[Park Hopper]

If anything will jolt you back to the harsh realities of the world we live in today, this will do it.

The Orlando Sentinel reports this morning that Disney World has installed high-security, anti-terrorist barricades similar to those protecting the White House, U.S. embassies and nuclear waste depots. The hydraulically powered steel barricades block the service entrances of the four theme parks and apparently are designed to stop a 20,000-pound truck bomb traveling at 70 mph.

A Disney spokesperson was quick to clarify that the barricades weren't installed in response to any specific terrorist threat against the parks but are part of Disney's continually evolving "security plan."

The state-of-the-art barricades, said to number a dozen or more, cost $30,000 each and are of the same type and from the same manufacturer that recently shipped the same model to Baghdad to protect the new U.S. Embassy there.

[rlander]

It makes me feel safer. Disney management would be naive in thinking it couldn't happen. Anything they can do to protect the guest and our treasured paradise is good news to me.

[mickaholic4077]

With there being no greater symbol of Americana than Disney World,I am surprised they haven't done this sooner. I am glad that they have.

[Smayco]

I'm glad to hear this too. I was a little concerned about terrorism when we were there in April. WDW really would be such a horrific target for a terrorist attack, I'm surprised they haven't attempted it.

~Sue

[mickaholic4077]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there have been close calls that simply haven't been reported.

[coasterman2002]

I think that this is going to make WDW an even safer place than it was before. I wonder what else Disney has in store for security at it's theme parks. I've heard metal detectors, but I'm not 100% sure about that one.

[skwak]

A sad as it is that this precaution needs to be done, I am very glad they they are using their collective noodles. Good job IMO!

[Cinderellafifi]

Good news for a bad state of affairs.

[inluvwithdisney]

I am glad that Disney is fully aware of the world we live in out side of WDW!! It really makes me feel safer!!!

[tinkerbell]

Originally Posted by Cinderellafifi

Good news for a bad state of affairs.

I think you said it best .. I know we noticed those poles appear before you enter the parks. Also this makes the ticket price increase understandable doesnt it?

[sandanv1]

I think it's really naive to think that a barricade is gonna stop someone who really wants to get in. Unfortunatly, we have found out the hard way that the bad guys are walking among us. They are someone's neighbor, they shop in our stores and go to our schools.

There was a special on our local news channel about the new terrorist tools. Guns that look like cell phones, Beeper bombs and other everyday objects that get through security. So the question is how safe are we really. I pass the checkpoint at the front gates and breeze through because I don't carry any bags. Who knows what I carry in my pockets. Maybe the money would have been better spent training their security better.

I go to WDW and the outside world stays outside, I really don't think about security or my safety. I just have fun!!!!

Maybe they can put a dome on next year to justify the next yearly price increase.

[axis blunts]

Good too see thin happen finally.

WDW, the MK paticulary has been considered a possible target since 9/11. I remember a report that the castle itself was the target in question.

[MissLisa5730]

I don't know if this will make anyone feel better, but my DH sat in on some classes for law enforcement personnel re: possible terrorist targets in the USA. WDW and DL were actually pretty low on the list of possible targets because there are so many children there, and because of the fact that both resorts attract large numbers of foreign guests. If either one were to be targeted, the rest of the world would almost certainly join in the fight against terrorists and this would be strategically disasterous for them.

Added to that is the incredible behind-the-scenes security precautions at both WDW and DL that the guests just aren't aware of. DH toured their security sites several years ago (long before 9/11) and he was amazed at the lengths Disney went to keep their guests safe.

So there ya go - as far as safe vacations go - Disney is a pretty good place to be.

[sjpurple]

I'm glad to hear they have done this. Safety is something they have to deal with.

[mickaholic4077]

Originally Posted by MissLisa5730

I don't know if this will make anyone feel better, but my DH sat in on some classes for law enforcement personnel re: possible terrorist targets in the USA. WDW and DL were actually pretty low on the list of possible targets because there are so many children there, and because of the fact that both resorts attract large numbers of foreign guests. If either one were to be targeted, the rest of the world would almost certainly join in the fight against terrorists and this would be strategically disasterous for them.

Added to that is the incredible behind-the-scenes security precautions at both WDW and DL that the guests just aren't aware of. DH toured their security sites several years ago (long before 9/11) and he was amazed at the lengths Disney went to keep their guests safe.

So there ya go - as far as safe vacations go - Disney is a pretty good place to be.

I never thought of it that way. That really does make sense.