WDW Terrorists?

[mickeyluvr]

In our local (northeastern Ohio) newspaper this morning the front page headline screamed that terrorists had been checking out WDW, among other places. Has anyone seen or heard anything on this? I hate to start a panic, and I guess I'm really not surprized that the @#$&!&! would do something like this, but I feel like I've been punched in the stomach.

 

[RoutemanDan]

Heres a link to one article on it. From other things I've read,WDW security has been working closely with the FBI for a number of years as WDW has always been considered a possible terrorist target.This really is nothing new,just a subject people are more aware of now.

 

[mickeyluvr]

Thanks Routeman, that is basically the same thing our paper said (probably just took them a few days longer to say it!). I feel better just talking about it, because like your quote says, if we let them change the way we live our lives, we've let them win.

 

[annew]

Here is another link to the Phi;adelphia Inquirer article.

http://inq.philly.com/content/inquirer/2001/10/13/front_page/TERROR13.htm

 

[CarolMN]

In addition to WDW, our paper said the Mall of America, the Sears Tower and Las Vegas. I agree with Routemand Dan that these places have always been targets and we are now much more sensitive to it. I am still going to go to the MOA and still planning trips to WDW and LV. (Nothing against the Sears Tower - I just don't think of it as a "destination". LOL)

I wish the media would stick to reporting "facts" and quit scaring the American public with speculation and hype. I'm all for increased security and awareness, but paranoia helps only the terrorists!

 

[BRERALEX]

cnn just sais also prior to sept 11th wdw dl sears twoer and mall of america were surveyed
im sure they gathered this info from pics and notes they found from the terroristst theyve already identified.

 

[lodgelady]

If they blow up any target where they know lots of children will be, such as Disney, they will have the wrath of the whole world against them, even more than now. It would not serve their purposes well, IMO.

 

[smithdaddy]

I have been watching the events unfold as most all of you have. I feared that WDW and Disneyland would be targets for terrorists' attacks; that was a gut feeling I had on September 11. So many people at one location would be a catastropic situation, especillay when you consider the children aspect along with the happy iconoclastic imagery that Disney promotes. Indeed it would be terrible. The problem though is THAT is what WE think - to destroy people, especially children - for the sake of terrorizing a nation(s) would be a unimaginable. Unfortunately, that is not the way terrorist think. They don't particularly care what the world thinks. That's my notion anyway.

 

[hoosiergirl]

I thought the same thing, smithdaddy. We aren't dealing with people who think the way we do--that killing innocents, namely children, would be incomprehensible. I would think that "they" would think that it would grab the most attention, and that's what "they" want, isn't it? It is so hard to figure these people and their thought processes out.

 

[ztbz]

WDW Closed down on Sept 11, due to the fact there was a Possibility that it was being targeted, but they reopen the next day.

 

[Testtrack321]

Let's play worst case scenario here...

Lets say that Spaceship Earth was hit by a plane.

First, there would only be about 500 people on the ride.

Second, almost half can get out.

Third, remeber, there are TWO exits to Epcot.

Unlike the WTC or the Pentagon, the parks are spread out and are thought out for possible attacks (that is why the major attractions are located across the park from each other rather than next to each other.) Even if a plane or a bomb went off, it would kill only one or two hundred. Plus, if Spaceship Earth colapsed, it wouldn't even bring harm to most of the park. It will only hurt some of Innoventons, The Living Seas, and the Universe of Energy. The only thing that the attack would bring would be the closeing of Future World, World Showcase would probably reopen in a few days.

Of course, this dosn't mean that someone can board a crop duster and drop anthrax or small pox on MGM or MK ether.

This is not to scare anyone. This was ment to point out that an attack on any amusement park would be ineffecient and stupid. The terrorists want to kill as many as quick as possible. It would take them a long time to kill a few people in an amusement park.

Thank you. Anybody else want to use my soap box?

 

[hoosiergirl]

I agree with both sides stated on this thread. I have asked myself the question, "Will I feel any safer to go to WDW in May?" This will be an ongoing "war", and it doesn't look to end any time soon. Still, I am minutes away from calling DVC and cancelling our vacation to WDW.

I agree that if the same tactics were used at WDW as WTC and other places (planes crashing, anthrax...), a large number of people wouldn't be harmed. However, WDW IS a self-contained community with its own water system, etc. To me, that seems a perfect set-up for a terrorist attack. Of course I hope I'm wrong...but it DOES concern me. I, like smithdaddy, have been thinking about this since the 9/11 attack--the papers just confirmed what I already suspected.

 

[DIZGIRL]

I've had some of these same thoughts, and I'm going to WDW in six days. It is afterall one of the most populated places in the U.S.- think of how many people are in just one park on a normal October day??? Probaly several thousand. Plus, think of what Disney stands for- all the things the terrorists are 'jealous' of. Prosperity, pop culture, family values and most of all FUN.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

We will not be going back until next summer. we have been the last
2 years. once in june and the other in august. we just love disney
so much, ive already started saving for next year. i really really
have anxiety , but i will not be bullied into staying home.
so i cant wait until our next trip. I hope you all have a great trip.
Just go with a smile and you will be fine.

 

[hoosiergirl]

We have 'modified' our plans. We're cutting our stay to just 2 days at WDW and then heading over to Vero Beach (DVC). This was our original plan, then we changed it so that we could come down earlier and stay at WDW a few more days--now we're back to our original plan! We were going to cancel the WDW portion altogether, but when it came down to it, we just couldn't NOT go! The terrorists have made us more alert, anxious, and cautious, but they haven't TOTALLY changed us!