My husband and I are life long Disney fans. Being from Orange County California, Disneyland was a part of our culture and lives. There were many times we had to walk off a ride.
However, there was one time that we will remember beyond all others.
Our daughter was married in May, as a celebration of finally being empty nesters we planned our dream trip to Disney World. Dinner on the Grand 1, EPCOT fireworks from the middle of the lagoon, and a suite at the Grand Floridian.
The day before we were scheduled to leave for home we decided to do some park hopping one more time starting with Animal Kingdom. As we were waiting in line for Kilimanjaro Safari cast members announced the ride was closed. (No problem). We then went to get in the queue for another ride, it was closed as well.
At this point, all the music through the park went silent, and an announcement came over the loud speakers to please exit the park. We asked a cast member what was wrong but they gave us no information. As we began exiting we stopped to look for something to take home as a souvenir. The young cast member at the check out counter seemed upset. We asked her if she was ok and what was wrong. She said she wasn’t supposed to say anything, but an airplane had hit the Trade Center in New York and that Disney may be a target and all the parks were being evacuated.
At that point we quickly made our way to the bus queue to await the bus to our hotel. As guests began to arrive and wait in line, cell phones started ringing and text messages were buzzing every where. People were beginning to get the news as to what was happening.
I have never been in a true crowd panic situation before, but as the busses began to arrive true panic set in as people crowded to get on the busses.
For the next 4 days we were truly Disney guests. Since we could not get home or leave the hotel we were fed and our stay was extended at no additional charge. All the cast members we encounters during this time did everything they could to turn a tragic situation into a magical experience.
It truly was a vacation to remember in so many ways.
Comments for Emergency Alert Sent Out at Disney World Park, Thousands Run From Imminent Danger
Sherri Williams
My husband and I are life long Disney fans. Being from Orange County California, Disneyland was a part of our culture and lives. There were many times we had to walk off a ride.
However, there was one time that we will remember beyond all others.
Our daughter was married in May, as a celebration of finally being empty nesters we planned our dream trip to Disney World. Dinner on the Grand 1, EPCOT fireworks from the middle of the lagoon, and a suite at the Grand Floridian.
The day before we were scheduled to leave for home we decided to do some park hopping one more time starting with Animal Kingdom. As we were waiting in line for Kilimanjaro Safari cast members announced the ride was closed. (No problem). We then went to get in the queue for another ride, it was closed as well.
At this point, all the music through the park went silent, and an announcement came over the loud speakers to please exit the park. We asked a cast member what was wrong but they gave us no information. As we began exiting we stopped to look for something to take home as a souvenir. The young cast member at the check out counter seemed upset. We asked her if she was ok and what was wrong. She said she wasn’t supposed to say anything, but an airplane had hit the Trade Center in New York and that Disney may be a target and all the parks were being evacuated.
At that point we quickly made our way to the bus queue to await the bus to our hotel. As guests began to arrive and wait in line, cell phones started ringing and text messages were buzzing every where. People were beginning to get the news as to what was happening.
I have never been in a true crowd panic situation before, but as the busses began to arrive true panic set in as people crowded to get on the busses.
For the next 4 days we were truly Disney guests. Since we could not get home or leave the hotel we were fed and our stay was extended at no additional charge. All the cast members we encounters during this time did everything they could to turn a tragic situation into a magical experience.
It truly was a vacation to remember in so many ways.
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