Will we be safe?

[calgarygary]

Deleted by OP

 

[F-L-A]

It's just another amusement park anyway. Nothing you can't see at your local Six Flags.

 

[wilma-bride]

In my opinion, OP, your post makes you just as bad as 'them'*. In fact, probably worse seeing as you obviously trawled several old news stories to post this.

I am a little disappointed as I'd always thought the people here in the US boards were above all that

*them meaning the people who slate USF NOT the people in the news stories

ETA: I know the OP was being sarcastic but I don't understand the point

 

[yaytezIOA]

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this. I thought it was yet another tourist asking silly questions about Universal, and I myself was about to post the link to the disney brawl.
Now if you really want to start something, post this exact thread on the DIS side of the tracks.
For heavens sake, there was a lady on here just the other day worried about being "accosted" by guys because her niece had been hit on. COME ON! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? It really makes stories like this all the more sweeter.
And most of these stories involve CM's. How magical.

 

[bg4]

Still not sure why OP would ask a WDW question on a Universal board but as was said perhaps ask that on the community board as this board is really not a disney board.

Your chances of being a victim of a crime are somewhat equal anywhere and your chances of NOT being a victim of a crime are even higher if you take basic common sense precautions. One may be don't spit on anyone but I digress.

No one can guarantee your safety anywhere. Florida as a whole has some big time crime stats and Central Florida seems to be the epicenter. There have been some recent violent crimes on I-Drive against tourists and disney area is not immune. Homicides are almost double (in Orange County) from last year.

Don't spread fear by stating that you are STARTING to wonder if its safe. Generally it is perfectly safe to visit any park but be wary of your surroundings and people around you. Don't latch the door open in your hotel room especially on I Drive. Don't visit known bad areas of Orlando. etc.

link to virtual tourist - Orlando crime http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Florida/Orlando-764037/Warnings_or_Dangers-Orlando-Crime_Related-BR-1.html

Just be Safe and don't let your guard down as some on vacation tend to do.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I'm really not understanding the point of posting something like this at all.

I think we all know that crime happens everywhere, WDW, I-Drive, USO, Yourtown, USA.

I'm not about to go searching online for this to post a link, but one of the recent Sexual Predator Datelines (the ones with Chris Hansen and grown men looking for sex with young teens who get caught on the show) was focusing on the Daytona/Orlando areas of Florida. One of the guys who showed up looking for sex with a young girl, after some very explicit online chat and photos, worked at the HRC.

NBC did make mention of HRC's statement that the man was fired, but, still, you've got to keep your guard up everywhere.

I was in Orlando on vacation with my family when that little girl was molested at the pool at the Swan. Yes, I was staying at HRH, but I was sickened by what I was watching on the news.

Posting a link to that story in some sort of sarcastic pissing contest over WDW vs. USO is extremely poor taste. Really.

 

[yaytezIOA]

The OP was being sarcastic as hell with his post seeing that alot of people who come over here from the dis side of the boards come with false pretenses that Universal is "unsafe" and "bad things" happen, such as being accosted by guys who hit on someones niece, having a bad moral influence like dirty song lyrics (basically anything thats not pixie dust and princesses) and someone being allegedly sexually assaulted (though no suspect was ever seen on camera).
I saw this not as a pissing match, but a way at poking fun at people who think Universal is so unsafe.....

 

[sha_lyn]

The OP is either being sarcastic, or knows we shoot from the hip here and aren't blinded by a love for WDW.

 

[calgarygary]

The OP was being sarcastic as hell with his post seeing that alot of people who come over here from the dis side of the boards come with false pretenses that Universal is "unsafe" and "bad things" happen, such as being accosted by guys who hit on someones niece, having a bad moral influence like dirty song lyrics (basically anything thats not pixie dust and princesses) and someone being allegedly sexually assaulted (though no suspect was ever seen on camera).
I saw this not as a pissing match, but a way at poking fun at people who think Universal is so unsafe.....

