Man killed on Disneyland's Thunder Mountain ride

[Doctor Q]

Google New York Times link (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/06/national/06DISN.html?ex=1063425600&en=a596ed54ec26760f&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE)A man riding a Disneyland roller coaster was killed today and 10 people were injured when passengers were spilled from the ride as it whizzed through a tunnel.

...

Officials said the accident happened at about 11:20 a.m., just as the ride was going through the tunnel, part of a labyrinth of mine shafts, caverns and other Old West motifs that decorate the ride.

...

Disney officials said a man in the first passenger car died after the locomotive became detached from the passenger cars, but they could not say how or why that occurred.

[G5orbust]

oh... thats great. That really makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I go to Disneyland and have to now have to worry about getting killed by a kiddie coaster.

[iJon]

looks like disney is gonna be writing some checks real soon. that is gonna freak parents out now when they take their children.

iJon

[chewbaccapits]

Honestly, that ride has ALWAYS bugged me...It has never felt safe for me....

[medea]

Disney is definitely going down, or at least Eisner is. He already has his hands full of legal problems with Miramax and Pixar and now this, which happens to be the 10th death since the park opened in the 50's. Disney is such a bad corp. I'm just glad that they weren't able to cover up this event like the countless other ones that have happened.

[bousozoku]

That makes me glad that we didn't go to Magic Kingdom at DisneyWorld when we were there yesterday.

The incident reminds me of why I call Test Track "Crash Test". :(

[eyelikeart]

damn...that's freaky...I always imagined that ride going awry whenever I've ridden it in the past...

scary... :eek:

[iJon]

i always hated disney world anyways, just got boring after a while. gotta be young to enjoy that place. i still like six flags way more, but still i am getting tired of roller coasters and rides. i get sick to easily. when i was younger i could ride those rides from opening to closing while my mom would get sick, now im like her.

iJon

[Sun Baked]

Dr Q,

Left off this

There have been about 55 deaths at theme parks in the last 15 years, according to a Web site, www.themeparkinsider.com , which keeps track of such accidents.

For those who don't want to register at the NYTimes.

[tazo]

Originally posted by eyelikeart
damn...that's freaky...I always imagined that ride going awry whenever I've ridden it in the past...

scary... :eek:

Heh everytime i went on them it felt like you would just fall off....scary for those people on the ride that day

[eyelikeart]

Originally posted by tazo
Heh everytime i went on them it felt like you would just fall off....scary for those people on the ride that day

I used to always wonder...

"what if this thing (the car) flies off the track & smacks the overhead railings?!"

[wdlove]

It is a very sad story. I was on that ride, probably about 14 years ago. You can never take safety for granted.

My thoughts go out to his family amd friends!

[Doctor Q]

I guess I'm safe because I can't afford to go to Disneyland very often, whether I want to or not.

Well, actually, I'm not safe after all because

(1) I was given some free Disneyland tickets, which I haven't used yet, for being a frequent blood donor.

(2) Even if the rides are made safer, the food might get you. Disneyland has the worst food of any theme park I know. My friend and I got food poisoning once at the Monorail Cafe. Now I know to be careful which food I eat there.

[Flynnstone]

I was on the ride in July !
Sad. I hope the improve the maintenance of all rides !

[tazo]

Originally posted by eyelikeart
I used to always wonder...

"what if this thing (the car) flies off the track & smacks the overhead railings?!"

oh I know! It always seemed like a poorly designed ride, given the odd up-and-down structure, and the coach you sit in. IIRC it does not have a bar across the lap but merely a bar to hold on to.

As for the food at Disneyland, the one time i can remember eating there was at the pizza place...quite poor if i do recall :D :D

[iTag]

was on it way back in 97 and to be honest it didnt look safe then but still i flew from the uk to go to the rat house dont ask parents wanted to visit florida must be a old folks thing

Very Sad for the family my respects to them all

[MrMacMan]

Yes, sad indeed.

Disney need to repair more then rides to get me to watch anything disney again (execpt Winnie The Pooh)

I was there, no problems. in the past.

