worried about security/safety at WDW

[Bunch24]

A friend of mine, who is in law enforcement, once told me if people knew how many cameras/eyes were watching them in WDW, they'd be paranoid.

I believe WDW is as safe a place as you can get. There's always threats of terrorism when you have large crowds, but since 9/11, everybody's security has tightened up.

I wouldn't worry about a thing while you're in WDW. Just relax and enjoy, and try not to think about all the cameras/eyes watching you.

 

[Fromeurope]

Hi everyone,

First I must say that I really love Australia. I have been to the SouthWest part of it and never have seen such beautiful nature as there. Parrots, dolphins, whales all living in the wild, it was great.
I live in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and I really feel safe at WDW. Much safer than at home
When we are at WDW we really feel on vacation. We are so used to look for suspicious people and behaviour, because over here you will encounter that all the time. But not at WDW, over there we really feel safe.

 

[cjb71870]

Very nice post!!!!

 

[jjarman]

Very interesting. The next time I see a "sloppy tourist" I'll probably have a little chuckle to myself and and feel like all is well!

I wonder how many security people we have talked about on these boards?

 

[DizzneyDi]

I know that a lot of people scoff at the bag checks at WDW, but I read somewhere that the real point of bag checks is to slow people down so that behind-the-scenes security can get a good look at everyone as they pass through. I'm a little uncomfortable (no, VERY uncomfortable) with the idea of profiling, but the sad reality post-9/11 is that ALL security forces are doing it. Even when flying to Orlando, I've never been pulled aside for a thorough search but my 25 year old son gets nabbed at least once on every trip. I've noticed some men in security lines automatically take off the jackets, shoes, belt, etc. before they're asked to!

 

[Danthesand]

Anyone visiting the United States of America should be aware they are visiting a dangerous country. The citizen against citizan crime rate is high compared with most other countries.

Crime statistics are usually better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime than actual incidence.

 

[Jackie H.]

I don't know the answer about the cameras...but let me relate to you an experience. We were in front of Big Thunder Mtn RR. We were getting a frozen cookie-thing, when it started to rain. I was reaching for the ponchos when in front of us a grandmother just seemed to fall kind-of slow motion like. She got her feet caught up in her purse straps and she feel to the ground right next to a bench. Anyway, it didn't appear to be too serious...her grandson was there helping.... BUT! The point of this story: my family and I were right there...I don't think we could've been more than 4 feet from her. My hubby reached out to help her up and before he could reach her five (yes, 5) WDW CMs were around her helping her. And there was seemingly no one there except the girl selling the ice cream. I don't know where they all came from. This incidence made me feel better about a lot of things at WDW.

Also, my very good friend went down to WDW in June. Her hubby is a policeman. There was some sort of incidence where a person fainted...no one they knew...but being a trained policman he reacted and started helping this person. She also said "plains clothes" Disney folks sort of came out of the wood-work to help this person. Before it was over they were talking to my friend's husband about coming to work for Disney! She came home and started looking at house prices!!! LOL They told her husband that there are a lot of policeofficers from all over the USA who now work at Disney in plains clothes roaming the parks. They retire from their police dept and come to Disney and work.

 

[reeeoga]

Crime statistics are usually better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime than actual incidence.

Recent crime statistics (from 2002 and 2003) shows that the U.S.A. now has a lower violent crime rate per person than Britan and some other European countries (as per a report in The UK Guardien late last year). We (the USA) still lead in murder, but that is mostly from drug violence.

That said: I am from the U.S.A., I am 33 and have never been a victim of crime. I have had family members burglarised, but none have been hurt.

WDW is safe. The behind the scenes security is great, if it wasn't the media would be all over it with the latest scoop.

Come over and have fun. An I would like to apologise in advanced for the "Outback Stakehouse" commercials.

 

[NoWorriesMate]

g'day there.

i am a fellow Aussie who is currently residing in the Middle East.
i am taking my family to Disney in Sept/Oct.

Disney is an unlikely target as it is considered a family/children's place and as i have found living here family and children (regardless of their origins) are very much respected in this culture.

also keep in mind with our currect Aust forign policy we are just as much a target - so especially if you live in places like Sydney you are probably just as safe if not safer in WDW.

One final point Disney is the happiest place on earth and if you decide to come here and enjoy you will forget all of you worries.



oh and RoyalCanadian - Good Point!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

JMO, but I sincerely doubt that terrorists care about sympathy as much as they do inspiring fear to make us do what they want. I have a simple rule for my grandkids. if you ask me nicely I will do almost anything BUT if you throw a fit you get nothing.

I am not about to give these few, these demented, anything they want. I am going where I want when I want and live my life. (I have great sympathy for the plight of those in countries who do not have what they need and try to do a part in making their lives better just am NOT interested in those few who do the dastardly deeds)

I feel much safer now becuase everyone is much more alert to their surroundings.

We had a situatlon locally where a young man walked into the credit union with a high powered rifle in an attempt to commit suicide by cop. Bad things can happen anywhere but are not likely. BTW, all ended well in the situation.

