Terrorist in Disney?!?

[T I G double GA URR!]

My best friend and I are planning to be in Disney World on Memorial Day to celebrate our graduation. My dad is in pest control and works in private homes. He was talking to an American Airlines flight attendent today about us going on Monday. She said that disney is a big target for that weekend. I would just like to warn anyone that is going this weekend. She said that you should report anything that looks suspicious, espescially any stuffed animals that are "lying around". We had decided to go to epcot the day we get there, but thought it would be best to stay at the resort (we are staying at CBR) just to be on the safe side. I think that anyone who is going during this time should really consider this. Please be extra careful, I pray that everyone and everything will be ok. Thank you!

 

[PamOKW]

No matter where we are, we need to stay vigilant. But we also have to keep on living. I'm glad to hear you are going ahead with your trip. Have a safe and fun one!

 

[Ricola]

My thoughts are certainly with anyone traveling this holiday weekend. Stay safe, and have a great trip!

 

[MermaidsMom]

Does it occur to anyone that this "warning" is from someone who has exactly (3) THREE posts on this board? Hello, I smell troll!

 

[ducklite]

Mermaids Mom--I was just about to post the exact same sentiments!!

Of course in this day and age, we have to be aware of our surroundings. But this has the makings of an urban legend.

Immediately after hearing of the series of tragedies taht took place on September 11, the Disney corporation CLOSED all theme parks, CLOSED all Disney Stores, CLOSED all offices in areas that were either affected or had the potential to be threatened, requested a USCG escort for the cruise ships at sea back to Port, and worked diligently with authorities to ensure the safety of Disney guests, cast and employees worldwide.

Several Stores and offices remained closed for several days or longer until it was felt that reopening them would be safe.

As with most large corporations, Disney has a set standard operating procedure in place for dealing with disaster management. These SOP's are not made public, as this would undermine the very nature of the security procedures. Disney is not going to take chances like are being suggested. If there is CREDIBLE evidence, not "I heard from someone who heard from someone", WDW will takes all appropriate steps to ensure guest, cast, and employee safety, even if it means closing a park. Yes, they lose millions when they close a park for a day. But the losses would be billions if they didn't, and there was a catastrophic event. They realize that. Remember, they closed for Hurricane Floyd because the best credible evidence they could get was that they were expecting a direct hit.

Anne

 

[SuiteDisney]

My mother mentioned to me yesterday that she heard WDW was a target. I don't think the first poster is a troll.

 

[disneyag]

YAY, Ducklite!

The story CNN ran the other night mentioned that a "vague" and "uncorroborated" threat to the water supply of Orange County, FL had been made. Then CNN said Orange Cty is where WDW is located. It was NOT a specific threat against Disney.

 

[barbnbrian]

We're flying to WDW on July 4th and my sister who lives in NY is a nervous wreck. What can I say that might relieve her fears? I've tried telling her that something can happen at anytime, not just July 4th, and that we shouldn't stop enjoying life and live in fear. I'm going no matter what, I won't be scared off. Of course I'll be on alert for everything, but I believe in fate and when my numbers up, I'm going. Any thoughts out there?

 

[disneyfan551]

...but what do you mean by "troll"? I believe that everyone here had only 3 posts at one point! You have to start somewhere...

 

[mrsltg]

Of course Disney is a logical target. You've got a large group of people in a relatively small space. Let's keep the hysterics under control, though. Unfortunately we as a nation are entering new and unfamiliar territory. We must all keep our wits about us and pay attention to our surroundings. We are indeed our brothers' keeper, and we must be vigilant in our efforts to stay out of harms way. Keep your eyes and ears open, and try to relax. Things are no different (threat wise) then they were 9/10. We are just keenly aware of the threats.

Be careful, and don't let threats ruin your life.

Erin

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by disneyfan551
...but what do you mean by "troll"? I believe that everyone here had only 3 posts at one point! You have to start somewhere...

A troll is a person that posts on a message board with the sole intent to upset people, start a problem, or otherwise be disruptive.

Anne

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Hey BarbnBrian:

We are also flying on July 4th . . .what you said makes alot of sense. My DH feels the same way . . .Me, personally, I'm concerned, but I'm still going . . . .I'm hoping that our security will be definately heightened on OUR Independence Day.

I WILL NOT let those idiots stop me from taking a vacation which I deserve! The more I think about it, the more angry I become.

 

[barbnbrian]

Thanks Wish!

Can't believe it's only 43 days away, just noticed that when I saw your counter at the bottom of your post. Still can't figure out how to get those counters! Tried, but it didn't work.

Anyway, of course July 4th would be a logical date to pull something, but anything can happen at any time, and I'm not going to start worrying about what going to happen months down the road. I live for today! and plan to live each day to the fullest. But not everyone thinks that way. My sister lives in NY and lost friends and neighbors with the 9/11 tragedy. She is naturally a person who stresses over everything and now these warnings just gives her something else to stress over. It took a lot to convince her to do our girls' only trip this July. I think she was too jealous of me going with our mom and my two daughters, so she finally broke down and booked her and her daughter who will turn 4 yrs. on July 4th.

Seems like all this talk on the boards and bringing everything up again and making old wounds sore again. Let's all think happy thoughts. Pixie dust to everyone!

