How safe is your child at WDW?

[kbmum]

I'm not as worried about abduction at Disney as I am about what could happen to my kids in a bathroom or in the middle of a crowd. There are perverts who board crowded subway cars so they can press themselves against other passengers and grope them. I'm sure that kind of sick behavior has happened at the parks, especially when crowd levels are higher and an offender could claim it was accidental contact.

 

[AEfx]

walt disney world is no safer then anywhere else in the world. When i went in may 2010 a child was sexually assaulted in the laundry room at wilderness lodge, and another year a cast member from hollywood studios was arrested due to having images on his computer.Also if you view the list of accidents and reports from disney their a lot more in them. For some reason people are lead into a false sense of security on vacations and that they are not in the real world.

Well, I think many of us were discussing the parks and abduction specifically.

You are correct, a Disney hotel is no safer than another hotel. And with 70,000+ employees, of course Disney is going to have some bad apples (the guy with images on his computer at home).

When you talk about assault in the parks, again, that can happen anywhere - but the chances can be greatly reduced if you take the necessary steps to educate your kids. Don't talk to, go near strangers in a bathroom, first of all. If you see something bad, yell. Tell your male child to use a stall and lock the door, even if at other places they use a urinal. Etc.

I was reading once on another Disney board about a woman who made her 13-year old son go into the womens bathroom with her at WDW. "Anything to protect my kid!" But then it's like...well, if you REALLY wanted to do ANYTHING protect your kid, you'd not let them out of the house without being covered in bubble wrap, and having a leash on them until they are 18.

The key is to teach your kids to be smart, and the chances of anything happening to them are reduced enormously. Things happen no matter what you do to prevent it, but you can best arm your kids with the knowledge of what not to do, and how to avoid being in situations where it can happen.

 

[bsiev1977]

I'll try and make two points on this subject:

#1- Like others have said, I don't think Disney is any more or less likely to be a pedophile haven than most other places where large crowds congregate. I think simple rules that would apply to any other situation apply here. If you feel your child is old enough to have alone time in the parks, they'll be fine as long as they've been properly taught how to handle themselves if a sticky situation occurs. If your child is too young to go it alone, WATCH THEM CLOSELY! Too many people in too many places just don't seem to care what their children are doing, and that's how many of these bad situations happen.

#2- As far as thinking Disney covers stuff like this up, think about how lawsuit happy people are. People want to sue Disney at the drop of a hat if they(the people) hurt themselves in the course of their own studpity while on Disney property. Imagine if something like a child abduction happened and th wrong lawyer got a hold of the victims.

 

[AEfx]

#2- As far as thinking Disney covers stuff like this up, think about how lawsuit happy people are. People want to sue Disney at the drop of a hat if they(the people) hurt themselves in the course of their own studpity while on Disney property. Imagine if something like a child abduction happened and th wrong lawyer got a hold of the victims.

Yeah, that's why some of the panic/fear is unfounded (not in this thread specifically, but I hear on other boards about people being 10x more protective in the park than, say, their local mall - where the latter is much less "safe"). Again, talking about the parks specifically.

If any child were ever abducted from WDW, it would be international news. In 2011 you simply cannot cover something like that up. It becomes a news story when an employee (out of the 70,000+) commits some crime off property simply for the fact they work there. If anything actually happened in the park, we'd sure as heck know about it.

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

Well, I think many of us were discussing the parks and abduction specifically.

You are correct, a Disney hotel is no safer than another hotel. And with 70,000+ employees, of course Disney is going to have some bad apples (the guy with images on his computer at home).

When you talk about assault in the parks, again, that can happen anywhere - but the chances can be greatly reduced if you take the necessary steps to educate your kids. Don't talk to, go near strangers in a bathroom, first of all. If you see something bad, yell. Tell your male child to use a stall and lock the door, even if at other places they use a urinal. Etc.

I was reading once on another Disney board about a woman who made her 13-year old son go into the womens bathroom with her at WDW. "Anything to protect my kid!" But then it's like...well, if you REALLY wanted to do ANYTHING protect your kid, you'd not let them out of the house without being covered in bubble wrap, and having a leash on them until they are 18.

