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september 11 2001
- Thread starter disney04
- Start date
Captain Hank
Well-Known Member
Yes, they did. All WDW parks closed soon after the attacks occurred. Due to time zone differences, Disneyland hadn't yet opened when the attacks happened, so the California parks simply didn't open. I believe that all parks reopened on the morning of September 12.
Exactly. I was working that day in Guest Relations. We just did an early "push out," which is what generally happens at the end of the night, except this time it happened at about 10:30am. Guests were told via the park PA system that "Due to unforseen circumstances, the Magic Kingdom would be closing." Shops, restaurants and attractions all closed immediately. Security cast started in the back of the park and pushed everyone towards the exit. Guest Relations cast and Resort managers stood outside City Hall to hand out complimentary tickets. We tried hard not to tell people what was going on -- unless they really demanded to know.
At the resorts, entertainment cast was pulled from the parks and sent to the resorts to provide extra entertainment to guests. Restaurants remained open (and with much longer hours) to keep guests happy. Also, since flying was not permitted for two days, guest room stays were extended at deeply discounted rates or at no charge.
The parks opened the next morning -- it was quite surreal.
At the resorts, entertainment cast was pulled from the parks and sent to the resorts to provide extra entertainment to guests. Restaurants remained open (and with much longer hours) to keep guests happy. Also, since flying was not permitted for two days, guest room stays were extended at deeply discounted rates or at no charge.
The parks opened the next morning -- it was quite surreal.
KnK
New Member
Was there during the time, and yes it was surreal.
Walking through MK not knowing why they were closing the park. It was a wonderful sunny day. We thought is was just the MK but found out it was all the parks.
The pool and bar were very crowded at WL that afternoon.
The next day was strange walking through the parks. Then the tropical strom rolled through. That Thursday when we were at Epcot we were the only guest in our resturant. A couple of cast members told us that they only had about 2,000 people come through the gates of Epcot thus far.
Walking through MK not knowing why they were closing the park. It was a wonderful sunny day. We thought is was just the MK but found out it was all the parks.
The pool and bar were very crowded at WL that afternoon.
The next day was strange walking through the parks. Then the tropical strom rolled through. That Thursday when we were at Epcot we were the only guest in our resturant. A couple of cast members told us that they only had about 2,000 people come through the gates of Epcot thus far.
Captain Hank
Well-Known Member
I figure now might be a good time to ask this.
In a few articles that I've read about the parks' response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, it's mentioned that classical music was played over the background music system in order to help maintain a calm environment. Is there a particular "Park Evac" BGM track, or did the authors of the articles simply suddenly notice the BGM in general, which, in many areas, can sound classical?
In a few articles that I've read about the parks' response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, it's mentioned that classical music was played over the background music system in order to help maintain a calm environment. Is there a particular "Park Evac" BGM track, or did the authors of the articles simply suddenly notice the BGM in general, which, in many areas, can sound classical?
k.hunter30
New Member
I'm interested to know what Disney said the reasoning behind this was. Anyone know?
Iknewagirlnamed
New Member
I was in the middle of my one month vacation in Orlando when 9/11 happened. I woke up to see on the tv the trade towers on fire. We were going to go to the park that day, but my mom refused and then we heard that all of them were closed. During the next two weeks, the park was dead. Looking back, it was insane, really. All of the attractions were walk-ons, but knowing why they were is heart breaking.
Simple answer, they did not want to ensue panic. You know how stupid people can be. All it takes is one moron to scream "Terrorists flew a plane in to the World Trade center and there is a hijacked plane heading straight for WDW!" and you would have people getting trampled in a stampede. The same situation happened all over the country on that day. A co-worker's wife was in the air on here way to NY for a job interview when the plains struck the towers. The pilot told them that they were diverting due to an equipment failure at the airport. When she called her husband and asked if he knew what was going on he simply restated the story given to her by the pilot.
raven
Well-Known Member
I flew into WDW the day the airlines reopened and was amazed at the amount of people in the lobby. At first I thought everyone was checking in and it was going to be a busy week. But then I realized that they had all been stuck without flights and everyone was actually checking out. The lobby was also filled with smoke for some reason. This was at the old Grosvenor Resort in the Downtown Disney district.
That week the parks were empty and had a very strange feeling in the air. I was the only person with a room rented on my entire floor as well.
That week the parks were empty and had a very strange feeling in the air. I was the only person with a room rented on my entire floor as well.
Monty
Brilliant...and Canadian
- In the Parks
- No
I had booked and paid for a February '02 Land & Sea trip to WDW on 10 September. A few days later the TA called and said they were allowing people to cancel reservations and flights with no penalties. I was actually surprised. I couldn't fathom why anyone would want to cancel a planned vacation as a result of the 9/11 attacks, in my mind doing so meant the terrorists won.
I called my ex-wife anyway offering that she could cancel if she felt uncomfortable flying in the wake of 9/11 and she just said she'd never have a problem flying if I didn't [a long story, but I've already survived a rather dramatic plane crash... my odds of having something else bad happen are astronomical :lol:]. So we went and had a wonderful trip.
I called my ex-wife anyway offering that she could cancel if she felt uncomfortable flying in the wake of 9/11 and she just said she'd never have a problem flying if I didn't [a long story, but I've already survived a rather dramatic plane crash... my odds of having something else bad happen are astronomical :lol:]. So we went and had a wonderful trip.
k.hunter30
New Member
Thanks. :wave:
kasey1988
Well-Known Member
We had our vacation boooked months in advance for october..we never recieved a call about an option to cancel our trip, but we wouldnt of done it anyway.
I had this trip with just me and my grandparents and of course we had just an amazing time but we were also amazed at how empty the parks still were.
I had this trip with just me and my grandparents and of course we had just an amazing time but we were also amazed at how empty the parks still were.
Iknewagirlnamed
New Member
Good for you. And I am happy that you are safe and sound.
WDW Monorail
Well-Known Member
Were fighters scrambled to the WDW area that day?
This is a day that I can never forget and never forgive. I still vividly remember what I saw that day 7 years ago.
This is a day that I can never forget and never forgive. I still vividly remember what I saw that day 7 years ago.
hrcollectibles
Active Member
Kay: A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow.
miles1
Active Member
So True. I walked through EPCOT one morning just after opening and the only other "person" within sight near Innoventions was PUSH the trashcan (with his handler hiding around a corner). It was eerily quiet.
