Terrorism in WDW?

[rejobako]

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.

This is a good point. In addition, although the suicide bombers and Al Qaeda are despicable in that they intentionally target civilians, they have a PR issue to deal with in considering WDW as a target. Even among those misguided fanatics there are probably more than a few who would be repulsed at the thought of terrorizing a place that is known as a children's attraction. I would be surprised if the leaders of these organizations would sanction activity that would cause minimal casualties and quite possibly galvanize opposition against them. WDW is certainly a "symbol", but it isn't an overt symbol of political or financial power, like the Twin Towers, or the Pentagon, or the White House, etc.

 

[mikymouse]

Strange but this "global threat" was one of the reasons I deceide to take my family now. I didn't want to regret not taking a Disney vacation if God forbid it was one day not an option.

Good Point on the post above that Disney is a business of "happiness" and I am sure they are doing everything possible to protect their investment. I worry more about driving by semi trucks on the highway or working in a distirubiton center with global imported containers where I am quite sure have a lot less security measures than Disney.

 

[HalfDozen]

Or a major bridge, arena, etc. - I agree with the above entirely.

And I wanted to add, as a parent, I'm more concerned about the safety of rides that my kids get on (or planes/cars/busses/pools) than the fact that some person might be a terrorist.

I mean, honestly, I hate to stereotype, but if I saw four adult men of middle eastern decent walking around the park, talking amongst themselves, with no children or women anywhere - I'd be suspicious. Maybe they're just Dads waiting for the women to get off the ride with the kids, but maybe not. As the individual said above - we, as Americans, have to be the eyes and ears of our law enforcement (and Disney Security) officers at all times. No, we can't be racially profiling and assume that a lovely family at WDW is going to inflict any harm on us. But some things that just don't "fit" (like the scenario above) at least warrants mentioning it to a cast member. Let them sort it out - while I get the heck out of ToonTown.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

I don't worry about terrorism at WDW or anywhere else. I am vigilent and always have been. We live in a different world post 911, and thw threat of terrorism is real, but it will not stop me from living my life and I will not live in fear. If I allowed it to stop me, then the terrorist do win. I don't believe that you can have any place 100% safe, so we must all be alert and vigilent about our own safety and the safety of others.

 

[clonetothebone]

I just keep my eyes open for anything unusual. Do it at the mall, do it at Target, Do it everywhere. Can't stay home just because something might happen.

As for WDW being a target I'm guessing it probably is but what are you going to do? Just stop going? NOT!

Besides, if those terrorists had any idea what us DISer's would do to them if they did somthing to WDW they'd think twice for sure!

 

[HalfDozen]

LOL - I can see it now. C'mon DISers - "Let's Roll!"


Those guys wouldn't stand a chance!!! Too many Papa Bear type daddies at WDW!

 

[zurgswife]

Nope..

 

[rie'smom]

Worry-no,however, I do think about it.I put in the league with a meteor hitting the earth. It's probably going to happen at some point but there's nothing I can do about it. We go to WDW every year. Just report anything suspicious.

 

[minnie61650]

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?

The bag checks and the finger scanning slows down the crowds entering the parks.

There are many undercover security people watching us as we enter the parks. If you know where to look you would see all kinds of "hidden" security cameras.
I have seen more of those cameras in the parks then anywhere I have vacationed except maybe with the exception of Vegas.

Since 9/11 WDW is a no fly zone.
Disney has spent mega bucks on security since 9/11 and it would not surprise me at all if along with those Bioscans Disney has or will have in near future.security devices such as Bomb-sniffing technology (there are polymer devices already in use that can pick up on tiny trace amounts of explosive vapors from over 20 feet away).Or the full body backscatter X-ray (which has already been tested at the Orlando airport).
Maybe if they get that in soon they could just do random bag checks!
That would be a plus!

Have fun at Disney!

 

[BeckWhy]

The fact of the matter is, if someone is gonna do something that hurts someone else they will figure a way to do it even if there are metal dectors. Besides, Disney can go total Airportish and remove all sharp objects from the picture. Have fun eatting your steak.

 

[CathrynRose]

Another thing to keep in mind - Disney has *eyes* everywhere.... it borders on spooky how quickly they will 'appear' in a moment of crisis.