The key is to teach your kids to be smart, and the chances of anything happening to them are reduced enormously. Things happen no matter what you do to prevent it, but you can best arm your kids with the knowledge of what not to do, and how to avoid being in situations where it can happen.

This year I wanted to skip a ride and get some footage of the Electrical Parade and see it one more time just in case it left before my next trip. She told me to be careful and stay away from dark corners. Now she was saying that to a 6 foot tall 190 pound 19 year old guy LOL. I cant even count how many times she tried to contact me within those 20 minutes. Talk about leaving kids in a bubble. And I cant even count how many times I got the stranger danger lecture. I should be thanking god that i'm not afraid of my own shadow after all that LOL. I hope she can handle herself when I take the train to New York City alone.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Yeah, that's why some of the panic/fear is unfounded (not in this thread specifically, but I hear on other boards about people being 10x more protective in the park than, say, their local mall - where the latter is much less "safe"). Again, talking about the parks specifically.

If any child were ever abducted from WDW, it would be international news. In 2011 you simply cannot cover something like that up. It becomes a news story when an employee (out of the 70,000+) commits some crime off property simply for the fact they work there. If anything actually happened in the park, we'd sure as heck know about it.

Again, this is not necessarily true and cannot be relied upon. If the world knew all the details the investigation could/would be compromised. I'd think the ONLY way the world would know is if a child were taken, every other scenario was exhausted, someone actually witnessed an obvious snatching, and/or the child was not found relatively quickly. The world would know if there was a need for them to know. There would have to be a purpose in alerting the public. Otherwise, you shouldn't assume that word would be out. Mom, Dad, & family are easy to keep quiet. If they think it's in the best interest of their child & the investigation to locate him/her they won't say a word. It's not just about what Disney would do to save face, it's about what is necessary for an investigation. Controling information is what companies and police agencies hire people to do specifically, have employees sign paperwork for, and write policies to enforce. Even news agencies wouldn't want the blood of a child on their hands for compromising an investigation. There's a point where leaking sensitive information can result in charges being brought against you for obstruction.

Other crimes involving WDW employees that you hear about don't directly have an effect on a child's safety. It's a totally different situation.

 

[vettechgirl77]

I'm visiting with my son who is 4, and my boyfriend in June. I think I have more "mom" concerns than anything. I have been several times and I know it's an incredibly safe place to visit. My son won't leave our sides, he's my little shadow. Will I keep my eyes on him at all times? You betcha, but I've never heard of kidnappings taking place there. You always have to be careful no matter where you go, but I feel that WDW is the safest.

 

[Monty]

I'm visiting with my son who is 4, and my boyfriend in June. I think I have more "mom" concerns than anything. I have been several times and I know it's an incredibly safe place to visit. My son won't leave our sides, he's my little shadow. Will I keep my eyes on him at all times? You betcha, but I've never heard of kidnappings taking place there. You always have to be careful no matter where you go, but I feel that WDW is the safest.

At 4 I'd suggest that you establish a hard rule that he is always holding either your hand or your husband's unless he's being carried. Keeping your "eyes on him at all times" really doesn't happen, it's so easy to get distracted for a second or two and end up separated. Like I said, my son was in physical contact with me absolutely 100% of our time outside our room unless we were sitting to eat or on a ride until he was over 10 years old.

It also meant for some extra "bonding" between us that was a bonus.

 

[AEfx]

Again, this is not necessarily true and cannot be relied upon. If the world knew all the details the investigation could/would be compromised.

Have you ever heard of an Amber Alert?

 

[powlessfamily4]

There is no place safer or less safer in this world. Ask the parents who had children snatched from their very homes while they were in them. If you practice good safety precautions, as you should everyday, your child will be safe if not safer. Disney provides additional security and I think more cameras then the pentagon. Keep your small child with you at all times and be aware of your surroundings. We DO live in a different world then we did 25 years ago. Be smart about it.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Have you ever heard of an Amber Alert?

