I was at Disney on 9/11/01

[Barb Lee]

I was attending the Nursing Management Congress at the Coronado Springs. On Tuesday 9/11 I went to a meeting on generation x,y, and z. The speaker said let us have a moment of silence as a plane has crashed into the World Trade Center. When the meeting was over, Disney had set up TVs in the hallways. Everyone was gathered around a TV. We saw the horrific events unfold. Disney closed its parks. It was comforting to just sit with othe nurses and watch tv together. The rest of our Disney plans were over. We were lucky to get a rental car to take to Wisconsin. It took us 23 hours of driving. You never want to be home as bad as when you cannot be there.

 

[snuggles]

I can't imagine driving that long but I'm glad you were able to get home safely. Thanks for your report.

 

[izzy]

I was also attending a conference at the DD Hilton when it happened. We had just had the best speaker I had ever heard. His whole message was about being happy and cheerful, and he was as funny as comedian. When we got ready to go to a break, they told us the news and everyone thought they were kidding at first. We found out the sad truth when we looked at the TV in the bar near our meeting room. I was supposed to stay until Sunday, and I never did make it back to the parks. After the conference finished midday on Thursday, my mom and I took our rental car and drove back to Virginia. I was getting sick with bronchitis and a sinus infection, we didn't know the status of our flights (some airports had only minimally opened by Thursday), and then they were calling for a hurricane to hit on Saturday or Sunday. I said lets just bag it and start driving. I will say that the tornado warning we drove through near Daytona wasn't too much fun! Thank goodness I didn't know about that until later that evening. We spent the night in Georgia, but all in all it was a 15 hour drive. (I'm glad I didn't have your 23 hour drive!) I was still so lucky, though. Mom and I had rented a car when we got down there the Saturday before, so we were able to keep the one we had. So many people at our conference had a hard time getting a car. I was supposed to move from the Hilton to the Yacht Club on Thursday, and I also had Cirque tickets for Friday night. Disney let me cancel everything and refunded my hotel deposit and my tickets. They couldn't have been better about things. While we were disappointed that we weren't able to have a little vacation after the conference, Mom and I counted our blessings all the way home. We didn't have any family or friends directly affected by the tragedies, and we were safe. (Although my dad was about ready to pitch a fit that we weren't home when all this happened.)

It will definitely be a conference I always remember, but unfortunately for the sad circumstances surrounding it.

 

[sters]

I was wondering if any one was in Disney on that fateful day?

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

I too, was at Disney, right before 9/11, I left Disney on 9/10 and drove back to St. Pete Beach (staying at the Don CeSar) and ended up driving back home alone (thanks to Avis not charging a drop fee 4 states away) since my friend who was visiting me was flying back to the UK.

I haven't been the same since, and I hope I never have to drive alone, in a rental car back to Chicago again.....

PrincessCandaceMarie

 

[gigi1313]

we had flown home from wdw on the 9th of september that fateful year... and boy were we glad we were home!

given the recent terrorist warnings, hurricane seasons, dh/i are considering renting a car on our upcoming trip, in the event that if something does cause the airports to close down, we can still get home... any thoughts?

 

[DISLOVE]

My husband and I were in Disney on 9/11. We were scheduled to go home that night and had packed up our suitcases, brought them down to bell services, and then headed to the MK for out last day. We heard random things about things happening but didn't hear the real story until we were standing in line for Winnie The Pooh.

We ran down Main St... got on a bus as they closed the parks. Disney was incredible... We were there for an extra 2 days with no charge whatsoever....

We ended up renting the last car National had and we drove home to NH. It was a decent ride home, lots of time for reflection and listening to the news. Such a sad sad time.

 

[dzneelvr]

I was at a business conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. We'd just opened up the session when the news came in. The next day (after hours of planning, negotiating, and worrying) 2 other associates and I hopped in what had to be the last rental car to be had in Charlotte and began a 17 hour trip back to northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin.
That was a terrible time--OHare airport in Chicago was completely dark, something we'll not see again in our lifetime. (we had to pick up our vehicles there since we flew originally).
We were never so happy to be home and with our families. Because at that time, we just didn't know what was going to happen next!
I will never forget it.