 

[DisneyKidds]

IMHO, probably not a troll, unless it is an elaborate troll who previously posted several relevant questions about his/her upcoming stay at CBR just to throw off the scent . That being said, I hope I am not feeding a troll.....

Unless American Airlines flight attendants are privy to FBI warnings other than the "vague", "uncorroborated" threat regarding the Orlando water supply, I am not too worried. Sometimes people share their personal concerns or fears that may not be based in anything, and the result can sometimes be unfounded hysteria.

We have been to WDW twice since 9-11. DW has always been concerned that WDW is a target. I happen to disagree.

On 9-11 terrorists stuck at the heart of our governmental and financial pillars. Attacks that were not only a symbolic strike with impact on politics, government and the economy worldwide, but also designed to inflict maximum casualties. IMHO, those goals could not be accomplished with a strike against WDW. Yes, there are a lot of people at WDW. However, I don't believe the concentration of people at any particular location is such that thousands of casualties would result from most attacks. WDW is just too spread out. There are many more targets that would produce more casualties and accomplish terrorists goals of making people live in fear in their everyday lives. WDW is not part of everyday life for 99.99999999999999999% of people on the planet. In addition, while we all love WDW and would be horrified by an attack on WDW, some people could care less about WDW. Of course any terrorist attack at WDW or elsewhere would outrage most, but I don't believe an attack at WDW would have nearly the impact that the attacks on 9-11 did, or the impact that attacks on other potential targets would have. To be honest, it concers me more that my office is two floors above Penn Station, one of the busiest train stations in the world that is used by more people than any individual Orlando theme park on any given day, than it does that we will be in WDW this weekend. But we can't live our lives in fear - if we do they win.

Should terrorists strike again I think they have to pick their targets carefully because each attack makes the next one more difficult as vigilence increases. I don't happen to believe WDW makes the best target for these monsters. That is only my opinion and I can only pray that I am not wrong.

We leave tomorrow night. WDW here we come .

 

[GraceDVC]

With living just south of Manhattan, and working in the downtown financial area near the NY Stock Exchange and the WTC area, going to WDW over the 4th of July isn't any more dangerous than staying at home for us! We are having faith in the heightened security measures in place and hoping for the best as we enjoy our favorite place. Yes, we are frightened about walking through the castle (or standing under Epcot globe) as they could indeed be targets, so we'll probably go around these Disney monuments. (We also avoid the Statue of Liberty, Stock Exchange, Empire State Bldg. right here in Manhattan). Life has to go on today, but with an awareness of all around you. It's a shame that as Americans we are now placed in a state of fear, especially when visiting famous American sites, but I have faith that each of us will be viligent to those around us and have increased faith in our heightened security measures.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Unfortunately, I think anywhere could be a target - as in the recent news reports about suicide bombers inside the U.S. In Israel they seem to strike buses, marketplaces, restaurants, hotels - anywhere there's a concentration of people and probably not as much security as a place like Disney World. We still need to live our lives but with a new awareness and not paranoia. It's up to us now to pay attention and look out for each other. I also heard the report about the water supply in orange county florida. We were at WDW last month and every day I saw low flying helicopters around our resorts. I don't remember this from before and I thought it's probably security.

I take anything a politician (or anyone else for that matter) says with a grain of salt (everyone has their own motivations) but I think we need to use some common sense. Don't be afraid to report something that doesn't seem right to you. If you see a stray package or backpack or something, get away from it and let security know. I'm not trying to be an alarmist but we have to be aware. Security/police/FBI all those people we depend on can't be everywhere all the time - hence the inevitable remarks. I think the general public can go a long way in minimizing the "inevitable".

JMHO.

 

[T I G double GA URR!]

No, I am not a "troll" as you say. I am simply a teenager trying to celebrate her high school graduation in the happiest place on earth. I was just trying to be cautious and let everyone be "in the know". My father really scared me last night, but with the help of some OTHER posts, I now realize that I should enjoy my vacation. If you took the time to read, I just joined the discussion board this month and the only other posts I have written are about CBR, which is the resort I am staying at. I did not want to alarm anyone, I just want people to be safe. Thank you.

 

[froggy12]

Sorry to interrupt this post....i'm replying about something that doesn't have anything to do with this post. This is for ducklite....

disneyfan551 posted.... what is a troll....i ( me ) had the same question

ducklite....you posted.....A troll is a person that posts on a message board with the sole intent to upset people, start a problem, or otherwise be disruptive.

hey....all i can say is...LOOK IN THE MIRROR...you are upsetting people

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

TIG,

I understand your concerns. Have a good time. CBR is beautiful, it's one of the places we stayed last month and we enjoyed it very much.

Have a great vacation.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by froggy12
Sorry to interrupt this post....i'm replying about something that doesn't have anything to do with this post. This is for ducklite....

disneyfan551 posted.... what is a troll....i ( me ) had the same question

ducklite....you posted.....A troll is a person that posts on a message board with the sole intent to upset people, start a problem, or otherwise be disruptive.

hey....all i can say is...LOOK IN THE MIRROR...you are upsetting people

It seems like my post was very reasonable. I do'nt see how it would upset people. The original post was the one posted with the possibility of upsetting people. I simply tried to rationalize the situation.

Anne