9/11 at Disneyland

This article by Doug Marsh was originally published on the 10th anniversary of 9/11

“The happiest place on earth, on the saddest day I can remember being there.” These were the words used to describe Disneyland on September 11, 2001, by a long-time cast member who spent her day there.

Everyone knows that the Walt Disney Company closed their domestic theme parks following the tragic events in New York, Washington D.C., and Shanksville. Guests had already filled the parks at Walt Disney World, but on the West Coast, due to the time difference, the Disneyland Resort simply did not open that day.

Security Hostess Ginger Fleming awoke early, as always, and prepared for her day at the Hollywood Gate, a major backstage access point to the California Adventure theme park, which had just opened the previous spring. She was looking forward to joining others in the cast volunteer organization for a screening of The Lion King that evening.

Turning on her television, she saw the morning news reporter’s faces change as they received the news that a plane had struck the World Trade Center. As she prepared for her early shift, she watched in horror as a plane hit the second tower.

Shortly after, a friend called, begging her not to go to Disneyland. She said she had heard that Disneyland was going to be bombed.

In another part of Southern California, Show Support Lead Timm Miller was also watching the news with his family. He was also aware that a threat had been made toward Disneyland, which was of particular concern since, at that time, his department was in charge of emergency transportation in the event of disaster.

Back at her home near Disneyland, Ginger headed out to the park. Arriving early, she found that work crews for custodial, landscaping and construction were all at work, preparing the Resort for the day’s guests, as well as a major press event scheduled for the Friday opening of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Play It. Star Regis Philbin was to fly in from New York. Ginger took her post near the back of the newly completed Sound Stage that housed the attraction

Across the esplanade, another cast member had ridden his bicycle through the backstage gate, showered and dressed, and was puzzled to find everyone from his office in the break room, watching television. Joining them, he watched the tragedy in New York unfold, until word came in that Disneyland would not open that day. Everyone on hand was pressed into service, calling anyone on the schedule to let them know they were not to come in.

At the Hollywood Gate, Ginger also got word about the closure. Her new task for the day was to clear the work crews who were already in the park. She then hurried back to the gate to turn back arriving cast members who hadn’t gotten a message. Many of the young people hadn’t heard the news, and couldn’t understand how Disneyland could be closed. Ginger found herself telling the same sad story over and over again.

One cast member who was woken up by a phone call at home later recalled that the enormity of the situation sank in only after he was told that Disney had closed all their theme parks. The events on the East Coast seemed unbelievable at first hearing; the decision to close the Disney theme parks was much more immediate.

Over at Disneyland, the young man with the bike was busy making phone calls, when word suddenly came through park radios to evacuate all buildings. A report had been received that planes were headed toward the resort. After hurrying through the building, ensuring that every office was cleared, he joined his co-workers and waited in their pre-designated evacuation area. After a tense wait, the all clear finally came through.

As the sun rose higher in the California sky, a sense of eerie calm settled over the Disneyland Resort. The only activity was at the hotels, where stranded guests were handled with Disney’s famous hospitality. A crew from the park was diverted to handle immediate needs, and characters were sent out in force to entertain the children who couldn’t understand why they had to stay at the hotel all day, as their parents huddled around television sets.

Taking her first break of the day, Ginger recalled that she had a disposable camera in her locker. She had purchased it to take photos of the last Sunday’s final performance of The Country Bears in Critter Country.

She had saved some shots for the press event scheduled for Friday’s opening of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

Picking up the camera, Ginger headed over to Disneyland. Her first stop was Town Square, to see if the flag had been moved to half-staff. She was pleased to note that this had, indeed, been done.

Although the sun was shining brightly, there was a deafening silence, due to the fact that Main Street was deserted. Even the familiar music had been turned off. Ginger would later describe it as the happiest place on earth on the saddest day she could ever remember being there.

She moved up to the platform of Main Street Station and took some photos. She then took a short stroll down the street, and took a few more shots before preparing to head home. The newly built esplanade, normally filled with guests hurrying between the parks, as well as locals headed into Downtown Disney, was deserted.

Driving home through the unusually light traffic, Ginger noted the lighted street signs, today carrying the terse message, “Theme Parks are closed today.”

