9/11 in WDW

[cloe111479]

Hi all! :wave: I do not post much but I thought today was a good time to tell you all about my experience. I have been to WDW for vacation at least 20 times. My longest stint there was as Adventureland Merchandise hostess from 6/01-1/02 with the Disney College Program.

Now, I was not actually at work for 9/11. I slept late as I was closing that night and did not go in until about 2pm. I have to saw though the next week or so in WDW was one of the strangest that I ever experienced.

You know how when you go to WDW, you completly forget about the outside world. No one talks about the president, or wars, or anything that is big and going on in the outside world. But that week we all did. Guests were asking if we heard anything new. They were telling us how there were kind of stuck in Orlando, b/c of the flight situation and how their hotels handled it on 9/11 with all the parks, restaurants, shops, everything closed. How the staff banded together to make it a little bit better for everyone. I even remember how, when a small plane sort of flew over/ near the MK everyone flinched. For the next few weeks, we were pretty much empty with very few guests. Then as time passed things got a little better. ( I also remember the mad dash for the mickey head pins with the red white and blue-- for months they were impossible to find)

A few months later a did a week's worth of work in Liberty Square merchandise. It was getting closer to Christmas, so that shop was busy and the shop where Hall of Presidents lets out was crazy. I worked in that shop for a few shifts and I have to say even in WDW patritism was at it's height. If it had a flag on it, it was bound to sell out.

I would also like to say that I do love how my life turned out (I have a job as a paralegal that I love and I am getting married on 5/12/07-- and we will be spending our honeymoon in WDW) but, prior to 9/11 I really think that I would have stayed to work in Orlando. After the attack, I knew that that would not really happen. I, like everyone, wanted to see my family, and WDW was not hiring for a while.

I just wanted to share my experience with everyone.

 

[LaughingGravy]

At this point, 84 views and no response yet.
At the risk of being political, there is a lot on all media regarding the 5th anniversary, including calling it "Patriot's Day", as if we're ever going to forget this and need to call it by the name of a holiday.
It will always be "9/11".

We all remember very well and will for many many years to come. Aside from this post, still too painful to talk about, so I will let be.

Edit: Nothing against the original poster at all, just a possible explanation as to why no other responses as of yet.

 

[metscool]

I remember that day. I had just came in to my class from band patice and I hadn't heard anything since our band room didn't have a TV and all the room in my school had TVs and so everyone asked if we heard what happen and I said no. They told me what happen and that was when the second plan hit. We watched the TV until they told the teaches not to watch TV. That was what I remember five years ago. It is great to hear some stories from five years ago.

 

[raven]

I visited WDW just days after 9/11. I flew out of Detroit the day that the airports re-opened.

When I got to my resort (Grosvenor in DTD area that time) the lobby was filled with smoke and tons of people. You can imagine what I was thinking. But the people were all there checking out and waiting to go to the airport after having all of their previous flights cancelled. Never figured out why all the smoke was there though.

Anyway, they parks and resorts were deserted that week. But I can tell you that I didn't want to be anywere else at that moment. It's exactly what I needed after that week of high stress.

I just want to say "Thank You" to the cast members at that time for keeping up the Disney magic under these circumstances. :wave:

 

[shari71]

Our first day of vacation that year was 9/11. I remember unpacking with the TV on and have pictures of the room with the TV broadcasting it. It was still very early so no one knew what was going on except for one plane having hit. We left to have breakfast and head to the parks not knowing what was really happening. It was not until we tried to go into Sci-Fi for lunch that we were told to exit and the our country was under attack. It was so painful to sit in our room watching the news. We had our 11 month old daughter with us. We spent a lot of time walking around trying to sort out what had happened. It was a horrible day even being at WDW. It is sad that my daughters first picture with Mickey is also this day.

God Bless everyone who perished during this crisis and every one who helped save lives. US is a great country and with everyone we will always remember what happened and where we were when it happened. It impacted many lives and changed the course of lives as well.

 

[raven]

It is great to hear some stories from five years ago.

While watching television today with all the 9/11 cerimonies going on it made me think of where I was on that date.

I was working in a Hospital doing staffing and payroll for the nursing department. I walked down the hall to the personnel office and they had a TV on with news of the first plane. About a minute later I was watching as the 2nd plane hit the other tower. We were mortified!

All the time I was watching airports and business closings scroll across the bottom of the screen. When I saw that WDW was closed I was in shock.