I guess my sarcasm was lost on some. I was not trying to start a debate, after all few with the pixie dust visit the dark side.

 

[yaytezIOA]

I guess my sarcasm was lost on some. I was not trying to start a debate, after all few with the pixie dust visit the dark side.

Sarcasm is very hard to translate to the written form of the internet. The ones that are upset are the Dis'ers who just want to hang out with us cool kids.
Some people dont understand that we work in sarcasm like Jackson Pollack worked in paint.

 

[wilma-bride]

Sarcasm is very hard to translate to the written form of the internet. The ones that are upset are the Dis'ers who just want to hang out with us cool kids.
Some people dont understand that we work in sarcasm like Jackson Pollack worked in paint.

Actually, you are incorrect - I used to spend a lot of time hanging out on these boards because I absolutely love USF and IOA and I liked the fact that I was sometimes able to provide newbies with helpful (hopefully) advice and recommendations.

What has annoyed/frustrated me about this post is that whenever US is criticised everyone is quick to jump in from over here and say 'Oh, we would never do that about Disney', 'Why do you feel the need slate Universal' etc. I always kind of liked the fact that we were realistic over here about Disney and the other Orlando parks. I believe the OP has, regardless of the fact that it was meant to be a tongue in cheek post, stooped to the level of those who slate Universal all the time

I like to think of myself as a bit more mature than that and, unfortunately, I think I may have outgrown the boards here because I just didn't see the point to it

 

[BikeFan]

Actually, you are incorrect - I used to spend a lot of time hanging out on these boards because I absolutely love USF and IOA and I liked the fact that I was sometimes able to provide newbies with helpful (hopefully) advice and recommendations.

What has annoyed/frustrated me about this post is that whenever US is criticised everyone is quick to jump in from over here and say 'Oh, we would never do that about Disney', 'Why do you feel the need slate Universal' etc. I always kind of liked the fact that we were realistic over here about Disney and the other Orlando parks. I believe the OP has, regardless of the fact that it was meant to be a tongue in cheek post, stooped to the level of those who slate Universal all the time

I like to think of myself as a bit more mature than that and, unfortunately, I think I may have outgrown the boards here because I just didn't see the point to it

Amen to that. I've been to both resorts (Universal and WDW), loved both resorts, and spoken favorably about both resorts, and I find this silly feud some people insist on having about the two resorts to be immature and tiresome. Let it go, people!
Can't we all just get along?!?

 

[yaytezIOA]

Amen to that. I've been to both resorts (Universal and WDW), loved both resorts, and spoken favorably about both resorts, and I find this silly feud some people insist on having about the two resorts to be immature and tiresome. Let it go, people!
Can't we all just get along?!?

Its not a fued! Its just a smartassed remark! Good lord people. I guess I'm just too immature for these boards, as I chuckled out loud at this post. Wow, what gets under peoples skin. If he really wanted to do what the disney people do, he would have posted it on the disney section of the boards....not just here where all of us Universal lovers would, theoretically, get the joke.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Sarcasm is very hard to translate to the written form of the internet. The ones that are upset are the Dis'ers who just want to hang out with us cool kids.
Some people dont understand that we work in sarcasm like Jackson Pollack worked in paint.

I was a DIS'er who found the post inappropriate and in poor taste. We're not talking about service-related issues, trash being seen in either park, commando stroller parents, etc. One of the examples given was a little girl being molested at a pool on vacation, an 11-year-old child. I believe you're in close proximity to WDW and assume you heard what they found on the guy (the video camera and microphones). How this can even be remotely compared to someone's teenage niece being hit on by other teenagers is beyond me.

If the "cool kids" think it's okay to use this example an excuse to be sarcastic about their beloved theme park(s) -- which I'm as much of a junkie as the next guy -- y'all are in a gang I want no part of. The cool kids I know don't use an 11-year-old being fondled at a pool on vacation by a sicko armed with video cameras and microphones to make their sarcastic points about which theme park is safest.

