Confirmed New Security measures coming to Disney Parks

[jlundeen]

Do you all remember that the world was supposed to come to a stand still on December 31, 1999? Computers were not supposed to be able to handle the date conversion to 2000, and people were afraid that, while the planes might not fall out of the sky, things like power grids and other computer dependent operations may be at risk.

We were at Disney celebrating along with many many many others...and I can tell you that they were PREPARED!!! Not in an intrusive way, but in many ways that we wouldn't even think about. Things like portable light booms at the intersections in case traffic lights/street lights went out. Heck, they even left a flashlight in every hotel room. It was interesting watching in the days leading up to New Year's Eve as more and more preparations took place. And I can only imagine the army of people that were working behind the scenes on stuff we never even saw.

Providing reasonable safety and security to the thousands of people staying in resorts, visiting the parks and downtown, along with planning for that tragic "what if" scenario must be a huge undertaking, and I can honestly say that I am happy for every security person I see and don't see, as well as for them doing the right thing. I would expect nothing less from Disney.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Do you all remember that the world was supposed to come to a stand still on December 31, 1999? Computers were not supposed to be able to handle the date conversion to 2000, and people were afraid that, while the planes might not fall out of the sky, things like power grids and other computer dependent operations may be at risk.

We were at Disney celebrating along with many many many others...and I can tell you that they were PREPARED!!! Not in an intrusive way, but in many ways that we wouldn't even think about. Things like portable light booms at the intersections in case traffic lights/street lights went out. Heck, they even left a flashlight in every hotel room. It was interesting watching in the days leading up to New Year's Eve as more and more preparations took place. And I can only imagine the army of people that were working behind the scenes on stuff we never even saw.

Providing reasonable safety and security to the thousands of people staying in resorts, visiting the parks and downtown, along with planning for that tragic "what if" scenario must be a huge undertaking, and I can honestly say that I am happy for every security person I see and don't see, as well as for them doing the right thing. I would expect nothing less from Disney.

I was there as well...I distinctly remember the 1,000 emergency generators/light towers they had rented from every hardware store within 500 lined up on every service road after.

That to me is a example of what not to do - don't believe the hype. But that was just about bumps and bruises and lost revenue.

I'm not sure I will ever be in agreement with a 3 year old in sweatshop jasmine costume going through an X-ray scanner. As many people often point to in these discussions: so much still gets through that it is more effective as a deterrent than an active stop. In Jois...they put a state police cruiser in the medians empty at times during the summer because it's just as effective as speed traps. People slow down to 88 for a quarter mile as opposed to 105.

I just don't believe Disney is dedicated enough to actually use these things. They won't go to highly skilled/trained/COMPENSATED staff...it will still be mostly non vetted walk up nametags.

One thing about Y2K...is that it did provide the backstory for one of the greatest cultural pieces in history - Mike judges office space.

 

[Lyricallie]

I was in Paris during the attacks, at Disneyland Paris in fact. I would rather be inconvenienced for a little time even if it's just to make me feel safer even if I'm not.

 

[Goofy2015]

I am already planning a WDW trip for the premiere of Star Wars Episode VIII in May 2017.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I was in Paris during the attacks, at Disneyland Paris in fact. I would rather be inconvenienced for a little time even if it's just to make me feel safer even if I'm not.

I think 99% of those types are going to screw up and get caught with out any of us hearing about it...

And the other 1% can't be stopped by a metal detector and a security scanner outside MGM. That is just not something to dwell on. Just live.

I honesty think the entire world is wrong on this issue...it's the political influence of money that has caused this from day one and it will not change until people understand that. Just me though.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I am already planning a WDW trip for the premiere of Star Wars Episode VIII in May 2017.

That's not really the place to go if you want something special because it will be largely princess business as usual.

I'd give it another year and see if they are really serious about kicking some constuction butt

 

[Lyricallie]

I think 99% of those types are going to screw up and get caught with out any of us hearing about it...