I am just gratefull to not have been anywhere around the area where those planes hit at that time. A few days later I would have been stuck at the Washington Dullas airport for a flight change (one of the airports that a plane was hijacked on 9/11).

 

[slappy magoo]

At the risk of being political, there is a lot on all media regarding the 5th anniversary, including calling it "Patriot's Day", as if we're ever going to forget this and need to call it by the name of a holiday.
It will always be "9/11".

We all remember very well and will for many many years to come. Aside from this post, still too painful to talk about, so I will let be.

I too have been hearing about the call to name 9/11 Patriot's Day. IMHO, it's the worst idea for a holiday I ever heard.

First of all, it will forever open up the debate "What Makes a Patriot?" How do you define patriotism. Some of the very people who would accuse me of being unpatriotic for my beliefs, I oft consider them to be unpatriotic for theirs. Furthermore, I don't believe I have to have a red-white-and-blue American flag t-shirt, or a yellow-ribbon bumper sticker on my car or "God Bless the USA" on my ipod to prove I'm a patriot, and there will always be discussions over how to display patriotism just as much as defining patriotism.

(Side note-ever notice that around the 4th. of July, paper companies sell napkins that look like the American flag? My grandpa used to tell me you could go to jail and or H-E-Double Hockey Sticks for even accidentally letting a flag drop on the ground. Now, people wipe their mouths with it? I can only assume what comes next from the good people at Scott Tissue or Charmin won't be pretty).

Finally, I look at how we honor veterans & soldiers & President's with their holidays' now. 3 and 4 day vacations. Going to the beach or barbecues. Sales at the mall! I shudder to think that, 20 years from now, people base their vacation plans on Patriots' Day. Big blockbuster movies opening on Patriot's Day Weekend! Happy Patriot's Day Hallmark cards! Happy BELATED Patriot's Day Hallmark cards! Go to Shecky's Used Car Lot on Patriot's Day wearing an American flag trucker's cap or nose-stud and get yerself a free hot dog! I'm ill just thinking about how politicians, advertisers, and even some well-meaning civilians will twist the idea of remembering the fallen into such a perversion.

cloe, thanks for sharing your memories with everyone. Everyone had different crosses to bear during that time, trying to keep it together, even a sense of normalcy perhaps helping. I can only imagine how people visiting WDW were filled with mixtures of grief and sadness and fear, not to mention possibly guilt for trying to enjoy themselves when everyone else is implying that the whole of Western Civilization is crumbling.

Me, I live in NJ and work in Manhattan. I happened to be taking 2 weeks off, at that time, just lazing around the house, dating, concerts, movies, no particular place to go. I constantly felt conflicted between relief and guilt (people I know worked in the towers, not to mention people I knew stuck on mass transportation for hours as NJ Transit tried to decide what to do-let trains and buses through the tunnels and bridges? But of course, had I been working that day, I have no idea where I'd be in that situation, either). I felt anger at those who did this, and anger at every goofball in my neighborhood who felt it was appropriate to take out their aggression on everyone they saw of Middle Eastern descent. I was scared to go back to New York after my vacation was over, and more resolved to get back even sooner, in case we were shorthanded (I took solace in volunteering at the Salvation Army as long as I could). And I looked for assurances that we as a nation would do the right thing, and punish those responsible. And I'm still looking.

 

[magic cait ball]

I remember being in school and since we were eight graders, the school let us know what was going on. (weird to notice different way to measure time. this happened in grammar school and now im in college. it doesnt seem that long ago). My school was right on the border of Queens. I don't know everyone knows, but NYC is split into 5 boroughs, queens being one of them. About half of my class had parents that either worked in or around the towers, or had parents that were in teh NYPD (including both my parents) or the NYPD. They let our parents pick us up early but everyone pretty much stayed around. Everyone was afraid to move from where we were because we didn't know if anyhting else was coming. I just remember that even though i was a good 20 miles away, I could still see the cloud.

I'm in my first year of college now and its strange to be around people who didnt live around or in NYC. My roommate is from boston and realized and said "Oh! you were in new york! what was it like" it's strange to see things from a different light now.

but it'll always be weird for me. I just remember my parents coming home every night with news that another coworker was gone. and the funerals that followed. but it built my faith in my fellow new yorkers. as a whole we don't get a good rep for being friendly. Really, were always just in some kind of rush and dont take the time to notice each other. but in the following weeks and even months, we slowed down. we didnt jsut make eye contact, we stopped and talked to strangers. out of disaster came some good

 

[executivechef]

Five years later and I still cannot watch anything to do with that day without crying.
Our lives are forever changed and no one will ever forget that moment or where they were I'm sure. I know I look at life so differently now.
I thank God everyday for my family and friends as well as pray for those who keep us safe and free.

