Anyone have any fear....

[roymccoy]

that one of the Disney parks might be hit by Al Qaeda soon? I know that Disney properties were mentioned by name in a press conference as to why the nation is now at "orange alert". The terrorists do seem to like to strike at symbols of America and our freedoms and Mickey Mouse is a pretty deeply rooted American symbol. Also, it's sad but true that it would be a target where tens of thousands of people are assembled in a relatively small space. You also have to consider the fact that if a biological attack of some kind were unleashed on a Disney park, it would be potentionally devastating to the entire world since Disney has many visitors from around the world everyday, who could take strains of germs back to their own countries. (Instead of at a mall or somewhere like that, where mostly locals would only spread the toxins locally.)

It is just terrible to think about this, but it would be naive to not consider the risk.
Maps of the Disney parks were found in the caves at Tora Bora in Afghanastan
and so were videos and supplies on how to make different nerve and biological agents and radioactive "dirty bombs."

I'm sure that on September 10, 2001 the people that worked in the World Trade Center felt pretty comfortable and they didn't even have the luxury of an "orange alert" system to warn them. We do. What do you guys think about this? Will it alter any of your trips to the parks? Should Disney be doing more in the parks and at the gates? (Right now it seems that the security checkpoints are checking more for contraband food and drinks then weapons.)

I don't mean to scare anyone but this is very serious stuff and I am going back and forth with my wife on how much weight we should give these threats and alerts.

What do you think?

Roy

 

[kdibattista]

Do I think it's a real possibility.... yes
Am I scared that it will happen..... no
Will it change my trip plans..... hell no

I refuse to let the terrorists win. I was in Disney when September 11th happened and we flew on a plane less than a week later just for that reason. If it's my time, it's my time. I am not going to sit around and worry about it. Of course, I may think differently when we have children

 

[Luv2Roam]

Agree with kdibattista -- except for the children part. Our kids stay at home in the kennel!

 

[BluesTravlr00]

I agree that it is a possibility, but I think the point you mentioned about visitors from across the globe is an important one to note.

Bin Laden, or Saddam Hussein, or whats-his-name in N. Korea must all realize that the US is having a hard time finding foreign support for any military action right now. As psychotic as any of these radicals are, you can't deny that they must be at least semi-intelligent to be able to amass as many followers as they do.
With that in mind, my guess is that they'd hesitate before hitting such a high traffic, global tourist site for fear that they'd instantly bring on the wrath of every country that had a citizen killed.

I'll still be making my trip there Kiss my ***, Bin Laden.

 

[dbaxter]

Sorry to sound real negative here but the security at the parks are crap. I was in the parks in Nov 2001 and the security is rubbish they checked nothing at all. I come from Northern Ireland and teh our local airport for Uk connections had more security at that than Heathrow and Orland Airports. Before you could get into our local airport you had to get you luggage xrayed and you had to go through a metal detecter. While in both the other airports you could walk in drop you luggage and run!! I am sorry if this upsets you but its true its damn true.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by dbaxter
Sorry to sound real negative here but the security at the parks are crap. I was in the parks in Nov 2001 and the security is rubbish they checked nothing at all. I come from Northern Ireland and our local airport for Uk connections had more security at that than Heathrow and Orlando Airports. Before you could get into our local airport you had to get you luggage xrayed and you had to go through a metal detecter. While in both the other airports you could walk in drop you luggage and run!! I am sorry if this upsets you but its true its damn true.

Yes, perhaps, true. But then, Northern Ireland has had several decades to refine the security procedures there. The Troubles have been going on seemingly forever. At WDW and Central Florida, it's still all relatively new. Compare what we have to what you have, and of course we come up short. We haven't spent the better part of a century putting security measures in place. But compare what we have now to what we had two years ago and the differences are staggering.

