What was Disney like post 9/11/2001?

[Andrea464]

I've seen several references to post-9/11 when COVID is referenced. I was in college (making horrible choices, if anyone needs a set of warning for their teen going to college let me know and I can try to scare them) but I'm not sure what was done post 9/11 and what was an immediate choice that they maybe realized later wasn't needed versus a decision that might have stuck around (like the bag searches).

#EducateMe

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

I've seen several references to post-9/11 when COVID is referenced. I was in college (making horrible choices, if anyone needs a set of warning for their teen going to college let me know and I can try to scare them) but I'm not sure what was done post 9/11 and what was an immediate choice that they maybe realized later wasn't needed versus a decision that might have stuck around (like the bag searches).

#EducateMe

I went to Disneyworld at the end of OCT/Nov 2001. It wasn't a planned trip. My parents had a planned trip, and airfare/ All Stars Resort, everything was dirt cheap so I decided about 3 weeks out to take the kids out of school for a few days and meet them . It was so nice to go to a HAPPY PLACE, after 9/11. I never looked at a phone for news, I didn't read a newspaper and I'm pretty sure I wasn't turning on any National news because my kids were still young enough then, I wouldn't have wanted them to hear it. That vacation was an ESCAPE and a really nice one.

I vividly remember all the German Shepherd guard dogs at the airport ( Midway Chicago)

 

[Andrea464]

I went to Disneyworld at the end of OCT/Nov 2001. It wasn't a planned trip. My parents had a planned trip, and airfare/ All Stars Resort, everything was dirt cheap so I decided about 3 weeks out to take the kids out of school for a few days and meet them . It was so nice to go to a HAPPY PLACE, after 9/11. I never looked at a phone for news, I didn't read a newspaper and I'm pretty sure I wasn't turning on any National news because my kids were still young enough then, I wouldn't have wanted them to hear it. That vacation was an ESCAPE and a really nice one.

I vividly remember all the German Shepherd guard dogs at the airport ( Midway Chicago)

Thank you.

I was still naive at that age but had a quick awakening (I was married to a Marine during this time and my time on base during and post 9/11 was surreal). I wasn't old enough to have trips down there (hell, I wasn't old enough to be married but I thought I knew it all) so I wasn't a hardcore Disney lover like I am now.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Bag checks I think started after 9/11. People were scared to travel (similar to now but for different reasons) so there were excellent discounts, which I expect again. Iger recently did an interview where he said that 9/11 caused bag checks to be the new normal and he thinks that temp checks will now be the new normal

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Bag checks I think started after 9/11. People were scared to travel (similar to now but for different reasons) so there were excellent discounts, which I expect again. Iger recently did an interview where he said that 9/11 caused bag checks to be the new normal and he thinks that temp checks will now be the new normal

Bag checks...fine with me from day one. It was to KEEP US SAFE.
If temp checks is going to help insure safety, Ok.
I just want to know how ( and who) is going to turn away a family, a group that can't pass temp checks.

 

[Andrea464]

I just want to know how ( and who) is going to turn away a family, a group that can't pass temp checks.

Agreed. I'm concerned that it will not be effective in the summer sun. I'm a nurse and am over education for our ambulatory care group (your doctors offices). We have a screening set up in every clinic where you are asked questions that a "yes" may indicate you have a positive and need further eval, and everyone gets a temperature check. Some clinics are using the thermal (forehead or temporal scans). I had one last week where I was 100.2 on my thermal scan (greater than our normal 99.4 limit). I had just driven less than a mile across town, had gotten in a hot car and didn't turn my AC on b/c the car felt GOOD (the AC was kicking in my office). My oral temp was fine though.
If we have people standing in a line in the August sun and we're trying to do scanned temps (because it's quicker and less contact) then we will have a lot of false positives that need further eval. They've got a smart crew on hand that can handle it. I look that their job posting almost every time we come home from Disney.

 

[savemycamera]

I have a slight problem with people suggesting temperature checks to get into a park. As a "Pooh-sized" girl from Chicago, I'm sure my Florida temperature is going to be a little more than normal. But then again, how are they supposed to know what is normal for anyone? I am also one who will burn in the sun no matter how much sunscreen I put on, and I know I'm not the only one. Even if I stood in line and then rode Pirates of the Caribbean, meaning being out of the sun for at least 20-30 minutes, my sunburned skin would be hot to the touch.

What I'm saying is that I think it will be very, very difficult for them to turn anyone away like that. Because I'll be more than a little upset if I book a trip and get down there just for someone to turn me away from entering a park because I spent a couple hours at the pool the day before.

