Terrorism in WDW?

[nile455]

The WDW "security checks" are a joke. A man who looks like my dad dressed in a light blue Disney police uniform asking you to open your purse so he can peek in it for 2 seconds is just not enough security for arguably the most beloved place to Americans.


I realize there just isn't enough time for security to search every single pocket and scrutinze every single device brought into the parks, but why can't they use screening devices found in airports?

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I agree that the security checks really don't do much- almost anything someone wanted to sneak in could just be put in the pocket of their jacket, and they could go through the no bags line.

Do I worry about terrorism, though? Nope. It's Disney, and my biggest worry is if I should see Illuminations or Wishes tonight. Worrying just isn't worth it to me.

 

[stemikger]

I don't worry much. If it is a suicide bomber you are worried about, I think the security would be able to detect that device at the gate. When we went last year, they checked our stuff pretty good.

If you have explosives strapped to your body, I'm not sure. However, I chose not to live in fear because of these cowards, I don't think about it much. The only time it comes to mind is when I'm on a plane. I live in NYC so the images of the plane going into the WTC always comes to mind.

I hope it never happens, but it is the number one tourist destination in the world and an American institution, so being they hate everything American and it has such a high profile, would definitely send a powerful message.

I remember reading an article on MSN shortly after 9/11. It was about a dirty bomb making Disney World unhabitable for decades.

 

[Willow25]

As an american living in Australia I get asked this type of question all the time. Some people in Australia are really scared to come to America for fear of terrorist acts. The bottom line is it could happen anywhere and the reality is there is a bigger chance of you dying in a car, on a plane, or walking down the street than there is of a dying from a terrorist act in Disneyworld. We are giving terrorist too much power and too much credit by being scared to go places.

 

[DISUNC]

No!!!

 

[Snow_White]

No. To be honest, I worry more about an atomic bomb going off somewhere in DC and the clouds drifting my way (in MD)....and I really don't even worry about that. You just can't worry about stuff like that. If you want to worry about something plausible, worry about car accidents or cancer.

 

[Girlsontour]

We are not scared - we are coming on Wednesday - and can't wait!!!

 

[Lindy Loo]

I think its a terrible world we live in today, and we cant get away from these hoffic actions, where ever we are in the world.

We live in the UK, and when the WTC was hit, we were in shock ( we had our first Wedding anniversary meal there) however since that terrible attack Madrid, London and Egypt have been targeted. Of course I take care ( as much as possible) whereever we go, however I wont be doing anything different in Orlando than in London.

I wont be beaten into NOT going somewhere, just cos of some "Bullies" who dont care who they hurt and kill..... even their own. Disney attracks people from ALL over the world.

 

[fireman17]

Do I worry, no. Do I let it run my life, no. Am I vigilant, yes. Being in the fire service I try to keep in the back of my mind it could happen anywhere or anytime we all need to be aware of that fact. I along with everyone wants to keep our families safe wherever we are.
I follow these simple rules. If it doesn't look right or feel right, it probably isn't right. I think we all would know if something doesn't feel right or looks out of place we should be letting someone know.

 

[Blueberry]

Do I worry about it....nope. It could happen anywhere at anytime, however I do not have my head in the sand but I do not sit and worry over it either. Terrorists want people to worry and be afraid, I do not let them win that way. I was at MK on 9/11 and went to the parks on 9/12 when they reopened and started first security checks. I will not let Terrorists ruin any single moment of my life with worry....

 

[carolfoy]

I don't worry about it any more than any where else, yes they could strike but I'm sure that there would be warnings of some kind, the security guys I feel are there mainly to make sure there are no drunks, people carrying drugs, alcohol, guns etc get in.
I think they may look 'tame' but I'm sure these guys would come into their own if there was any serious threat.

 

[denanbob]

The WDW "security checks" are a joke. A man who looks like my dad dressed in a light blue Disney police uniform asking you to open your purse so he can peek in it for 2 seconds is just not enough security for arguably the most beloved place to Americans.


I realize there just isn't enough time for security to search every single pocket and scrutinze every single device brought into the parks, but why can't they use screening devices found in airports?