Shortly before Ginger ended her day, Timm came on duty for the second shift. By this time, only a skeleton crew of Show Support, Security, Fire Department and Medical staff were in the park. Anyone else was at the hotels. By now Timm had heard that Disneyland was “third on the list” to be destroyed that day. Even though he knew it was safe, it didn’t feel safe. Timm also noted the eerie calm. There weren’t even any planes in the sky, aside from a single military jet that immediately caught everyone’s attention as it raced overhead.

With a shift that lasted until midnight, Timm soon found himself with time on his hands. He recalled the new digital camera that was stashed in a backstage office. The camera, which stored images on a floppy disc, was typically used to take photos of hopeful applicants who came in to audition for shows. Knowing the park was completely empty, Timm took the camera and went for a stroll.

As evening fell, lights began to blink on all over the park. Everything was ready for the public, but no one was there.

Back at the Team Disney building, cast members headed home. The young man on the bicycle rode out the gate for the last time. After that day, personal vehicles were no longer allowed backstage.

For Wednesday, September 12, the management at Disney decided to allow guests into the parks. Many recall it as a day of contrasts. For the children, it was like a holiday, as the light crowds meant that lines were short and rides were plentiful. For their parents, there was a sense of sadness, tempered by the pleasure of spending time at Disneyland. For the cast members, it was more important than ever to create happiness, a goal that had been defined when Disneyland was being planned nearly 50 years earlier.

When Ginger arrived for duty on Main Street that day, the first thing she noticed was a single long-stemmed yellow rose that had been placed at the base of the flag pole in Town Square.

Other cast members, whether on duty that day or not, wanted to help. So many offers of assistance and requests for ways to aid in relief were received at the Walt Disney Company, that the Company Foundation established a new organization. DiseyHAND: Survivor Relief provided assistance to 9/11 victims and their families, with every donation matched by the Walt Disney Company. A memo, sent by Michael Eisner and Bob Iger, concluded with the words, “We have all been moved by the self-sacrifice of people heroically offering assistance in the aftermath of yesterday’s horrific events. It is in this spirit of helping our fellow citizens in their time of need that we have established this fund and welcome your participation.”

On a more immediate level, Ginger found herself offering assistance to a slightly bewildered Asian guest. The woman needed directions to find it’s a small world. Since the park was so uncrowded, Ginger offered to escort her to the familiar facade at the back of Fantasyland. As they made their way, the woman apologized, saying, “I am so sorry for what happened to America. I am so sorry to be here today, but I had planned this for a long time.”

Ginger assured her that there was no better and safer place to be that day than Disneyland. Before they parted, the woman asked Ginger if she could take a photo with her. Ginger agreed. That Christmas, she received a card from the woman, with the photo enclosed. She was a professor, visiting from the People’s Republic of China.

Friday, September 14 was declared a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance. To commemorate the occasion, the Disneyland Resort participated in a moment of silence, held at noon. Cast members advised the public that all shops and attractions would be silenced, and that there would be brief ceremony on Town Square, culminating with the singing of God Bless America.

As a somber cast gathered, Ginger noticed a family seated on a bench. Their two young children were fidgeting, clearly anxious to get back to their fun. Noting the parents’ discomfort, Ginger approached them and asked if she could help.

“What was wrong,” she asked.

The little boy plaintively asked why they couldn’t go back to Disneyland—why they couldn’t go on rides and see Mickey Mouse. Ginger sat next to him and said, “Some bad things happened here in America this week.”

The little boy nodded and said, “I saw bad things happening on TV.”

“In a few minutes we will have a moment of silence,” Ginger continued, “And we will think of things we care about. It’s like we are in a library, or in church, and we will think about people we love and care about.”

The boy considered this for a moment, and then nodded again.

“Then we will sing God Bless America,” Ginger said.

“I know some of the words to that,” the boy said.

“Will you sing it with me,” Ginger asked.

The ceremony proceeded, and as the music swelled, everyone joined in, tears in their eyes. Afterward, Ginger recalled, “I will never forget that moment,” as complete strangers hugged each other, tears in their eyes. She also noted that flags all over Disneyland had been lowered to half-staff.

The events of September 11, 2001 had an enormous impact on America and the world. The Disneyland Resort is only one little corner of that world. For many, it truly is “the happiest place on earth.” But for one day, it was a part of our shared experience; on a day we will never forget.

Author’s note: I would like to thank Disneyland cast members Ginger Fleming and Timm Miller for sharing their extraordinary photos. These have not been seen in ten years, and have never been published before. Thank you also for telling about your experiences inside the Disneyland Resort on September 11 and the days that followed.