And the other 1% can't be stopped by a metal detector and a security scanner outside MGM. That is just not something to dwell on. Just live.

I honesty think the entire world is wrong on this issue...it's the political influence of money that has caused this from day one and it will not change until people understand that. Just me though.

I know it won't make a huge difference, however the day after the attacks just having the presence of the police and army and security etc being more visible made me feel better. I agree that it is unlikely they'll be able to do much about that 1% but it's the perception that they're doing something that makes me personally feel better.

 

[jlundeen]

I was there as well...I distinctly remember the 1,000 emergency generators/light towers they had rented from every hardware store within 500 lined up on every service road after.

That to me is a example of what not to do - don't believe the hype. But that was just about bumps and bruises and lost revenue.

I'm not sure I will ever be in agreement with a 3 year old in sweatshop jasmine costume going through an X-ray scanner. As many people often point to in these discussions: so much still gets through that it is more effective as a deterrent than an active stop. In Jois...they put a state police cruiser in the medians empty at times during the summer because it's just as effective as speed traps. People slow down to 88 for a quarter mile as opposed to 105.

I just don't believe Disney is dedicated enough to actually use these things. They won't go to highly skilled/trained/COMPENSATED staff...it will still be mostly non vetted walk up nametags.

One thing about Y2K...is that it did provide the backstory for one of the greatest cultural pieces in history - Mike judges office space.

I'm afraid I have to disagree...it's easy to look back and say "see, I told you nothing would happen..." but no one can see the future, and no one KNEW then that nothing was going to happen. What if something, even something minor, HAD happened? There was/is an obligation to make the preparations and do reasonable diligence.

Like everyone has been saying, places like WDW have to be a target for everything from large terrorist groups to wackos who want to see their name in the paper. Eventually, SOMETHING WILL happen and they must be prepared and have good procedures in place to try to deflect, or at least minimize the outcome. It's only common sense.

 

[Miked0292]

I think Disney will try to make this as easy as possible but with Christmas and New Years right around the corner maybe this should of started taking place a litttle before to get a little bit more time to get some of the kinks out. Also I see it as they are just trying to help prevent anything from happening, which unless you have a uniformed officer in every themed area will be hard, plus not to meant you are going to ruin the whole experince.

 

[Dentam]

It's been a long time coming. I'm surprised that it has taken this long actually. Every sports game you go to requires walking through a metal detector now.

 

[mcjaco]

You have a valid point and I didn't clarify my stance.

I'm speaking of the Disney bag checkers that are rushed through the casting "sign here" hiring selection.

Obviously there are many more skilled/trained professionals both at wdw and certainly beyond. I was speaking of about a dozen that I know/knew their background that have had long tenures in "Disney security".

That is not impressive...but as you rightly point out - not universal.

If I have the choice however...id rather take my chances and maintain some of the simple joy/innocence in life without frisking and not feel like I'm at OIA on my way to crystal palace.

Different strokes for different folks.

Hey, I like a good frisking!

I'm afraid I have to disagree...it's easy to look back and say "see, I told you nothing would happen..." but no one can see the future, and no one KNEW then that nothing was going to happen. What if something, even something minor, HAD happened? There was/is an obligation to make the preparations and do reasonable diligence.

Like everyone has been saying, places like WDW have to be a target for everything from large terrorist groups to wackos who want to see their name in the paper. Eventually, SOMETHING WILL happen and they must be prepared and have good procedures in place to try to deflect, or at least minimize the outcome. It's only common sense.

There were just as many Y2K doubters as there were proponents of it happening. I was in IT back then, and everyone was split 50/50 on it. Another mass media blitz that fueled fear.

 

[go cowboys]

In light of the worlds turmoil and ISIS presence everywhere, what is Disney planning on doing to help keep patrons safe? We leave Friday for WDW and were wondering what to expect.

