9/11 at Disneyland
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As evening fell, lights began to blink on all over the park. Everything was ready for the public, but no one was there.
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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.
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