Anyone else's trip coming up very soon...

[jrmasm]

Leaving later today without hesitation.

 

[MeganMango]

Thanks everyone for your wonderful input!


I feel better, and a little more excited for the trip.

 

[focusondisney]

Leaving on Thursday and have zero concerns whatsoever. There are deranged lunatics walking around every town and city. This could have happened anywhere. Just random chance made it happen within proximity to WDW. I don't think it suddenly creates a known danger in Disney and more than there was on Saturday morning.

Exactly. I work in an inner city hospital. There are the usual number of gang related shootings & unsolved murders in our area. At work, we regularly deal with drug addicted or unstable parents who have lost custody of their infant. We've dealt with physical altercations on the unit before. We know someday an irate parent could snap & pull a weapon. I'm alert to any potential "situation". I know the chance of anything happening is minute but I also know deranged & crazy can happen anywhere at anytime. But I have patients to care for, a job to do & a life to lead. So I'm aware, but not afraid.

If my time is up tomorrow, I want my family to have memories of happy times with me. If I live to be 100, I want memories of me living a full life with my loved ones. Not memories of wasting time hiding in fear.

 

[Skywise]

I'm going to be on the Poly beach on the 4th for the fireworks so my senses will be a bit heightened but otherwise I'm not overly concerned.

If anything I'm hoping that makes Disney crack down on checks on the pool during the day!

 

[Mom2Stitch]

The behavior you will witness during Night of Joy is decidedly some of the most un-Christian behavior WDW has ever seen.

On the topic of the thread: I would never even consider cancelling a trip due to an act of terror. It's exactly what the terrorists would want, and exactly what the victims wouldn't.

I've read this both here and on other boards, I've never attended NoJ and am still deciding if I want to or not.....sorry OT....

 

[rochek1999]

We leave this Saturday! Didn't even consider cancelling!!!!!

 

[Lynzer4]

I flew home yesterday from Disney. I didn't go to the parks yesterday as it was our travel home day but I will say that the airport had beefed up security. TSA agents were walking around the gate areas continuously.

I will say that security at Disney seemed more beefed (and this was before the attack)... bag inspectors taking a longer look, a lot more people going thru the metal detectors then last time I was there. You can't let fear control you or as someone else said... They Win!

This was as much of a hate crime as a terrorist attack. The club was attacked because it is one of the most popular gay clubs in Orlando.

Have fun but be cautious! If you see something that looks suspicious report it.

 

[famy27]

I'm obviously very devastated about what happened, but I am not scared in any way. Until I read this thread, it never even occurred to me that people would cancel trips after something like this happening.

I traveled the day after the skies reopened after 9/11, so this certainly won't impact my plans.

 

[DiannaVM]

In my country, given our size we have an incredibly high murder rate, and of course we got the whole theft and holding up people thing. I won't sugar coat it, because its true, but there are outlets out there that try to instill ridiculous and unnecessary fear in our tourists. Why do I say that? Because 90% of all murders are gang-related (rival gangs killing off each other basically), and the theft well, as we all know that is a random thing that happens EVERYWHERE, but thankfully almost never includes murder along with it.

Why do I bring up this anecdote? I have plenty of people who try to convince me that I need to be terrified of my own shadow. "Don't go out at night" "Don't carry your purse with you" "Make sure you keep a bat in the car", but you know what? I live life how I want. I am very cautious and I know which places to avoid at what time of day, because of the heightened likeliness of being targeted. But I can never bring myself to feel 100% unsafe the way other people do. I've learnt that the first step at keeping yourself safe is to be very observant of your surroundings. Be aware of the people around you. It really does help take some of my vulnerability away, and in return makes me worry less. And this is something I carry with me even when I travel. When travelling, I try to be very aware of what areas to avoid, or which ones are considered "safer" by locals, but keeping in mind that nothing in life is guaranteed, including safety.

We will be going to Disney in October, and by then most of this would probably be more or less closer to how they were before the tragedy happened. In the meantime, my sister will be going to two concerts in the US in July. I worry a little, but I don't see the point in keeping yourself locked up in your room because you worry about the "could bes". We could walk outside today and be run over by a bus for all we know, but that shouldn't keep us from walking outside.

