Earthquakes?

[civileng68]

Okay, I'm naive, but I have a reason to be, I'm from Florida.

Im coming to DL this month and have one concern. What about earthquakes, are the buildings safe? I have this fear of being on a top floor of a building and it crumbling. Laugh, I know. I'm just saying, I'm not familiar with this and don't know anything of it and it honestly makes me a little fearful.

Can anyone tell me anything about this?

 

[mindylovesmickey]

I'm more worried about a hurricane. No, really, all hotels in earthquake areas have emergency evacuation plans, and all are inspected regularly to make sure they are up to code. I know most of the hotels down there, if they are older have been through at least one and they are still standing, so that should say something. Look at your emergency plans, know what to do if one happens, and then enjoy your trip and sleep easy!

 

[PrincessKell]

Earthquakes...never know when they will hit. BUT most of the time if they do they are not too big you dont even feel them. Just few and FAR between are the big ones.

With that said. you can always ask when the last time it was checked. I am sure that has to be some where you could find out about the codes and when they passed or failed along with any updates they have done to make the buildings safer.

but like other poster said, check the emergency plan.

You will be ok, and have a great trip!

 

[DoomBugger]

CA has the strictest building codes in the world. I wouldn't trip, the odds of you experiencing an earthquake is remote.

Earthquakes do happen everyday on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

The only times I've seen a building crumble due to an earthquake were in movies and old film footage of the 1906 earthquake. If you are sensitive because you've never experienced an earthquake before and an earthquake does happen, you'll most likely be the only one around to make note of it because the CMs and locals are used to tiny ones that they make no difference. If one happens at night when you're sleeping, you'll probably sleep right through. It is a legitimate fear for anyone who has never experienced an earthquake before (I was afraid of being struck by lightening when I went to Florida), but there are always websites that keep track of earthquakes that you can look at before you come.

 

[Quest4fun]

I've been in high rise buildings down there and while they sway something fierce you don't need to worry about them falling over. The building code in Southern California is incredibly strict and the structures are made to withstand large earthquakes. If you've never been in an earthquake you will likely not even notice it.

You have no need to worry.

 

[actionvaughn]

Well, "the Big One" is supposed to hit anyday now, and is already overdue. Since the Northridge earthquake though, building codes have really been brought up, so you shouldn't have too much to worry about.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I'm with the PP on being more afraid of hurricanes!! I grew up in CA, most of the earthquakes I've lived through were quite small. I was 12 when the Bay Area was hit with the Loma Prieta earthquake. That was a big one. But the only one I experienced that big.

So they are a risk obviously when going to CA. But they do have the building codes for it, and the odds of it happening just when your visiting? I'd be more worried if I lived there still. But I don't worry when we visit.

DH got a job offer not that long ago in Florida, I flat out told him NO way! Hurricanes scare me to death! LOL

 

[Random Villains]

I live in Phoenix, but Ive been to Disneyland MANY times, not once has there even been a tremor, let alone an earthquake.

Plus its the MAGIC kingdom, theres no way Disneyland would be harmed by an earthquake.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

Well, "the Big One" is supposed to hit anyday now, and is already overdue. Since the Northridge earthquake though, building codes have really been brought up, so you shouldn't have too much to worry about.

The next big one is supposed to hit within the next 20-30 years, so I wouldn't worry. Also, since DL has survived numerous earthquakes and the rides are constantly refurbished, I wouldn't be worried about having a huge earthquake hit while on a ride and having a piece of the ride come crashing down on you.

 

[Casey's Mommie]

I've lived in CA (specifically the Bay Area) all of my life and I've only felt 2 earthquakes.

Sure, an earthquake could happen anytime but the ones that are big enough to actually feel are very rare.

I wish more people were scared of Earthquakes in CA. Then maybe Disneyland would be less crowded!!!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I've lived in CA (specifically the Bay Area) all of my life and I've only felt 2 earthquakes.

Sure, an earthquake could happen anytime but the ones that are big enough to actually feel are very rare.

I wish more people were scared of Earthquakes in CA. Then maybe Disneyland would be less crowded!!!

I guess the fact that California is the natural disaster capital of at least the US isn't as widely promoted as maybe it should be.

 

[alligator]

im just echoing stuff everyones already said but- building code in california is very strict, and there are sections of the code specifically dealing with earthquake regulations for safety. on the off chance that you do experience an earthquake while you are here, yll be safe!

 

[Aurora1959]

I've lived in CA (specifically the Bay Area) all of my life and I've only felt 2 earthquakes.

Sure, an earthquake could happen anytime but the ones that are big enough to actually feel are very rare.

I wish more people were scared of Earthquakes in CA. Then maybe Disneyland would be less crowded!!!

I guess the fact that California is the natural disaster capital of at least the US isn't as widely promoted as maybe it should be.

You both had me laughing really hard. I too live in CA, and think our new motto should be "An earthquake any minute, maybe you don't want to move here after all".