I've helped with issuing an Amber Alert. I worked in Law Enforcement communications including extensive work with NCIC. I held a whole list of certifications pertaining to communications and running entire comm centers. I left that line of work in late 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. Being separated from my children for more than 3 weeks was the straw that broke the camels back for me. :wave: I can honestly say, tho, that that profession was my duck-in-water thing.

Anywhoo, yes, if a kid is taken an Amber Alert is put out. However, it's only gonna be put out if it's certain a child is missing. You won't see one for a molestation or if a child is found after being for a pretty short amount of time, time enough to do a lot of unspeakables. Also, the Amber Alert would be issued with a description and/or pictures provided by the parents. Like I've said, it's not hard to change appearances especially a boy to a girl or girl to a boy. The Amber Alert can only do so much.

I also know from experience that it's a thing police agencies walk a thin line on. You don't want to delay issuing the alert but you don't want to issue it too soon without being sure of a lot of things. It takes time to gather all this info and exhaust or eliminate some angles. It's not a lot of time but there is some time that will pass. If a child were taken from a park I believe he/she could be off-property before the Alert hits the airwaves. It'd still not be an impossible thing to do.

Amber Alerts go out as needed to find abducted kids. They won't be issued unless needed for that specific scenario. You won't hear them if a kid was molested or assaulted.

 

[AEfx]

I also know from experience that it's a thing police agencies walk a thin line on. You don't want to delay issuing the alert but you don't want to issue it too soon without being sure of a lot of things. It takes time to gather all this info and exhaust or eliminate some angles. It's not a lot of time but there is some time that will pass. If a child were taken from a park I believe he/she could be off-property before the Alert hits the airwaves. It'd still not be an impossible thing to do.

I didn't say it was impossible to get a kid out out of there, but I do believe it's impossible we would not hear about it if it did happen (a child removed from a park), which was the statement I was making.

Considering people sue Disney because they let their child flip over a tray with hot food on it, burning them, I find it highly doubtful that Disney is constantly covering up abductions and molestations, etc. That doesn't mean it's impossible, but I believe it's highly unlikely that these things are happening and someone - a CM, the guest, etc. hasn't let the news out, or that everyone is involved in some big conspiracy over it. And, if a crime HAD been committed - it must be reported should criminal charges stem from it.

Regardless, I still find it odd that people worry more about their kids at WDW than at the local mall. WDW has far more security, and is far more difficult to exit, than any place else aside from a government installation. Can something happen? Sure, anything is possible. But that's why if you have small kids, you keep them at your side at all times, and if you have older kids you educate them (hopefully without scaring them half to death).

It's the best you can do anywhere in the world , unless you live on a secluded island and stay in your home under 24 hour armed guards.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I didn't say it was impossible to get a kid out out of there, but I do believe it's impossible we would not hear about it if it did happen (a child removed from a park), which was the statement I was making.

Considering people sue Disney because they let their child flip over a tray with hot food on it, burning them, I find it highly doubtful that Disney is constantly covering up abductions and molestations, etc. That doesn't mean it's impossible, but I believe it's highly unlikely that these things are happening and someone - a CM, the guest, etc. hasn't let the news out, or that everyone is involved in some big conspiracy over it. And, if a crime HAD been committed - it must be reported should criminal charges stem from it.

Regardless, I still find it odd that people worry more about their kids at WDW than at the local mall. WDW has far more security, and is far more difficult to exit, than any place else aside from a government installation. Can something happen? Sure, anything is possible. But that's why if you have small kids, you keep them at your side at all times, and if you have older kids you educate them (hopefully without scaring them half to death).

It's the best you can do anywhere in the world , unless you live on a secluded island and stay in your home under 24 hour armed guards.