 

[popeyeohoh]

In Epcot on 9-11.

 

[Robmom]

I thought of what it would be like to be there that day. I was there the week before.

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

We were at MK that day--my 40th birthday, btw--and I was waiting outside BTMRR with the baby while dh was on the ride with the bigger kids. I saw the CM at the entrance to the ride turning people away from the ride. I thought there was a problem with the ride so I walked over and asked. She informed me that the parks were closing "due to circumstances beyond their control". When pressed for details, she just said we should go back to our hotel and turn on the news.

When my family exited the ride, I met them and told them what the CM said. We headed toward the exit, thru Adventureland. Lots of people were still laughing and smiling and heading *away* from the exit. We were almost out of Adventureland when they announced over the loudspeakers that the parks were closing. By the time we got to Main St., it was wall-to-wall people, but everyone was calm. Confused, puzzled, but calm. CMs at the exit turnstyles gave everyone one day park passes as they left.

I didn't hear what had actually happened until we were walking down the exit ramp from the monorail at the TTC and some guy was walking next to me talking on his cell phone. I asked him what had happened and he told me.

We heard more details on the car radio as we drove back to our villa at the Disney Institute, then watched tv all afternoon at the villa.

We had planned to go out to dinner somewhere for my birthday, and since the restaurants at the hotels were still open, we ended up going to Juan and Only's at the Dolphin for dinner. It was completely deserted.

They did open the parks the next day; we were there until 9/22 and I've never seen the parks anywhere near as empty as they were that trip.


__________________

 

[sters]

Thanks for your stories. I imagine everyone will remember very clearly where they were when they heard. (What a bummer of a birthday present.)

 

[Jungle Skipper]

I was working at WDW when it happened. Acctually the night before I had worked a late shift and hit PI with some friends the night before...I slept through most of the morning...I was supposed to have the day off...

The phone rang and woke me, it was my manager at WDW...knew I had no family there and wanted to know if I would come to the resorts and help him out. They were closing the parks and wanted as many CMs as they could have at the resorts to help with crowd control He knew I loved playing with kids and wanted me at the CR (since I knew it so well) to help with the children there.

Talk about a surreal day...I remember sitting in the lobby trying to be happy and playing with these kids...when I had found out 2 of my former CMs were in the WTC building when it had been hit. Like a trooper I stood fast and tried my best to create some magic...there was no way to make WDW a happy place that day...i think thats why is was so surreal..i've never seen the place so strange. But I like to think I helped keep some kids from becoming to engulfed in the situation. Hopefully I did my job...I was there for 24 hours straight before heading home..sleeping for 6 hours and going back to my Jungle boat. It was strange at WDW for quite some time after that..something I NEVER want to experience again.

Jungle Josh

 

[mrskay9]

Your stories give me chills. But a lot of respect too.

and btw, Jungle Josh, if I were single (and probably younger!) I'd email ya!
Hope you find your princess.

 

[ARF]

I will try and make this as short as possible, but after reading the other reports I just felt that I had to tell my story…

Earlier in the year I had 2 surgeries 2 months apart, and having major panic attacks, so the only thing that I had to look forward to was our trip to Disney on September 13, 2001. My DBF had never been to Disney, so I spent many days planning our trip. The planning sometimes got me through the day. Then September 11 happen.

I was in my office in Long Island City, which is right across the river from Manhattan, I could not understand why no one could make a phone call and why there was a dark cloud coming from downtown. I turned on my radio and heard the news, and the only thing I could think of was getting home, which was 35 miles away. I got in my car and started driving. I could not drive pass any airport so ended up taking all back roads. It was really creepy being the only car on the road. The streets were like a ghost town. As I am driving home and listening to the radio the reporter came on and said that the first tower had crumbled to the ground. I started to cry while I was driving and all I kept on thinking was I just want to get home.

