Is Downtown Disney safe for families?

[rodkenrich]

,

 

[dogodisney]

We've been to DTD is 06', 07', and 08' and never had any problems nor did we see anything. I plan on going back when we are at Disney in December.

 

[Meg13]

Our family makes a visit to Downtown Disney at least once a trip, and in ou 40+ trips, we've never had any problem. Of course families should exercise caution, just like anywhere else, but I trust Disney to make every precaution to keep their guests safe.

 

[Jason71]

Wow, rehashing old news and getting it wrong as well. (The article, not the OP.) "Abductions"? There was one reported abduction--it was proven a hoax within days. As for WDW's "crackdown" on gang members, it lasted maybe two days before they realized they were stopping only teens from upper middle class families--IIRC, one was the son of a VP of the Poly.

Having friends both from and currently living in St Louis, I'd love to see a comparison of DTD's crime rate to that city's.

 

[zulemara]

this thread is a waste of time

 

[jfinke]

this thread is a waste of time

Ding, Ding, Ding! We have a winner...

Now, maybe if they were talking about Port-au-Prince, Haiti...

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

No where is completely safe and one should not have that kind of unreasonable expectation. But Downtown Disney has got to be one of the safest places in the world. There are sheriff's deputies, Disney security and plainclothes security all over the complex let alone the surveillance cameras. Perhaps actually inside the theme parks might be a bit safer, but DTD is close behind! They do an awesome job out there. I also think they do an awesome job out at Universal CityWalk and they have to deal with those two huge parking garages.

BobK/Orlando

 

[TDC Nala]

Note that even the writer of the article said they'd been frequenting Downtown Disney for over 10 years and never had a problem.

So have I - as a single woman.

This was entirely a perception thing, not a crime problem - and Disney's big on perception. If the perception is that it's dangerous for families and a crime hot spot, that's just another bit of the speculation as to why Disney closed PI (Disney closed PI so they could outsource the area but the official explanation was something about making it more family-friendly). Nobody asks if Citiwalk is safe because it isn't Disney. Disney has to be seen as safe. I think it's possible the average Disney visitor was more freaked out by the sight of uniformed police or security than comforted (this is Disney World, why do they need cops?) Not exactly rational but Disney has worked hard to be perceived as a place where humans don't act like humans.

Of course they didn't close Virgin Megastores or the movie theater, which is where the teens would congregate - and teens couldn't get into PI clubs without adult accompaniment.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'm not sure saying it's as safe as any public place in Orlando would comfort anyone!!
I've posted before and will say it again--I always felt really uncomfortable at DD especially with packs of teens just loitering and roaming around. On those extremely rare occasions when we visit that area (dinner, or shopping at the Disney store) we always made it a point to be out of the area way before dark.
TDC Nala is right--it's a perception sort of thing. Folks see these kids roaming all around, hear the reports of "incidents" and then see police, etc and say to themselves--THIS is WDW???

 

[zulemara]

I'm not sure saying it's as safe as any public place in Orlando would comfort anyone!!
I've posted before and will say it again--I always felt really uncomfortable at DD especially with packs of teens just loitering and roaming around. On those extremely rare occasions when we visit that area (dinner, or shopping at the Disney store) we always made it a point to be out of the area way before dark.
TDC Nala is right--it's a perception sort of thing. Folks see these kids roaming all around, hear the reports of "incidents" and then see police, etc and say to themselves--THIS is WDW???

You do know there are police at MK right? It's no different. OC sheriff parks his car right by the MK entrance and is always visible.

Ironically, they blamed PI for attracting the wrong element, yet kids still hang out in DTD.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Actually, it's a LOT different than the MK. Police aren't all over the place. And I feel no "discomfort" at any of the Theme Parks like I do (or rather, did) at DD/PI.

 

[OrlandoMike]

You do know there are police at MK right? It's no different. OC sheriff parks his car right by the MK entrance and is always visible.

Has that car even moved in the last 8 years?

It's pretty much a prop!

Yes there are sheriffs at the MK, even a sub station, but trying to compare the "organized youth groups" that hang at DTD to the MK is a bit of a stretch.

 

[Lady_Gracey999]

I always wondered if they could do the same thing at DTD that they do at my local mall on weekends. They have a rule that no one under 18 is allowed to roam the mall after 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. They enforce it too. I knew a girl in high school who got kicked out along with some of her friends.

Anytime there are large groups of teens together I get nervous.

 

[NMW]

Anytime there are large groups of teens together I get nervous.

Lots of people feel the same way. Large groups of loud teens can make people feel unsafe. Whether they are actually in any real danger isn't really the point. When WDW guests are there with their families the last thing they want to feel is unsafe. It's all about perception.

 

[zulemara]

Has that car even moved in the last 8 years?

It's pretty much a prop!

Yes there are sheriffs at the MK, even a sub station, but trying to compare the "organized youth groups" that hang at DTD to the MK is a bit of a stretch.