[voicegy]

Ya know, I'm into bashing the whole Disney "thing" as much as the next person, but we have to remember the millions and millions of people that have ridden this ride since it opened, what, 15 years ago? Sure, a death is unacceptable, but considering the percentatge overall, it's safer to ride something in a theme park than it is to pile in the car afterwards for the drive home.

The reason things like this stand out is precisely because of the enourmous saftey requirements and attention to detail of theme parks in general, espeically high profile ones. We hardly blink anymore at car crashes, so when something like this hits, the flames are fanned big time, and unfair monikers such at "Death Train Claims Life at Happiest Place on Earth" peak like an out of control EKG.

The truth still remains that theme park rides that serve hundreds of thousands of people for years at a time are overwhelmingly incident free.

No, I'm not a stockholder. No, I'm not a "Disneyland Apologist." And, we don't know the circumstances surrounding this incident yet, nor does one "expect to take their life in their hands" when buying a ticket to ride on an amusement park attraction. But my chances of meeting my maker driving to the local Apple store are still greater than taking a ride on Big Thunder Mountain.

[Doctor Q]

Thanks for making that point, voicegy . I recommend the book Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences by John Allen Paulos to everyone who is worried about being injured on Thunder Mountain (or being hit by a meteor). You don't have to have a math background (or even like math in school) to appreciate Paulos' commonsense descriptions of how people make false assumptions in everyday life based on math misunderstandings. There's an excerpt at amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0809058405/ref=lib_rd_ss_TT01/002-5071826-3609661?v=glance&s=books&vi=reader&img=4#reader-link).

[medea]

Turns out the man who was killed actually bled to death, Disneyland officials have not yet commented on the coroners report. This brings to mind the incident where the (inexperienced) captain of the Kingdom Queen ferryboat hit an 8 yr old boy and his mother who were stuck on the water sprite jetskis, the captain reversed the boat and ran over the mother killing her, but before Disney called the police they had their own divers find the body etc. and tethered to a buoy waiting for hours until it became dark so the visitors wouldnt see the accident and the ride wouldnt have to be shut down. Or how about when a man who got claustrophobic at SpaceShip Earth and couldn't find anyone to stop the ride jumped off but got ground up in a motor. Disney blocked off the view and sent 'hosts' into the crowd to question witnesses to find out just how much they saw, taking names and personal information of those who might later turn up in any lawsuit testimony all before calling an ambulance.
I wonder if they pulled a similar stunt with this poor man's accident?

[voicegy]

Originally posted by medea
This brings to mind the incident where the (inexperienced) captain of the Kingdom Queen ferryboat hit an 8 yr old boy and his mother who were stuck on the water sprite jetskis [...] or when a man who got claustrophobic at SpaceShip Earth and couldn't find anyone to stop the ride jumped off but got ground up in a motor.

I looked up those rides as I've never heard of them, and discovered they are at Disneyworld, which I've never been to. My search came up with a rather fascinating site:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/

[Doctor Q]

According to the Los Angeles Times, "Amusement park safety advocate Kathy Fackler, once one of Disney's outspoken critics" said "This is the first accident where I say, 'Yes, this is how the system should work.'" Her point is that Disneyland had onsite paramedics at Big Thunder Mountain within 2 minutes of the accident, and police and other investigators were allowed to study the site before Disneyland's own investigators. This is a complete switch from 1998, when Disneyland kept officials away from the site of the Columbia sailing ship accident until they cleaned up the area, and witnesses were not allowed to speak freely to investigators.

So this accident is unfortunate, but it is good news that Disneyland has changed its procedures to obey the laws passed since the previous accident. No more coverups.

[solvs]

I worked at Six Flags Magic Mnt. in CA a couple of years ago when that girl was killed. She worked on the Revolution ride (I worked a couple of rides over on FlashBack). We watched as the ambulance came rushing out of the back. Scary, she had worked there longer than I had, and she just slipped. Dead, instantly. I feel bad for the people on the ride. Made me really want to switch departments (started working on the Batman Stunt Show a few weeks later, not much safer).

[gello2424]

That sucks about that guy I was just on that ride a week before. I remember the local news here in Cali. saying that the guy was skipping school.

For some reason I see his family driving some really nice cars here in the near future.

