Terrorism in WDW?

[nile455]

...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..... 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.

Minnie I read the entire thread and this is the best point, I never really thought of it that way. It does slow the crowd down enough for the "real security" to pan through all the guests and look for suspicious looking individuals, and then they can track that person or people throughout the day.

For the record, I don't "worry". It was just a question for the board. I just meant that their screening techniques are not up to par of other potential targets like sports stadiums (which use wands and walkthrough detection like at airports).

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

No I don't worry about that and I don't think anyone else should...

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

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.

It's the same with the TSA airport screeners. What we see and what is reality are two different things. Last fall my DH, who is a TSA screener kept complaining about the bag checks at the entry gate. He also called them a joke. I said, "tell you what, you get hired by Disney to fix their security issues and while your working all day, I'll play all day in the parks"

 

[jimmalru80]

No, I do not worry about that.

 

[Jennifer_Jayhawk]

I don't worry about what I can't control. So no, I don't worry about going to Disney World. Never will.

I also am and KC Chiefs season ticket holder. That's 80,000 people per game--same lame security checks, but now the NFL has more restrictions--no backpacks, no binocular cases, no food (I can't bring in my own cheap peanuts anymore, they want me to pay $4.00 for a very small bag). We actually get patted down now--not my kids, just me and my husband.

I also attend University of Kansas basketball games--that's 16,000 people per game. Security really non-existent there. Hand them your ticket and walk in.

I don't like crowds, but seem to always attend events where crowds exist. Go figure. A stepped up effort has been made to be more diligent on security matters, to me it’s more of an inconvenient than a burden. But for the record I do not like being patted down.

 

[JennyW]

Let's not give them any ideas.

 

[LuvTony0508]

As everyone said, I am concerned with the world today, but I am not going to allow fear or concern to dictate my life. Besides, what better way to go, with my family and at Disney World. God Bless America!!! God Bless the Troops who give me freedom!!!

 

[Colorado DISers]

I worry more about meeting my ADR times. If you let it bother you, then they are winning the mind war. I won't give them the satisfaction. I worry more for our troops around the world who are defending our freedom. God Bless them!

 

[remmy_7]

I worry more for our troops around the world who are defending our freedom.

The troops in Iraq are not there to defend our freedom. They are there to support George Bush's political ambition, his skewed version of world politics, and the politial agenda of the Republican Party. We are trying to galvanize democracy on a country in a region where they are still trying to decide whether women should be allowed to drive a car. Bring the troops home!!! We are spending billions of dollars that could be better used right here in the United States.

 

[Colorado DISers]

Remmy,
No need to turn this into a political soapbox. I stated "our troops around the world", not just Iraq. As an American I support them and pray for them no matter what the politics are behind it.

 

[bhsurfer]

Agreed, there are plenty of places on the internet to talk politics.

I also agree with the statements about there being more security than meets the eye. I'm quite sure that every inch of every park, access point, and staff area is video monitered just like what you see in those shows about casino security. Except Disney probobly does even more.

So, no I'm not going to worry about it.

Like always tho I will be aware of my surroundings, got to keep those little girls safr no matter where you are.

 

[Colorado DISers]

Agree bhsurfer, I too always stay aware of my surroundings.

BTW, if the bhsurfer stands for what I think it does. Rock on!

 

[disney4ever26]

I do not worry one bit. The security would probably detect something suspicious if it were to happen. Just think disney has been open for 50 years and not one terroist attack killing every one has made it there.

Also, we were there in late Sept/early Oct, like 2 weeks after 9/11, and we made it fine.

If i were you i wouldn't worry at all, a disney vacation is supposed to be relaxing anyway, isn't it??

 

[fakereadhed]

I have been afraid many times in WDW- especially with Captain Hook on the loose. Terrifying! But then I come to my senses and realize that Mickey and the Gang can take him, and go on about my vacation.

 

[gianna2006]

Years ago there was a place on the DIS forum boards where politics were discussed on a regular basis. It was eliminated IMO because the DIS boards are not the place to discuss your political opinion, to bash our President, the Republican party, or (God Bless them) our troops that are in harms way. Our world has always been a dangerous place, and now even more so post 9/11. I am a New Yorker and my husband is a NYC police officer who was at the towers on 9/11 and many days after during the rescue and recovery. I still can't look at pictures of the towers, where I have many happy memories, without tearing up. Vigilance and awareness of your surroundings have always been a part of my life, and especially so now - particularly when my children are present.

That being said, I would never allow fear of terrorist acts to stop me from taking a vacation in WDW or anywhere else. I'm sure that security there (like everything else Disney) is high quality...I believe they will do their job to the best of their ability, as my husband and I will as parents. Living in fear is what the terrorists are after...don't give them the satisfaction.

 

[stemikger]

My friend who is very high up in law enforcement, told me some things Disney has in place that make the government look inept.

One of the cool things was that they have eyes everywhere and there is a swat team that in case of something like that you would see these guys basically coming up from the ground and almost appearing out of thin air througout the property.

He learned this on one of his conferences and he said it was one of the most sophisticated plans he has seen anywhere. And this guy knows his stuff. So I think even though we just see the mild mannered security guard at the front gate, there are things we don't see that are really getting the job done.

So go have fun and don't bring the real world to Disney.

 

[Colorado DISers]

stemikger,
Thanks for the info.

 

[heatherfeather24]

I worry more about the targets that I *haven't* thought of than those that I have.

I was working in the Sears Tower in Chicago on 9/11 -- the security measures that were put in place there following 9/11 were very extensive. I would imagine that is true of any target considered high profile. Thus, I'm not particularly worried when I travel in New York or DC, attend a major sporting event, or cross the Golden Gate bridge. Instead, it's the "small market" cities and lesser-known crowded areas that make me think twice.

That said, the best we can do is be dilligent. I will never forget an interview I saw with an Israeli citizen. That citizen helped stop a suicide bombing on a Jerusalem city bus because he noticed a person dressed in particular orthodox garb carrying a back pack that would never be used by someone of that particular persuasion (pardon my lack of knowledge on correct lingo). The person alerted the bus driver who evacuated the bus. The attempted bomber was caught and was, indeed, carrying explosives in his backpack. I was so impressed that the citizen's ability to detect something seemingly so minor, and yet, for some reason so "incorrect" was able to avert a tragedy.

So, I guess, my only point is to echo what others have already said before me -- as long as we are being careful and continuing to be mindful of things that appear *wrong* we are doing our jobs as citizens of the world. Beyond that, we can only go on living.

 

[BTown]

Honestly, I think airport security is a joke, and it does little more than hold up the lines when I am trying to make my flight on time. As far as security goes at Disney World, I think its just fine the way it is. The last thing I want to do while trying to enter the most magical place on earth is to have to be padded down like a criminal, forced to remove my shoes for inspection, while all my personal belongings are riffled through. They can do that at the airport, fine, but at Disney, I think it would be something of a buzzkill.

Also, the sad truth is that whether at Disney, or on a plane, if someone were motivated so much by hatred that they would attempt some sort of terrorist attack, I personally do not believe that some overworked, underpaid and disinterested security gaurd is going to be able to stop them. But, do I let that fear ruin a second of my life when entering a plane, or a theme park, or a building, or anything? Not at all.

 

[k5thbeatle]

"Does anyone ever worry about terrorism in WDW?"

No.