As for actual threat ... I've heard AMERICANS mention WDW by name. I've heard news people say it. I don't recall reading transcripts of tapes from Al Q making specific references to WDW or even "theme parks." They talk about light security targets, after which the American press or the American military adds on "like shopping malls, apartment buildings and amusement parks." While I think warnings like this remind us to always be aware of our surroundings and be more cautious than we've been in the past, I think more worry has been caused by the press trying to interpret what someone else has translated from an unverified message. And then, in the spirit of trying to be helpful, it's heard over and over again. If these terrorists are as unpredictable as everyone claims, then any given place on the earth is just as succeptible as any other place on the earth. As it has always been.

 

[dbaxter]

These were put in AFTER Sep 11th and the troubles here are not as bad as the media make out. If we believe everything we see in the media then America would be a no go area and Northern Ireland would be safe in comparison

 

[catwho]

Do I think it's a real possibility.... sure, but so is me getting run over by a car in the Walmart parking lot

Am I scared that it will happen..... not really. I actually feel safer at WDW than in my own town.

Will it change my trip plans..... nope nope nope. We are going. We need this vacation. If we die at WDW then it was karma - meant to be.

I'd like to hear from someone who has been there since the hightened security alert last week. When we were there in February last year we went through a somewhat thorough security check of all our bags. Is it different now? I had heard that security checks had gotten a bit lax and wondered if they had gone back to more strict checks now.

 

[GrimGhost]

roymcoy wrote:

Will it alter any of your trips to the parks?

How can you alter trips, people will either go or they won't. I do not think you can predict if there is a "time" it would be ok to go.Nor do I think you could go and hope to avert trouble(studying people, analyzing things,etc)

 

[roymccoy]

I have to disagree with the statement that Disney won't be hit BECAUSE it is an "international"
destination. Exactly the opposite. The World Trade Center was hit BECAUSE it was an international place and also a symbol of America. Also, you have a few too many similarities to 911 at Disney:

1. Small space where tens of thousands are crowded.
2. Symbol of America
3. International destination. (A terrorist is sure to wipe out people from all over the world...all the infidels)
4. Maps to the Disney parks were found in the Al Qaeda caves at Tora Bora.

Plus the fact that we are at orange alert right now.


I too, don't want to let any of those wastes of human life affect my plans but I also have to be smart about it. IF I was at Disney in the next few weeks and IF something DID happen, I'm sure everyone would be saying "Why didn't they listen to the warnings"....also, I would feel TERRIBLE that I put my family in harms way if something DID happen.

Hindsight would be 20-20 but I'm making the decision with foresight, so....I just don't know.


Roy

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by dbaxter
These were put in AFTER Sep 11th and the troubles here are not as bad as the media make out. If we believe everything we see in the media then America would be a no go area and Northern Ireland would be safe in comparison

But don't you agree that Northern Ireland is pre-disposed to higher security simply because of its history? Your security is going to be tighter, because you're used to it. In the US, we've grown complacent and comfortable, and sure of the fact that no one would harm us. Then along came September 11, and while some people over-did it, most people were looking for ways to up security without it looking like we were doing so.

In Israel or South Africa or other places on the globe where terrorism is more common, the addition of security measures doesn't instill the fear and confusion it does in a country not used to it.

Of course the troubles in Ireland aren't as bad as the media make out. But I still maintain that because they have been there for so long, and will continue to be there into the future, you look at the issue differently.

 

[raidermatt]

Sorry to sound real negative here but the security at the parks are crap. I was in the parks in Nov 2001 and the security is rubbish they checked nothing at all.

The security at the parks is not designed to prevent the possibility of a terrorist attack. It is designed to make pulling one off more difficult than it was before, and to provide guests with a certain comfort level that SOMETHING is being done.

The reason it is not more stringent is not because anyone is really under the illusion that it is enough to prevent terrorism. The reason it is not more stringent is because we are not willing to put up with more stringent security at WDW at this time.

If Disney were to make it more obtrusive, this would do more to alarm guests, since they are not typically required to submit to more obtrusive checks except at the airport, and selected other places.

Its simply not true that Disney security checks nothing at all. They check most bags, some thoroughly, and they check the occasional stroller. No, they don't check everything, but they are checking as much or more than what is checked at most other venues/events of this type in the US. I've been to many NFL and MLB games since 9/11, as well as other large public gathering places and none of the checks were even as stringent as Disney's. I'm sure the Super Bowl and World Series are a different story, but for the most part, Disney is keeping up or surpassing other like venues.

