Security

[Jakesmom1]

This is probably a really dumb question, but one that I cant help wonder about.

I live in NY and like lots of Americans was effected both emotionaly and financially by 9/11. Things I once took for granted I find I no longer can.

I was lucky enough to get my DH to agree to fly to Florida,( he never liked to fly, and now since 9/11 he likes it even less) so we could once again enjoy all of the Disney magic.

We try to get t WDW at least every other year, ( last time was July of 2001) wish it could be more. We are staying on site at CBR, It has been a while since I stayed on Site, and I really dont remember what security is like at the hotels.

Can anyone drive onto the property or just WDW guests? Is there any actual security there?

I know you all probably think Im nuts for asking, but I was just wondering.

Thanks

 

[Quadman]

Not to be a scare monger, but would't you think based upon the references that you point to in your post above that anyone who decides they want it bad enough can drive anywhere they like, espicially NON-Military/Security installations like WDW.

Sorry to throw my 2 cents in like this, but I have a 7yr old that these days walks around and asks 'What if....?", the only response I really care to give anymore is "What if not....?, Now go smile and be happy......"

No degree of Rent-a-cop should really provide any real comfort to those honestly concerned.

 

[Goofyposter]

You're not "nuts".....just a little "peanutty"


I've been on property....10/01, 12/01, 10/02, 12/02, 3/03, 5/03....and I can assure you 110% that security at WDW has gone from nearly nil.....to meaningful.

No...not just "anyone" can drive up to the resorts now....certainly not without either reservations, or a room key...or a good reason...and there are security cameras....EVERYWHERE.......

like the prior poster......if someone wants to do harm.....even if you're in the White House.....it CAN happen.....I should also mention that the chances of YOU being KILLED in a car accident are like 10 BaZILLION times greater than anything....read....ANYTHING....bad happening to you while you're at WDW.

I hope this helps your DH!

 

[PamOKW]

Rest assured that Disney takes security very seriously. Even when you don't see it, it's there. Of course, things can still happen as they do anywhere today so that doesn't mean that they are stopping every pickpocket or car thief. It does mean that they have a grasp of the big picture and are doing their best to protect their guests.

 

[MermaidsMom]

I am more concerned driving to the store than I am sleeping at a Disney resort! Enjoy your trip. Don't look back in 20 years and be sorry that you stayed at home and looked out the window at life instead of living it.

 

[Jakesmom1]

Thank you all for your posts.

Please dont misunderstand, nothing would keep me from going to WDW. I will enjoy my trip like every other time, perhaps with just a little more observation of whats going on around me.

Again thanks for your thoughts.

 

[jadedNYer]

Jakesmom -
We live almost directly across the river from Downtown Manhattan - and could see the WTC from our home. I happened to still be at my boys' school getting the younger one adjusted to Pre-K when it happened. We walked home just as the huge cloud of ash and smoke hit Brooklyn and we all got some on our clothes. It took me months to get on a subway to go to Manhattan and I only did that because my older son had a dental emergency.
I am terrified to fly also but my fear is more based on mechanical falilure but I am getting on a plane in less than 48 hours to go to WDW.
As for security, we were at WDW last summer and I never felt nervous. I am sure WDW has excellent hidden secuity. I would prefer that especially with children. There are times when the National Armed Guards are patrolling the bridges, subway stations, etc. and that can be frightening for children.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[copper0426]

Your not nuts you are normal.
If nothing else came out that horrible attack at least people now realize how much of thier security is up to them.
Disneys security is comprehensive and most of it is not even seen unless it is needed.
If it helps, my understanding is that alot of the security is ex law enforcement both local agencys and federal.
Disney is still the only place I can still (almost)fully decompress that is saying something for any one who knows me.

 

[beccasmom]

Security is all around you at Disney, even though you may not be aware of it. I know that at my home DVC resort, Old Key West, we see cars and vans with "Security" emblazoned on them all the time. I can't say that this was the case before 9/11, but either I'm noticing it more now or they were in "unmarked" cars before.

