Going March 26...Would war change your plans?

[confal1]

Of course nothing can keep me from Disney but I was wondering if we go to war would you change your travel plans? I will be staying at WL on March 26-April 2 with my Mom and 4 year old. We are leaving my hubby home to work.

 

[allicat]

We are leaving on the 21st! Cant wait! Id be lying if i said i wasnt a bit nervous. Not so much at Disney but flying. But we are going ahead with our trip and plan on having a great time.

 

[DancingBear]

I'm not sure why the war in Iraq would change things.

If you have family in harm's way and just couldn't enjoy yourself, certainly that's understandable

But if you are only worried about the threat of terrorism, it doesn't seem to me that the threat will be much increased because the war is going on. Will it really be any safer the day after the bombing stops?

Of course, since we live in the DC area, we are probably just as likely to be travelling away from terrorism risk as into it.

 

[LSchrow]

that's a tough, no "one size fits all" question, but i'll give my personal opinion/experience:
we had the 4-day cruise, & WDW booked for 9/15/01 (flights & cruise changed).
in the terror of the days prior, we couldn't even think about leaving the safety of home (without going into too many details, DH works at the NYSE & it was a very difficult time).

despite many (unsolicited) opinions saying we shouldn't, we decided that we all needed some normalcy, some retreat from what we went through.
the end result was that our family got some healing, and DH was able to greet Mickey, instead of devastation that following week. the pain didn't go away, but the magic was able to soothe the wounds somewhat.

bottom line is that you should do what you think is best for your family ~ the "real world" & what goes on in it will not go away, but your togetherness as a family can show your children how important they are, as well as showing your own determination not to allow others to control your family's happiness.
(sorry so long, but the "naysayers" were WRONG ~ staying home in fear, with only horrible things to think about, was not in our best interests).
hth,
laurie s

 

[phanomouse]

Ok this is just MHO but... There is no way I am going to change any of my plans whether it be my trip to WDW or my trip to Nepal. I vaguely recall hearing a statement by some radical group (I don't know who) that said that all they wanted it to put fear into our minds and hearts just like the palastinians live with every day. I decided at that moment that there is no way I would show fear and let them get what they wanted. I was due for a business trip to Pakistan 2 weeks after sept 11 and I went, was I scared??? Very! but I went. I wouldn't suggest going to Pakistan but I would say go to WDW, you will get there and forget all the troubles in the world, you will be able to relax and have fun. I know that God will protect our country, I would hope that alone will give you peace of mind. If you do choose to not go, it is completely understandable but I do think that everything will be just fine.

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

We leave to drive to WDW on 3/26 as well. I'm not in the least nervous about it outside of the usual for any car trip.

We've all seen the news stories about people being killed at their local MacDonald's, work places, crossing the street, etc. Something awful can happen anywhere at any time.

Be aware of your surroundings, use common sense and get on with life!!! Enjoy.

 

[mom2of2]

We are leaving for WDW on 3/20.....am I worried about a war? absolutely! My brother and his wife are both in Saudi somewhere and we haven't heard from them in almost 2 weeks. We currently have their 3 children and have had them since Dec 30th. My brother insisted that we go to WDW and enjoy ourselves and NOT watch CNN like hawks like we normally do. My family refuses to let ANYONE stand in our way of contiuing our lives as we have planned. I am currently working with SOG to see if I can take his kids to WDW in early summer, they will be staying home with grandma this trip. So we will go to WDW in a few days....enjoy ourselves to the absolute fullest that we can and worry about "life" after the 28th.


let the good times strolllll!!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

As long as it's still safe to fly to Orlando and that Disney and Universal is still fuctioning...then we will be there. As long as Iraq do not bring the war here in our own land...then we will go.

Let's just hope and pray for peace. Let's also pray for all the men/women who are serving our country and who are proctecting us.

 

[MOQ3424]

I was wondering the same thing so i read this article ( actually right on this site) http://www.wdwinfo.com/newsroom/newsdetail.htm#1047829742

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Hello Confal1,

One of the things I enjoy most about these discussion boards is the very kind and informative posts. You have received varied and wonderful advice on your post.

Ultimately, it is your decision. However, within the normal bounds of safety and considerations to your well being, my choice would be to go if you believe that you would be able to enjoy it.

I believe that Phanomouse spoke very eloquently to both concerns and convictions.

As one who was on one of the last "50 or so unaccounted for airplanes" on the morning of September 11, 2001...I will never look at travel again the same. (Nor will my family) However, it has not compromised any of my business or vacation plans at all.

Best wishes with your decision.

 

[eeyore0062]

My DH and I are driving down on March 23. I have an interview scheduled for Tuesday, and we are apartment hunting, as we are moving in June. Am I bothered that we are going to war with Iraq?... of course... my brother is over there in the thick of it... but I am not going to let it stop me from living my life. To me, the media is more to blame for the tension in the country right now than the terrorists. You can't even log on to the computer or turn on the TV without it popping up!

I just hope it goes smoothly and quickly, with as few casualities as possible, and our men and women come home alive and well, very soon!

 

[lookingforward]

We are leaving this Friday. I am concerned but we don't plan on cancelling out trip. Bottom line, the only scenerio in which I would insist on staying home is if we went to code red or there was a specific warning against theme parks, etc. I pray every night for this war to be over as quickly as it was in 1991 when my husband was active duty USMC.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by lookingforward
We are leaving this Friday. I am concerned but we don't plan on cancelling out trip. Bottom line, the only scenerio in which I would insist on staying home is if we went to code red or there was a specific warning against theme parks, etc. I pray every night for this war to be over as quickly as it was in 1991 when my husband was active duty USMC.

JFI, Disney has received threats against the theme parks before 9/11 and I am sure will always recieve them to some level. It's just we did not know as much about them as we do now.

 

[*Flower*]

We just got back Sunday from an unexpected trip, and will be going again on Friday.
We mostly go for weekends, except for a longer one in late December, but as DH says- "if we're going to die anyway, what better place to go than at Disney!"

DH retired out of the military, and was involved in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, was in Beirut when the Marines at the Beirut Airport were hit by terrorists, Somalia during the unrest, Bosnia....

We pray for all, and a friend of ours is about to be shipped over to 'Sandy" areas.

We refuse to let terrorists dictate to us. We will live our lives without knuckling under.

Bless you all.....

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Flower....God Bless you and yours!

Please pass my admiration, gratitude, and best regards to your husband.


We all owe him a debt of gratitude!

 

[LAinSEA]

But if my DH and I were traveling...

I think I'd pack my carryon bag a little more carefully - making sure I had my necessities there and not in checked baggage.

We always carry medications and travel documents in our carryons, but I think I'd add a change of clothes and other personal items I could not live without in case flights got messed up and luggage didn't keep up.

In 2001, when the Seattle area had an earthquake - I was back east on business. It took several hours just to get in touch with my husband. It's good to have a plan on how to contact family and friends in case of any emergency - not just in times of "war".

have a great time!

-LA

 

[*Flower*]

I thank you for him, WDW LifeLong Fan- and I know that all of our thoughts are with our armed forces right now.....

They have it rough, and will need all the support that we can give them.

Let's stand together!!

 

[gm]

Hi,

I heard on CNN today that they have a iniated a no fly zone for a few areas in Washington AND including DISNEYWORLD and DISNEYLAND and 1 other area.

Hopefully everyone will be able to catch this news cnn or cnn headline news since they repeat the information quite a many times.

 

[mat2672]

Me and my family are going near the end of april and of course with the war beginning very shortly I feel nervous about everything. I think thats only natural. I considerd cancelling, but when I thought about it, I realized that this threat will be will be with us for years to come. I think people are assuming that the most danger from terrorism is somehow directly linked to the war, but the threat is always going to be there. The issues go a lot deeper than just this war and these issues will be there for a long time. So, even if I cancel this trip, why would a trip next year, the year after, etc. be any safer? so why ever take a vacation again? Where do you stop? I guess my point is that you have to try to live a normal life and hope that whatever security measures that are out there will work. You cant just stop tryng to live the life you want to live. I also have faith in Disney to take all of the precautions that they can. They know any disaster at their parks would be horrible for thier business and Im sure they are tightening everything up as far as security. I also read another thread on here that made sense. It was from a relative ofsomeone who actually held a very significant security position in government and it was their opinion that terrorists would never attack a place where so many children could be injured. Right now, the world has a very low opinion of the United States which is exactly what these people want and nothing would swing the worlds opinion towards america more than death and injuries to children. Maybe thats a crazy theory, but it kind of makes sense. Im really rambling on here, but as far as the upcoming war, I just feel horrible for the soldiers and Iraqi citizens and any families that will lose someone as a result. Just my 2 cents.

 

[eeyore0062]

It is very normal to feel nervous about war... many of us weren't alive during the past wars, or were too young to remember much about them. It is not only a fear of the war and terrorism, but the unknown. Perfectly natural... so the more you can live your life the way you normally would, the more comfortable you will feel.

If you have planned vacations--take them. If you are deciding whether or not to go on vacation this year.... if you have the means, by all means GO! Don't change your lifestyle because of those who don't understand or don't want others to have things they either can't or don't want themselves.

Our men and women in the military are over there fighting for our right to do all of these things and more, and helping the suppressed living over their to have better lives. It is very encouraging that the Iraqi military is already trying to surrender to the United Forces military. Think positively, continue to live... sitting at home waiting for something that may never happen is wasting the precious life given to you. Seize the DAY!!!!