God Bless America!


Guy

 

[PotteryGal]

September 11, 2001 was my 31st birthday. I had taken my daughter (then 4) to preschool and was grocery shopping when I became aware of the the late Peter Jennings reporting on the terrorist attacks over the store's loudspeaker. All I could think of was 'this is how Americans felt at Pearl Harbor'. I rushed home to turn on the TV and just sat there crying and holding my pregnant belly, praying for the world my children would grow up in.
September 11th is still my birthday, but I will NEVER forget those who lost their lives that day. I just avoid the TV today and count my blessings. Otherwise, I couldn't get through the day.

Never forget.

 

[oldshovelhead]

Five Years ago Today...

Five years ago today I was lying in a hospital bed in my living room recovering from a nasty motorcycle accident while watching our country fall under attach. I, like every other American, felt anger, grief, as well as a sense of helplessness as our brave emergency workers, military and fellow citizens lost their lives trying to save others. I might be a 6'4" 300 lb. biker (and vet...USCG 1980-1985), but I still shed a tear when I think about that day. I for one will never forget!!! I thank God constantly that He has blessed me with my family, a beautiful wife, daughter and son. That I have the job that I do so that we can afford to visit Walt Disney World as often as we do. And that I live in a country where our young men and women are still, more now than ever, willing to put their lives on the line every day so that we can remain free. To all those who no matter what the political rhetoric of the day may be, are willing to step forward and battle evil both on the home front and on foreign soil...I say thank you!

<O</OAlso...thank you Disney for giving us a place to, if even for a moment, go back in time to our childhood when life was so much simpler. I'm still just a big kid at heart. <O</O<O</O

 

[David]

I don't think any of us will ever forget the horrible events of that day. I was on my way to work when the first plane hit, and I remember thinking, "What kind of pilot could not see those buildings and hit one of them?" It never occured to me what was actually taking place.

By the time I arrived at work, the second plane had hit and I knew something terrible was taking place--much more than pilot error.

No one did much at work except watch TV. We had all gathered in our break room and I remember saying, "Is that tower leaning?", still not even considering that either or both might collapse. When they did fall, no one said a word. We all watched in silence, trying to take it all in.

The next night, the news broadcast a portion of a concert that was taking place in the Hollywood Bowl. The musicians entered quietly, all remained standing, and played the National Anthem. The shock of what had happened over the previous days just gave way to a good long cry as they played.

I hope my child never has to live through such another day as that, but I'm afraid that he will. And even though our country has it's faults, I appreciate the words to God Bless the USA, "I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free."

 

[a2grafix]

... there is a lot on all media regarding the 5th anniversary, including calling it "Patriot's Day", as if we're ever going to forget this and need to call it by the name of a holiday.
It will always be "9/11". ...

Actually it's Patriot Day -- with no 's' in the title. The name of the day is in honor of the September 11 attacks in 2001 was voted unanimously 407-0 on Oct. 25, 2001 and signed into law by the Preisdent.

Yeah, so it can go either way, I guess. But it might be confusing since the term Patriot's Day refers to beginning of the American Revolution.

As a side note, I was in WDW in the 1980s in and around September 11. Of course it was a different time back then. We celebrated my sister's birthday at the old Walt Disney World Village Marketplace and had dinner at the old Empress Lily. Of course now, Sept. 12, my sister's birthday, will always be mentioned in the same breath or same thought, 'the day after September 11.'

 

[JimboJones123]

Hi all! :wave: I do not post much but I thought today was a good time to tell you all about my experience. I have been to WDW for vacation at least 20 times. My longest stint there was as Adventureland Merchandise hostess from 6/01-1/02 with the Disney College Program.

Now, I was not actually at work for 9/11. I slept late as I was closing that night and did not go in until about 2pm. I have to saw though the next week or so in WDW was one of the strangest that I ever experienced.

