A message to Disney Security RE:Boston Incident today

Tonka's Skipper

Well-Known Member
There are some circumstances of the bombing that definitely point toward it being an American, Tim McVeigh type of attack.
The bombing happened on April 15, tax day.
Also, on that day in Boston, they were celebrating Patriots Day, a remembering the battles of Lexington and Concord.
Taxes and the Revolution are very often talking points for anti government ultra conservatives.
Certainly not saying I know for sure. It could be that, or it could just as easily be Islamic fundamentalist based.


I totally agree!


AKK
 

Missymoe4

Well-Known Member
Ugh...security there is pointless. It slows down the traffic at the gates and allows for the stoppage of gate overflow (at the turnstiles). It doesn't make me feel safe...it is a show and a slowing down of people at the gates.

Although, I do respect Disney for trying and giving the facade of providing a safe environment.
 

sbkline

Well-Known Member
Could you please have your friend contact this website with the details so they can correct their information?

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/kidnap.asp

I'm not saying your friend is being untruthful - perhaps misinformed - but the story has been repeated multiple times, by millions of people, and it would be interesting to find an actual source for it. The person who told it to me in the late-80s had it placed in the late 70s, but never got back to me when I asked her to ask her friend about the specifics. And I had already heard a very similar story about Disneyland almost a decade earlier, which is why I asked her to verify.

My mother repeated a story about my going to the Newport Jazz festival with a certain young man who she disliked, and my brother went and brought me home. Fact is, it never happened. I did go, but with my best female friend, never with the man in question, and my brother never went to find me. I was around 18 or 19, my brother was in his mid 20s, so it is not a case of something that we don't remember from childhood. But in her mind it was true. ;)

I question how Snopes can possibly declare the entire scenario false. Sure, they can research a particular alleged incident and confirm that the particular incident is false. But in the above link, they seem to declare with confident authority that this kind of thing NEVER happens. Ever. Anywhere in the US. That's quite a bold claim to make. I don't know with certainty, of course, but I would venture to guess that the scenario in question has happened at some point in time. And if someone claimed that they personally know someone to whom this has happened, I certainly would not question them just because Snopes has declared that the scenario can't possibly ever happen.
 

All Disney All The Time

Well-Known Member
Ugh...security there is pointless. It slows down the traffic at the gates and allows for the stoppage of gate overflow (at the turnstiles). It doesn't make me feel safe...it is a show and a slowing down of people at the gates.

Although, I do respect Disney for trying and giving the facade of providing a safe environment.
What would you do instead?
 

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
A family friend had their daughter abducted inside the park back in the mid 80's. Security was able to find her and catch the bad guy. The story and procedure as to how they did so was remarkable as it was told to me....That was almost 30 years ago and I can only imagine they are even more efficient and tactful today in all areas.

The veracity of this story is less important than the idea of the hidden security. Several years ago I was part of a tour group in Italy. Pickpocketing is a big problem there. At the Vatican, one of guides told how one of his fellow guides had once had his pack stolen. He had been helping a wheelchair bound member of his group, set it down for a second, and it disappeared (it had all the trip money in it that the guides carried). They immediately told the Corp of Gendarmerie. Apparently, Vatican City (at least the public parts) are wired up like a Las Vegas casino. State of the art surveillance systems, including facial recognition. They knew where and what time it happened, reviewed the security footage and tracked down the guy with the facial recognition. Idiot was still in VC.

I was shocked that VC had such advanced security; yet on the other hand it made complete sense. But it was also odd to think of the Vatican like a LV casino. ;) But this was all security that no one sees or thinks about being there. I would think Disney is similar. And probably a lot of those layers are hidden from the non "secret" security employees as well. B/c they are also keeping an eye out for bad employee behavior as well.

But he's there, dressed like a tourist, hanging out. He wouldn't be any help in a real crisis, lol. But they do have plain-clothed people doing security and watching for shop-lifters. I knew about the shop-lifting guys from being watched in the past, but didn't know they had plain-clothed security peeps.

My guess is they have some armed plain clothes now as well. And those only tasked with "terrorist" security. They wont come to the aid for shoplifters, fights, etc. They are there to look for and prevent any Boston like situation.
 

asianway

Well-Known Member
Ugh...security there is pointless. It slows down the traffic at the gates and allows for the stoppage of gate overflow (at the turnstiles). It doesn't make me feel safe...it is a show and a slowing down of people at the gates.

Although, I do respect Disney for trying and giving the facade of providing a safe environment.

I will once again point out that Disneyland bag search is not performed by security...