I have every confidence that there are people out there who are trying their best to keep us safe at all times, that's why don't have issues with TSA, or lines at the parks or anything. Its a welcomed inconvenience. Don't worry, the world is in alert right now (especially Florida), so there is a very slim chance anything could happen. Just have fun and live in the moment!

 

[TeresaWen]

I just booked a trip for a few weeks from now. Never occurred to me to not do it because of the terrible tragedy that occurred. I believe there is way more good and love in the world. We just don't hear about it.

 

[tsme]

It won't stop us or make us cancel our trip, but it is a worry.

 

[Asc341]

I don't think you're alone, OP. Yesterday I flew out from Florida, and witnessed a fellow traveler have (what looked like) a pretty extensive panic attack while in the air, due to particularly bad turbulence. I think that many people are upset and freaked out right now. Even though I usually enjoy flights, I found myself getting nervous too -- not necessarily because I thought that something unfortunate would happen, but because if something were to go wrong, there'd be little I could do about it.

Sitting and thinking about my lack of control actually helped me get over my fear -- my fate on that plane was temporarily our of my hands, so there was no point in worrying. It made me think of all the ways in which I have already lived a full life, and reminded me to be grateful if all went well, and I was granted another day of life.

Wishing you a great trip -- I know that you'll have a wonderful time at Disney!

 

[DisDadDVC]

My trip is coming up next week and I'm a little nervous, but still going. This article did give me pause...

Orlando Nightclub Gunman Scouted Walt Disney World as Potential Target: Source

http://www.people.com/article/omar-mateen-disney-world-scouted-attacks

 

[BabyFu18]

I understand being a little nervous, but like others have said you can't let fear dictate your life.

I'll be traveling to WDW in the coming months, and even though I'm grieving for all the victims in Orlando, their friends and family and for the LGBT community, I'm not going to let a horrible act of hate and terror change my plans.

I am always aware of my surroundings when I'm out and about, so that I know to an certain degree what's going on around me and I can be aware enough to know if something seems off, but at some point you have to know that things cannot always be in your control. I say a prayer when I leave the house, that's my personal comfort, and beyond that I vow to live my life the way I want want aneed not let anyone make me scared to continue the way I always have.

After things like what happened in Orlando, many people may be scared or nervous about another attacking happening just about anywhere, I think that's a normal response to a horrible situation. In the days beyond this tragic event people will start to deal with their fears in different ways, the key is to not let that fear overtake you, find ways to calm nerves that work for you.

Go, have an amazing trip, and I think you'll thank yourself later for making good memories that greatly out way any anxiety you might be feeling.

 

[Alyssacuse]

I'm 11 days away, and I'm still very much looking forward to the trip. It's a horrifying and sad tragedy, and it should never have happened. However, I'm sure Disney has amped up the security significantly. Seeing some of cast members showing their love and support for those who have lost their lives actually made me feel very hopeful and comforted. You can see them here, if you're interested: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...me-park-support-pulse-shooting-htmlstory.html

As a NYer who was a pre-teen when 9/11 happened, I understand being afraid. It can be scary know that there are people out there who want to cause hurt and fear, especially in a place you know and love. No matter what, you can't let fear stop you from living your life.

 

[MeganMango]

Thank you everyone for your kind and detailed responses.

I'm still going to go! And just pray and pray for safety. I'm hoping for extra security, and probably won't go to Disney Springs for my own peace of mind. I was there in March and shopped for a few hours, but nothing special that I would feel like I'm missing out on.

 

[hedywill]

Leaving in 9 days, not scared. I figure it's probably safer now than ever, with security on higher alert than normal.

 

[Missyrose]

The good news is that among all these high profile attacks, there has yet to be a copycat attack in the same area. Security tightens up and people get more cognizant in the aftermath and seemingly holds off any more attacks in the same area. For the record, the singer's murder and the Pulse attack has zero connection, it was simply a coincidence of geography.

 

[KimP5]

Leaving Friday. no worries.

 

[Peachkins]

Leaving in 9 days, not scared. I figure it's probably safer now than ever, with security on higher alert than normal.

Yes, that's my thought as well. We're leaving Saturday, and it didn't even cross my mind to cancel.