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.