The Day That Would Change The WorldSeptember 11, 2001
September 11, 2001 will forever be a somber reminder in not
just Disneyland history but in the hearts and minds of Americans everywhere and
permanently etched in our and proof that from the ashes, remarkable things can
arise. That fateful morning of
September 11, 2001 brought about the morning terrorist attacks on The Pentagon,
New York City's World Trade Center, and in the air over Pennsylvania, The Walt
Disney World Resort in Florida, and The Disneyland Resort in California, closed
without incident. The closures marked
only the second time Disneyland has locked its gates in its then 56-year
history due to a national tragedy. The first time followed the assassination of
President John F. Kennedy in November 1963. All resort hotels remain opened and
provides accommodations to guests who were unable to leave. Phone charges were
suspended so that guests could reach family.
At Disney World, Cast Members in all 4 parks are
instructed to hold hands and form a human wall and gently, without touching
guests, walk towards the hub of each park and eventually towards the exit. The
result calmly aided all guests in leaving the Parks. Security followed each human
wall to make sure no guest was able to get past.
At Disneyland Resort, which had not yet opened when the
attacks occurred and thus were able to remain closed for the day, the food and
beverage stations remained open at no charge for guests who were on property.
AMC Theaters at Downtown Disney showed free Disney films for stranded Resort
guests. Across the county, The Disney
Stores also closed for the day as did Disney's Broadway shows in New York and
on the road. Like hundreds of other families around the world, Disney also lost
one of its own when John Beug, a former vice president at Walt Disney Records, lost
his life as a passenger on the plane that struck 1 World Trade Center.
Michael Eisner released a statement to Cast Members explaining
the Disney closings. In closing, he ended his note with these words:
"Finally let me say our company around the world will
continue to operate in this sometimes violent world in which we live, offering
products that reach to the higher and more positive side of the human
equation."
Each year, to commemorate Patriot’s Day, a special Flag
Retreat ceremony is held on Main Street.
No one will ever forget how the world was changed this day in history
but the resilience and spirit of people everywhere showed we can and will go on. And that's what happened today in our history.
"Tomorrow will be better as long as America keeps alive
the
ideals of freedom and a better life ..." - Walt Disney
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