Well contrary to most of the other responses, I *do* worry. I'm a worrier. I worry about EVERYTHING. Worry should be my middle name. That being said, it's not keeping me from getting on a plane tomorrow to visit WDW with my family for the first time. Will I worry? YES! Will I constantly be doing a 360 and be aware of my surroundings? YES! Will I inevitably move my family from a spot because someone looks suspicious? MAYBE. That's me. I can't change it. I live with it. But I live.

 

[Evil Queen]

I do not "worry" about it.

I figure there's as good a chance of something happening to me anywhere, should terrorist want to do something over here.

If I worried about leaving the house, I'd be stuck at home all the time.

 

[VWLMember]

I have the utmost confidence in Disney's planning ability . Disney is a business, regardless of how we all feel, this is a plain fact. Any company that has that much at stake cannot afford not to have taken preventative measures to ensure it's own livelihood. I do not fear terrorism at Disney, nor anywhere else for that matter. Am I more vigiliant, yes. I will not allow some deluded religious extremist to change how I live my life.

 

[firemanx]

something else to consider is what these terroist make strikes on. There aiming for goverment and economical buildings. Things that would stop our nation from running, and working the way it does. Doing something @ disney would greatly hurt the florida economy, but wouldnt effect the national economy. Would it strike fear yes, would it be tragic - horrificly, would it do what there main aim is for? NO. So in this case i dont worry about it. I would be more worried about a crazed ex employee then a terroist.

 

[ChristusG]

I think about it sometimes. I agree that the "screening" before going into the park is a joke. But then again, I know it is impossible to check every single pocket of every single bag thoroughly.

I think about the possibility of terrorism in WDW and it worries me a bit, but it does not freak me out while I'm there or anything like that. Believe me, Disney CM's have probably been very well briefed on what to do in an event such as that. There are all sorts of entrances to "underground" and I have read that they are to quickly usher people down there if there is anything going on.

 

[kidd_freeper]

I flew to Orlando on election day in 2004. I was concerned with the flight but not the parks.

Consider the parks to be a secondary or tertiary target:

1. Even amongst Wahabist Muslims, there is disagreement whether ordinary Americans and western tourists are innocents or an enemy to Islam. Only the extemists among extemists would consider an attack on an amusement park.

2. The crowds in Disney are relatively dispersed. If the goal is to kill as many "infidels" as possible, an attack on a sporting event would be far more "productive" and far easier to carry out.

 

[mrsltg]

Funny you should bring this up. Dh is a DC police lt. He attended a conference last week sponsored by Homeland Security. The speakers were all experts in their respective fields. They had people from various agencies who responded to various terrorist events across the globe. They discussed WDW. They basically said it's a place with a giant bullseye painted on it because of the American love-affair with the place as well as it being a place that draws many children. Nothing is worse than seeing dead children on the news.

Of course this information stopped me for a minute, then I figured "what the heck?" Honestly, I'm going to go sometime. Why not on Main Street? Why not in the place that makes me and my family happiest? I'd much prefer it to being blown up on 14th Street! You just can't live your life in the "what if" mode. Some things are beyond control. A terrorist attack is one of them. For now I'll just keep living. I hope everyone else does the same.

 

[bookgirl2632]

The WDW "security checks" are a joke. A man who looks like my dad dressed in a light blue Disney police uniform asking you to open your purse so he can peek in it for 2 seconds is just not enough security for arguably the most beloved place to Americans.


I realize there just isn't enough time for security to search every single pocket and scrutinze every single device brought into the parks, but why can't they use screening devices found in airports?

Do you really think that's all the security they have? Trust me, Disney is well protected. I have family in government agencies and law enforcement who know for a fact that high profile places like Disney have security measures in place that we can't even imagine. That guy in the uniform is not the extent of it, believe me.

 

[HalfDozen]

I am not at all concerned. I've read stories where a renegade person gets through (angry/violent/whatever) and security SWARMS them - people you don't even know are security are absolutely everywhere in the parks. It's probably very "big brother" but I love it.

At Universal, however, yeah - I'd be more concerned. Or Sea World.

Seriously, though, we use the same caution we use in any crowded place (watch your wallet/bags, valuables/cameras, etc) and some common sense and nothing has ever happened to anything. And as for terrorism, I guess it's possible, but I am certainly more concerned about the travel down there than being IN the parks.