I was at Disney on 9/11/01. It was a very scary time for everyone, but Disney did all they could to make things easier for people. Although the parks and the Marketplace were closed, vans took those without cars to the other resorts for dinner reservations because the buses were not running. I did not feel unsafe for one moment (except for the first night when I kept hoping it had all been one long nightmare). I would have rather been home (and really dreaded the flight home ten days later, although it was uneventful), but if I'd had to be anywhere else, Disney would be it. Please don't worry and have a great trip.

 

[bbogz]

We were in the World in October, 2001. We were very concerned about going since it was only 3 weeks after 9/11. We found the security to be reassuring without being overly threatening. We were glad we went. Also, we went the following October and found security to be about the same. Go and have a great time. Sorry to say we won't be going this October.

 

[*Flower*]

We were there from 9/14 - 9/16 2001 and it was nice to see security/searches visible. Of course it wasn't "metal detector" type searches, but not too bad. Of course I'm used to military searches...... but it did make most visitors feel safe.

Have a great trip!!

 

[kiddisney]

hi - i know that you got a lot of responses - and some of them tried to downplay your concerns (i'm sorry for them because everyone's entitled to how they feel - and unless you've been through each and every ordeal - you have the right to feel any way you do) - but anyway - i wanted to let you know that your concerns are valid - i had them - i was very much involved w/contingency & security for 9/11 since our downtown finanacial institution was shutdown & i had to deal w/all of these feelings when we went last year - and i'm still nervous about a lot of travel situations - but i had been to disney multiple times before last year & i have never seen security like it is now - we wanted to go to downtown disney and took a cab - and only badged drivers could get into the resort - and to get back we had to show our resort cards - our bags were checked every time we entered a park - and to be honest - it was more thorough than at madison square garden - so just be cautious - and be prepared for security checks - and understand that it will only help to protect us - hope you have a good trip

 

[DMRick]

No...not just "anyone" can drive up to the resorts now....certainly not without either reservations, or a room key...

I guess my 7 or 8 visits since 9/11 were a different experience. Other than a glance at our driver's license before we checked in and got the dash board white piece of paper, we found it very easy to get into the other resorts (even when we stayed off site for the first four days..no problem at all getting into the resorts as a non Disney guest..not like the olden days when we had to use a room key to use the transportation). Once we have the white sheet of paper on our dash we pulled up to most resorts (Poly and CR had to stop us to give us the 3 hour passes), we have just been waved through. Y & BC were the easiest, followed by Colorado Springs and CB...at those resorts, the guard seldom looked up. At least at All Stars, they actually looked at the white paper. Visiting friends had to show their license, but he said the guard was looking at the wrong side of his license. They didn't even ask him who he was visiting..he just told them they wanted to see the resort.
Once we are in Disney..such as downtown or any resort, or park..we could grab any bus and get into any resort we wanted.
We found the bag searches going into the parks to be poor (just a glance, and maybe they'll poke it with a stick)..and in most cases, they had no interest in my fanny pack....6 flags was a much better search, and Kennedy Space Center was the best search anywhere. No back packs allowed, and cell phones were checked to be sure they were cell phone. Walkie talkie's had to work.
As far as the campground..we pulled in and parked and used the internal bus with nary a glance going in to eat.
While there is security patrolling the resorts here and there (they took 45 minutes to come to the All Star Sports near our room after someone in our building called when two teens were arguing late at night ), I would use the same caution I use at home. Travel in pairs, and stay on well lighted paths in the resorts and the campground. In the past, Disney has downplayed any problems they have had.

 

[DMRick]

I should also mention that the chances of YOU being KILLED in a car accident are like 10 BaZILLION times greater than anything....read....ANYTHING....bad happening to you while you're at WDW.

I assume this is just an exageration..since we would have no way of knowing if this is so, since it is in Disney's best interest to not let us know when bad things happen..just like other resorts.

Always be wary no matter where you are and have contingency plans. I hope 9/11 taught us that...I know it did me. My son worked in the city and we have decided to be more cautious..not to let it rule our lives, but to not take anything with ease anymore..not even Disney.

