that we live in a scary world and you have to decide if you're going to let fear stop you from enjoying life's opportunities.

Geemo · Nov 24, 2015

When we're there in a few more days I plan to allow more time to go through the security check.
Once through Security check I feel the parks will be the same as they always are.

Enjoy your trip and hope your travel to and from Anaheim, California is a safe one for you.

Geemo

paintingoncelluloid · Nov 24, 2015

To answer your main question: I feel comfortable traveling via plane, train, and bus -- and visiting Disneyland -- based on my assessment of the risks involved. I don't, however, feel comfortable driving (I don't have a car) because of the danger involved. (About 35,000 Americans die from car crashes each year, and car crashes are the number one cause of death of children over the age of one.) So, everyone has different levels of risk/reward that they are able to tolerate based on a huge range of factors.

Mividadisney said:
I'm curious....Can you show me where you found satitictics to back that up?

And just in case you are still looking for statistics about mass shooting deaths in particular, Mother Jones has compiled a data set on mass shooting incidents in the US, which you can view or download here: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/mass-shootings-mother-jones-full-data (They also have a whole subsection of reporting about American gun laws and the rise of mass shooting incidents: http://www.motherjones.com/special-reports/2012/12/guns-in-america-mass-shootings)

The answer to the original question is that in all of the mass shootings since 1982, 58% were committed by white men.

Purrkins · Nov 24, 2015

lost*in*cyberspace said:
Really? Do they have monitors in hotel rooms? This is just plain silly.

I never said that they have monitors in hotel rooms, but you're under scrutiny the moment you get onto property both by guards in uniform and in plainclothes. The thing about terrorism is that Disneyland would be a silly target from a terrorist's risk/reward standpoint. First, odds are the terrorists wouldn't be successful, because of the security layers surrounding Disneyland, and if so, damage would be minimal (relatively speaking) if isolated to a hotel room bomb which is what I assume you are referring to.

A car bomb at a Walmart on Black Friday in Podunk USA would be much more effective - first, it would probably be successful as it doesn't have the layers of security a place like Disneyland has. More importantly, it sends the message terrorists want to send - nobody is safe anywhere at anytime. Imagine how the economy would be crippled if people were scared to go to the malls at the start of the holiday shopping season? Most targets of terrorism are soft targets, look at the Paris attacks - the successful ones were at nightclubs and cafes with minimal to zero security, at places 100% of the population goes to any given day of the week. Disneyland is not one of those places.

So, to address the OP's concerns, Disneyland is safe for a number of reasons - it has good security and many layers of it, but perhaps most importantly, it doesn't make sense with the "logic" (I use the term loosely) of terrorism which is to make the general population scared to go about on their day to day business.

Fear is fear, irrational or not, and if the OP is scared, these feelings are valid and real. But I would have no reservations taking my family to Disneyland whereas I would be wary going to malls and shopping centers this holiday season.

JadeDarkstar · Nov 24, 2015

just got put this out there, the nuclear plant in Tonopha and the grand canyon are two areas we know they could hit. I worry more about that then i do about DL. If they hit the plant, it would kill my parents instantly. We are not as close but radiation would travel and soon we too would not be here. I know bad things are out there. I just try hard not to live in fear. I use to.

Now cars, I do no't drive I do not ever want to drive. I have had enough problems in my rl to not want to drive. So I chose not too. I am always aware whats around us and am a horrible back seat driver.

At DL I am still aware but I seem to let most fear roll away.

Also one more thing. I was worried about the 5k last nov. How ever I felt so safe once I saw all the security they had there. Not only would a bomber be caught but even the homeless and those such ppl I was worried about running by, were no where to be seen. I was never alone and always had some one in my sight. If I ever run a race again I want it to be a Disney one because I know its safe.

dani24 · Nov 25, 2015

My husband is a cop, who works for one of the biggest potential terrorist targets in California. He's had a lot of training, and briefings on terrorism and prevention/response. That said, we just booked a trip to DL for early January, flying down even, with our 3 year old (whom he is very protective of). And he doesn't have a lick of concern. And despite all he knows about the risks in the jurisdiction where he works, he's never prevented me from going there either, because he knows how much goes on behind the scenes to prevent and deal with any potential threats.

And while I don't know specifics about DL's security, I feel confident that they don't take such things lightly. I also know that they check all bags before you can enter the park. And while, certainly, that can't stop everything, it is a deterrent. Personally, I refuse to not enjoy my life on the slim chance that I might someday end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Terrorists hate our culture of freedom and joy, and seek to destroy it. I choose to fight terrorism in my own way by not allowing them to scare me into hiding in my home in fear, thus robbing me of freedom and joy. I hope you can find it within yourself to do the same. Life is too short anyway to live it worrying over things you can't control.

ThumperWabbt · Nov 26, 2015

Mividadisney said:
Sorry, to be dramatic but our trip is in less then a week and with everything that is going on in this world I'm a little scared to not only fly but be at crowded Disney :/ does anyone know if Disney is doing extra security checks?

If it helps...I am the biggest weenie and absolutely terrified of flying, but we're still going on our trip to DL next week. On a good day flying is wicked hard for me, but I, too, have that "Oh, crap, too much stuff is happening lately" in my head, and that little voice also warns that a crowded tourist attraction makes for a good target.

But...the odds are in our favor. The chances of anything bad happening are pretty freaking slim. Well, other than me having a panic attack in the airport. Odds are pretty good for that

alvernon90 · Nov 27, 2015

ButterflyKisses77 said:
this VERY REAL fear

The fear may be real, but the threat is not. That is something most grown-ups can understand, and those who do not should probably have this simple fact pointed out to them -- especially when they ask.

Angel Ariel · Nov 27, 2015

alvernon90 said:
The fear may be real, but the threat is not. That is something most grown-ups can understand, and those who do not should probably have this simple fact pointed out to them -- especially when they ask.

It is entirely reasonable to wonder about what security measures are wherever you travel. In fact, I'd consider it not just reasonable but prudent.

Should we let this fear paralyze us into not ever going anywhere? No. But it is reasonable to be concerned about such threats in this day and age and to inform yourself as best you can about anywhere you travel.

WebmasterMaryJo · Nov 27, 2015

Mividadisney said:
I appreciate this. English is not my first language and I know I don't speak or spell as good as others and probably use the wrong terms for stuff. I've only been one other time time to Disney with my family and I didn't know I couldn't express thoughts or questions here.

You most certainly can express your thoughts and questions here. That is the main reason for this forum. Lo siento que hay gente que son un poco brutos cuando contestan. Eso no es normal aquí en nuestro foro.

barbaraann · Nov 28, 2015

I remember the first time I flew solo from Chicago to California. I walked through every step of the way, "In My Mind". I thought about all of the things I would have to do, and I thought of all the safe ways to do them. I have to take public transportation to the airport, and then there's all that security at the airport. I have done it many times now, and so I now have it down to a "Science". I always pay very strict attention to my surroundings, and keep my hands on my possessions at all times. I pack lite, and streamline as much as I can. I worry sometimes, but by being alone, I can take my time, and I am not rushed the way I was most of the time traveling with others.

I always feel safe at Disneyland. Bag check might be a nuisance, but I suppose it is a necessary nuisance.

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