Article in USA Today

[Disney Dreamer]

I copied an excerpt from an article that was in the USA Today (sorry I don't have the link) either yesterday or today. I knew that terriorist groups had considered DL as a possible target, but this really scares me. We won't be changing our plans for next week, but I will definetly be nervous. Has DL beefed up security? Are they checking backpacks and strollers now? I was a little disappointed in October at WDW as this was not happening, we just walked in like always. I thought after 9/11 ALL people would be checked a little better. At the Olympics here last year every event had security, you had to empty pockets and they checked purses, backpacks, strollers even cameras, and you walked through a metal detector. I hope DL will consider something like this. So if any of you DL big wigs are reading this . . . I'm sure security measures are in place, but I hate the thought of a terrorist attack anywhere again, but at DL filled with children, it makes me sick.

Sorry to be such a downer.

Al-Qaeda members warn against Iraq attack
By Jack Kelley, USA TODAY

KARACHI, Pakistan — Pictures of President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair, with targets on their faces, are nailed to a door at the Nazimbad Mosque. Maps of the United States, with the Pentagon, Disneyland, and other landmarks circled in red, are taped to walls. Audiocassettes of Osama bin Laden calling for Muslims to wage attacks against America, are played in a nearby courtyard.

"If Bush attacks Iraq, America and its people will burn," says Abu Umar, a 26-year-old Yemeni worshipper at the mosque. "What Khalid Sheikh (Mohammed) has begun, we will finish."

Although U.S. and Pakistani officials have captured Mohammed, the al-Qaeda operational planner, dozens of his followers at the downtown Karachi mosque where he worshipped and planned parts of the Sept. 11 attacks vow to carry-on his terror campaign against the West.

In a 30-minute interview conducted in English, they warn that if
the United States attacks Iraq, al-Qaeda sleeper cells in the USA will strike prominent landmarks like the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Sears Tower in Chicago and more-obscure targets like apartment buildings and hotels in major cities. They also warn that al-Qaeda cells in Kuwait and Qatar will attack U.S. and British troops stationed there.

 

[Michelle]

Disneyland started all the SAME security precautions as WDW did after 9/11. They search all bags, backpacks, etc. before entering the park.

It's a fact of life now that ANYTHING is a potential target. All we can do is keep on living our lives and not let those who hope to strike TERROR in us win.

 

[fan_of_wdw]

Calm down... you're letting the terrorist win.

 

[chocolatelover]

I've been to DL twice since 9/11 and they check. We just don't bring anything in with us. I have older kids, so no strollers. I put my camera in my jacket pocket. Money in jeans. Just walk thru easier that way. The 1st time after 9/11 was 9/27 and the line was unbelievable. Now most people that don't have small ones, know not to carry anything. It makes a faster line.

 

[the Legend]

the biggest weapon these fanatics have is fear.

It is stupid to be completely ignorant
but it is equally stupid to be ruled by it.

Live free. But be vigilant in your freedom.

 

[ilovemky]

the top targets are NOT going to be the ones hit--there is WAY TOO MUCH SECURITY and people expect it--they would go for something far less obtrusive.

I practically live at Disneyland and DCA and have always been very happy with the amount of security--I feel very safe there, more so than driving on the LA freeways!

 

[hookedup]

I have found the security to be decent. Some checkers are more careful than others. We go all the time and have a stroller and diaper bag - they always check the diaper bag and my purse - last weekend I saw them making a woman in front of me wearing a bulky jacket lift it up to make sure she wasn't hiding anything.
I will not live in fear - but I also will be careful especially when it comes to my family. I appreciate it when I find security to be tight - even though it is a pain in the rear!

 

[Disney Dreamer]

No, I'm not letting the terrorists win. I have been to WDW twice and 2 DCL cruises since 9/11 and I'm not cancelling my DL trip next week. But, I'm still nervous. As I said, when we were at WDW in October, our camera cases and fanny packs were not checked, people were entering with strollers with blankets over them and weren't checked, we just walked in as normal. Granted, we don't LOOK like terrorists (just crazed Disney fans!) but what does a terrorist really look like? Even though its a pain in the rear end, I'd feel better if they checked everything before they let people in. They even checked my purse at a Jazz game and took away my peanut M&M's, now that made me mad!!

 

[Uncle Buck]

We were there on the afternoon on 2/28. Same consistent bag checks I've seen there on three visits since 9/11. It's probably a coincidence, but there was a National Guard helocopter in the neighborhood for most of the afternoon.

 

[roymccoy]

I think that it would be very prudent to avoid ALL hot spots (including Disney parks) when the war breaks out. There are going to be at least attempted retalliation attacks
by these idiots and there WERE maps to Disney properties in the caves at Tora Bora.
How much more of a warning do you need? Maps in the caves, captured and defector terrorists saying that Disney is a target...WELL?? Fear or no fear I can't take my family into that situation during the war. I would feel TERRIBLE if something were to happen when I had all of this warning.

Roy

P.S. Unclebuck...there are a couple of National Guard stations for helicopters around Disneyland. One is to the east and one is to the west. They cross traffic over Disney all the time. I don't believe that there has been any unusual traffic lately but, you never know!