Yeah, I read the sarcasm in the post -- clear as day. Doesn't mean I have to agree with it, nor find it appropriate. Not to mention compassionate.

 

[calgarygary]

I was a DIS'er who found the post inappropriate and in poor taste. We're not talking about service-related issues, trash being seen in either park, commando stroller parents, etc. One of the examples given was a little girl being molested at a pool on vacation, an 11-year-old child. I believe you're in close proximity to WDW and assume you heard what they found on the guy (the video camera and microphones). How this can even be remotely compared to someone's teenage niece being hit on by other teenagers is beyond me.

If the "cool kids" think it's okay to use this example an excuse to be sarcastic about their beloved theme park(s) -- which I'm as much of a junkie as the next guy -- y'all are in a gang I want no part of. The cool kids I know don't use an 11-year-old being fondled at a pool on vacation by a sicko armed with video cameras and microphones to make their sarcastic points about which theme park is safest.

Yeah, I read the sarcasm in the post -- clear as day. Doesn't mean I have to agree with it, nor find it appropriate. Not to mention compassionate.

Actually, I did not think that through and should never have included that link - so I will delete the original post.

 

[jayster]

Why bother posting these things on the board? There is two sides to every story, and these are not exempt. There is crime everywhere...even in Beverly Hills, CA to The highest priced areas in NYC. Did you stop to think of the stories that were posted?

1. The kids who were drunk / high at WDW...they for the most part were under 21. So who served them alchohol? WDW? did they sneak it in? were they doing drugs in the park and no one said anything? We'll never know will we? And can someone tell me how you harass patrons at WDW? Badmouth the teacup ride? I dunno?

2. The old guy who was fondling that girl at the Swan...Where in the heck could you take a kid and do that by the pool? if there was an area that was hidden away from everyone, where were the girls parents? My kid is never 6 ft away from me when we are on vacation....not that she deserved what happened to her, but cmon! her parents were no where around? If it wasn't for that shap kid who saw her be accosted by the pervert, I hate to think what may have transpired. Im so sorry she had to go through that ordeal because of her parents lack of observation.

3. The Animal Kingdom seems to have lived up to its name with the gas / shovel guy. He claims his co-worker was smoking crack? So you throw gas on him and chase him with a shovel? It could have been worse...they could have worked at the post office...the company lost its contract w/ Disney anyway, so that settles that. I dont anticipate any families will be attacked by a gas / shovel wielding nutjob anytime soon.

USO /IOA im sure has had its share of drunken / druggie kooks, but the security is so tight at wdw and US i dont see how these couple of isolated incidents could ruin someones vacation. Just my two cents.

 

[RVGal]

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this. I thought it was yet another tourist asking silly questions about Universal, and I myself was about to post the link to the disney brawl.
Now if you really want to start something, post this exact thread on the DIS side of the tracks.
For heavens sake, there was a lady on here just the other day worried about being "accosted" by guys because her niece had been hit on. COME ON! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? It really makes stories like this all the more sweeter.
And most of these stories involve CM's. How magical.

At least you called me a "lady".

I was just going to leave my response at that and walk away feeling like the bigger person... but that's just not the kind of day I'm having. I'm up to my ears in packing/planning/rechecking plans/laundry(so I can pack more)... you get the idea... and all with a cranky 2 year old and a bouncing off the walls five year old. So, here goes.

If you go back and read my OP (please do):
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1459282

Isn't it interesting that you answered that post in a polite and informative way and when you thought I was gone... hmmm...

NOWHERE in there did I indicate that I was "worried about being accosted by guys because my niece had been hit on". Go ahead and read it through again. I said that my niece had indicated she had felt uncomfortable on her trip and it got me thinking. I have never taken my son to a theme park solo, so I was just looking for reassurance from others that had visited this particular park... the particular park that I will be going to... that I had nothing to worry about. Here's the kicker (since there seems to be a WDW vs. USO war going on that I was completely oblivious to until I started reading the Univeral board posts). If our plans had been such that I was going to be at one of the WDW parks on Sunday by myself with my son, I would have posted THE EXACT SAME QUESTION on the Disney board.

