Incident at WDW 8-29-24? - No shooting

[HopperFan]

On a positive note, I'm sure Disney management will have a chance to review their emergency procedures after seeing them in action, and now they'll have them better sorted out for either a real event in the future, or another serious crowd reaction.

Agree every event is a learning experience, especially as parks are back to crowded and behaviors are now "unpredictable".

I do not ride monorails anymore, I do not trust them ... so my question is ... at the end of the night do they still queue the monorail? Is is queued only in plaza and not on ramps (seems that might be hard)? I think a big problem at closing is the monorail ramps are just an invitation for pushing, shoving, cutting and ramming people with strollers. People are tired and tempers will flare.

People (sometimes over reacting, sometimes under reacting and taking too long to move to safety) can get people hurt too - so it's important both CM and attendees give thought to what they will do "if" .... for example, having somewhere preset to meetup inside and outside the park is a good idea in case someone loses their phone.

We have always done this, my kids are in 30's but from time they could understand we taught them no matter where you go look to see where the best exit is. In big cities ask to not sit by the front door and know where the back door is. Choose the theater seat with the best exit (I love the pick our seat on the theater map). Every place I go, I know how to get out, just natural now. Now more than ever we need to know how to exit as quickly and safely as possible.

 

[BrianL]

It's not odd at all.

Well, they don't particularly sound the same, but in a situation where someone has already cited that a firearm was present and people are panicking and then you hear the popping sound, that's probably enough to make someone thing that. In my experience, a firearm gives off a very distinct, loud, and disconcerting cracking sound. But, again, when there is already chaos, parsing that isn't going to be top of mind.

I've also seen post video of the Emporium and area, and folks just made a mess knocking merchandise on the floor. Lots of bad behavior by guests being reported. CM's took the brunt of it sadly.

While it is understandable to seek shelter in such a situation, how does knocking over merchandise help keep you safe? Man, people, come on!

 

[HopperFan]

While it is understandable to seek shelter in such a situation, how does knocking over merchandise help keep you safe? Man, people, come on!

My guess is people were shoving each other and throwing their hands out knocking stuff off the shelves. Sad but reality is "get out of my way" mentality. I hate when folks knock stuff I wonder if I would be stopping to pick things up??? I've been close to actual situations, and find I usually just stay calm and head away.

My real wonder is how many took advantage and grabbed something on their way ..... ... def has been a reaction of some in a crisis.

 

[BrianL]

My guess is people were shoving each other and throwing their hands out knocking stuff off the shelves. Sad but reality is "get out of my way" mentality. I hate when folks knock stuff I wonder if I would be stopping to pick things up??? I've been close to actual situations, and find I usually just stay calm and head away.

My real wonder is how many took advantage and grabbed something on their way ..... ... def has been a reaction of some in a crisis.

I get being scared, but pushing and shoving isn't helpful. Other people are scared too. They deserve to get to safety too. If everyone is helpful to each other, then everyone is safer, including you!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Saw video from highly reputable source, a Disney CM who has many friends working at MK. She said this is what happened, not rumors.

The mass exodus after fireworks on ramp to monorail.
Two "individuals/groups" started an altercation.
One reached in to their pocket.
A guest who saw them started SCREAMING "g-n"!!!!
To be clear no "g-n" was ever seen.
People panicked and turned to go back down ramp.
Some "trampling" was happening.
Security locked down MK, logically so no more people exited, until resolved.


Monorails were stopped for about an hour (with guests on them).

Folks in MK turned and ran inward filling stores, screaming, heading back farther in park. No reason other than people started running, then others followed with no idea why.

Videos of strollers (personal ones) all abandoned on Main Street.

I've also seen post video of the Emporium and area, and folks just made a mess knocking merchandise on the floor. Lots of bad behavior by guests being reported. CM's took the brunt of it sadly.


People just can't behave ....





I'm guessing the running had already started because someone yelled g-n, and in the course of that chaos balloons were popped, that reinforced to those around that there was indeed a g-n involved.


AND if you are not familiar with guns and how they sound ... it would be easy to think that. I have sometimes heard a pop and looked at DH who knows gun sounds for reassurance and usually he says no.

NOW once we were in a flea market and heard it close by (20-30 feet) and I looked at DH and he said "let's GO". As we passed an old lady who was scrambling something in to a bag and people around her in a frenzy we realized it was her. She must have dropped it and it went off.

Ah, this makes sense, there were enough people on Twitter saying something happened at the monorail it sounded try but it was hard to reconcile that with the park chaos. Someone screaming gun and then popping balloon would do it though. I cannot imagine that sea of people turning around and rushing back into the park, miraculous nobody was trampled to death.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I get being scared, but pushing and shoving isn't helpful. Other people are scared too. They deserve to get to safety too. If everyone is helpful to each other, then everyone is safer, including you!