Nah, if a child were truly snatched out of one of the Disney parks I'm sure we'd all hear about it. That would be out of necessity. I just don't think it's safe to say that every little thing that happens on Disney property (like rapes, assaults, etc.) will be all over the news because it's "Disney". It's not about keeping things hush-hush or that there's some big conspiracy to make things look good. It's more about what needs to happen to protect the integrity of investigations. And like I said before, I have no first-hand knowledge of any crimes that have taken place on Disney property. What I *do* know is that where I worked there were many, many of these sorts of violent and/or s e x related crimes that happened, sometimes involving juveniles, that the media never had a clue about. To say kids don't get molested at Disney World or nobody is ever raped at Disney World because we would hear about it in the news is foolish. Straight up. Just because you don't hear about it doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Doesn't mean it has. But doesn't mean it has not either.

Yes, if criminal charges are filed against someone there had to have been a report. Police reports are common enough. Criminal charges are filed when they have someone to charge AND when there's enough evidence to stick the charges. Another thing I've seen firsthand. For years after a notorious murder in our jurisdiction there were rumors and questions that flew around because nobody was charged. During those years I had info that, yes, our detectives knew exactly what happened, who did it, and where the people who commited this horrible crime were but they had to wait to get the case put together right so the perps didn't walk. I couldn't tell anyone that. According to the rest of the world, during that time the case wasn't solved...yet it was. You can't rely on info you get from the press or read in a police report and think you know the whole story. That's not the way it is. At all. And without hitting this part too hard, I'll just make a little mention that police reports aren't the best source of info either because I have first-hand knowledge of how reports can be written to tell the story that is desired. :animwink:

I don't think malls are safer or less safe than Disney. Schools aren't either. They're all about the same, really. Anything is possible anywhere. I don't scare the heck out of my boys but I don't let them wander around without knowing how to handle themselves either. Educating them with a realistic understanding of what the world is really like keeps that invincible curse teenagers inevitably have maybe a little more in-check. The biggest thing in this thread that grabs my attention is that some people's perceptions are that Disney is safer because it's Disney. These people have said they believe these terrible things haven't happened there (rapes, assaults, etc., not just abductions) because they've never heard of it and that Disney has great security measures. I only seek to lend a little perspective there. The news doesn't know all and the best security can be worked around if a person really wants to. That's all.

 

[The Mom]

I think people are looking at a few different statistics, and observations.

The last published statistics have the number of stranger abductions in the US as low as 2%. So even if you double,triple, or multiply it tenfold, your child is much more likely to be abducted by someone known to them (or you)

The percentage for molestation is higher, at 15%. But again, much more likely to be someone who has some sort of relationship with your child, if only the bagger at your supermarket.

Then, people have observed that guests at WDW seem to hold them to a higher standard of safety than at your local mall, for example, and are more likely to sue - which makes the news. However, it probably wouldn't make the news if the child was abducted or molested at WDW by a relative or someone else known to the family - it happens. Just as it often isn't reported to authorities in the "real" world, it isn't at WDW.

I suppose there might be ongoing investigations where families are asked to keep quiet by the police in an attempt to capture someone. But I would think that could open the door for lawsuits if another child was put in danger because parents weren't warned that a predator was on property if they found out after the fact? :shrug:

Even though I agree that it is never wise to let your guard down when it comes to your children, statistically, when it comes to abduction and molestation, WDW is safer from predators than your own neighborhood. I know that it is 100 % true in my case - I check the offenders registry online! And those are only the people who have been caught.

WDW is not completely safe, but safer. Which wouldn't make you feel one bit better if your child was in that small percentage - so be careful.

 

[powlessfamily4]

Even though I agree that it is never wise to let your guard down when it comes to your children, statistically, when it comes to abduction and molestation, WDW is safer from predators than your own neighborhood. I know that it is 100 % true in my case - I check the offenders registry online! And those are only the people who have been caught.

WDW is not completely safe, but safer. Which wouldn't make you feel one bit better if your child was in that small percentage - so be careful.

Listen to The Mom. She is soooo right. I also feel you should just always practice good parenting skills and always be aware of where your child is and keep them close. You would not let your small children wander around a strange town, so don't do it at Disney either. :brick: