Soldiers at DLRP

[britchic4]

I just realised, when replying to a thread about parking, that I meant to post about this after I came back from our May trip. Virtually every day we were there, which was for a week, we saw armed soldiers at the top of the main car park, level with the toilets. Usually there were about 3 of them, and they had what looked like machine guns. On one occasion as we came out of the toilets they were very intimidating (didn't say anything but it's quite easy to be intimidating with a machine gun that isn't pointing down!).
I did ask about them at bag check but didn't get an adequate answer.
They really felt very out of place at such a place and with so many children around. Particularly ironic as well given the inadequacy of bag check.
'No actually the bomb is at the BOTTOM of my bag UNDER the snacks and drinks, I think you missed it'
Are they still there and what on earth are they supposed to be doing?!

 

[ukstitch]

'No actually the bomb is at the BOTTOM of my bag UNDER the snacks and drinks, I think you missed it'
!

I have a sneaking suspicion that the bag checks are more or less thorough depending on how dodgy you look. A family is likely to be low down on their perceived threat list, so they only do a quick check so they can't be accused of discrimination for picking on people.

As for the soldiers, yes, they're still there. I assume they're there for public re-assurance more than anything.

 

[jillrobinson]

My kids thought it was quite exciting to see them around the station and on one of our trips they were training horses to walk on the grids outside.

We were at DLP in March 2004, at the same time as the Madrid Train bombings, I remember thinking then how vulnerable somewhere like DLP was, so I found the presence of armed guards quite reassuring when we returned later that year.

I think it's a mixture of reassurance and deterrent, it may not look very Disney, but imagine how easy it would be for a person of that persuasion to plant a bomb in the carpark and time it to go off just after park closing. Doesn't bear thinking about.

 

[jillrobinson]

Cathy I've just been looking at your photos, don't know how I missed them before, they're lovely.
But, where did your son have his photo taken with Minnie, it looks like it's supposed to be Minnie's house.

 

[Cyrano]

We saw the soldiers follow one of the unofficial sellers

As far as bag check is concerned we were asked a couple of times to show them something that was a different shape than expected. So I think they are well trained, but to us look very casual in what they do

 

[ukstitch]

I'm guessing you mean my pictures, not Cathy's?

The photo of my DB with Minnie in what appears to be Minnie's house was taken at Woody's roundup in Frontierland.

 

[jillrobinson]

I'm guessing you mean my pictures, not Cathy's?

The photo of my DB with Minnie in what appears to be Minnie's house was taken at Woody's roundup in Frontierland.

yes definately yours, sorry for the confusion and thanks for letting me know, will look out for it next time.

 

[tennisfan]

I think the soldiers are there mainly due to the station, as it is a station that receives trains from other countries, so technically it is a port of entry.

I've got used to seeing them & armed police everytime that to me they are just part of the crowds. I'd rather them be there then something to happen.

 

[Ware Bears]

I've got used to seeing them & armed police everytime that to me they are just part of the crowds. I'd rather them be there then something to happen.

Me too, I just thought they were always there.

 

[tennisfan]

Me too, I just thought they were always there.

I can't remember seeing them around pre 9/11, police yes but soldiers no. I think after that security was increased worldwide.

 

[cookie334]

I think it is just due to heightened security, we saw them at the airport and the station and at the weekends we also saw them outside the gates.

With regards to bagcheck, I do agree they're not very thorough.

There was one day though that they didn't check my sons bag (he's only 4 bless him) and he opened it up and said to the lady "you have to look in there see, I've got my water etc etc"

 

[britchic4]

I can understand the security issue, agree DLRP is vulnerable, but I don't want a machine gun pointing towards me as I'm coming out of the toilets!!!

I also see the point of view of the station, but we never actually saw them near the station, only the toilets. Perhaps these soldiers had kind of toilet fetish...

 

[Pinkradleygirl]

During our first trip to DlP in August 2004 we saw armed soldiers everyday - it felt very odd to see them there! They were usually along the concorde from the main carpark to the park entrance/bag check. Even DD who was only 3 at the time commented on them.

 

[poppyolivia]

I've never seen them ever...is it cause we go in the cheap times and DLP don't pay for them? Might upgrade to March on of these years!!!

 

[MJ_always]

I never actually saw any when we were there. We got brief bag checks on the way in but not by soldiers. I will be on the look out next time.... uniforms and all that

Ashleigh x

 

[ukstitch]

I never actually saw any when we were there. We got brief bag checks on the way in but not by soldiers. I will be on the look out next time.... uniforms and all that

The soldiers don't actually do the bag checks, they just seem to walk around the concourse in the area between the car parks, the station, the village and the bag checks.

 

[MJ_always]

The soldiers don't actually do the bag checks, they just seem to walk around the concourse in the area between the car parks, the station, the village and the bag checks.

Ooooh, there goes my plan then of 'ooh whats that in my bag, oh its my phone number' LOL.
I do think its a good idea to have them around though even though it might seem daunting but DLP is quite an easy target so its best to be on the safe side.

Ashleigh x