Absolutely. Somebody should have told the trampling hoard to mind their damn manners!

 

[HopperFan]

I get being scared, but pushing and shoving isn't helpful. Other people are scared too. They deserve to get to safety too. If everyone is helpful to each other, then everyone is safer, including you!

1000% and maybe even offer to help someone who maybe had more kids than arms or fell or were elderly or disabled??

We were top floor (broke my rule) of an Embassy when fire alarms went off at 4 am. People were just so oblivious we were all trying to evacuate. (there was smoke) We had an obviously disabled son and folks weren't even trying to avoid bumping him (we were going slower but stayed to one side). An elderly lady was trying to get down with her big purse (she had her meds) and her family had left her .......... we stayed with her and made sure she didn't lose her balance the 10 flights down.

We have lost our humanity.

Ah, this makes sense, there were enough people on Twitter saying something happened at the monorail it sounded try but it was hard to reconcile that with the park chaos. Someone screaming gun and then popping balloon would do it though. I cannot imagine that sea of people turning around and rushing back into the park, miraculous nobody was trampled to death.

I haven't been able to find clear cut info they let anyone back into the park but all it would take is the folks getting ready to leave seeing all this, hearing the screaming and CMs blocking you from leaving ... hence some will turn and run into park hysterical causing chaos. Perhaps CMs even said go back and move towards the back of the park. Makes sense to clear Main Street until they knew what happened. I did see some said many went to Tomorrowland (which has backstage access to bus area) so perhaps they were directed there.

I would think (my Law & Order brain) is that you would have to be very careful about letting anyone in that monorail crowd into the park (what if there was a g-n?) or get on a boat/bus. Did they do some sort of clearance of everyone out there? At that moment they were all suspects.

 

[eandt]

Crowds, heat/rain, deadlines to get to attractions/restaurants, complicated systems to tour the parks these days = more stress

Crowds, heat/rain, deadlines to get to attractions/restaurants, complicated systems to tour the parks these days = more stress

Please

 

[gottalovepluto]

I would think (my Law & Order brain) is that you would have to be very careful about letting anyone in that monorail crowd into the park…

Who would stop them? Hundreds of people screaming gun running at some CMs and a couple security guards- I guarantee those Disney employees just got out of the way/ran into the park with the crowd.

 

[BrianL]

1000% and maybe even offer to help someone who maybe had more kids than arms or fell or were elderly or disabled??

We were top floor (broke my rule) of an Embassy when fire alarms went off at 4 am. People were just so oblivious we were all trying to evacuate. (there was smoke) We had an obviously disabled son and folks weren't even trying to avoid bumping him (we were going slower but stayed to one side). An elderly lady was trying to get down with her big purse (she had her meds) and her family had left her .......... we stayed with her and made sure she didn't lose her balance the 10 flights down.

We have lost our humanity.

I hate high floors at hotels too. I think I could deal with like 7 or 8, like most Embassy Suites have, but like in Las Vegas? Oh, no way! There was a fire once, I think MGM - horrifying! So yeah, I like a lower floor usually.

People get so crazy. Orderly is best for everybody! On the show Seal Team they like to say, "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." You will achieve your goals faster if you are deliberate as opposed to being careless. And, yes, for goodness sakes - help people who need it!

 

[HopperFan]

I hate high floors at hotels too. I think I could deal with like 7 or 8, like most Embassy Suites have, but like in Las Vegas? Oh, no way! There was a fire once, I think MGM - horrifying! So yeah, I like a lower floor usually.

People get so crazy. Orderly is best for everybody! On the show Seal Team they like to say, "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." You will achieve your goals faster if you are deliberate as opposed to being careless. And, yes, for goodness sakes - help people who need it!

HAHA my rule always been not above 7th floor because past that hook & ladder can not reach you. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!

When DS#1 was baby went to Boston with DH on business. I told 6 and below. What did they give us 24th? WHAT? Baby got real sick and finally around 1 am got him to sleep. Guess what, fire alarm? I kept looking in hall as everyone was running to stairs. I looked out window to hotel surrounded by fire trucks. I called over and over and over until someone answered. I think I yelled, "I just got my baby to sleep do we have a fire before I carry him down 24 floors?" They said it was a trashcan fire on floor (penthouse) above us. It was out. But they can not turn off alarm, fire department will when they clear it. I trusted them and stayed put. I might not these days.

Told my folks do not buy FL condo above 7, they bought on 7. YUP I was there for a fire and had to evacuate. I don't know why we chose 10, it was at Disney and we did have view of parks so maybe that was it.

That MGM was awful and for me staying high is not worth it. Older I get more I err on side of escape factor.

Not that I ride the monorails anymore but I've decided last few years we either leave early or we grab a snack and sit tight and let the crush go out. People just can't behave on so many levels.

