Is the WDW resort area safe?

[MM2U2]

I am concerned if the WDW Resort area is safe. I would like to visit WDW again this summer but I am conerned about the safety. I have not been to WDW after 9/11. I am an annual pass holder at Disneyland and visit there at least twice a month. The security is intense there (DL.) I feel very safe whenever I visit Disneyland. Is there a security check at the gates of WDW? If so, what is allowed and what is not? Is there some form of security at the resort hotels? Before I spend a lot of money making plans for a WDW visit I want to make sure it's safe. I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has recently been to WDW.

 

[Kimberle]

There are little guard houses. Anyone entering with a car must stop & provide ID (at least we've always been asked for ID.)

I guess if someone really "wanted to", they could park at the TTC & use Disney transportation to enter a resort......

Yes, I feel the resorts are "safe". We've been very comfortable during our stays (both before & after 9/11).

 

[denman007]

It depends on if you want to 'be' save or 'feel' save. It's as safe as anything other place. The security checks are there to make you feel safe. You are no safer with or without them, imo.

They have minor searches at the entrance of each park...nothing at the resorts.

I wouldn't worry out it, though.

 

[msteddom]

I too am an AP holder at DLR, and I think the security at WDW is just as good if not better. MM2U2, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Go and have a good, safe time!



Melissa

 

[HappyMommy2]

Wow, that is a tough question. I guess there are no guarantees that you will be safe anywhere. Think of the Pentagon--a hugely "secure" place, yet that couldn't prevent tragedy there on 9/11.

Last time we went to WDW some worries did cross my mind briefly--without really intending to, I'd think of ways that someone could easily get around WDW security to do something terrible. But I just pushed those thoughts out of my head and not let them dampen my trip at all.

I think we need to take reasonable precautions (and WDW has), but I really believe that we're only encouraging our enemies if we let them scare us out of enjoying good things in life like WDW.

I say go, and have a great trip!

 

[Uncle Albert]

WDW takes security very seriously. I can't tell you how I know but there are many ways they insure your safety at the resorts and in the parks. I will tell you that there are 100s of undercover and plain clothes security all over WDW not to mention cameras.

It's all about money. Guests who don't feel safe go other places for vacation. WDW makes sure you are as safe as you can be, whether you know it or not. Believe me.

 

[Terk-1]

My famly & I went 2 weeks after 9/11, plus I went solo in 2002 and again in 2003 and always felt safe. There are security guards checking bags at each of the entrances of the parks. I use the same common sense for safety at WDW, as I do at home. I always double lock my room door, even if I am just running in to grab something. I never carry much cash and charge most things to my room key. My wallet, license, cc, etc. I keep locked in the safe. I make sure I am familiar with my surroundings and give an impression of confidence that I know where I am at all times (been there 14 times, so I'm familiar with most of WDW). If entering a resort by car, you must stop at a guard house at all of the resorts before you can enter.

Planning my 15th trip (another solo one) for November and feel secure about going again.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by MM2U2
I am concerned if the WDW Resort area is safe. I would like to visit WDW again this summer but I am conerned about the safety. I have not been to WDW after 9/11. I am an annual pass holder at Disneyland and visit there at least twice a month. The security is intense there (DL.) I feel very safe whenever I visit Disneyland. Is there a security check at the gates of WDW? If so, what is allowed and what is not? Is there some form of security at the resort hotels? Before I spend a lot of money making plans for a WDW visit I want to make sure it's safe. I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has recently been to WDW.

Safe is realitive. WDW has bad searches before you can enter the parks and each resort has a guard at the entrance and the resorts and the parks have very nicely themed barriers to prevent someone from driving a car bomb into the parks or the resorts. But, let's face it if someone wanted to do something bad enough it could be done. I think of WDW as Vegas in the sense that there is security everywhere you just cannot notice it. They do not want to take away from your feeling of fantasy but they are there and watching. I feel that WDW is safer then going to your local mall. I do not know about were you live but the malls in the Boston area do not search bags. Go and have a good time. You cannot let what happened on 9/11 deter you from enjoying your life. That was one of the goals of the attacks. Again, I believe that you are as safe if not safer at WDW then you are at any large public gathering any where else in the world.

 

[MM2U2]

It sounds great! Thanks for all of your advice. I'm off to making plans for a July 2004 visit
Next stop: DISNEY WORLD!!!