 

[DisneyDreaminDee]

Maybe I am just not remembering correctly but not much seemed different to me pre and post 9/11.
I went nearly every year growing up and 2001 was no different.
I was 15 and went in November 2001.
I definitely noticed the beefed up security but I didn't notice the lack of park attendance that many refer to post 9/11.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Maybe I am just not remembering correctly but not much seemed different to me pre and post 9/11.
I went nearly every year growing up and 2001 was no different.
I was 15 and went in November 2001.
I definitely noticed the beefed up security but I didn't notice the lack of park attendance that many refer to post 9/11.

There was a definite drop in attendance, at Disney and everywhere else. If I remember correctly I think that’s when free dining was first offered? For a year or two after people were terrified of flying and of being in crowded public places.

 

[fly girl]

After 9/11 there was a definitely a drop in attendance. 2002 I believe is the year they gave active military members free entrance and their family 4 Day Park hoppers for $99. They were pulling out the stops to get people to come.

Personally, I feel this is going to be a 180 from 9/11. Disney resumed to business as usual after 9/11, but with increased security. Behind the scenes I have no doubt there were significant changes, but for guests all we really encountered was the bag checks and seeing an increase of security. The rest of your day in the parks was exactly the same as before.

Covid-19 will be totally different from cast member and guest perspectives. Social distancing in a highly populated park is going to be a huge challenge, and quite a learning curve for everyone.

The only similarity I certainly can see is reduced attendance, but this time it’s mandatory.

 

[DisneyDreaminDee]

There was a definite drop in attendance, at Disney and everywhere else. If I remember correctly I think that’s when free dining was first offered? For a year or two after people were terrified of flying and of being in crowded public places.

Maybe we weren't terrified because we didn't fly to Disney and I had never been on a plane before?
The dining plan was not introduced until 2005.
I got free dining in 2006 which was the first year I stayed onsite.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I got married at WDW in October 15, 2001. Arrived a few days early and stayed afterwards. Flying there wasn't different. I flew from a small airport in California with connection in SF. During our stay, and my guests, no one seemed to think or feel anything was any different either. None had mentioned any problems flying. On our departure day, the lines at Orlando airport were very, very long. I also remember seeing military type officers with large guns.

 

[yulilin3]

I've seen several references to post-9/11 when COVID is referenced. I was in college (making horrible choices, if anyone needs a set of warning for their teen going to college let me know and I can try to scare them) but I'm not sure what was done post 9/11 and what was an immediate choice that they maybe realized later wasn't needed versus a decision that might have stuck around (like the bag searches).

#EducateMe

there will be no comparison between life post 9/11 nd post COVID19
After 9/11 the parks were empty for years, which is why you started to see Year of a Million Drreams (good times) and all the free dinning and room offers.
Operational wise, bag checks came into effect, a larger Disney security presence and for the first time a visible OC sheriff presence inside the parks, they were usually there but not visible to guests, so for me, as a regular visitor to the park it was quiet jarring to see OC sheriff on Main Street USA, for example.
After, came the metal detectors, but that was years and years after 9/11
As far as Disney bubble goes for COVID I believe we will see an increase in mask and glove wearing (if not mandatory) by both guests and CM, that will definitely be different that what it was before COVID

 

[fly girl]

I got married at WDW in October 15, 2001. Arrived a few days early and stayed afterwards. Flying there wasn't different. I flew from a small airport in California with connection in SF. During our stay, and my guests, no one seemed to think or feel anything was any different either. None had mentioned any problems flying. On our departure day, the lines at Orlando airport were very, very long. I also remember seeing military type officers with large guns.

I was a flight attendant over 9/11, trust me there was a definite difference in passenger behavior for at least 2 years after. People were afraid. Yes, many people got on planes and said, "I won't let them win" but they did so with trepidation. I will say with 100% certainty there was a palpable fear of flying from the majority of the public after 9/11.

Million Milers were even skittish to fly. And yes, crew too. I remember my first trip back was quite stressful. Passengers and crew were definitely on edge.

Go back and think, your plane was probably not full. I think my first full flight was around the holidays, and even then it was only 1 or 2 full flights, verses 90% of my flights a year prior. You said no one mentioned problems, that is because they were silent. Planes were eerily quiet, because of fear. Everyone eyeballed each other, scoping people out to see who looked like a potential threat. I had many passengers in the months afterwards come into the galley during boarding saying, "the man/woman sitting in such-and-such seat isn't acting right." It was a very weird moment of time. The one bright spot (if you are one who tries to look for one), no one argued with the crew.

I am glad your experience was different, but it was definitely not the norm.