It seems to me that somebody might be getting a wee bit sensitive to potential USO bashing. I believe I tried to indicate in my OP that WAS NOT my intent. Oh, well. Some people will find fault where they want to. Like the people that go to US/IOA looking to find problems, they most certainly will... so the people that go looking for USO bashing in posts will most certainly find that too.

Sigh. Okay, I'm done now. I'll go back to my laundry and planning for my wonderful trip to US/IOA and WDW.

 

[phamton]

It is possible for the Universal boards to be a meeting place for bright, interesting people with knowledge and love for Universal who are able to share with those who venture onto our forum from the Disney boards. Our little forum here does not need to feature the ritual disemboweling of newbies as part of the group's bonding and self-identification process.

Let's start with the presumption that new posters are friends we haven't yet gotten to know rather than them being barbarians intent upon ruining all that the current inhabitants have come to cherish about the place. If a new poster proves this theory wrong by showing himself to be hellbent upon creating mayhem solely for the sake of stirring up some excitement, just send a report to the moderators. If the behavior continues, he will eventually garner enough infractions/points and will be quietly set out with that night's garbage. But unless and until they don their animal skins, paint their faces blue, and take to brandishing their weapons at the peaceable villagers who have taken to homesteading here, we need to let them find their own ways to become part of the community, with as little busting of chops as there needs to be.

I fear we have become what we have hated on the other forums. We are the Disney bashers which is every bit as deplorable as the Universal bashers. Instead of attacking or belittling someone who had a bad experience at Universal, we should take the higher road. Pointing out glaring mistakes is acceptable but calling them "koolade drinking, pixie dust sniffers" is not. You can debate the post without attacking the poster.

Quite honestly, if I were a Disney veteran who wanted information on Universal, I would hesitate to post here. Our greatest strength has always been our ability to reach out to Universal newbies. It seems we have worked ourselves into a feeding frenzy because of some of the negative posts on some of the other forums. Pointing out inconsistencies or outright falsehoods in those posts is one thing but tearing down Disney is not the way to build up Universal.

ETA: My apologies to RVGal for being caught up in this crossfire. And a special thanks to Wilma-bride for saying it better than I could say it.

 

[RVGal]

ETA: My apologies to RVGal for being caught up in this crossfire.

No big deal. This wasn't the only reference to my OP, it was just the only one that was so blatant that I was able to quote it and offer a rebuttal.

Obviously, I was supposed ask my clearly clueless question or voice my ridiculous concern and then disappear. I'm sure it's my fault for coming back. I wasn't supposed to read that my OP (and to a certain degree, therefore, I) was being ridiculed.

Let's just assume that I asked the wrong kind of question at the wrong time and let it go.

 

[damo]

No big deal. This wasn't the only reference to my OP, it was just the only one that was so blatant that I was able to quote it and offer a rebuttal.

Obviously, I was supposed ask my clearly clueless question or voice my ridiculous concern and then disappear. I'm sure it's my fault for coming back. I wasn't supposed to read that my OP (and to a certain degree, therefore, I) was being ridiculed.

Let's just assume that I asked the wrong kind of question at the wrong time and let it go.

Honesty, I don't think that anyone was accusing you of being silly or unreasonable. It is just that when misinformation gets printed on other threads, it causes people to wonder about the safety and enjoyment of Universal. We are concerned about this misinformation because we all love Universal and want everyone to go. We don't want people to have to worry about things unnecessarily or put off a trip because they think they won't enjoy themselves just because one person or incident has been blown out of proportion.

We just get tired of others bashing Universal and causing people to stay away when they should be going and enjoying everything that Orlando has to offer. Nobody here has any vested interested in the parks, so it really shouldn't matter to us if people like it. But it does because we want everyone to enjoy themselves as much as we do.

Please don't feel that you were being singled out but more the fact that other silly threads were being singled out that caused you enough concern to post here.