Now I'm afraid!

[cheryl111]

Hi, I was just having a chuckle on the shocking incidents at WDW thread when someone called Morticia mentioned that WDW is the child kidnap capital - OH MY GOD IS THIS TRUE? my kids are 5 7 10 and 12 and I do keep them very close by anywhere we go, is WDW really that bad? Cheryl

 

[MOmousefan]

I would like see the proof of the statement regarding WDW being the kidnap capitol. We have always felt safe with our kids on the property. Don't get me wrong, we watched closely, but it always seems like there is lots of security around.

 

[ktglads]

Wouldn't something like a kidnapping at WDW be on every station around the world within minutes? I can honestly say I have never heard on the news about a kidnapping at WDW that was done by a stranger. If this were a true fact, I'm sure the news stations, especially those that have a vendentta against the Mouse would be all over it

 

[runner26.2]

That issue has been discussed here in the past. If I recall the story was quite specific and the children had been disguised, hair coloured etc etc.

The story is an urban legend and NOT TRUE.

If you think about it abducting a child and getting them successfully out of the park is all but impossible given the abducter would have to exit the park, take the monorail/boat to the parking lot, then the tram to their vehicle there is a significant amount of time for Disney employees/police to react using cameras etc to find the chldren. Furthermore, there is only ONE public exit from MK so all vehicles can also be easily stopped.

Finally, someone wishing to abduct a child is not going to pay an admission fee and subject themselves to all the difficulties of leaving a Park.

The story is a myth and I wouldn't concern yourself about it.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Oh, it's true alright! The kids are taken by the ghost hitchhiker and you find his claw hand left dangling from your stroller.


Kidding! Check out the Snopes report!
http://www.snopes.com/disney/parks/parks.asp#kidnap

 

[cleo]

Urban myth, honey. Not true. Don't you think it would be splashed across every paper in the country if children were disappearing left and right from Mickey's house?

Go. Have fun. Your children are safe.

 

[cheryl111]

Thankyou for your reassurance and the urban legends thread. I feel a little silly now for having a total panic attack just now. It is something that has been at the back of my mind. I am from the UK so I wouldnt know of any newspapers radio stations reporting on anything. Thanks again for your reassurance. Cheryl xxx

 

[DebbieinWA]

Also, security is excellent at WDW. My DD was separated from us during the parade aftermath crowds. We contacted security, and she was reunited with us within 10 minutes (okay - the scariest 10 minutes of my life!). We contacted a CM, who then sent out a message with a description of my dd. Security found her based on the description, asked if she was Amie and brought her right to us. What a relief! I was so impressed with their professionalism and their help.

 

[mafibisha]

Wouldn't something like a kidnapping at WDW be on every station around the world within minutes?

Not necessarily.......

Disney has its own police department, fire department ect.

WDW does NOT pay taxes to Orlando or Kissimmeee (Walt was brilliant in his initial negotiations!)

Much of what really happens in WDW does NOT reach the outside press.

It does make you wonder....

 

[phyllis1966]

I feel safer at WDW than many other places! Definitely don't worry about this myth - it's not really that bad over here . Come and relax and have a great time!

 

[dawnball]

There are 150 stranger abductions per year in the entire US (abductions of children infant-18, taken by strangers and gone for 30 minutes or more). I don't say this to minimize the impact of a stranger abduction on the family involved - but just because the odds of your child being a victim are so amazingly low.

Even if WDW was the abduction capital of the world (which it isn't), there would be about as many abductions as there are ride-related medical emergencies.

Go and enjoy your trip, and don't worry about it.

 

[Equidae]

Not necessarily.......

Disney has its own police department, fire department ect.

WDW does NOT pay taxes to Orlando or Kissimmeee (Walt was brilliant in his initial negotiations!)

Much of what really happens in WDW does NOT reach the outside press.

It does make you wonder....

Why should they pay taxes to Orlando or Kissimmee? WDW isn't located in either. They are spread out in Orange and Osceola county. Reedy Creek, which is Disney's fire dept. etc, also services the neighboring area. And they do not have their own police department. Security, yes, but not police. They use the Orange County Sheriff's office. Just because it happens at Disney doesn not mean it will stay there.