[Doctor Q]

Police officials have closed their investigation into the accident. They found "no criminal culpability or negligence".

One fact was revealed: An employee heard an odd "metallic clanking" noise coming from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride 30 to 45 minutes before the crash. He finally decided to pull the ride out of service when the train came back to the station. It never made it that far.

There is still a separate state probe in progress.

[Doctor Q]

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has finally issued its report on the accident.

The report says that the accident was the result of "human error," specifically a mechanic who failed to tighten two 1-inch bolts on the guide wheel and attach a safety wire. They held the locomotive's rear axle to the guide wheel that rolled along the track.

The bolts worked loose and fell off, causing the axle to jam into the track under the rear of the locomotive, which nose-dived into the track, with its back tipping up until it hit the ceiling of the tunnel. The first passenger car then ran into the suddenly stopped locomotive and a rider in that car was killed. Brakes on the track then stopped the ride, which let the other five passenger cars slide backward down the track. Ten riders were hurt.

The report says that safety procedures were adequate but had not been followed, and that a manager declared the ride safe without inspecting it. As a result, Disneyland will retrain ride maintenance workers, managers, and ride operators. And Disneyland will require that those who perform maintenance be the ones to sign the "work completed" forms. Previously, someone else was allowed to sign off on Thunder Mountain maintenance work without knowing for sure that the work had been done.

Let's hope these changes will make this and other rides safer in the future.

[medea]

Thanks for the update Q.

[wdlove]

I'm with you, hope that the new procedures will make for greater safety. Thank you for the update Doctor Q. Do you know the status of those that were injured?

[Doctor Q]

I haven't seen any followup medical reports, but I don't believe the others had life-threatening injuries. As always, Doctor Q, ace reporter, will continue watching for and reporting as news develops.

[Doctor Q]

Disneyland has modified the Teacup ride so that even the strongest of people can barely move the wheel to spin their teacup. At best, they spin much slower than before. Some fans of the ride are complaining that Disneyland officials have over-reacted to safety issues and taken the fun out of the ride.

There have never been serious injuries on the ride, althought once a man fell out of his teacup and was not hurt.

[themadchemist]

Well, this is somewhat good. I hope this helps in the future. I also hope that Disney has to pay some large settlement.

edit: sorry, I thought that the post on the previous page was the last one

[Inspector Lee]

Disney Deaths (http://www.urbanlegends.com/death/disney_deaths.html)

What amazes me is that you absolutely never hear from the people who get maimed or have a relative who was a victim. You here nothing, not even a whisper. The hush money has to be substantial. I mean, what would happen if somebody refused the $$$ and wanted to talk?

[wdlove]

I wonder what happened that the flawless record at Disneyland ended in 1964. That is very sad. Wasn't aware that people were being paid off to be quiet. Something of this magnitude, whatever the problem it needs to be corrected. Wonder if it had anything to do with the end of Walt Disney's life. I beleive that he died in 1966.

[bousozoku]

Disney Deaths (http://www.urbanlegends.com/death/disney_deaths.html)

What amazes me is that you absolutely never hear from the people who get maimed or have a relative who was a victim. You here nothing, not even a whisper. The hush money has to be substantial. I mean, what would happen if somebody refused the $$$ and wanted to talk?

Right. Here in Orlando, we've never heard anything from the family of the cast member who was crushed by the two floats recently. The local news did have some interviews with other cast members but that was it. Those cast members were probably taking their lives into their hands talking to anyone from the press.

[Doctor Q]

News update: The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride opened this week for the first time since the accident. State inspectors gave final clearance on Wednesday (March 10, 2004) and it opened late in the day. Disneyland has retrained employees on maintenance and operating procedures and added explicit rules about unusual noises, since the accident would have been averted if operators had shut down the ride last September when they heard the clanking sound that first indicated something was amiss.

I have always liked that ride, and I would now feel safe to ride it again.

[Frohickey]

Dr Q,

Left off this

There have been about 55 deaths at theme parks in the last 15 years, according to a Web site, www.themeparkinsider.com , which keeps track of such accidents.

For those who don't want to register at the NYTimes.

