How safe is Disney World

[Staunch_Mickey]

I have a friend planning a trip to Walt Disney World. But my brother-in-law's cousin told me that children have been kidnapped from the Magic Kingdom.

She said that she heard that the children are taken into the bathroom where their hair is cut and dyed in order to change their appearance, and then they are taken out of the park.

Has anyone else heard of this? Is Disney World safe?

 

[goofyguy]

This is one of those urban legends that seems to pop up periodically. In fact, if you follow this link: http://www.snopes2.com/ you can find about more about this particular rumor.

Others on the board may have more information about this, but as far as I've ever heard, no child has ever been abuducted from Disney World, nor have any parents been lost for more that a few hours at most.

 

[The Mom]

Gee, I wonder if anyone would notice someone cutting and dying a child's hair in the restroom? Why would anyone think that was odd, and maybe tell a CM who would then call security? Certainly it would never arouse my suspicions!

It's an urban legend...I heard it back in the 70s.

Just one warning..don't bother telling the person who passed that information along...most people get quite upset when they discover they've been gullible.

 

[Piglet]

I am sure there is a threat to children but no more than any other busy place. These rumors were rife a few years ago over here. It did't seem to stop people going though.

Has there ever been any official statement on any of these kidnappings? I haven't heard of one.

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by marciahahn
Gee, I wonder if anyone would notice someone cutting and dying a child's hair in the restroom? Why would anyone think that was odd, and maybe tell a CM who would then call security? Certainly it would never arouse my suspicions!

It's an urban legend...I heard it back in the 70s.

Just one warning..don't bother telling the person who passed that information along...most people get quite upset when they discover they've been gullible.

Agreed, Disney Parks aren't the first to be blamed for having this kind of thing happen. When was the last time you heard anything about it on the news?.. And honestly, do you think "all these" parents silence could really be bought at any price? Don't take a lot of stock in anything you don't get or can't confirm with a truly credible source.

 

[VashtheStampede]

That's the biggest piece of BS I've ever heard! I've grown up in the parks and CFL in general, Nothing like that has ever happened ever. REALLY. That story is so much crud....

I can't believe anyone would think that....

Disney is really safe, Don't worry just enjoy your trip! Go to star tours.......enjoy yourself.......

 

[Maria]

I don´t care if it´s true or false.... I wouldn´t leave my kids alone or unattended. It could happen anywhere! Period.

 

[JAY-ROD]

Originally posted by Maria
I don´t care if it´s true or false.... I wouldn´t leave my kids alone or unattended. It could happen anywhere! Period.

Hey I think you mean our kids!:kiss:

 

[woofboy111]

Disney is extreamly safe. They have security everywere, both in uniforms and undercover. A lot of times you will see a guy that looks like a tourist that has a wire going behind his ear, and then all of a sudden he'll take out his radio and go running off somewhere.

Also, after 9-11 all of the theme parks also have orlando police in them too. If a kid was getting kidnapped, all they would need to do is start yelling, and security would be all over the guy with them.

 

[NowInc]

Disney boasts that anyone over the age of 8 can freely walk around the park unattended without fear of being hurt or kidnapped...They have a pretty decent security system, and common sence would tell you that if a kid was dragged into the bathroom..by a stranger...and had his hair cut and dyed...wouldnt thta kid scream bloody murder???

It is common sence that this would in fact be yet one of many Urben Legends about the parks......

To put an end to another one I heard the other day...

No...Walt was NOT turned into an Animatronic after he died....

hehe

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by NowInc
and common sence would tell you that if a kid was dragged into the bathroom..by a stranger...and had his hair cut and dyed...wouldnt thta kid scream bloody murder???

don´t be so sure of that... my dad gets "mute" when he is in shock and my biggest fear is that the same happen to me. When I´m afraid of something, my voice fades a lot... besides, if they pull a gun or ask the kid "don´t scream or you´ll suffer" or something like that, the kid would be very quiet... don´t forget, he is a kid!
:animwink:

 

[lamarvenoy]

Maria has a good point, ifyou want to know more about TRUE situations and bad people at Disney read the book ,Disney: the mouse betrayed. very intense reading,you can never be to careful, last year my wife and i saw and reported a man carrying a pistol under his shirt while eating in Epcot, the security (in plain looking tourist clothes) carefully escorted him behind the scenes. i am a gun nut,and i do carry a gun in my vehicle and sometimes on me,but not under my shirt hidden in my armpit. and not in the happiest place on earth. very disturbing.

