I wonder what to expect in Orlando?

[TennVolTony]

Now that the terror alert level has been raised back to ORANGE , I wonder how Orlando will react? I know we don't have the so called "prime terrorist targets" like places such as NYC and DC do, but we do have high profile attractions here.

Should Disney, Universal and SeaWorld increase security checks?
For the most part these checks have been a joke. The security people more or less just go through the motions of checking bags.

Do resorts increase security? Most of the time I use the resort parking lots to access the parks. Should this be prevented?

Have any of you that have a trip planned now feel like it might not be the thing to do right now?


DO we bring The National Guard back to the airports?

Things are going to change dramatically in the next few days.

Are WE ready???

 

[Tony-NJ]

perhaps have more security visible. Even in the resorts. I've said it before that I have a vacation planned to the Dominican republic on 3/30, and that I have no intentions of changing my plans. But after last nights speech, I almost want to worry a bit. But I'm still going!!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I will say there is talk to bring back the National Guard to airports. I will also say I believe we will be going to Red and that the Orange was so we could start preparing instead of just making the big leap to Red (though I REALLY don't know, just a gut feeling I have).

I believe there is increased security in the parks, however I don't think you can "see" it all. They do have protocols to follow as threat levels are increased or decreased. Seriously I think that if there was an attack at a theme park it wouldn't be by someone in the park, unless it was just some homegrown crazy.

Are we ever 100 percent ready? No.

 

[Blondie]

I don't know about the other resorts, but while we were at the Wilderness Lodge in January, there was a security guard walking around the pool area every single day, which suprised me.

I also saw one standing inside the lobby.

They were not their CM's in their park ranger outfits....but security guards. I never got close enough to see what their badges said to see if they were hired security guards or what...but it made me feel a little more secure.

And last year in Feb 2002, some of the security guards at the park entrances did very thorough checks of people backpacks and purses, making them open every single compartment.

This January they weren't doing that thorough of a check...maybe that'll change now?

 

[iluvorlando]

I have heard too that law enforcement will be changing their hours. 12 on 12 off no days off.

 

[CarolA]

Tony,
I think the biggest thing you can expect in Orlando is a HUGE hit to your economy. I noticed that during the last Orange Mr. Eisner said Disney bookings dropped. So you can expect bookings to drop even more if the level is Orange and we are at war. And if the administration DARES To go to Red, they had better have a specfic threat this time!

Actually, as I think about it the Orange level may decrease the threat to places like Disney. The whole point of a terriorist attack is to injure or kill LOTS of people. I mean just killing me is not going to get you lots of attention. If the parks are empty they are not as big a target.

 

[JAP]

In my neck of the woods law enforcement has not been affected. Everything is still status quo in Columbus.

I do feel they need to step up security in airports. I do believe places such as Disney should have their security increased as well.

It is a shame that "war" has pushed us this far, however, I will not live my life in fear every day.

I pray that all will end soon and without much loss of life.

 

[Lucky4me]

I don't think they'll hit a high profile city this time. I think they'll target the least expected. Middle America, maybe a large city in mostly rural state. Some place that will paralyze and terrorize everyone, not just the high profile cities.

Regardless, the highest alert will not stop me from planning any vacations I have already planned. If I do that, they've won.

 

[jamsmom]

I am pretty sure this has happened, but would like to know your thoughts:

Do you think Disney Security has met met Homeland Security Officials to make sure everything they need to do is being done or make an action plan?

 

[TennVolTony]

Carol, I would HOPE that Disney has met with them. I have noticed more Orange County deputies at the parks.

 

[Mskanga]

Tony, I was in Orlando the day after the alert was raised just last month and I can tell you one thing, staying at the Swan there was always a security guard right before the parking lot and he stopped everyone going in, and we had to show our resort ID and he would check with his paperwork.
Security at the parks was based on checking everyone's bags with no exceptions and I had never seen so many planes flying overhead , I do not know if it had anything to do with it but it was just something I noticed.
I know this will definetely will impact the economy there.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I would expect an increase in secutiry. But what I don't understand is the major drop in Disney visits. I live in Ocean City, NJ. And when things get unstable in the world, business booms here. It is a family town, and people from at least 5-6 states drive here. And we're no Disney world. The thought is that when things are uncertain, people don't want to go overseas, and maybe they don't even want to fly but they want a break from the worries and want a nice family vacation. If you just considered the people who can drive to Disney, even some who would normally fly, I would think people would want to spend some peaceful family time in a nice park, that always feels safe.
I believe that the declaration of war will improve the economy. I am not sure how I feel about the war, but I know I prefer actually doing something to all of this pacing and threatening and posturing.

And, by the way, Eisner has been blaming everything but himself on Disney's loss of business. Yes, times are tough, but that's when people apply themselves. If he handled this right, he could make Disney into the place people head to get away from thoughts of war. If you think back to WW2 the most popular movies were fluff like musicals, and escapist comedies.

 

[CarolA]

Well, I went to Disney in late September 2001 and the place was EMPTY!! I mean I walked thru the line to Test Track and I was the only one in the whole place!!!! And this was on a weekend. SO... apparently people in Florida react differently then people in NJ.

As for blaming Eisner, maybe he has done something wrong, but have you noticed the number of posts on these boards with people who are afraid to travel and keep asking if they should cancel or postpone.

 

[Pin Wizard]

One security officer at a gate, in a store, or in a lobby doesn't cut it for me. One can be dealt with too easily. Put 3 to 5 in one location, and I might feel like something is being done.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I read somewhere--I read so much Disney stuff I don't remember where--that they were constructing PERMANENT bag check stands, as opposed to the cardtable--tent arrangement they have now. I think it was at MK.
Robin M.

 

[CarolA]

Has it occured to you that Security is probably dressed up like a tourist? I took a youth group to Opryland once and one of them got caught shoplifting by a guy with a camera around his neck. Looked for all the world like another tourist! LOL! (Served her right)

You don't have to see security for it to be effective.

 

[kylara]

Well, the first thing is that Orlando is actually going to Orange this time...they didn't last time. Each city gets to decide for itself and Orlando didn't increase due to costs....felt since there were no specific threats, they didn't way to pay for all the extra police and fire personnel.

The news tonight stated that Orlando is going to Orange and will be increasing patrols. They will also increase undercover police at all theme parks and at the airport. There are other plans but they wouldn't go into them for security reasons.

 

[PamOKW]

I'm sure Disney (and the other resorts) have discussed action plans with Homeland security. One thing that has been put in place at both WDW and Disneyland is that no airplanes are permitted to fly below 3,000 feet over the parks.

 

[Shelly]

Well I must chime in that I am nervous, I'll admit. I leave next week. All those people that say don't live in fear etc,. Yes, they are right, and I'm still going on this trip no matter what. If it was just me I wouldn't be as nervous, but my Children are precious to me. I would not want them in harms way. The reason there are so many posts I think, is that is helps the nerves. I am much less nervous about my dicision to go, when I talk(or type) it over, and share my feelings. So YES I am going next week, and when I'm there I'm not going to worry about it and just have fun.
Say a prayer for us.

 

[allicat]

Shelly- I feel the same way. I leave in 2 days- on Fri. War will most likely be declared and I am worried. I dont want to do anything to put my DD in harms way. i wasnt worried at all, at first, but the worried feeling just crept up on me in the last few days and now my stomach is in knots.
I feel selfish thinking of myself when the troops are over there but I cant help thinking of my family also.