Hypothetical terrorist alert at WDW - WWYD?

[mikehn]

Just a hypothetical here. What if Homeland Security issued a terrorist alert for WDW, and it was an imminent threat for 2011. The govt knew for sure something was going down for 2011, including massive casualties. They just didn't know exactly what day. Would that deter you from going in 2011?

 

[disney1990]

The goal of a terrorist is to strike "terror" or "fear".

No, it would be letting the terrorist win.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

If the government "knew for sure" something was going down -- WDW would be closed, or they'd be taking action to stop it. Terrorist threats just don't happen that way. They know for sure that something is being discussed or planned, but not that it's going to happen or cause mass casualties.

I would probably change my plans if there were a credible threat for a specific location during the time period I was planning to be there. Right now, with the threats in Europe I wouldn't change my plans (if I were planning to go there) but if it changed from "somewhere in Europe" to "a mass transportation location in Lisbon" for example, and I had a plan to go there I might change the plan, or fly into another city and rent a car or something.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Bravery is for adults. Children are to be protected. I would never knowingly endanger my children regardless of the circumstances.

 

[OK!]

I live here and usually go to various parks 2-3x a week, minimum. I can't imagine not doing that for a whole year.

 

[Robinrs]

Fear, false evidence appearing real.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

There have been terrorist type threats at WDW for years but they just haven't been made public. When I worked at Epcot in the late 1980's we had a bomb threat called into the Living Seas. The maintenance men and security did a walk through of the building but there was not even an evacuation of guests or CMs. They deemed the call a prank but it wasn't the first time something like that had happened and I don't doubt it has happened since.

 

[Cyndibear]

I would still go. We were at WDW the day of 911...they evacuated the parks and took every measure to protect everyone. Not letting the terrorists get the best of me!!

Cyndi

 

[SandrA9810]

I would go anywhere I was planning to. Who's to say where I am now is any safer or better than where I'm going.

While Disney is a large tourist area, I can't imagine the appeal to do something there. Like with 9/11 they targeted the government and icon of the financial world.

 

[GeorgeG]

If you're gonna die I can't think of a better place to go.

 

[LisaR]

There have been terrorist type threats at WDW for years but they just haven't been made public. When I worked at Epcot in the late 1980's we had a bomb threat called into the Living Seas. The maintenance men and security did a walk through of the building but there was not even an evacuation of guests or CMs. They deemed the call a prank but it wasn't the first time something like that had happened and I don't doubt it has happened since.

Isn't that illegal? I thought all bomb threats needed to be cleared by the proper authorities? Some random maintenance or security guy wouldn't have a clue how to properly search for a potential bomb. My DH's building gets regular bomb threats and bomb sniffing dogs are always used even though they are almost always positive that it is a hoax.

 

[nmmom95]

Bravery is for adults. Children are to be protected. I would never knowingly endanger my children regardless of the circumstances.

This.

 

[diznygirl]

Isn't that illegal? I thought all bomb threats needed to be cleared by the proper authorities? Some random maintenance or security guy wouldn't have a clue how to properly search for a potential bomb. My DH's building gets regular bomb threats and bomb sniffing dogs are always used even though they are almost always positive that it is a hoax.

Disney has their own k-9 units. And Orange County deputies are always on property.

DH used to work security. From what he has told me about what he learned, I would feel very safe there at any time.

 

[LisaR]

Disney has their own k-9 units. And Orange County deputies are always on property.

DH used to work security. From what he has told me about what he learned, I would feel very safe there at any time.

I understand that and maybe I misinterpreted what ClarabelleCowFan was saying. I got the impression a few maintenance and security guards did a brief walk-thru and deemed it a hoax. I find it very hard to believe that Disney would not evacuate a building when they receive a bomb threat.

 

[C.Ann]

Bravery is for adults. Children are to be protected. I would never knowingly endanger my children regardless of the circumstances.

I agree..

And I might also add that if it were me - going alone - and I knew that it was going to cause a great deal of fear for my family (especially my DGD) worrying about me, I would stay home for that reason alone.. Sometimes you need to think of people other than just yourself..

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I understand that and maybe I misinterpreted what ClarabelleCowFan was saying. I got the impression a few maintenance and security guards did a brief walk-thru and deemed it a hoax. I find it very hard to believe that Disney would not evacuate a building when they receive a bomb threat.

That is all that I personally witnessed happening. I was working in the building and my Supervisors were present. The only people I saw were maintenance and security but that doesn't mean there weren't others somewhere behind the scenes. There was discussion about whether or not to evacuate but it didn't happen. Granted I was 19 years old at the time so I didn't know what to ask but I was quite shocked that we didn't evacuate the building.

 

[Princess Sara's Mom]

My experience was similar to Clarabelle's--I was in the WDW College Program during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games bombing and was working at Epcot. I remember my mgt team telling us to be alert and to report anything suspicious..... [Rest of post redacted by post author.]

 

[SandrA9810]

I've seen several K-9 dogs in and around the parks, and backstage areas. The handlers aren't allowed to talk about what they're there for or if they've found anything.
I also knew several of the plain clothes security guys at DAK. After working in the parks and knowing them, I can spot them out. But truthfully, I didn't have a clue before hand.

 

[LisaR]

Maybe I am living in a fantasy bubble. I have always been under the assumption that if I am inside ANY building ANYWHERE in the USA and a bomb threat is called in, the building would be evacuated. I think I will go back to living under my rock again.

 

[plutotek]

Unless it was a credible threat (like the current situation in Mexico), I wouldn't give it a 2nd thought. It's like the first time my DW (then DGF) went to DL. We flew from Sac to LA, on the day that Skylab (yes, that old) was due to hit the earth. Hadn't been able to find out where it was going to hit, but still went forward with the plans. There are just some things you can't control, and that would be one of them. Not gonna let 'maybes' run my life.