 

[Smee]

Originally posted by lamarvenoy
Maria has a good point, ifyou want to know more about TRUE situations and bad people at Disney read the book ,Disney: the mouse betrayed. very intense reading,you can never be to careful, last year my wife and i saw and reported a man carrying a pistol under his shirt while eating in Epcot, the security (in plain looking tourist clothes) carefully escorted him behind the scenes. i am a gun nut,and i do carry a gun in my vehicle and sometimes on me,but not under my shirt hidden in my armpit. and not in the happiest place on earth. very disturbing.

Bravo on your actions, exactly the right thing to do.

You would have to be a paranoid nutcase to carry a handgun into Epcot or any other park in WDW(or any other park-period).

Makes a case for metal detectors at the entrance.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

Originally posted by NowInc
Disney boasts that anyone over the age of 8 can freely walk around the park unattended without fear of being hurt or kidnapped...They have a pretty decent security system, and common sence would tell you that if a kid was dragged into the bathroom..by a stranger...and had his hair cut and dyed...wouldnt thta kid scream bloody murder???

It is common sence that this would in fact be yet one of many Urben Legends about the parks......

To put an end to another one I heard the other day...

No...Walt was NOT turned into an Animatronic after he died....

hehe

:lol: LOL! that's hilarious! Walt being turned into an Animatronic? lol, the things people come up with! and the one about him being frozen? what the heck! where on earth did THAT one come from? i mean, sure, it's possible...but if the people spreading that around would just research a little, they'd find out that he was cremated (sp?)

but on a serious note, this is the first time i've heard about the kiddnapping thing. seriously though, who in their right mind would just see that happening and think nothing of it...course i know thinking of something, and acting upon it are two different things. but really, just as everyone has said, you really have nothing to worry about. just make sure your kids stay close, and you'll be fine! just relax, have a good time, and try not to think about those rumors...cuz that's all they are, rumors.

oh, and in case anyone's heard this one and hasn't gotten the full story on it, Disney does NOT support Gay Day. i hate it more than anything when churches start boycotting everything Disney just because of all that Gay Day pig swallow. yes, they gather in Orlando in June and they hit up all the hot spots, including Disney World. but Disney does not support it...no banners, no t-shirts or anything like that. they just show up, and Disney can't discriminate...if they did, they'd have a lawsuit slapped on them so hard, it'd shut them down. the reason why i bring this urban legend up is because 2 people in the past month have mentioned it to me, and have placed the blame on Disney for supported this. and naturally i get extremely offensive about it and get a little aggrivated about it. but when i can, i set the record straight.

but anyway, don't worry about a thing! your family will be perfectly fine! and if you have any more question, feel free to ask!

 

[NowInc]

actually..Disney has started to acknoledge its existance...(gay day)...they have come to realize that the gay community LOVE to spend money on suiveneers..and have started to look forward to it. Granted it hasnt been announced OFFICIALY..but they are authorized to "warn" people as they walk thru the turnstiles...

 

[The Mom]

As I already mentioned before, we have been going to WDW during Gay Day for the past few years, only because it usually coincides with the start of my children's summer vacation. (Florida schools generally get out earlier than the rest of the country, so we have tried to "beat the rush.")

Although Gay Day is not officially sponsered by WDW, last year MGM was booked for an after hours party, with banners,etc. This is not unusual; WDW often"rents" the park to large groups, corporations, etc. Night Of Joy and Grad Nights are 2 examples. So, even though they do not officially sponsor the events, it might look that way to people who are not familiar with the parks, and happen to visit during the first weekend in June. Also, Disney (quite fairly, in my opinion) does offer spousal benefits to long term partners of Disney employees. I have no idea how this is determined or administered; (ie, what constitutes long term or life partner.) Perhaps one of the castmembers will enlighten me!

Because of this, and also because so many Fairy Tales, fantasy stories, etc.do have witchcraft and magic in them, Disney is frequently a target for religious extremists. (which has taken on a completely negative connotation lately....I am only referring to the religious spectrum...Athiests at one end, and those who believe that the written account and guidelines of their particular religion constitute the only way everyone should believe and behave.)

 

[NowInc]

I am sure Disney doesnt have any ill feelings towards the gay community...after all...a VERY large percent of their animation staff is in fact gay...and its been that way for years...

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by NowInc
I am sure Disney doesnt have any ill feelings towards the gay community...after all...a VERY large percent of their animation staff is in fact gay...and its been that way for years...

totally true... what a waste!

 

[tmm7899]

Not just the animation staff but a lot of cast members in all the departments.

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by tmm7899
Not just the animation staff but a lot of cast members in all the departments.

that´s also true..... in all the departmants and in all levels of management! still... a waste for us women! :lol: :animwink: