Rode Out The Earthquake At The DLH ...

[Hester]

Yeah, from the 14th floor. Scary. (I'm here now)

 

[Sherry E]

Did everyone in the DLH run down to the lobby, Hester? We have several DIS'ers who are at DLR now - namely, WazowskiLOVER. Charmama4, pmama and a few others, I think. I wonder if they all felt it. Can't wait for the Trip Reports when everyone comes back to hear the scoop.

Strangely, as much as earthquakes scare me, I think I would feel better if I were out amongst lots of people in a place like DLR. I wouldn't be as nervous. Even if all the rides shut down for safety reasons, I would be less stressed in a place like that than if I am just sitting at home by myself when a quake happens (which I usually am). But, thinking back over my entire life, I don't think I have ever been out in a fun place when a quake happened. I am usually at home and/or by myself. But Disneyland makes everything better!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I recently read a book called Surviving the Unthinkable. It was about disaster psychology. Very interesting. But one of the most important things I learned is to scout out the stairway exit when you get to a hotel. Even take it to see where you end up. Because is something happens it is good to have done it already, because you may not be thinking clearly. Also bring a flashlight and keep it near you at night. I know I plan to pay more attention to these things when we are at our hotel down there.

 

[Disney Dreams]

We were in the Park when the Earth decided to shake. It was very interesting to see the reactions of those around us who clearly were not from California and had no idea what an earthquake was.

"What was that?"
"Was that an earthquake?"
"That was an EARTHQUAKE???"

Everyone was relatively calm, listened to CM instructions. Most didn't seem to have any desire to exit. They just wanted to continue on with the fun. I found that really funny because having lived in So Cal my whole life, it is just common knowledge that you exit a large building after the shaking stops. At the same time, I could also see the thought process of those familiar with earthquakes thinking, "It's done, let's carry on with the fun."

The quake hit around 8:45pm and yes, the 9:25pm fireworks went right on time.

- Dreams

 

[kc10family]

Glad to hear everyone and everything is fine.

 

[iKristin]

Nothing compares to Northridge '94...THAT was an earthquake lol. Scary as all heck!! Lets just hope that an earthquake never destroys DL...that'd be sad

 

[scooter15]

We were there last night and didn't feel a thing. It looks like if you were walking or moving in some way you didn't feel it but if you were standing in line or standing still you felt the jolt. It was pretty minor though. It standard procedure for all attractions to shut down and cycle out until you get maintenance clearance to reopen. They have to do a walk thru for pretty much all rides because they want to make sure that nothing is out of place. Even for a minor quake, it was still felt by many so they have to make sure its safe and this is done with all theme parks throughout the state. It takes about an hour at minimum for the rides to open back up.

There were some adults who were complaining that all rides were down at all the poor cast members. Some of them actually didn't realize there was an earthquake. I also noticed A LOT of kids complaining or crying that all the rides were down or they had to get out of line. Parents were trying to explain to their kids what an earthquake was and why they closed the rides. I was one of those parents. We left after the fireworks so I don't know if any of the rides reopened or what time they did reopen.

Even though the quake was minor, I was surprised the fireworks went on as planned. They could close the rides but its ok to shoot explosives up in the air when the ground is moving But since the fire dept has to clear the fireworks show every night, then I guess it was ok.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

scooter, what happened when they shut down the rides? Did it shut down mid ride and then have ride evacs or did they at least allow the rides to return to the loading area? I don't want to get stuck on a ride!

 

[zeitzeuge]

I'm originally from Nebraska, so I grew up seeing Tornado's all the time. Even had them destroy roofs and/or building on our land or close by. Spending a night in the basement once a week was nothing unusual to us. I don't find them scary. I find them fascinating.

Now earthquakes on the other hand. I would be the one that everyone around me, would be able to tell wasn't native Californian.

Not that I would be screaming like a little girl or anything.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

We were in the Park when the Earth decided to shake. It was very interesting to see the reactions of those around us who clearly were not from California and had no idea what an earthquake was.

"What was that?"
"Was that an earthquake?"
"That was an EARTHQUAKE???"

