what's new?

[lc1965]

Not sure if this is the correct forum to post on, but here goes....

We used to go to WDW at least once each year, but have not been since 10/01. It was -- sorry to say -- very unpleasant as even Disney was responding to the newly urgent security situation in the US w/ the same knee-jerk reactions other public places were at the time. (Please don't flame me like people did at the time! It's simply a statement of the facts as we saw them. We felt, btw, that they were taking unnecessary & ineffective security measures more to make the public FEEL safer than were actually efficacious.) We'd visited WDW many, many times & it simply was not the same place. It left SUCH a bad taste, that we haven't gone back. But, we are now -- end of October or beginning of November. And we are soooooooo psyched.

So, here's the question to other veterans: How are things now compared to prior to the 2001 terrorist attacks? What is the mood? How has it changed compared to pre-crisis?

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!

 

[eeyoregirl]

I'd like to know how it is, too. We went to Disneyland last year, but haven't been to WDW since early 2001.

 

[cranbiz]

I went last December and security was not a problem. You need to open and bags that you have with you and let the CM check for contriband. It didn't take very long and was only a minor inconvenience. If you don't have any bags, there is another line you can use to go right in.

The security checkpoint will not stop a determined terrorist, but why let things like that spoil the magic. I did not feel any more or less safe at the world.

I can understand the knee jerk reaction after 9/11 as I am in emergency services, things have calmed down now and Disney has adapted.

Have fun!

 

[lc1965]

Thx for your reply! I have to admit that I found the bag check ludicrous. It seems silly that they're checking for Heaven-knows- what, as if a terrorist would walk in w/ an Uzi in a Mickey tote. Guess it needs to be done, though. On my last trip I also visited the Halloween event at Universal & watched as they wanded 7 year old kids. That was sort of freaky!

 

[laceemouse]

What do you think they should do? I agree, any terrorist with half a brain will not be carrying a bomb visible in their backback, but more extreme measures, like the wanding, upset people (not me though, I feel that extreme times call for extreme measures.) People have said that the parks in other countries have armed guards walking around, how would you feel about that?? I think it would make me feel safer, but most people say it is creepy....Lacee

 

[lc1965]

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I believe security measures that people CANNOT see are infinitely more effective than those people CAN see. Disney has extraordinary security & up until 9/12/01 it was almost invisible. I feel that the measures they are taking are there simply to make people FEEL better rather than serve any real purpose -- although I'm sure they've found all sorts of interesting things & maybe even some "contraband" (not necessarily weapons) in people's bags. Obviously, there are security cameras everywhere & if they feel anyone is in any way suspicious or doing something suspect they should be more careful now than they ever were before. I just don't think taking a cursory peek into people's totes is doing any good at all.

I agree that armed guards are not conducive to having a good time & careless fun! That 1st time we flew after the attacks (10/01) & we saw what I can best describe as "guys w/ big guns" in the airport it was a stunner. Of course, we jumped & did a double take & tried desperately not to stare. The armed guards (I think they were National Guard), recognized our discomfort by keeping calm, not moving suddenly, & just nodding politely. Believe it or not, that professional, calm response was extremely comforting. That's not to say the cast members in security are not professional -- they are unfailingly Disney.

 

[Tiziminchac]

Originally posted by lc1965
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I believe security measures that people CANNOT see are infinitely more effective than those people CAN see. Disney has extraordinary security & up until 9/12/01 it was almost invisible. I feel that the measures they are taking are there simply to make people FEEL better rather than serve any real purpose -- although I'm sure they've found all sorts of interesting things & maybe even some "contraband" (not necessarily weapons) in people's bags. Obviously, there are security cameras everywhere & if they feel anyone is in any way suspicious or doing something suspect they should be more careful now than they ever were before. I just don't think taking a cursory peek into people's totes is doing any good at all.

I have to agree with this. The bag checks at the parks, though comforting and only a minor inconvience, are probably more for show. I do know that WDW has security dressed like tourist in the parks. Maybe they are armed and we just don't know it.