Weekend notes: Lots o' folks shown the door

December 9, 2007, 11:40 PM ·
  • SeaWorld divers: Scott Powers at the Orlando Sentinel this weekend had an interesting story about "a life-and-death emergency that would nearly kill one diver and lead to the resignations of two others."

  • Tokyo power failure: A report from Japan said that a power failure Sunday at Tokyo Disneyland shut down 25 rides at the park. Most rides soon came back up. No one was injured and lots of comps were issued.

  • Dummy at Disney: Ever wonder if they ever find anything at those security check-point tables outside Disney theme parks? Beside contraband sandwiches and soft drinks? Well, today, they did. Disney security busted a 63-year-old woman rolling with a loaded .32-caliber semi-automatic handgun... plus a pair of scissors and a locked blade knife.

    Disney called the Orange County Sheriff's Office, which took the gun and arrested the woman, who claimed that she forgot she was packing when she left for the park.

    Thanks to all the TPI readers who submitted these tips and links!

    Replies (13)

    December 10, 2007 at 5:26 AM · The incident with the woman bringing the gun to Disney is all over the news. They have her comment that she forgot she was packing as well as carrying the sissors and the knife. This is when it starts to worry you about what is getting past the check points at the park.
    December 10, 2007 at 5:29 AM · Hilarious.
    How are a gun and scissors practical carry-withs? Especially on a 62 year-old woman?
    "Oh, silly me, I forgot to unpack after my daily trip to the hair salon and shooting range".
    December 10, 2007 at 5:30 AM · Only in America. God, I love this country.
    December 10, 2007 at 7:07 AM · Ya missed one Robert...

    Disney kicked out three sports teams from one of their hotels after some of the athletes were involved in a fight in an arcade. They were kicked out around 1am.

    http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2007/12/9/pop_warner_teams_thrown_out_of_disney.html

    December 10, 2007 at 3:43 PM · Anyone have any thoughts on that SeaWorld story? (I have a thought on it, but I don't want to be the first to comment. Someone else wanna jump in?)
    December 10, 2007 at 6:01 PM · Funny, I was there Wednesday and I thought the staff were a bit protective when they were "Training" the Dolphins.

    We got there around 10am and naturally headed in that direction. When we got there we stood by the side of the Doplhin Pool, for a good 5 minutes, watching as the trainers fed the Dolphins and gave them some commands.
    We took a few photos as you do, then suddenly we were told to get back as they didn't want the Dolphins interferred with while they were training, as it would distract them.

    Funny thing is that we were a good 15 feet from the trainers, we didn't put our hands in the water and were quite happily taking some nice photos. There was no reason for the trainer to tell us to move as she'd seen we were there from the start.

    They do seem to be much more protective of the Dolphins recently!

    December 10, 2007 at 9:43 PM · Wow. I got to Disneyland once a week and I've never in my life have I heard of a any person to bring a gun or anything like it.
    I was very surprised to hear.
    December 11, 2007 at 2:03 AM · Going by the way Disneyland security checks people, I'm surprised (but glad) they stopped the woman at Disney World. Here at Disneyland, 99% of the time I just waltz right past the checkpoint. Though I'm not asked, I usually just take out my digital camera bag from my pocket and in my hand as I walk through. Only once I was asked to open up my sweater. I'm a pretty shady-looking dude, I've heard, so I'm surprised they haven't once told me to empty my pockets.

    A couple times while walking toward the trams from the parking lot, I forgot that I still had my Swiss Army Knife/USB stick combo on my keys. I still go back to my car to take leave it there in the off-chance they tell me to take out my keys, but nope-- walked right through.

    December 11, 2007 at 5:54 AM · I've always kept my Swiss Army Knife in my pocket. No one has ever asked to see what's in my pockets or told me I couldn't bring it into the park. I've found the tweezers and tooth pick usefull. The sissors is great for removing tags on sweat shirts when you didn't plan for a cooling of the weather. Going to be in the 80s this week.
    December 11, 2007 at 8:56 AM · New Sign at Ride entrance.

    "Please leave any loose articles, such as wallets, purses, handbags, cellphones, keys, removable limbs, Guns & Knives with a non rider, or in the free lockers provided"

    December 11, 2007 at 10:14 PM · Guess she took the term "Pistol Packin Granny" literally!
    December 12, 2007 at 8:22 AM · The Seaworld incident is really weird. I also do not think the story is very clear or complete, but it seemed really hard to piece it together. I don't understand how she got unconcious and why everybody quit.
    December 12, 2007 at 11:29 PM · The SeaWorld piece struck me, at its heart, a one-source story. I think there's a fascinating story to be told about the folks in the tanks at SeaWorld, and my appetite is whetted. But I was more confused than satistfied, too. Glad to hear that it wasn't just me. I was afraid that I'd missed it, somehow.

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