Well the next two days were terrible, you heard all the news and at times you just could not pull yourself from the TV. The airports are all closed, so my trip to Disney was off. But my DBF insisted that if the airports were going to open and our flight was leaving NY then we were going. All he kept on say was he is not letting those (Bad Word) dictate our lives. Well we heard that the airports were going to be opening at 12:00 on the 13th, so we called Delta and were told that our flight would be the first flight out, but we had to be at the airport by 8:00 am. So I started to pack, not felling right that we would be going on a vacation after this terrible thing just happened. But on packing I went.

We get to the airport and get out of the car and the first thing that hit you was the smell of burning rubble. The smell over took every thing. The Delta check-in was so crowded. All the passengers that have been stranded for the last two days were all there. We had First Class tickets because we had to use up miles, so we had no line at all to wait on. At about 10:00 am the Delta employees start checking passengers in. We check-in and head over to security, all of the sudden all the employees that were in the terminal start running out then you see the security personnel running out telling you to leave the terminal immediately, and there is a bomb scare. OK I just about had enough, lets just go home, but DBF kept telling me no. OK pop a few Xanax calm down, after about 20 minutes they let us back in. We get through security (I will not get in to detail about that, lets just say that it was an experience), and a second bomb scare happen and we had to leave the terminal again, 20-30 minutes later we are allowed back through the security check points. So we finally get to the gate and were told that there would be no food or ice on the flight; they were handing out box lunches as you enter the plane. We finally take off at 2:00 pm, and as the plane flew over ground zero it was the most disturbing sight. I just could not hold back the tears. I could never put into words of what I felt at that time. It would be a year or so later before another plane was allowed to fly over the sight.

So on our way to Florida we go and as we are flying down they close down the national airways, grounding all flights, our flight was the only one that left the airport during most of that day. All of a sudden we hit such bad turbulence and the plane start to do the turbulence dance. The pilot comes on the speakers and tells everyone that there is a storm ahead to please be seated and fasten your seat belts. We did not know that we were flying into a tropical storm. Anyway we land in Florida, and guess what MCO is closed due to the fact that air traffic was still suspended and the airport was near empty due to a recent bomb scare and a suspicious package in the chapel. We were one of the few flights that landed in MCO and the only a few passengers walking through the airport. Now that was really creepy. We get our luggage and head outside to get a cab, guess what there are no cabs to be found. Now for the last few months I have been telling DBF that we did not need a car, because once you get to Disney, you could use the buses. OK how do we get to Disney? We spotted this lonely person behind the Avis counter and they were renting cars to people that were stranded at the airport. We were able to get a car for only $30.00. Now we get in the car and it is raining so hard that you felt like to car was in a pail of water. We finally get to the Boardwalk and check in with on problem at all.

The next day we are heading over to MK. Now it is still raining because there is a tropical storm going on and I tell DBF to just put on the Mickey poncho and leave his male ego at the door. After all I went through to be here we are going to MK. When we reach MK I had my first experience with the bag search. Well MK was so empty that at times we walked for about 10-15 minutes with out seeing anyone. At the time that the first tower crumbles Disney held a moment of silence. I felt totally guilty for being at Disney again I could not hold back the tears. After the moment of silence we duck under a building over hang to get out of the downpour of rain and found ourselves standing along side to Disney Security Men who were speaking with headquarters about the possibly of shutting down the park due to an on going high speed chase involving police and suspicious van entering Disney property .

As we were leaving MK and shopping on Main Street a CM came in and was telling other CM’s that if the winds picked up any more that they were going to get everyone in the tunnels. OK were did I put those Xanax.

After that first day, the sun came out and Disney came alive again. I still felt guilty for being at Disney, but we ended up having a great time and even extended our stay one day.

Sorry this story took on a life of it’s own but once I started to typing I just could not stop, thanks for those of you that stayed to the end.

 

[linnettevl]

I saw the plane hit World Trade Center
I felt the earth tremble
I could not understand what was going on
I still have panic attacks when I take the train....

We cancelled our Disney Vacations that year.

Linnette

 

[cooldisneymom]

To ARF and linettevl - My heart goes out to both of you. How awful that must have been for the both of you being so close to the events of that awful day. I live in GA and the events of that day have changed my life forever. I have anxiety attacks too and cannot fly now AT ALL. Thank God we only live a short 8 hour ride from WDW. My thoughts and prayers are with both of you and all the families that were destroyed that day.

