Let's face it, Florida sinkholes are mindless killing machines. Due to the state's constant population growth and weight-to-ground ratio, their numbers are spreading, and it's only a matter of time before your Disney vacation feels their inevitable wrath. Case in point, another sinkhole forms only minutes from Disney's gates just this past week. This one nearly 30 ft. deep and growing in width as we speak:
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/2-homes-evacuated-after-sinkhole-opens-sefner/npCxD/
Despite the infamous sinkhole which devoured a portion of Epcot's classic Horizons foundation, causing the attraction to ultimately be condemned, closed, and replaced with a more nausea-inducing experience, there really has not been a noticeable sinkhole presence on Disney soil to date. While higher prices of entry are credited as being the biggest deterrent of Disney sinkhole formation on park grounds, concerns still remain high for not if, but when an attraction-swallowing sinkhole will occur in the future.
So this brings us to the underlying question: How worried should you be about the possibility of experiencing a sinkhole formation during your WDW vacation? While lightning strikes, heat exhaustion, and nacho cheese sauce burns remained the top risks of injury to the average central Florida traveler for decades, officials warn that sinkholes are on the rise. From 2013 to present day, sinkholes overtook shark attacks on the list of top threats to central Florida, leaving these hideous formations at #7, just above venomous snakebites and George Zimmerman. It is expected they will only climb higher on the list in the coming decades, and the biggest concern is, nobody knows when or where they will occur next.
If these facts are not enough to cause at least some concern, take this scenario for instance: Imagine yourself riding TTA one calm weekday afternoon. Your ride vehicle glides over Tomorrowland as you take in the surrounding sights, smells, and sounds of the futuristic land Walt envisioned when he thought of nighttime dance parties. Then suddenly, just as your car is about to enter the dark confines of Space Mountain, you find yourselves sitting in the utilidors below. What you just experienced, my friends, is a sinkhole on Disney property. Not only did this destructive force ruin your ride experience, but now you face trespassing charges for being in a CM-exclusive area. And that's if the utilidors even still exist after the sinkhole forms. For all we know, they could be down in like, China by now. But the point is friends, this is not something you want to experience. Ever.
So how do you prepare for the worst case scenario? What should Disney do to keep these atrocities out? There has been talk for years of implementing a jet-pack plan of sorts, to allow guests who stay on property to be issued complimentary jet packs at park entry which can elevate the patron off the ground (and out of harm's way) for up to 20-seconds. This would allow adequate time for the guest to reposition themselves away from the forming sinkhole, and onto sturdier ground / patron.
Yet technology can only do so much. The best safety measures can be taken by us. A few simple procedures can help you & your family be more prepared to survive, and more importantly, not be harmed in the event a sinkhole incident should come about. Few precautions such as:
-Never stand or sit in one position for more than 45-seconds. Always keep moving!
-Run with your family in a zig-zagged pattern throughout the parks rather than stroll.
-Travel with a designated buddy who is over 6'3. If ever you do find yourself inside a sinkhole...the extra height could make all the difference.
-ALWAYS look down when you walk! This helps you to observe the grounds' behavior for early detection of a possible sinkhole, and also increases your chances of finding loose change.
-Bring a ladder.
But most importantly, have a plan! Talk with your family & friends before your vacation. Use your MM+ itinerary to let others know your every step in advance. Safety starts prior to your trip!
While this is certainly something we all need to be worrying over feverishly, each of us can also be prepared & confident that our next WDW vacation will be a safe one, if we take the proper steps today. Together we can help stomp out sinkholes! No wait, better not stomp, because that could cause one too. But together we can make our travels much safer!
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/2-homes-evacuated-after-sinkhole-opens-sefner/npCxD/
Despite the infamous sinkhole which devoured a portion of Epcot's classic Horizons foundation, causing the attraction to ultimately be condemned, closed, and replaced with a more nausea-inducing experience, there really has not been a noticeable sinkhole presence on Disney soil to date. While higher prices of entry are credited as being the biggest deterrent of Disney sinkhole formation on park grounds, concerns still remain high for not if, but when an attraction-swallowing sinkhole will occur in the future.
So this brings us to the underlying question: How worried should you be about the possibility of experiencing a sinkhole formation during your WDW vacation? While lightning strikes, heat exhaustion, and nacho cheese sauce burns remained the top risks of injury to the average central Florida traveler for decades, officials warn that sinkholes are on the rise. From 2013 to present day, sinkholes overtook shark attacks on the list of top threats to central Florida, leaving these hideous formations at #7, just above venomous snakebites and George Zimmerman. It is expected they will only climb higher on the list in the coming decades, and the biggest concern is, nobody knows when or where they will occur next.
If these facts are not enough to cause at least some concern, take this scenario for instance: Imagine yourself riding TTA one calm weekday afternoon. Your ride vehicle glides over Tomorrowland as you take in the surrounding sights, smells, and sounds of the futuristic land Walt envisioned when he thought of nighttime dance parties. Then suddenly, just as your car is about to enter the dark confines of Space Mountain, you find yourselves sitting in the utilidors below. What you just experienced, my friends, is a sinkhole on Disney property. Not only did this destructive force ruin your ride experience, but now you face trespassing charges for being in a CM-exclusive area. And that's if the utilidors even still exist after the sinkhole forms. For all we know, they could be down in like, China by now. But the point is friends, this is not something you want to experience. Ever.
So how do you prepare for the worst case scenario? What should Disney do to keep these atrocities out? There has been talk for years of implementing a jet-pack plan of sorts, to allow guests who stay on property to be issued complimentary jet packs at park entry which can elevate the patron off the ground (and out of harm's way) for up to 20-seconds. This would allow adequate time for the guest to reposition themselves away from the forming sinkhole, and onto sturdier ground / patron.
Yet technology can only do so much. The best safety measures can be taken by us. A few simple procedures can help you & your family be more prepared to survive, and more importantly, not be harmed in the event a sinkhole incident should come about. Few precautions such as:
-Never stand or sit in one position for more than 45-seconds. Always keep moving!
-Run with your family in a zig-zagged pattern throughout the parks rather than stroll.
-Travel with a designated buddy who is over 6'3. If ever you do find yourself inside a sinkhole...the extra height could make all the difference.
-ALWAYS look down when you walk! This helps you to observe the grounds' behavior for early detection of a possible sinkhole, and also increases your chances of finding loose change.
-Bring a ladder.
But most importantly, have a plan! Talk with your family & friends before your vacation. Use your MM+ itinerary to let others know your every step in advance. Safety starts prior to your trip!
While this is certainly something we all need to be worrying over feverishly, each of us can also be prepared & confident that our next WDW vacation will be a safe one, if we take the proper steps today. Together we can help stomp out sinkholes! No wait, better not stomp, because that could cause one too. But together we can make our travels much safer!