They're watching you and everyone else, alllllll dayyyyy long. Just because their gate-bag security isnt in-depth, rest assured they always know what's going on.

 

[Feralpeg]

I don't worry about the possibility of an attack on WDW. It could happen anywhere. It could happen at any sporting event, any mall, schools, churches or any place else where a lot of people are gathered together. You can't live in fear or there is no point to living.

 

[MyGoofy26]

*thinking*

It never occurred to me to worry. I don't even think of it at the security check - I'm usually shifting weight from foot to foot trying to will the people in front of me to move faster so I can get in the park, LOL!

 

[LukenDC]

I live in Washington and vigilance against terrorism is a big part of life in our nation's capital. I take the subway to and from work, so my workday begins and ends with recorded warnings about terrorism. Terrorism is a hot topic on the local news and many of our buildings are ringed by jersey barriers to guard againt vehicle-based terrorist attacks.

I visit WDW to get away from all of that. In our post-9/11 world, I sought out WDW because it is a place of fun and innocence. I am sure that the Disney security folks work closely with Homeland Security to address possible theats and have made preparations to address emergencies. Beyond that, I cannot ask for anything more. We cannot live our lives in fear.

 

[remmy_7]

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?

Bless you!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. The "security" check is a waste of time and I don't feel any safer as they briefly feel and poke in my purse a couple of times. They're only doing it to make the public feel safer. It really doesn't mean anything. Plus, it increases operating costs which are eventually passed on to customers.

 

[littleladykaty]

I was in lower Manhattan on Sept 11...three kids from the school I work for (school social worker) had earned a trip into the city to go to the top of the World Trade center...we went in and got our tickets and went back outside to wait for the elevator to start taking people up. It was such a gorgeous clear day and we wanted to be outside...we thought the first plane was a terrible accident...when the second plane hit we knew it was not an accident and we started to run. We were just going to the city for a field trip...never ever occurred to us that an act of terroism would change our country forever. It still makes me so angry and sick and I hate it...

So do I worry about terrorists at WDW...no...b/c if you worry every day about terroists then they win. If some person wants to get into Disney World with bombs strapped to his body, all we can hope for is that people are paying attention, listening to their gut when it says "Something isn't right here..." We can hope and pray that nothing so horrifying would ever happen...but it does and we just have to go and live every day and love those people who mean so much to us while we can.

sorry, not trying to be a downer...just the thought of terroists at Disneyworld is so foul and wrong. ack, sorry...

no, nothing but love at Disney...

good lord what a horrible thought.

 

[minnie61650]

Bless you!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. The "security" check is a waste of time and I don't feel any safer as they briefly feel and poke in my purse a couple of times. They're only doing it to make the public feel safer. It really doesn't mean anything. Plus, it increases operating costs which are eventually passed on to customers.

But it slows the crowds down giving undercover security a better view of the guests entering the park. There really is a lot more to a bag search then just looking in the bag.
It is not just to make the public feel safer. You said yourself it does NOT make you feel safer.
Most of the public feels it is a joke but as I said in my post on the previous page there is whole lot more security going on then you can even imagine.
You only see the tip of the iceberg because that is what Disney wants you to see.

 

[kittythepoohbear]

I must admit the thought of WDW being a target does cross my mind from time to time. However it does not involve security in the parks but some wacko hijacking an Orlando bound plane and well, let's just say I am a New Yorker and am still a little shell shocked. I will say that I have a lot of faith in the airline industry and am happy to wait on line without shoes to go through security if it means a safer trip for all of us. Once I get to WDW, I feel fine. The security guards checking my purse are a comfort if anything else and I would like to think that a huge corporation such as Disney, especially with its commitment to families, has security measures in place that we don't even know about.

 

[BeckWhy]

Another thing to keep in mind - Disney has *eyes* everywhere.... it borders on spooky how quickly they will 'appear' in a moment of crisis.

They're watching you and everyone else, alllllll dayyyyy long. Just because their gate-bag security isnt in-depth, rest assured they always know what's going on.

I will agree with her here. When I went with the cheerleaders 4 years ago, they informed the coach that some of the girls were stealing things, what they stole and how they stole it.

 

[Jaybrad]

It never enters my mind!!