Plus, the plain clothes at the WDW park gates stand out like a sore thumb if you take a moment to look around.

Im sure there is a third level of security I am not seeing, but then again, Im not a bad guy either.
 

The Mom

Moderator
Premium Member
I question how Snopes can possibly declare the entire scenario false. Sure, they can research a particular alleged incident and confirm that the particular incident is false. But in the above link, they seem to declare with confident authority that this kind of thing NEVER happens. Ever. Anywhere in the US. That's quite a bold claim to make. I don't know with certainty, of course, but I would venture to guess that the scenario in question has happened at some point in time. And if someone claimed that they personally know someone to whom this has happened, I certainly would not question them just because Snopes has declared that the scenario can't possibly ever happen.

Which is why I suggested that someone contact snopes with the details so they can correct their information.

Why would you think that someone was able to abduct a child in a crowded place, with the parents fairly close by, take them into a public restroom, cut and dye that child's hair, and change her clothes (except shoes) and manage to get out of the restroom and through the park to the exit without anyone noticing? With wet hair dripping dye? And an unconscious or somehow gagged child?

Have children been kidnapped from crowded places? Yes.
Have kidnappers changed a child's appearance once they have them in private? Yes
Has it happened at DL or WDW? Not that anyone can verify.

So parts of the story are probably based on fact - it's the combination of all of the details that is suspect, and has yet to be verified. But if someone really does have the proof that it is not an urban legend, snopes would love to have it, I'm sure.

All Urban legends have a kernal of truth, or else people would not pass them along. It's the embellishments that turn them into a good story, versus a true story. They also tend to be morality tales. This one is a warning to keep a closer eye on your children. The Hook is a warning that young people should not be engaging in improper behavior in isolated areas. The Stranger In the Back Seat is a warning that you should be cautious when entering your car in a parking lot. And so on. They may not be true, but they make you more cautious.
 

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
Plus, the plain clothes at the WDW park gates stand out like a sore thumb if you take a moment to look around.
You know how you tell the difference between the real homeless and the undercovers in Lafayette Square (across from the White House)? The undercovers don't accost you for money.

That was always the old story in DC, anyway. ;)
 

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
Yep, we are knee deep in it. My boy and I have been searching just about everything.

Praying you both stay safe in your duties. ;)

I'm thankful for all the Security personnel on duty at WDW and all those in Law Enforcement. Regardless of whether statistics are available or not to show us how much bag checks do.
 

All Disney All The Time

Well-Known Member
Security "theater" is the level of security that everyone sees. It is the 2nd, 3rd and in many venues the 4th layers of security that are much less visible and at the advanced levels, invisible.

Bag checks and for the most part uniformed security are the "theater". They will catch the guest who actually does forget that he/she left their weapon in their bag, they will deter the foolish but generally honest visitor who tries to do something injudicious, they will deal with the terminally stupid who actually think that they can bring their handgun, hunting knife, bottle of booze into the parks.

There is no doubt that WDW has all the other levels of security also. Security cameras can be miniscule in size and as "busy" as the decor is in all the parks I am certain that Disney has them well placed. I equally have no doubt that Disney has security staff that is in plainclothes without any identifying badges, etc. that are trained in a much different manner than the "bag checkers". Why? Because WDW, as the number one tourist spot in the world, can't afford to have a true disaster. Publicity, law suits, etc., etc. None of you actually think that the Disney lawyers and insurance underwriters wouldn't DEMAND such do you? Nobody is going to stop going to WDW because they watch a shoplifter go free, nobody is going to stop going to WDW because a couple of drunks have a shoving match. But a true "event" would be damaging beyond belief to WDW business.

And now, at the risk of being blasted for a "personal anecdote":
In the Fall of 2010 the wife and I were at Epcot. She was tired and headed back to the room. I stayed because I wanted to get a photo of the monorail passing by SE, you all know the shot, it's been on the Epcot brochure for years. I waited 15 min. or so to get the shot and right after I took it a man wearing a CM badge came up behind me and id'd himself as "Head of Epcot security". He asked if everything was ok. I told him what I was doing and he asked if I "had a special interest in infrastructure". I guess I explained myself well enough and we then entered into a nice chat. Coincidentially (in the wake of recent news) he turned out to be a retired Boston police officer. I am an almost 60 years old, white male born and bred in the USA so there was no "profiling" as people hoot and hollar about, going on. Don't try and tell me that Disney ain't paying attention.

BTW, the photo was made into an awesome poster that hangs over our wet bar.
 