 

[HappyMommy2]

 

[mmausse]

Like Uncle Albert, I can't tell you specifically about all the precautions WDW has in place to protect the safety of its guests and cast members but I can tell you that a LOT of what WDW has in place, our Gov't has learned from and followed suit in some way.

They literally have cameras covering every square foot of the property. from the bathrooms to behind the trees.

A short comparative story of WDW vs. Universal:

I visited both at XMAS 2002. I went to Universal 1st. They have rent-a-cops that briefly check your bags. I was seated on a bench in Universal where I witnessed a man showing his 8 yo son, his taser. They were shooting it at the birds. I was horrified! Moreso, in the fact that this man managed to somehow conceal this and bring it into the park. Very calmly I walked over to a Universal employee and asked for security. They arrived about 10 minutes later and I explained what I saw to them and pointed out the man. They said they could do nothing. I said if they were unwilling to detain him then I would contact my friends and they would detain him. I also said that I would call the press and Universal would get bad publicity. They got rather irate and asked who did I think I was. I replied as I pulled out my own badge, "A federal agent." They did go over to the man but I didn't wait around.

I went back to my Universal hotel and checked out. I drove to WDW and stayed there. I have told WDW about this, as well as my co-workers - tasers are illegal in public in FLA and, now, in most states as well. WDW is VERY Safe and VERY good at it.

As for 9/11 - we were all caught off guard. We can all take steps to ensure that it doesn't happen again by keeping our eyes open and being alert to situations. WDW is doing just that.

SO go, have a great time, and don't worry!

 

[honeymom]

Unfortunately, we are just going to have to get used to living in a post 9/11 world. Before 9/11, we never believed anything like 9/11 could happen here. After 9/11, we now know that it can. The knowledge of our vulnerability will be with us for years to come - perhaps for the rest of our lives. We are only a little safer, because we now have the knowledge to know that this could happen and to be watchful.

I would believe that Disney does whatever is possible to keep its guests safe. Is there ever 100% safety? Probably not. Should we stop going to WDW? No, then the terrorists have won.

For pete's sake, before 9/11 they had their own helicopters to monitor weather. I can only imagine that they have invested plenty into keeping the guests safe.

 

[DMRick]

Is there ever 100% safety? Probably not.

I personally think you should not ever think a place is 100% safe, even Disney. While talking with a couple of CM's from our area, they let it be known that Disney doesn't want you to know the bad (bad publicity) and does their best to keep it under wraps. I read an article not too long ago, where the local police were interviewed, and said that Disney has been told they can no longer handle some things internally, and needed to call the outside police, even if it means it will make the paper.
While Disney has a lot of safeguards in place, you should still practice safety, such as walking in pairs at night, staying on lit paths, knowing where your children are, etc. I consider my neighborhood safe too, with good neighbors always within a call, but would never not follow the above. Remember, Disney has no control over who is staying there..anyone can rent a room and buy a ticket. We've seen some interesting things going on, and no Disney cast member came running..which leaves me to believe that not every area in Disney can be seen by security.
As far as getting items into the parks via your backpack, stroller, etc..that would be a piece of cake. The searches are cursory at best...I could "sneak" in anything I wanted.
Doris

 

[PamOKW]

Is WDW safe? Yes. Do we live in a perfect world? No. As mentioned, Disney has all kinds of security measures in place that you see and that you don't see. As WDW has grown, they have also brought in local law enforcement. This began as PI grew and they had some rap concert related incidents there.

In terms of terrorism and major crime, they are doing as well as anyone can to address those issues. In terms of petty crime, pickpockets, thieves, etc. -- you're still in 2004 and should use the same caution you would use when visiting a major city. Disney even provides a list of suggestions such as being aware of surroundings at night, traveling together etc. All the common sense things that the excitement of vacation (or not being used to living in a city environment) might erase. You should also do things like not leaving your hotel room door unlocked, even when you just run down the hall. Not answering the door unless you know who is there. Call the front desk to confirm it is a hotel employee....all the regular travel advice.

 

[goofy4tink]

You know, when I went to WDW in Dec, with my 10 y/o dd, I was concerned about the two of us traveling alone. What if a 'situation' came up. But, with-in about 1 hour of checking in, I was incredibly comfortable. I have always thought that WDW would be a perfect 'spot' for terrorists to make a statement. But, I figure that no one wants me to feel safe more than Disney does. Do the searches at the gate make me feel safe? No, not really. But, I know there are tons of people, undercover so to speak, that are watching and are prepared to take action. WDW is one place that I feel safe.