In light of the recent tragic events in France and in support of our community and the victims of these horrendous attacks, Disneyland Paris has decided not to open its theme parks on Saturday 14 November. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by these horrible events.
French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency and closed France's borders after the attacks, which claimed the lives of more than 100 people across the city, including dozens who were at a concert by the Southern California band Eagles of Death Metal, at the Bataclan concert hall. President Hollande was at the France-Germany soccer friendly at Stade de France at the time of the attacks, which included multiple explosions outside the stadium.
French authorities have urged people to remain at home for the time being, in the aftermath of the attacks. At this point, it is unclear when tourist travel and attractions will return to something close to what has been normal operation.
Saturday Update: Disney has announced that Disneyland Paris will remain closed through Tuesday, Nov. 17, as part of France's three-day mourning period.
In Orlando, L'artisan des Glaces (the ice cream shop in Epcot's France pavilion) tweeted this photo of the pavilion's Eiffel Tower:
— L'artisan des Glaces (@ArtisandesGlace) November 14, 2015We would appreciate if all comments on this post were made in a respectful, and positive, tone. Save any anger for another time. Thank you.
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I too concur with Tony and David that its a matter of time before a theme park is a target of terrorism.
Maybe not Disney, Universal or other theme park chain but a popular theme park somewhere in this world.
Terrorists will try to target a theme park where security is weak.
It is the unfortunate reality of the world we live in.
Its just a matter of time before all stadiums, theme parks, museums, etc will have airport level security for guests.
On a theme park related note, I fear that Disneyland Paris attendance levels will reach an all time low when it reopens, due to fear of an attack and a lack of decent security.
As far as bread knives and pocket knives go, I don't think they can really be considered a threat on a mass scale. Terrorists seek to create the most death and destruction with the least amount of effort and only a mentally unbalanced terrorist like the fellow in California (assuming that you can consider mass murder a rational act) would even consider using a knife to commit terrorism.
They just confirmed it and are updating the website ; already to be found on www.disneylandparis.co.uk
« We mourn those lost to the horrific attacks in Paris, we pray for the injured and we hold them all in our hearts. As part of France's three-day national mourning period, Disneyland Paris will remain closed through Tuesday 17 November. » Tom Wolber, Président of Euro Disney S.A.S.
That's a tough decision to make, but I think they made the right choice. My thoughts are with all the victims and their family and friends.
LOL I was thinking the same thing.
I disagree that an attack on a theme park is inevitable. The terrorist goal is not only to create fear, but to undermine the institutions and systems that we depend on ie government, transportation, city centers etc. A theme park presents a weak target in that respect.
Although we regard theme parks as sacred spaces I highly doubt that a terrorist in the desert somewhere has the same opinion.
Metal detectors might stop low level criminals but the likes of the Paris attackers would easily have the means to bypass them. There are plastic and carbon fiber weapons and the underwear bomber who landed in Detroit in 2009 had an IED built entirely of non metal components (which is why the metal detectors in Amsterdam didn't stop him).
Last month, I read a story that Disney was seeking a "Global Intelligence Analyst Intern". According to the job description, the Cast Member was to provide "strategic intelligence, threat assessments, vulnerability mitigation strategies and in-depth analytical products covering existing and developing threats that include counter-terrorism, physical threats, cyber-attacks and all reputational risks".
[I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post links here. But, if you want to find the article, try "Global Intelligence Analyst Intern Disney" in your favorite search engine.]
When compared to other public places like shopping malls or stadiums, I'd say that Disney Parks are far more secure.
Actually the suicide bombers did not bypass security. The security detected the explosives so they detonated them outside the gates at the Stadium. There were no less than 3 terrorist attacks on the same night. The problem is what happens after you discover them.
As for what you regard as a weak target, they attacked a concert hall too.
Metal detectors would never stop a real terrorist attack. The only true defense that theme parks would have are professional security officers who are trained to detect suspicious activity and behaviors.
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