 

[BrianL]

HAHA my rule always been not above 7th floor because past that hook & ladder can not reach you. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!

When DS#1 was baby went to Boston with DH on business. I told 6 and below. What did they give us 24th? WHAT? Baby got real sick and finally around 1 am got him to sleep. Guess what, fire alarm? I kept looking in hall as everyone was running to stairs. I looked out window to hotel surrounded by fire trucks. I called over and over and over until someone answered. I think I yelled, "I just got my baby to sleep do we have a fire before I carry him down 24 floors?" They said it was a trashcan fire on floor (penthouse) above us. It was out. But they can not turn off alarm, fire department will when they clear it. I trusted them and stayed put. I might not these days.

Told my folks do not buy FL condo above 7, they bought on 7. YUP I was there for a fire and had to evacuate. I don't know why we chose 10, it was at Disney and we did have view of parks so maybe that was it.

That MGM was awful and for me staying high is not worth it. Older I get more I err on side of escape factor.

Not that I ride the monorails anymore but I've decided last few years we either leave early or we grab a snack and sit tight and let the crush go out. People just can't behave on so many levels.

That's why I like DC - no really tall buildings! That was due to fire codes from like 1910, but I approve.

 

[tjkraz]

Crowds, heat/rain, deadlines to get to attractions/restaurants, complicated systems to tour the parks these days = more stress

All of which have been factors at Walt Disney World for decades.

 

[ChrisFL]

All of which have been factors at Walt Disney World for decades.

One could argue it is worse now

 

[starlite_]

It is very easy to judge others from the safety of our homes. None of us were there in the panic and calling scared ppl "hysterical" like their fears are unfounded and they are being silly is a very rude and nasty thing to do.

Like I'm sorry but if I'm running from a potential shooter while carrying my kids the last thing I will give an iota about is if I accidentally push merchandise to the floor.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

It is very easy to judge others from the safety of our homes. None of us were there in the panic and calling scared ppl "hysterical" like their fears are unfounded and they are being silly is a very rude and nasty thing to do.

Like I'm sorry but if I'm running from a potential shooter while carrying my kids the last thing I will give an iota about is if I accidentally push merchandise to the floor.

Agree. None of us knows how we would react or what we thought was a balloon popping (if that even happened) or a gunshot. Once a panic starts and people are in survival mode, it's got to be a very difficult situation - and people are going to protect themselves and their kids. For many of us, especially our kids. And hopefully, none of us ever will have to experience this situation to find out how we would actually react.

 

[gottalovepluto]

...calling scared ppl "hysterical" like their fears are unfounded and they are being silly is a very rude and nasty thing to do.

It was what it was, there were hysterical people and not hysterical people. Like every panic situation ever. No need to call posters rude and nasty for discussing the obvious.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

It is very easy to judge others from the safety of our homes. None of us were there in the panic and calling scared ppl "hysterical" like their fears are unfounded and they are being silly is a very rude and nasty thing to do.

Like I'm sorry but if I'm running from a potential shooter while carrying my kids the last thing I will give an iota about is if I accidentally push merchandise to the floor.

This x1000. There are mass shooting incidents in this country nearly every day. It is completely believable that one could happen at MK and I feel for those that went through that last night. By all accounts adults and children were extremely upset. Cast members did admirably locking down shops and bringing people backstage and into the utilidoors, and I guarantee that in the moment, not a single cast member gave a flying **** about merchandise accidentally getting knocked to the ground.

 

[starlite_]

It was what it was, there were hysterical people and not hysterical people. Like every panic situation ever. No need to call posters rude and nasty for discussing the obvious.

noun
noun: hysteria; plural noun: hysterias

1. exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement.
   "mass hysteria erupts as the people crowd in to view the race"
   
   
2. an old-fashioned term for a disorder characterized by neurological symptoms often accompanied by exaggeratedly or inappropriately emotional behavior, originally attributed to disease or injury of the nervous system and later thought to be functional or psychological in origin.
   

---

We will have to agree to disagree, because I don't think running and panic in the face of a potential shooter at MK is an exaggerated, inappropriate or ridiculous response.

So yes, it is a rude and nasty thing to say about scared ppl and I truly hope to never be in the position they were yesterday.

 

[BrianL]

Agree. None of us knows how we would react or what we thought was a balloon popping (if that even happened) or a gunshot. Once a panic starts and people are in survival mode, it's got to be a very difficult situation - and people are going to protect themselves and their kids. For many of us, especially our kids. And hopefully, none of us ever will have to experience this situation to find out how we would actually react.

I think the point is though is that "survival mode" is better served by remaining calm and orderly. That is actually the best thing to do to give you the best odds of survival. If your survival mode includes panic, then you likely won't survive a real incident. I understand that not everyone is going to be able to engage that, but being mindful of the fact can only be helpful.