You know how when you go to WDW, you completly forget about the outside world. No one talks about the president, or wars, or anything that is big and going on in the outside world. But that week we all did. Guests were asking if we heard anything new. They were telling us how there were kind of stuck in Orlando, b/c of the flight situation and how their hotels handled it on 9/11 with all the parks, restaurants, shops, everything closed. How the staff banded together to make it a little bit better for everyone. I even remember how, when a small plane sort of flew over/ near the MK everyone flinched. For the next few weeks, we were pretty much empty with very few guests. Then as time passed things got a little better. ( I also remember the mad dash for the mickey head pins with the red white and blue-- for months they were impossible to find)

A few months later a did a week's worth of work in Liberty Square merchandise. It was getting closer to Christmas, so that shop was busy and the shop where Hall of Presidents lets out was crazy. I worked in that shop for a few shifts and I have to say even in WDW patritism was at it's height. If it had a flag on it, it was bound to sell out.

I would also like to say that I do love how my life turned out (I have a job as a paralegal that I love and I am getting married on 5/12/07-- and we will be spending our honeymoon in WDW) but, prior to 9/11 I really think that I would have stayed to work in Orlando. After the attack, I knew that that would not really happen. I, like everyone, wanted to see my family, and WDW was not hiring for a while.

I just wanted to share my experience with everyone.

So the France Pens were really hot that fall huh?

 

[PintoColvig]

I was in Poland on 9/11. I had just toured Auschwitz, the Nazi concentration camp and was exchanging some money when exchange worker told me in broken English, "World Tower on Fire". When we started getting the full story, we were shocked like the rest of America. It was a very surreal and unsettling feeling to be in another country away from your wife and 10 month old daughter when your homeland is attacked. We were told to not expect to fly home for three weeks! We did get to go to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw. Thousands of Poles came by to bring flowers and candles in honor of the victims. They were very gracious to we Americans. By the way, we flew home on time one week after 9/11.


I have a question for those at WDW on 9/11...
Has your experience/attitude/feelings toward WDW changed in any way because you were at the World on 9/11?

 

[doop]

I was only in 6th grade when the attacks happened but I remember it vividly, my teacher informed us during math, and she actually let us turn on the TV to see what was happening. Throughout the day I recall several kids being called to the office to go home. It was shocking, and was horrible to have to see the cruelty in people at that age.

I went to WDW in November after 9/11, and didn't really notice much of a change, it seemed business as usual at WDW.

My family is very fortunate, because I have an uncle who had a meeting at the WTC on the 78th floor that morning, and unbelievably he was running late. That day affected us all and we always need to remember and honor those who died and sacrificed their lives.

 

[cloe111479]

To PintoColvig:

I don't think it changed my attitude about WDW. I think it made a lot of the friendships I made their stronger. We all became more of a family that day since none of us had a family there with us. (Many of my friends ended up in my apartment the whole day to watch the footage together b/c at least we were a bit stronger that way).

 

[LostNametag]

I don't think any of us will ever forget the horrible events of that day. I was on my way to work when the first plane hit, and I remember thinking, "What kind of pilot could not see those buildings and hit one of them?" It never occured to me what was actually taking place.

I remember thinking the same thing. I was in Economics class and the prof was called out into the hall and told (wrongly) that a plane had hit the WhiteHouse. She relayed this message to us, then she was called out again and was told that was wrong and that a plane had hit one of the Twin Towers. She then told us that as well and we wondered what was true...and why a Cesna couldnt see a building that big. Thats what we were all thinking. We finally got "clearance" to turn on the television. We watched the 2nd plane hit and both Towers fall. No one said anything. In the hall, no one spoke. Later that day in band, we were outside when a plane flew over. We all froze and just stood there in shock. The following days in art we made memorials and sold them- the profits being sent to the 9/11 fund. It felt good to help. And I still cry everytime I read or watch *anything* on that day and the families that were affected.

 

[raven]

Later that day in band, we were outside when a plane flew over. We all froze and just stood there in shock.

All airports were immediatly shut down within minutes after the 2nd plane hit. Any planes left in the sky were grounded to the closest air port. Air travel was closed for 4 or 5 days. How did a plane get by these restrictions and what airport did that come from? Kinda scared after hearing this thinking more were out there.

 

[Tinkrbell]

I was in 6th grade on Sept.11, 2001. The teachers never really told us what was going on. The only the they said during church about it was "Please pray for those who were injured in New York." When I got home from school,my dad told me not to turn on the tv while he picked up my brother from school & he would explain what was going on. I didnt fuly understand what5 was going on, but I knew it was something bad & I didn't want to go school the next day.