9/11 at Disneyland
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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.
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
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.
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
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.
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-- Text by Doug Marsh
-- Posted September 11, 2011