Anybody else see Orlando in the news?

[LuvOrlando]

I've never been around downtown Orlando, where exactly is it compared to the theme parks?

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/22/D8J13Q880.html

 

[Mickey527]

Downtown Orlando is quite a distance from WDW. I would say at least a 1/2 hour drive on I-4. But from what I have heard from people who live in the WDW vicinity it isn't only Downtown Orlando. Don't go down Orange Blossom Trail at night.
WDW isn't really in Orlando, it is in Lake Buena Vista, between Orlando and Kissimmee.
You have problem areas in all towns. I live in Bridgeport, CT in a nice quiet area of the North end. If I travel about 20 minutes I would be in the East side, a place where you don't want to go after 8 pm. People always ask me if I am afraid to live in Bridgeport and I tell them the same thing. There are even problems in their beloved Fairfield, it just depends on where or who you are. Two very good people who lived in Bridgeport all their lives were killed at their jewelry store in Fairfield. So you of course have to be careful anywhere you go. Peggie

 

[Tigger113]

Oh my!

 

[ducklite]

No worries, most of the crime in Orlando is in the Crime (Pine) Hills area and other pockets that tourists wouldn't be going near. The areas around the theme parks are generally free of violent crime, although things like cars being broken into in parking lots does happen.

Anne

 

[pippy27]

Definitely be aware of car break ins on Disney property. There has been a bunch in the parking lots of the water parks (especially Blizzard Beach) in the past month. Don't keep anything valuable in your car at all!!!

 

[tink2dw]

orlando is north of the airport and is 19.5 mi from lake buena vista

 

[A Mickeyfan]

No worries, most of the crime in Orlando is in the Crime (Pine) Hills area and other pockets that tourists wouldn't be going near. The areas around the theme parks are generally free of violent crime, although things like cars being broken into in parking lots does happen.

Anne

I wouldn't go as far as saying "no worries", while violent crime isn't as bad at Disney, it has happened. What about the murder at the House of Blues & I do beleive that there was a rape in the parking lot down at that end of DTD a few years back as well. I know there was the murder at the Checkers on Irlo Bronson Highway last year & that is just 5 minutes from World Drive entrance to the parks. I think you were living here when that happened. I am not sure if you were down here yet when the ones at DTD occured though.

Forgot to mention that there was a child molester that was hitting on International drive. While that may not be Disney, it is close to Universal. Irlo Bronson Hwy & I-Drive are hot tourist spots...

 

[snowy76]

Most people in law enforcement will tell you most murder cases throughout the country involve people who know one another. Gang activity, drug-related arguments, domestic disputes, etc... it's smart to stay out of certain areas where the crime rate is higher, but it mostly helps not to know people who think killing someone is okay too

 

[tmt martins]

We hit over 200 every year so that number could be just a months time for us.

DM ran into an overdose at the Exxon station last night .

When the paramedic asked the girl if he was on ANYTHING she said well yes he took herion . DM said it came out like she was ordering a pizza as it was no big deal.

 

[ducklite]

I wouldn't go as far as saying "no worries", while violent crime isn't as bad at Disney, it has happened. What about the murder at the House of Blues & I do beleive that there was a rape in the parking lot down at that end of DTD a few years back as well. I know there was the murder at the Checkers on Irlo Bronson Highway last year & that is just 5 minutes from World Drive entrance to the parks. I think you were living here when that happened. I am not sure if you were down here yet when the ones at DTD occured though.

Forgot to mention that there was a child molester that was hitting on International drive. While that may not be Disney, it is close to Universal. Irlo Bronson Hwy & I-Drive are hot tourist spots...

Like I said, GENERALLY FREE. I am well aware of the two incidents at DTD, as well as the Checkers incident. Four major crimes (you forgot the nutcase that barricaded himself and his son in a room at the BWI a couple years ago) over the span of five years in an area that four or five million or more people pass through every year is certainly not a high crime rate. In fact it's actually a pretty low crime rate.

There have been others, the rape of a couple of tourists at some skeevy motel near Old Town for example. But for the most part people who take normal precautions are going to be safe.

The Checkers incident was not tourist related, it just happened to have happened there. It could have happened anywhere in this area, or even in some sleepy town in Iowa. If I recall the rape at DTD was by a known assailant and there were questions as to the crdibility of the victim due to a heavily intoxicated state--and I am not "blaming the victim" just showing that this was not a tourist related issue. And the murder at HoB was also not "tourist" related, it could have happened at any bar--Google "Dimebag Al Rose Villa" or "Station Club fire" for other violent crimes that have happened in night clubs. (99% of the House of Blues Concert venue audience on any given night is made up of locals.)

There have been far more tourist related violent crimes in the I-Drive area over the past ten years than on WDW property and the immediate surrounding areas. And for the sheer numbers of tourists vs. crimes against tourists, the greater Orlando area is safer than most other hot spot tourist areas in the US.

Anne

 

[spiceycat]

hey some cities would love that rate - we have had 65 killing - some family violence - but mostly drugs and gangs.

it is the gangs that seem to be doing the most killing - but since they at present are killing each other. It is only their parents and family who are hurting.

WDW is a pretty safe place for you - for your position - it is a very different matter.

the value and moderate resorts both have had thiefs fairly regularly.... you can tell when the security guards starts to ask for more than your room key - you need to show a valid ID too.... it is faster to use the machine when they are doing this.

lately OKW has been hit a couple of times too.

so remember no valuables in your car or your room. Don't take your stuff that you can't live with out on your vacation. No jewelry, no family stuff, no tech stuff - that you can't live without. because it might get stolen.

if you really need it put it in the resort safe when you are not using it - get a receipt.

 

[kilee]

This is just another great reminder to be careful and aware of your surroundings while traveling anywhere (or at home for that matter). I'm sure there are many more crime statistics that what we "hear about" in the WDW. Even the "Happiest Place on Earth" is exempt from danger. However, I wouldn't worry about it in the sense of ---gee I better not go here due to crime.