 

[carolfoy]

I heard that there has never been a SUCCESFUL kidnap or abduction from WDW, I heard this from a cm and sure implys that it may have been attempted but the perpatrators have never got close. They probably never even got past the gates. There are too many nice people looking out for everyone else around.

 

[Lorelai]

Not necessarily.......



Much of what really happens in WDW does NOT reach the outside press.

It does make you wonder....

This still concerns me.

 

[3mickeys&me]

I feel now adays you HAVE to be over protective of your kids no matter where you are. We have been to Disney alot and have never had any problems. We feel safe when we are there and our kids are little like yours.
Go have fun and watch your kids like you would any other time

 

[DisneyDotty]

I have never felt alarmed/unsafe anywhere in Disney--WDW or DL. Maybe I'm just sucking in all the magic and being oblivious to danger--but I don't think so. Go and have a great time--keep an eye on your kids but relax and enjoy the pixie dust, too!

 

[mafibisha]

Why should they pay taxes to Orlando or Kissimmee? WDW isn't located in either. They are spread out in Orange and Osceola county. Reedy Creek, which is Disney's fire dept. etc, also services the neighboring area. And they do not have their own police department. Security, yes, but not police. They use the Orange County Sheriff's office. Just because it happens at Disney doesn not mean it will stay there.

I used Orlando or Kissimmee as examples since I don't live there and didn't know county names!

And the difference between Security and Police is.....?

Both handle *on-site incidents.*

(we're talking semantics here: "a rose by any other name STILL smells as sweet".)

This still concerns me.

Yep, me too.
Brother lives in Longwood, Florida. Alot happens at WDW that the general public never hears.

 

[jeankeri]

I would be interested to know what Disney's policy is on lost kids. Our family plan is to pick an area of the park (ex. bench in front of Mission Space entrance) to meet up if we are separated. They are 9 & 10, have been to Disney twice and can navigate the parks. We have told them if they need help to go to a CM who is working (Fastpass, snack truck) and ask them for help if they need it. Would these people have security bring our kids somewhere, or would they notify security and have the kids remain there until we arrived? We always tell our kids to stay out in public; if an adult offers help, do not follow them anywhere. Just curious.

 

[Equidae]

I used Orlando or Kissimmee as examples since I don't live there and didn't know county names!

And the difference between Security and Police is.....?

Both handle *on-site incidents.*

(we're talking semantics here: "a rose by any other name STILL smells as sweet".)


Yep, me too.
Brother lives in Longwood, Florida. Alot happens at WDW that the general public never hears.

If you don't know the specific areas you are talking about, why did you mention it? You said WDW doesn't pay taxes to Orlando or Kissimee -- true, but irrelevant. They aren't located there.

No, we aren't talking semantics. The difference between police and security is their accountability. Security at Disney is there to make you feel safe, prevent thefts and other crimes, not to arrest or prosecute. Disney is still under the same laws as any other company and if something occurs it must be reported to the police. Whenever there has been a ride death it has been reported to the Orange County Sheriff's office, not just blown off. If there is a theft, it is reported to the police. Think about it, if there was a kidnapping, do you think a parent would not be ok with it not being reported to the police? Big difference. A security force would not be able to prosecute or arrest any criminal or conduct investigations in an official capacity.

As far as what goes reported and not, I live here too and the news is always very quick to report anything that goes wrong over at Disney. Heck, they even had a whole segment on the Orange County Sheriff's office catching speeders on property. And if the general public doesn't know, how does your brother in Longwood (which isn't exactly next door to WDW anyway?).

Sorry, but I get a bit worked up when someone comes around saying stuff that just isn't true but reporting that it is.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Not necessarily.......

Disney has its own police department, fire department ect.

WDW does NOT pay taxes to Orlando or Kissimmeee (Walt was brilliant in his initial negotiations!)

Much of what really happens in WDW does NOT reach the outside press.

It does make you wonder....

I guess I can see that argument in terms of other things -- but if a child was kidnapped the parents would contact everyone they could think of. It's not like they could bribe a parent to not look for their child. Even an attempted abduction would undoubtedly make the press.