55 in 15 years... sign me up for those kinds of odds.
How many people were killed in automobiles/airliners/trains in the past 15 years?

[Hemingray]

News update: The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride opened this week for the first time since the accident. State inspectors gave final clearance on Wednesday (March 10, 2004) and it opened late in the day. Disneyland has retrained employees on maintenance and operating procedures and added explicit rules about unusual noises, since the accident would have been averted if operators had shut down the ride last September when they heard the clanking sound that first indicated something was amiss.

I have always liked that ride, and I would now feel safe to ride it again.

Ditto! Thank goodness, I had heard rumors that they were closing it down permanently. I knew that was highly unlikely, but I'm just relieved to hear it's back up and running (not to be insensitive to the unforunate accident that occurred, but...)

I wonder which tunnel it was... guess it's probably better not to know. :(

[wdlove]

News update: The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride opened this week for the first time since the accident. State inspectors gave final clearance on Wednesday (March 10, 2004) and it opened late in the day. Disneyland has retrained employees on maintenance and operating procedures and added explicit rules about unusual noises, since the accident would have been averted if operators had shut down the ride last September when they heard the clanking sound that first indicated something was amiss.

I have always liked that ride, and I would now feel safe to ride it again.

That is good news Doctor Q, thank you. A thought just crossed my mind, I wonder if the ride was shut down at Disneyworld in Florida also?

[Counterfit]

Disney Deaths (http://www.urbanlegends.com/death/disney_deaths.html)

What amazes me is that you absolutely never hear from the people who get maimed or have a relative who was a victim. You here nothing, not even a whisper. The hush money has to be substantial. I mean, what would happen if somebody refused the $$$ and wanted to talk? DAMN! talk about sensationalizing!

[AngryLawnGnome]

That sucks. It's always so sad when something like this happens because there is nothing the passengers can do and the parks face huge criticism for what is normally a very safe ride.

[Doctor Q]

I learned today that the cups on the Teacup ride at Disneyland didn't spin individually when the ride was first created in 1955. Walt Disney himself asked the ride supervisor, who was named Mr. Pritchett, what people who went on the ride were saying about it. Mr. Pritchett told Disney that they wanted to spin the wheel in the middle. So Uncle Walt changed the ride and made it so.

[wdlove]

I learned today that the cups on the Teacup ride at Disneyland didn't spin individually when the ride was first created in 1955. Walt Disney himself asked the ride supervisor, who was named Mr. Pritchett, what people who went on the ride were saying about it. Mr. Pritchett told Disney that they wanted to spin the wheel in the middle. So Uncle Walt changed the ride and made it so.

Thank you Doctor Q. That is the type of person that I thought of Walt Disney. That is how he built his brand name, was by listening to what the customer wanted. :)

[Hemingray]

Thank you Doctor Q. That is the type of person that I thought of Walt Disney. That is how he built his brand name, was by listening to what the customer wanted. :)

Only to have all his hard work undone by the company's current regime... :rolleyes: (But that's another post for another thread...)

[Doctor Q]

This week's news: In what Disneyland is calling a minor crash, one Big Thunder Mountain Railroad train ran into the back of another as employees were performing a routine "reset" operation (whatever that is) while no riders were on the ride. A Disneyland spokesman said that some operating procedures were not followed so they "retrained" the employees accordingly.

This newest mishap occured when "one employee gave a clear sign to start a train without verifying the position of the other train."

Since this happened on a ride that they know is under public scrutiny and that just had a review of training procedures, it doesn't give me great confidence in their employees for this ride.

[voicegy]

Incredible. What's with these kids...they on MDMA or something?! Honestly!

[Doctor Q]

On the other hand, what's the point of a roller coaster? Fast motion, which many people enjoy, and the feeling of danger, which people also look for from thrill rides. So we might just say that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad now gives you more danger=thrill than you might expect. :rolleyes:

[Sun Baked]

On the other hand, what's the point of a roller coaster? Fast motion, which many people enjoy, and the feeling of danger, which people also look for from thrill rides. So we might just say that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad now gives you more danger=thrill than you might expect. :rolleyes:Yes the danger factor and the posting of the warnings on the ride do add to the thrill.