 

[DisneyWisher]

It was myself, DD17, DD15, and DD8. The older girls wanted to go to BB that day. We had talked about it the night before. While I took the youngest to MK they would go. DD8 and I woke up early and grabbed a bus to MK about 8:30. MK was not even opened yet when we got there. We rode a few quick rides. As we were getting off HM, DD8 decided she was thirsty. We stopped by the courtyard where they do the silhouettes to get a something. As I placed my order an announcement was made that MK was closing, at the end of the announcement they said code 1. I saw the startled look on the CM's face that was helping. She told everyone that they had to exit. A few people lingered but she was firm. I didn't know what was going on. (I hadn't turned on the news that morning). As we exited we were given 1 day passes. I remember people saying a cessna had crashed into a building in NYC. I didn't understand why they would close WDW for that. Getting a bus back to POR was not a problem they had busses waiting. Still to this day I remember this part crystal clear. MY dd8 and I sat on the seats right in front of the rear doors on the bus. I was looking around the bus still trying to take all of this in. When the woman next to me said "do you know the twin towers? I said Yes. She said they're gone. I thought What does she mean gone? my only reply was OMG. Still it didn't sink in. We were let off at the lobby at POR. I remember walking into the lobby and seeing a big screen TV in the lounge replaying the 2nd crash into the WTC. I was in complete disbelief. I ran to the house phone to call my other 2 DDs. But they were not in the room. I panicked. I called my mother and my father wanted me to come home asap. I asked a CM if I decided to leave early what would happen. He said that I would not be charge for that night. That if I decided to leave to be careful. I had rented a SUV for our trip and I knew they would need it back as soon as possible so people could get home. About 10 mins later my DDs come walking through the lobby. They had gone to MGM to ride ToT and were in the process of going to BB when they were rerouted back to the hotel. They wanted to stay. They got lunch and we made our way back to our room. (this was the one and only time we stayed at POR). We planted ourselves in front of the TV watching everything in total disbelief. How could this happen here? Was my main thought. Even to this day how can anyone think about this and not cry. The next day Wednesday 9/12/01 was the beginning of checking bags and purses at WDW theme parks. One thing that always made me go hmmmmm. Was they would check bags and purses but never mugs or mens shorts that have a lot of big pockets. Seems like alot could be place in those.

Thats my "where were you when the terrorists crashed planes into the WTC?"

May everyone that was touched by this tragedy be remembered and prayed for.

Shirley

 

[ARF]

Linnette

I cannot understand what you must have gone through that day. Especially now with all of the extra secuirty and the high alerts we are having, I don't know how you go into the city everyday...If you still do. I know that when I have to go into the city for meetings I try to drive when ever possible. I also have panic attack when I am on the train and never take the train myself. I give you a great amount of credit.

Kristen

Thank you for your thoughts and prays. Yes it was a teribble day and a day I thinking no one will ever forget where they were or what they were doing.


My outlook is that I still need to keep living and now I when I talk to my parents I never end the call without telling them I Love You and before I go to bad at night I tell my DF that I Love You. You just never know...

Toni

 

[Michelle GT]

my family was at mk on 9/11 . It was me,DH,2 DSs,DD- It had been 8 years since we were on a vacation ( honeymoon at WDW in 9)
We flew out of Phili and on the way there, my DH got sick on the plane. Luckily there was a nurses convention at disney that week, so the plane was filled with nurses and one retired doctor. They had emergency services on the phone and had my DH on oxygen pretty much the whole time. they were able to keep him stable and when we landed, they had an ambulence ready to take him to a hospital. One of the nurses who had helped my husband on the plane was nice enough to offer some help to me,as I had 3 small kids(18 mos. 3, and 4) and needed to get a double stroller,2 carryons, and 2 other bags at luggage claim. She picked up my luggage claim bags and offered to take them to her hotel for us to pick up at a later time. I took the rest and my children to the hospital to see about my husband. ( I must add that my husband has had many med problems in the past ,but never to this extent. WE did get to Disney and had a good week, but it was on our last day there that they had to close the parks. It was such a sad day.