I was at DW right after 9/11 and the only problem I had was the fact that were no waiting lines and I truly did feel sad for all the people who would/could not be there too.

Come on over, you'll have fun!

Slightly Goofy

 

[PatriciaH]

Have you noticed how close you can get your car to the Magic Kingdom?

Not within a quarter mile as the crow flies. On the backside of the Magic Kingdom, even cast members cannot drive into the Magic Kingdom. They have a sepperate parking lot about a half mile away, and are bussed into the Magic Kingdom, where huge metal gates that are hinged into the ground are lowered flat to let the buses drive over top.

On the guest side of Magic Kingdom, the closest anyone could theoreticly drive is into the Magic Kingdom bus loop. Otherwise, your about a mile away in the Transportation and Ticket Center bus stop, where you have to take a monorail or a boat to the Magic Kingdom.

Not to scare anyone but whenever we were at the MK this past month (very busy) we have seen a car or two drive right up to where the busses are letting off! They got right throught he bus gate. Also, Contemporary parking (esp. cast parking) is right next to Space Mountain.

 

[OntFamily]

The previous poster is correct. Cars can drive very close to MK - via the road that goes by the CR. I've driven very close to Space Mountain, Toontown Fair, and Splash Mountain.


The service gates for roads that directly enter MK are on raised platforms, which do provide a level of security.

 

[jdonat]

The roads that go "backstage" at the MK have the same raised security gates
that the US government uses at things like federal courthouses, etc. they're
supposed to be able to stop a bus or something like that from what I've seen
in the press.

Take a look around -almost EVERY CM has quick access to a radio -either on
them or on an Outdoor Vending cart. Many of the carts also have Nextel phones attached to the cart... I'd bet that at least 1/2 of the security guards
at bagcheck are retired police or military....

I feel safer on WDW grounds than just about anywhere in the US... and I live
in a pretty safe suburb of Chicago.

The security is very unobtrusive, but if you know what you're looking for,
it's definately there...

Go! Go!

 

[bdcp]

For the OP, there really has been no increase in terrorist attacks in terms of numbers. There have actually been less in the last few years than years prior. It's just more prevalent in the news especially when it happens in higher profile locations. The IRA was setting off bombs in London 20 years ago on a regular basis and it didn't seem to stop tourism. Also, WDW searching bags is a deterrent due to the high probability of someone getting caught. It's not random. They check all the bags, correct? I'm tired of people complaining about profiling. If the "norm" for terrorists is a certain profile, then accept that fact and be prepared. My DH is of hispanic background and he gets more scrutiny at the airport than a lot of people do. He's a frequent flier, but the security screeners still "randomly" search him more thoroughly.

That said, the US has a crime rate, as does the world. You just have to be aware of your surroundings and be careful. I've always found WDW to be extremely safe and the most relaxing vacations I've ever had have been there.

 

[Viki]

We were at WDW the morning of Sept 11th (and the rest of the week; we had flown in the day before) and we never felt so safe OR, and this was even more important - so connected to people from all around the world. WDW is an international community and standing in Epcot on Sept 12th, watching Illuminations, with so many different people from so many different cultures, was the highlight of my trip.

 

[lovethattink]

In my opinion, I think there are some things Disney could do to step up security. We go somewhere at WDW weekly. There are certain places where I feel security is not tight enough. Although it is possible that security is present at those places and we just don't see it. I saw 1st handed, back in June, that alot of security is undercover. My car broke down at the Contemporary. It was at the stop sign right near where the buses are. As I turned on my flashers and tried to figure out what I was going to do, a "tourist" in a Mickey shirt was watching me closely. I stopped 2 CM coming out of work and asked if they could help. I explained my problem and then they told the "tourist". This tourist was security. As I was sitting there, a van with a "husband and wife" pulled up. They too were security. So yes, security is there and is under cover as well.

What I would love to see Disney have for the parks would be the state of the art system they have for the cruise ship passengers. But could you imagine how back up the lines would be for getting into the parks?

 

[disgram]

Please do not worry about safety at WDW. there is so much security there that we do not see. Wether it is "sloppy tourists" or full uniform security, it is all around. When we go there, we feel very secure.

We were in WDW soon after 9-11 and were pleased at what we saw. My DH and our best friend are retired police chief and captian from here. They were talking with one of the security guards at the time and were told that while security was very strict prior to 9-11, there was so much more that was being done now. More than anyone could guess. They also were offered a job there with security!! We are still thinking!! Security there is so much stronger than in most parks.

So go, enjoy and don't worry!! Just be aware. Same as you would anywhere else. It is sad the world we live in but going to WDW is like going to another "world" altogether!!!

 

[afcgirl]

Anyone visiting the United States of America should be aware they are visiting a dangerous country. The citizen against citizan crime rate is high compared with most other countries.

(To the OP: I'm not sure how the U.S. compares with Australia crime wise considering that Australia was once a place where British criminals were exiled to.)

In the U.S. you are more likely to be mugged, robbed, or flim-flammed than bombed, and Disney is much safer against muggings than most other places in the country. Still you need to take safety precautions at Disney such as avoiding walking alone in the dark.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Are you serious?