 

[goofymom23]

Security at Disney is very good I am sure, but it is a vacation resort and not a military installation. The security are private and have no police powers. When driving up to a resort anyone can enter, yes they may look at your DL, but they don't know anything about it, and any good terrorist would have the proper IDs, don't kid yourself Disney is as vulnerable as any where, but you can't live your life in fear of what may happen. You know the only thing you have to fear is fear itself.... We go to Disney every year and try to go at least twice, it is the only place we can relax and enjoy the company around us completely. We never worry about what might happen there. Go, Enjoy your time, enjoy your life and move on, life stops for no one, and one of my favorite sayings is life is a journey not a destination, if you stay at home and worry and hide then your journey is over.

 

[copper0426]

I know, my husband posted here once already, but if you are depending on security to keep you totally safe, you are kidding yourself. It is up to each individual to be aware of their surroundings. If you are a parent, keep your children in sight. Know where they, what they are doing etc., not just at Disney, but everywhere. Not to be rude, but you all (we all) were in just as much danger before 9/11 as after, it is just we all saw what happened on 9/11. I don't go aroung living in fear of what could happen. I keep an eye and ear open to things around me and know that the police are a phone call away (sometimes less than that. )

Whoever posted that you don't see what happens at Disney World. "It is in their best interest that we don't see it." Well I've have seen things on the news in South FL that has happened at Disney World. I mean just how nation wide should the information be? Should every tv station around the country have people sitting at Disney waiting for something bad to happen?

Well I hope no matter where you go on vacation or what you do everyone has a safe and happy day.

I know we will it is DS 7th birthday.

Diane

 

[DMRick]

Well I've have seen things on the news in South FL that has happened at Disney World

I'm sure you see some of the things (I see some in the local papers I read from Orlando)..but since we don't often see them when we come to Disney from outside of Orlando, it's easy to pretend the magic carries over into all the areas of Disney. My own city hides things..they don't want our city to look bad. It's in their best interest too, just like Disney. Unfortunately, I think some people have the idea that bad things don't happen at Disney..but they do. That was my point at mentioning that Disney is not a fairytail place as far as danger goes. You still need to follow the simple suggestions given no matter where you are..and I mentioned those. Walk in pairs, on well lighted paths, keep your young kids in sight and use caution.

I thought not to long ago someone who worked at Disney reported on this board, Disney was told they had to report more things that go wrong and call in the outside police and investigators, instead of always trying to handle it themselves. Many of us have friends and relatives that work in the Disney complex, and know that more than magic can happen in a big area like that.

 

[DMRick]

Should every tv station around the country have people sitting at Disney waiting for something bad to happen?

Just a further comment on that..that's what the Associated Press is for..they pass along stories they think are of interest to the public..but again, Disney, like other communties, tries to keep problems out of the press.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

One thing I would like to add...

75% of Disney Security is unseen by guests... The 25% that you do see, is more of a deterrant, and peace of mind than anything else. (On a side note... the bag checks... you'd be shocked at the amount of items that are prevented from entering the parks... )

Although I cannot give out specifics, you'd be amazed at what really does go on. On a visible note, Orange County Sherrif's Dept is always on property. Florida Highway Patrol also monitors our property. (And yes, they can and will pull you over and ticket you for traffic volations)

 

[DMRick]

(On a side note... the bag checks... you'd be shocked at the amount of items that are prevented from entering the parks... )

Thanks..I know from the various tours we've gone on that a lot of security is unseen. Several things were pointed out. I'm sure you also believe that caution should still be used, even if you are in Disney. I certainly don't worry at Disney anymore than I do at home, but I still follow the same rules as mentioned in an earlier post.

I'm actually pretty surprised at what is allowed in. At Epcot (International entrance) the person ahead of me was allowed to bring in a knife on his belt, but asked to put it in his backpack (and it went back on his belt once through security). I asked why, and was told that isn't what they are looking for. So what types of stuff are they removing and preventing from entering? Six Flags would have confiscated it (of course they also don't allow any foods beyond needed for medical use or babies in our area). They barely looked at anything I brought in (at night the little flashlight did a perfuntory look see, and sometimes they used a stick to poke), in my packed back pack each day, and didn't look at all in my fanny pack, or the stroller ahead of me's bottom rack.