The simple reason is we are not willing to put up with more at this time. Hopefully, nothing happens to change our minds.

 

[raidermatt]

As for me personally, I pay a bit more attention to what goes on around me in public places, but we have not altered our traveling habits. When terrorism is being dicsussed on the news, or when we are making sure our cupboards have a good supply of food and water, yeah, we think about it. But when we are out and about, no, we do not think about fear.

Its much like preparing for an earthquake. We support research and better construction, anything that will help us deal with quakes better. We also have some basic supplies in the cars, and keep some on hand at home. But once we do that, we go about our business and don't worry about it.

Same with terrorism. We support what needs to be done to reduce the possibility of it occuring, and we try to be prepared, but onces that is done, we go about our business. (And vacation!)

 

[grinningghost]

I also go against the theory that Disney parks wouldn't be targeted because they are an international destination. Does it really matter to these creeps? They hate us because of everything we have, surely anyone who travels to a fun theme park is an infidel to them. Unless you're in a Mosque praying to Allah, strapping a bomb to your waist in Israel or one of Osama's right hand flunkies, you're a target. I think WDW is a PRIME target for them - but I'm still going in August. If it's my time, it's my time.

 

[Beachangel]

Posted by roymccoy:

Anyone have any fear....
that one of the Disney parks might be hit by Al Qaeda soon?

Nope. I don't believe their intent is to hit American symbols such as a Disney theme park. Their target on Sep 11th was American capitalism and nothing represents that better than the World Trade Center. But who knows?

I was not aware that park maps were found in Tora Bora. Maybe another urban legend. Sounds silly to me.

 

[Figmentrocks]

Mainstream (lamestream, whatever) media did report that maps specifically of Disneyland and Universal Hollywood were found in the caves. My two cents on the security at Disney, though..

The security is designed to make the public feel better, not to do much of anything of security. The security folks are instructed to look for two things: Knives and guns. Those are the two types of things that they are looking for. Yes, you could obviously have a knife or gun in your pocket, around your ankle, etc., but that's what they are looking for at the checkpoint. --BTW, This is not a theory or speculation, that's really what they are looking for. Got that one by a strange coincidence from a business associate of a family member..That's DL's protocol, I'd assume WDW is the same.

It is really smoke and mirrors. Security can't deter someone determined on destruction.... Also, I've read how with us being at code orange, that should really be of concern. Personally, it's when we're not at code orange or red, or paying much of any attention to these groups that we are the most vulnerable. Americans have a really difficult time with attention spans. What happened an hour ago seems to be ancient news in the 24/7 newscycle.

 

[roymccoy]

It was reported on all the major news channels that "maps" to Disneyland and DisneyWorld were found in the caves of Tora Bora. (Along with many other related items...pictures of monuments, mall and movie studio blueprints, etc) It was never reported, however, if these were detailed "maps" or just Guidebooks that are handed out everyday to the guests with the little map inside. The terrorists were living in Florida, so maybe they just picked them up on a trip or something....I don't know, but it was definitely reported specifically as maps to Disney themeparks.

Roy

 

[Beachangel]

Posted by roymccoy:

It was reported on all the major news channels that "maps" to Disneyland and DisneyWorld were found in the caves of Tora Bora.

Considering I live in the city and vacation mostly in WDW, I'm trading one high risk place for another! Did I mention I live across from the UN? ARGH!!!!!

 

[roymccoy]

beachangel....you're doomed!

Roy

 

[eeyore0062]

Could it happen? Sure, anything can happen!

Am I scared? No, not really.. after watching a friend ( young wife and mother of 2, one a newborn) fight and loose her battle with malignant melanoma at the age of 33, I know that we have to keep living everyday as if it is our last, so we will have no regrets. No one can predict when our number is going to be up, so to go around scared of dying is not living!

Will it change my plans? No, I will not put my life on hold waiting for the worst. I will continue to seek the best, and pray for God's protection... it is all in God's hands!