Tonka's Skipper

Well-Known Member
Ugh...security there is pointless. It slows down the traffic at the gates and allows for the stoppage of gate overflow (at the turnstiles). It doesn't make me feel safe...it is a show and a slowing down of people at the gates.

Although, I do respect Disney for trying and giving the facade of providing a safe environment.
With all do respect.......


Please explain how your know or your background can let you support your statement?.....

What do you know about the security behind the scenes.............security officers amongst the crowds?....etc?....etc?.....

Now I agree nothing is 100%.but I hate is when people just start calling thing *theater* so I would like to know how you can justify your statement?

AKK
 

Tonka's Skipper

Well-Known Member
For those who like to think security is all *theater or just a illusion*, here is a incident where is does show a little of the workings behind the scenes:


Suspicious package delays cruise ship at Florida port
Reuters – 15 hrs agoEmail0Share0Share0Print(Reuters) - A suspicious package found at the Port of Tampa, Florida on Thursday on a pallet that was to be loaded onto a cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises, was not a bomb, the sheriff's office said.

Two bomb-sniffing dogs found the parcel during a routine security check, said a spokeswoman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Explosives experts investigated the package before saying it was harmless.

As a precaution, the sheriff's office evacuated the terminal building being used by Royal Caribbean to check in passengers sailing on its Jewel of the Seas.

(Reporting by Martinne Geller in New York; and David Adams in Miami. Editing by Maureen Bavdek, Kenneth Barry and Leslie Gevirtz)


Yes this incident is involving a cruise ship and it could be any cruise line, or it could be a theme park or sports event, and nothing is 100%, but it shows security measures in place and working!
thumbsup2.gif


It could just as easily been a real bomb!
sad20.gif



AKK
 

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
Yes this incident is involving a cruise ship and it could be any cruise line, or it could be a theme park or sports event, and nothing is 100%, but it shows security measures in place and working!
thumbsup2.gif


It could just as easily been a real bomb!
sad20.gif

This actually brings up a point - I REALLY wish people would stop being stupid and leave their bags and whatnot everywhere! It causes complete and totally necessary security chaos. :mad:
 

Missymoe4

Well-Known Member
With all do respect.......


Please explain how your know or your background can let you support your statement?.....

What do you know about the security behind the scenes.............security officers amongst the crowds?....etc?....etc?.....

Now I agree nothing is 100%.but I hate is when people just start calling thing *theater* so I would like to know how you can justify your statement?

AKK

I apologize to give off the impression I have knowledge in security. I did not imply that in my original post. What I stated was opinion based. A lot of things can be seen as a theater in life: it creates an illusion, and satisfies its role.

When I go through an airport checkpoint I go through a metal detector and a body screen search. When I go to disney, they briefly look through my bag, barely reaching the bottom. What about pockets and clothing? If people are going to carry things, on their body would be where they would, right? I'm not an expert and never would claim to be. But I do know that there are a lot of things Disney do well to protect people. Unfortunately, no matter what we do, people's safety is always a threat. I'm more than happy to have them check my bag, I will never deny this. If they brought in more devices and wanted to check on a more thorough level, I would gladly and respectfully oblige.

I do see cops in plain clothes all of the time. I live in Chicago and believe me, with crime and shootings occurring daily, I know what it's like to have the presence of cops and security around. I know I have also seem dogs checking the boats (in fact I was on one when the female officer came and checked it). Disney does a good job with what they can do.

My opinion is just that there should be a more thorough process.....although they are doing what they can right now, I don't think people should feel as though they are now 'safe' because a bag was checked.
 

meyeet

Well-Known Member
While we were staying at the Polynesian last September, Disney Security was doing training with lots of smaller size dogs in our building. When asked they stated that they were not allowed to say what they were looking for but stated that it was a simple training drill. I think I saw around 4 security agents and 1 or 2 managers around with about 8-10 dogs either doing the training or sitting in the 2 SUVs that were parked out front. It was alarming but reassuring at the same time to see this occurring in the building that we were staying in.
 

Jo DeVil

Well-Known Member
I know people hate being delayed whilst on holiday and a lot think it is a joke. But the idea behind the bag searching is not just meant as a deterrent, but a person trying to smuggle weapon or an Incendiary device will act differently when facing the possibility of a search. I am not saying that the guys doing the bag checks are or are not trained to spot this but I also don't know who is monitoring that area on cameras. In airports they rely a lot on peoples behavior when deciding on who to question and check. I know some people won't be happy no matter what, but I personally will keep standing in line, opening my bags, and being polite and friendly to the Guys doing the thankless task.
 

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