My wife has read somewhere that bag checks will be more thorough and that metal detecting wands were going to be implemented. Any truth to that story?

Hopefully they will also hire more CM's to keep the flow going.

 

[rteetz]

In light of the worlds turmoil and ISIS presence everywhere, what is Disney planning on doing to help keep patrons safe? We leave Friday for WDW and were wondering what to expect.

My wife has read somewhere that bag checks will be more thorough and that metal detecting wands were going to be implemented. Any truth to that story?

Hopefully they will also hire more CM's to keep the flow going.

Already a thread on this.

 

[Eoghann]

I'm not a fan of emphasizing fear/emotion over facts/numbers. At best it's a band aid, not a cure.

All the reports show that the TSA setups in airports aren't actually very effective. If this is a less stringent version of that (and it only covers the parks not everywhere else) it's really not going to do very much.

I don't want to be made to feel better by people looking like they're doing stuff. I'd rather they actually attempted to solve the problem.

 

[go cowboys]

Sorry, didn't see it.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

The objective of terrorist activity is to change the people being terrorized. Osama bin Laden stated that the attacks on 9/11 were not meant to start a war, but to change the culture of the United States from within. Create fear and watch the masses demand safety. Then watch those in power leap at the opportunity to seize more power, strengthening government and reducing freedom. All this because the people demand it in the name of safety. Our founding fathers would be disgusted at what we have given back so easily.

Osama may be dead, but his plan continues to change us so many years later.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The objective of terrorist activity is to change the people being terrorized. Osama bin Laden stated that the attacks on 9/11 were not meant to start a war, but to change the culture of the United States from within. Create fear and watch the masses demand safety. Then watch those in power leap at the opportunity to seize more power, strengthening government and reducing freedom. All this because the people demand it in the name of safety. Our founding fathers would be disgusted at what we have given back so easily.

Osama may be dead, but his plan continues to change us so many years later.

Thank you. This is 1000% right. We all fell into the trap and haven't climbed out.

 

[wilkeliza]

The objective of terrorist activity is to change the people being terrorized. Osama bin Laden stated that the attacks on 9/11 were not meant to start a war, but to change the culture of the United States from within. Create fear and watch the masses demand safety. Then watch those in power leap at the opportunity to seize more power, strengthening government and reducing freedom. All this because the people demand it in the name of safety. Our founding fathers would be disgusted at what we have given back so easily.

Osama may be dead, but his plan continues to change us so many years later.

Sources?

I'm not sure Osama bin Laden really cared about the politics of America so much. These terror groups want to create terror so that they can come in and force their rules upon the group. It didn't really work here. We may have to take our shoes off in the airport and walk through metal detectors but we still have a ton of freedom compared to many places. A lot of what Osama bi Laden and ISIS are doing is tit for tat type retaliation. France was a direct target because they are American allies and closer to get to than America. We bombed them they attacked Paris. Don't forget all of this happened after Dessert Storm in the 90s. We want to "liberate" the world when some places in the world are okay living the way they were before the western world came in and let war break out.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Sources?

A reasonable brain and common sense...

The objective of these groups are clear...it's to gain notoriety and draw money and bodies to their cause to gain concessions down the road.

It's not about tank divisions or stealth planes. Which is the obvious response on a corporate welfare program.

Even the most crazies don't deep down think their space deity is gonna land and eradicate the enemy.

That's BS for politics and ideology and to grab more dirty Saudi money in back rooms.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

The objective of terrorist activity is to change the people being terrorized. Osama bin Laden stated that the attacks on 9/11 were not meant to start a war, but to change the culture of the United States from within. Create fear and watch the masses demand safety. Then watch those in power leap at the opportunity to seize more power, strengthening government and reducing freedom. All this because the people demand it in the name of safety. Our founding fathers would be disgusted at what we have given back so easily.

Osama may be dead, but his plan continues to change us so many years later.

This. This right here is the heart of it.