I went to Blizzard Beach around 1997 and the water park had to be closed down because there was a storm on the way.

One thing that I don't think was noted, but incoming thunderstorms will close the water parks, I believe. Lightning and water parks are a bad combination.

Super great read!

First let me say the statement that lightning is not dangerous is false as people are killed by lightning in Florida every year and we are constantly reminded to get indoors during thunderstorms. As for Hurricanes, we stayed at all stars during Charley and felt completely safe, did not feel the effects and we're surprised at trees and light poles down the next morning.

Been in situations at Magic Kingdom where if the rain heavy and lightning is too close, ALL attractions were closed to provide more shelter

I was at Animal Kingdom several years ago during a particularly severe thunderstorm that produced a tornado off property, the Arnold Palmer golf tournament at Bay Hills was also significantly damaged - like the article said, we were all directed indoors to the shops and had to stay there for the all clear - as I leaving the park, I encountered another heavy downpour and waited it out in one of the small pagoda shelters with s cast member - when I asked what they would do if there was an actual tornado on the property, she said the majority of us would have been led to the underground level!

This is a lovely article and all, but what exactly happens when an armed gun-man is on site? I know it hasn't happened before, so procedures wouldn't be clear. But I'm always afraid that someone might slip in with a weapon, and I would want to know what happens.

In reply to by Noah Hamburg (not verified)

It would be easy to slip something in because they don't check people's pockets. With that being said, Disney has TONS of plain clothes security, so I don't worry about it. The way I see it, it can happen anywhere, and I don't want to ruin my vacation worrying about it.

In reply to by Noah Hamburg (not verified)

It actually HAS happened before -- this year, in fact. Disney security and the Anaheim, CA police apprehended a lone gunman, armed with a handgun and several clips of ammunition, in the plaza between the Disneyland and California Adventure entrances. I first heard about it via a blog post, of all places, then I contacted the Orange County Register newspaper to see why it hadn't been covered in the news. They were as surprised as I was, which attests to how quietly and efficiently it was handled by the local authorities. It appears Disney management worked in close concert with the Anaheim PD to keep the word "Disneyland" out of the whole incident, with the police report stating that the gunman was apprehended on the street in Anaheim. The OC Register was finally able to get the real story from authorities and published it, see http://www.ocregister.com/articles/agoncillo-678409-county-police.html for the article.

//Steve//

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