Disaster Drill at Disney's Pop Century Resort

[Towncrier]

Yesterday, we noticed a lot of "activity" in the air around WDW. Lots of helicopters flying in the no-fly zone. I was curious as to what was happening. There was a planned disaster drill in downtown Orlando that was mentioned on the news, but it wasn't until we got back to our room last night that I discovered that there were actually two drills yesterday. The news reported that the drill at the Pop Century included a simulated hostage situation as well as chlorine gas release. Sounds more like training for a terrorist situation.

At least I now know what was going on yesterday. What a strange world we live in now.

 

[DonnaW]

We had one of those here in Chicago back in May. They let us all know on the news that they were going to be doing it, though...it was quite strange to see all the "victims" of the "plane crash" at Midway airport, and lots of volunteer "victims"of a chemical attack were checking in at local hospitals, etc. I agree, what a strange (and scary) world we live in now.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

How come my disaster drills can't be at cool places like that.... oh noooooo I have to be in an airplane hangar when it is 102!!!!

I would have loved to have seen that.

Debbie

 

[FOJMO]

From what I understand, several places in the US are having disaster drills because of the upcoming July 4th holiday. They are talking about raising the terrorist attack level to orange in several key places, including Texas pipeline areas.

 

[jfulcer]

My mom's building has been having 'evacuation drills' since 9/11. Her office is on the 24th floor of the building she's in. She says it's surprising how long it takes to get down the stairs.

 

[Pembo]

Towncrier-Are you ever coming home from WDW? It seems like you've been ther FOREVER!

 

[Gette88]

I was at WDW a few years ago when they had a hostage situation at the Boardwalk.

 

[Geoff_M]

"Disaster Drill at Disney's Pop Century Resort" The name of this thread is SO ripe with potential for making jokes!!!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Disaster Drills - Some agencies are REQUIRED to conduct "in-the- field" drills every few years. This is not something new, but it is getting more press. We had our big one two years ago, so next year will be another one. We do tabletops the years we don't have a full blown exercise.
The Sheriff's Department will be conducting a small scale drill along with some other first responding agencies tonight in our facility. The media is all over this. Usually these smaller training exercises don't attract anyone.

 

[Towncrier]

Geoff is right. The Pop Century Resort has been a disaster of sorts. I wonder how much it has cost Disney to keep the resort mothballed.

Pembo - We head for home tomorrow morning. We left the parks earlier this afternoon and I thought that we were going back this evening, but I guess we're done.