Travel Alert

[Mitzie]

I really hate to be a Debbie Downer especially when it comes to discussing the Happiest Place on Earth but...The state department issued a travel alert today. We are due to fly down to WDW on Dec 19th..this is stated in the alert:

"Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid large crowds or crowded places. Exercise particular caution during the holiday season and at holiday festivals or events," the State Department said in the alert.


I don't believe they were only discussing destinations abroad. What are your thoughts here...

[John]

I would say this is on most people's minds. We're headed there as well and plan to go on living - not much else you can do... It's definitely an alert for here at home as well. The big oddity to me involves the fact that it runs thru February.

[John]

Worldwide Travel Alert

Last Updated: November 23, 2015

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to possible risks of travel due to increased terrorist threats. Current information suggests that ISIL (aka Da’esh), al-Qa’ida, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics, using conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests. This Travel Alert expires on February 24, 2016.

Authorities believe the likelihood of terror attacks will continue as members of ISIL/Da’esh return from Syria and Iraq. Additionally, there is a continuing threat from unaffiliated persons planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations but conducted on an individual basis. Extremists have targeted large sporting events, theatres, open markets, and aviation services. In the past year, there have been multiple attacks in France, Nigeria, Denmark, Turkey, and Mali. ISIL/Da’esh has claimed responsibility for the bombing of a Russian airliner in Egypt.

U.S. citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation. Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid large crowds or crowded places. Exercise particular caution during the holiday season and at holiday festivals or events. U.S. citizens should monitor media and local information sources and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities. Persons with specific safety concerns should contact local law enforcement authorities who are responsible for the safety and security of all visitors to their host country. U.S. citizens should:

• Follow the instructions of local authorities. Monitor media and local information sources and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities.
• Be prepared for additional security screening and unexpected disruptions.
• Stay in touch with your family members and ensure they know how to reach you in the event of an emergency.
• Register in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

Foreign governments have taken action to guard against terrorist attacks, and some have made official declarations regarding heightened threat conditions. Authorities continue to conduct raids and disrupt terror plots. We continue to work closely with our allies on the threat from international terrorism. Information is routinely shared between the United States and our key partners in order to disrupt terrorist plotting, identify and take action against potential operatives, and strengthen our defenses against potential threats.

For further information:

• See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

[faline]

I, too, feel a bit of personal angst (probably the highest since 9/11) over the possibilities and know that any public place is a potential target. That being said, I will go on with my life and will not change any of my plans to vacation, and/or attend holiday events in public places.

[BrerGnat]

I would say this is on most people's minds. We're headed there as well and plan to go on living - not much else you can do... It's definitely an alert for here at home as well. The big oddity to me involves the fact that it runs thru February.

John, I mentioned that to my husband last night. He worked at the State Department during his last year in Virginia. He said the dates are due to specific intelligence that they have that mentions timelines for attacks. There is typically a buffer built into State Department warnings on each end of the timeline because they don't want to disclose exact dates they know of.

This particular warning is MOSTLY an international one. However it is always wise to heed the warnings of local authorities and to not place yourself somewhere that attacks have been threatened.

There is that idea that if we stay home and live in fear, "the terrorists win." On the flip side though is the idea that if we knowingly travel to warned locations/events anyway, that gives the terrorists more American targets to harm and then they get a larger "victory" when they carry out their attacks.

Bottom line, the terrorists are ALREADY "winning." We are already living in fear of what they are going to do next and they definitely have the upper hand on a global level. This is something you will never hear from the politicians, but it is the truth.

In general, I'm not super concerned about things stateside at this point. I still continue to visit Disneyland a couple times a week and never feel unsafe there. I would not worry about traveling anywhere in the US. I would certainly not be afraid to go to WDW. I might avoid things like concerts and arena shows though, which I am generally not a fan of anyway.

[Isabella]

The February date may well be to include the Super Bowl, just a guess...

I would say this is on most people's minds. We're headed there as well and plan to go on living - not much else you can do... It's definitely an alert for here at home as well. The big oddity to me involves the fact that it runs thru February.

[Isabella]

We traveled in October after 9/11 to WDW with our two youngest sons. My DH had a conference there and we discussed the risk, but as many have said, we decided that we would live our lives not in fear. It was extremely interesting walking through MCO with National Guard troops everywhere holding AK47s. A bit surreal...
We are also gong to WDW in 12 days and even though the "bag check" is a pain, it's there for a reason. This alert is just a reminder...

[HndrdPrcnt]

Just throwing in my two cents on the subject. The way I see it is that if we stop living our lives the way that we want to live them, then the terrorists don't even need to attack....they have already won! They have successfully instilled so much fear in our lives that we are not enjoying our lives the way that we are meant to. I have a strong faith and I believe that if it is our time to go, it does not matter where we are at. And, if I am going to die, what better way to die than while spending my time at one of my very favorite places. I say make the trip and enjoy your time. We are all only given one life and we have to enjoy that life while we are here. Making memories that will last a lifetime at one of the happiest places on Earth is making the most of the life that we are given!!

Go on the trip and have the best time ever!!

[MNNHFLTX]

I don't intend to cancel any of my upcoming travel plans either (which don't include WDW, but does include other high-focus destinations here and abroad). I think the message I get out of the travel alert is primarily "Be Aware". Keeps your eyes open and attentive to things/people that look out of place and report them to authorities, and cooperate with all safety procedures.

[Hammer]

My sister and I still plan to travel as we always have. My sister traveled to London for meetings at her employer's global headquarters less than a week after the attacks in Paris. We will be in Florida for Christmas, including 1 night at WDW. I believe no one should stop living their life.

As others have said, people need to be aware of their surroundings. See something; say something. As a country, we had become complacent. What we need to realize that there will always be groups in this world that want to harm us and disrupt our way of life and that won't ever go away, no matter what any politician says. Hate will never be erased from the world, as much as we would like for that to happen.

[PopPhan]

In the words of Matthew Wilder...

Ain't nothin' gonna to break my stride
Nobody's gonna slow me down, oh-no
I got to keep on movin'
Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride
I'm running and I won't touch ground
Oh-no, I got to keep on movin'

Headed for L.A. on that big ol' jet airliner in about 40 hours, then on to Disneyland.

[Wells]

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Ben Franklin

[texas211]

We are also gong to WDW in 12 days and even though the "bag check" is a pain, it's there for a reason. This alert is just a reminder...

That just checks for illegal disney souvenirs and selfie sticks. A guy w/ a wooden spoon wont' catch a lot. Maybe a big bottle of vodka occasionally.

Look, math is in your favor. There are like 300+ million people in this country. What are the chances anything will happen to you. Life is all series of random events. I don''t sweat it. If it happens, do the best you can to deal with it.

It'll be alright. You are much more likely to be hit by a drunk driver, get cancer and die, etc.