I like to point out to my family in Washington, that the little quake they had near Olympia a few years back was nothing compared to what we get around me. And they had damage because the mindset there is 'it's not CA we're immune'. I had an Aunt who would not visit us in CA because she was petrified that a quake would occur while she visited. And that quake was only a few miles from her house. Carma.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I like to point out to my family in Washington, that the little quake they had near Olympia a few years back was nothing compared to what we get around me. And they had damage because the mindset there is 'it's not CA we're immune'. I had an Aunt who would not visit us in CA because she was petrified that a quake would occur while she visited. And that quake was only a few miles from her house. Carma.

I presume by 'they' you mean your family, not the state of Washington or its residents. We do have building and road construction codes (as well as remediation codes) designed to build/refurbish to withstand strong quakes, as well as emergency preparedness plans and so forth. Seismic monitoring and activity is on the news all the time, I can't imagine anyone living here thinking we are immune to earthquakes.

We lived in the Bay Area when I was a kid, and I slept through all the earthquakes. Really, it was no big deal, small ones happen all the time and you don't even feel them, they're centered in the ocean or deep underground.

I've been through a couple of bigger ones here in the Seattle area since then (two in a swaying highrise ) and all was well. It is mostly older buildings that get a lot of damage, so I think you'll be in good hands at DL on the off chance that one hits during your stay.

 

[daffidyll]

I lived in the valley when we had the big Northridge quake......from what I experienced and saw I'd much rather be on the top floor and crumble rather than be on the bottom and get crumbled. Like the others have said, it's not likely you will experience anything like that one while you are there but if you do, not sure if it's now common knowledge or not, but the doorway is NOT the safest place to be (learned that the hard way)....tip the couch over or a mattress on top of you and hide under that (mind you, you only need to do that for a BIG quake, not a little one). If it makes you feel any safer or more prepared for the 'just in case of a big one', keep a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight by your bed, and learn all of the exit routes (not just the one closest to you because it may not be accessable). And try not to worry too much about them, you'll be having so much fun at DL you most likely wouldn't even notice any of the little ones.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

I lived 10 minutes from Disneyland for a year and a half and never felt an earthquake. However when I was out visiting on a trip once, we were at Disneyland and my brother-in-law called and asked if we felt the small earthquake that had just happened. We didn't. And one other time there was apparently an earthquake nearby while I was sleeping. Didn't feel that one either.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I lived in the valley when we had the big Northridge quake......from what I experienced and saw I'd much rather be on the top floor and crumble rather than be on the bottom and get crumbled.

I totally agree.

I was about 7 when that happened.. But I remember that like yesterday.. I was terrified!

But to the OP, I wouldn't worry.. Just enjoy your trip!!

 

[bumbershoot]

I like to point out to my family in Washington, that the little quake they had near Olympia a few years back was nothing compared to what we get around me. And they had damage because the mindset there is 'it's not CA we're immune'. I had an Aunt who would not visit us in CA because she was petrified that a quake would occur while she visited. And that quake was only a few miles from her house. Carma.

Odd.

I presume by 'they' you mean your family, not the state of Washington or its residents. We do have building and road construction codes (as well as remediation codes) designed to build/refurbish to withstand strong quakes, as well as emergency preparedness plans and so forth. Seismic monitoring and activity is on the news all the time, I can't imagine anyone living here thinking we are immune to earthquakes.

I agree.

I grew up in San Jose, where I only remember feeling an earthquake once or twice; the once was as a freshman in high school, and it was during math class, and it was very dramatic.

But other than that, we really only knew there was an earthquake b/c we would wake up and the pictures on the walls would be tilted.

I've lived in WA since I was 17, with some time off for the South, and we are VERY aware of earthquakes, VERY aware of earthquake safety, and I don't know anyone who thinks that "we're not CA so we're immune". Especially with the big huge volcano sitting over there, that could be impacted horribly by a big enough quake.


OK! OP. If there's a bigger earthquake while you are there, you WANT the building to sway. Swaying is good. Not swaying + earthquake = crumbling. Just like on a cruise ship in rough weather, you want there to be some "give" in the joints of the structure. (if only hubby had woken up when we left the Inside Passage and the ship started flexing and groaning to give me that explanation, instead of me hearing it when he told the couple from BC that in the morning...I had to calm myself down and Mr. I Spent Time on Oil Tankers, This Is Nothing snored away...lol)

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Just like on a cruise ship in rough weather, you want there to be some "give" in the joints of the structure. (if only hubby had woken up when we left the Inside Passage and the ship started flexing and groaning to give me that explanation, instead of me hearing it when he told the couple from BC that in the morning...I had to calm myself down and Mr. I Spent Time on Oil Tankers, This Is Nothing snored away...lol)

OMG, that is exactly my Dad. We took a cruise to Europe a couple summers ago, and the boat was just rocking sooo much and I was totally getting sea sick, but no, my Dad who is Mr. Fisherman and this is a piece of cake, was wondering why my Mom and I were turning green..