- Dreams

Yeah - I'm from AZ, born & bred...NEVER dealt w/ anything. Earthquakes, tornadoes, floods...nada! So one time I visit CA & an earthquake happens - I had no idea what it was..plus I was 1/2 asleep. It was like 1 huge wave. If I was in DL - I might panic a bit. Luckily DH is a rock & nothing phases him...but if we were on a RIDE at the time!???! OMG. Freaky.

 

[PigletGurl]

I only hope I'm not in the shower when a earthquake hits.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

Nothing compares to Northridge '94...THAT was an earthquake lol. Scary as all heck!! Lets just hope that an earthquake never destroys DL...that'd be sad

You know, the thought never crossed my mind until I read this thread. Sadness.

A friend livesi n Houston, after the hurricane a popular spot called Kemah (sp) Boardwalk "drowned" - they built that place back up...FAST. I saw the before & after pics, I'm sure DL would be fixed quick as possible.

 

[teatime]

I live by yellowstone, we get them frequently to. Im not scared, but I would not want to be in with a ton of people in a park when it happened.
we have had some horrible ones in my time, in fact when I was born quake lake formed from a horrible earth quake.


Main article: 1959 Yellowstone earthquake

The earthquake measured 7.3 on the Richter scale and caused an 80 million ton landslide which formed a landslide dam on the Madison River. The landslide traveled down the south flank of Sheep Mountain, at an estimated 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), killing 28 people who were camping along the shores of Hebgen Lake and downstream along the Madison River. Upstream the faulting caused by the earthquake forced the waters of Hebgen Lake to shift violently. A seiche, a wave effect of both wind and water, crested over Hebgen Dam, causing cracks and erosion. Besides being the largest known earthquake to have struck the state of Montana in recorded history, it is also the largest earthquake to occur in the Northern Rockies for centuries and is one of the largest earthquakes ever to hit the United States in recorded history.

The earthquake created fault scarps up to 20 feet (6 m) high in the area near Hebgen Lake and the lake bottom itself dropped the same distance. 32,000 acres (130 km²) of the area near Hebgen Lake subsided more than 10 feet (3 m). Several geysers in the northwestern sections in Yellowstone National Park erupted and numerous hot springs became temporarily muddied.

 

[scooter15]

scooter, what happened when they shut down the rides? Did it shut down mid ride and then have ride evacs or did they at least allow the rides to return to the loading area? I don't want to get stuck on a ride!

Usually they let the ride continue and cycle out but they don't load it. By cycling it out, it allows them to make sure that everyone is off the ride, especially in the dark rides. If its a significant one, the shaking will probably set off an emergency stop and in that case, you probably will be "rescued" from wherever you are. If an emergency stop happens on a roller coaster, the train will continue to the next lift and stop.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I only hope I'm not in the shower when a earthquake hits.

I have often thought that! Sometimes I think, "This would be a bad time for an earthquake!"

 

[mechurchlady]

I have not shower fears but for me it is ladders. I would hate to be on a ladder if an earthquake hits. In a shower you set on the tub floor and hold onto the edges or set on the bathroom floor until the earthquake is done. The idea of being on a ladder when one hits is scary to me.

 

[Ken2Blitzkrieg]

I only hope I'm not in the shower when a earthquake hits.

lol trust you

not long now eh ?

 

[lovintheland]

I was sitting at the HoJo hot tub with my feet in enjoying a glass of wine when my butt started moving, now I had only had a sip of my drink but thought I was going nuts, until all of us there at the same time said "did you feel that?" my daughter pointed to the kids slide area that was clearly shaking. It was a surreal experience

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Usually they let the ride continue and cycle out but they don't load it. By cycling it out, it allows them to make sure that everyone is off the ride, especially in the dark rides. If its a significant one, the shaking will probably set off an emergency stop and in that case, you probably will be "rescued" from wherever you are. If an emergency stop happens on a roller coaster, the train will continue to the next lift and stop.

Thanks scooter! I was just starting to relax reading the first part of your post then I got to the second part about if it's a significant one, and got thinking about being stuck on a ride for lord knows how long in the dark, or upside down. I know some people find that kind of thing fun and like to take photos, but I just don't think it's something I will enjoy.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

That was just a tiny little jiggle--nothing at all to be worried about.