I'm not comparing the groups, just responding that DTD is not the only place there is police presence on property. The only reason there is a false sense of security in the parks is because there are turnstiles. Have you ever been patted down at MK? No...I bet not, and that's my point. once you're through, you think you're safe.

I guess it is just perception

edit: and I still see no reason to feel threatened by a group of teenagers. There are managers, orange county, and disney security, and undercover secuirty are there to respond and I've never had an incident in DTD and I go there frequently(mostly to cry about PI) and of course as I said before, getting rid of PI did NOT get rid of the groups of teenagers. I think it's a bit paranoid to be afraid of teenage groups. I'm much more scared of the old guy with a hoodie and a beard creeping around DTD, but I guess that's just me.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I'm not comparing the groups, just responding that DTD is not the only place there is police presence on property. The only reason there is a false sense of security in the parks is because there are turnstiles. Have you ever been patted down at MK? No...I bet not, and that's my point. once you're through, you think you're safe.

I guess it is just perception

edit: and I still see no reason to feel threatened by a group of teenagers. There are managers, orange county, and disney security, and undercover secuirty are there to respond and I've never had an incident in DTD and I go there frequently(mostly to cry about PI) and of course as I said before, getting rid of PI did NOT get rid of the groups of teenagers. I think it's a bit paranoid to be afraid of teenage groups. I'm much more scared of the old guy with a hoodie and a beard creeping around DTD, but I guess that's just me.

I usually agree with you Z, but this time I do not.

While viewing large groups of teens in a negative manner may be akin to 'profiling' I nonetheless am personally concerned when I encounter these groups at DTD or City Walk.

Large groups don't = frineds. Large groups = gangs. Right or wrong this is the perception.

The difference between the Parks and DTD isn't the turnstiles, it's the venue. Large groups of teens, aside from Brazilians, Cheerleaders or Pop Warner footballers whom don't present intimidating behaviour, are quite different from the cool, partying "hip" (my generations description) teens looking to 'score' or be "the cat's meow" (an earlier generations description) that frequent DTD or CW.

Further, gang activity and unruly behaviour in Orlando is very threatening and can happen at the drop of a hat, anywhere. Weren't there 3 murders in Orlando this week alone?

I'd like to think have faith that Disney has my back like I used to but I don't. Nor do I have faith in the Osceola or Orange County PD's or their off duty security. The proof is in the pudding and as far as Orlando is concerned the bad guys are winning.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The difference between the Parks and DTD isn't the turnstiles, it's the venue.

Further, gang activity and unruly behaviour in Orlando is very threatening and can happen at the drop of a hat, anywhere. Weren't there 3 murders in Orlando this week alone?

I disagree. It is the turnstiles. Crime seeking youth gangs don't pay $80 entry fees to go trolling. And if there were 3 murders in Orlando this week, they were "in the hood", not at the tourist attractions.

BobK/Orlando

 

[OrlandoMike]

I disagree. It is the turnstiles. Crime seeking youth gangs don't pay $80 entry fees to go trolling. And if there were 3 murders in Orlando this week, they were "in the hood", not at the tourist attractions.

BobK/Orlando

And there are no turnstiles at DTD!

There are turnstiles at every other Disney location, with security check points also. At DTD you drop the kids off, or they drive there, and they are free to roam! Not saying its a major problem, but it is an issue!

 

[Jason71]

Re: uniformed police. Granted, it's a post-9/11 things (which still means close to a decade now), but uniformed police at theme parks are the norm. Heck, even Sea World, the most non-threatening park in Orlando, always has a couple bored-looking OC deputies up front.

Re: "gangs." The only large groups of teens I've seen at DTD have either been from South America (following an adult with a flag swiped from a golf course) or clearly waiting to be seated in Planet Hollywood. Even during the so-called "crackdown," security stopped a group of like 3 or 4 kids. I think the perception of the online Disney fan community is a lot different from reality--and the perception of the vast majority of guests.

 

[Jessfrogger88]

Oh jeez.

Maybe I'm a bit naive and trusting... but seriously????


Maybe it's because I come from a rough neighborhood... but I have been to DTD/PI/WS like literally 100 times. I never felt unsafe, I never witnessed any offensive behavior besides the normal obnoxious individual... Not only that... but I have never even felt intimidated... I have seen some groups of teens... no more than a max of say 10. I mean I know mall crime is usually peformed by youth... but when did being a teenager with teenage friends become a crime? I feel like people are wanting teenagers to be punished for just being teenagers with friends because it makes them feel uncomfortable. I"m sorry these kids have rights too... and I'm all for them banned from property if they cause a ruckus... but it needs to be done on an individual basis. Don't punish Sarah for Joe's offense.. Like an above poster said... I"m sure that if teen gangbangers want to commit crimes/ sell drugs/ fight they are going to do in the "hood" not in a crowded disney shopping mall with 500 cops close by..