Heck, adding a statement to cap the liability in the event of loss of limb, death, vegetative states to $10,000 would only enhance the thrill.

Especially if they post a memorial to those that have died on the ride.

[Doctor Q]

A 21-year old worker was killed while doing a "safety check" on the roller coaster named "Scream" at Six Flags Magic Mountain this morning. She was hit by the moving ride. Magic Mountain is in the Valencia/Santa Clarita area north of Los Angeles.

link (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/8397476.htm)
An employee at Six Flags Magic Mountain was struck and killed by the Scream roller coaster Friday, authorities said.

The employee, who was not immediately identified, walked onto the coaster's tracks in a restricted area shortly after 10 a.m., said Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Larry Gump. The worker died at a hospital.

"We do not know why this employee was in this area at this time," park spokeswoman Sue Carpenter said.

[Doctor Q]

The Scream will reopen tomorrow. State inspectors determined that it was an accident, which I take to mean human error, rather than a ride malfunction. I'm sure there is more to the story than that, especially explaining what will prevent its happening again, but that's the only news I heard.

[Doctor Q]

Disneyland has agreed, as many fans demanded, to restore two previous features of rides: the spinning motion of the Teacup ride and the guns that the Jungle Cruise guides use to scare away the "threatening hippos".

Many Disney followers thought that the previous Teacup change (removing their ability to spin) was an overzealous change in the name of safety, and never really necessary.

[bousozoku]

Sounds as though things are back to normal in the Magic Kingdom--or at least, one of them.

It's good to know that we were safe from spinning teacups for a while anyway.

[Doctor Q]

December 27, 2004: A 25-year-old woman was knocked unconscious by the back of the Aladdin magic carpet float during the Christmas Fantasy parade at Disneyland. She was one of four people struck by the simulated carpet. The float was removed from service despite being found to be in proper condition, until its safety can be fully established.

If the carpet doesn't have moving parts, it sounds pretty simple to me: If whatever base carries the float moves it across the rope that separates the parade route from the crowd, it's gonna hit people. If not, it's not. (Unless these four people crossed the barrier.)

[wdlove]

It will certainly be very interesting to find out who is at fault on this one Doctor Q. This isn't a very happy way to finish the year. What were the injuries of the other three? How is the 25 year woman doing? Certainly pray that she is OK after being knocked unconscious. :(

[Mechcozmo]

If the carpet doesn't have moving parts, it sounds pretty simple to me: If whatever base carries the float moves it across the rope that separates the parade route from the crowd, it's gonna hit people. If not, it's not. (Unless these four people crossed the barrier.)

I hear a lawsuit either way... damn laywers! :p

[Doctor Q]

I except that Disney will agree to pay medical expenses but may require that the injured parties not give details publicly. But that's just a guess. I'll post further news if I hear it.

[Doctor Q]

Catching up on Disney incidents:

Two week ago: Boy dies on Mission: Space (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/14/disney.death.ap/) ride at Disney World (see thread)

Monday: Matterhorn Bobsleds closed after woman becomes ill (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050630/us_nm/leisure_disney_dc_2)

Tomorrow: I'm taking my family to Disneyland! If I'm maimed in a freak accident on the Casey Jr. Circus Train ride, I'll report it here Friday. Wish me luck!

[dornoforpyros]

did they medics actually pronounce these ppl dead in the park? It may just be an old urban legend but I'd heard for legal reasons no on is ever to be declared dead in the park so they can keep their clean record.
Like I said it may just be an urban legend.

[Chip NoVaMac]

did they medics actually pronounce these ppl dead in the park? It may just be an old urban legend but I'd heard for legal reasons no on is ever to be declared dead in the park so they can keep their clean record.
Like I said it may just be an urban legend.


Urban legend or not; the reality is that most are declared dead once they reach the hospital (unless they are murdered or some such thing). Maybe it is a respect thing from the EMS folks.

[tech4all]

did they medics actually pronounce these ppl dead in the park? It may just be an old urban legend but I'd heard for legal reasons no on is ever to be declared dead in the park so they can keep their clean record.
Like I said it may just be an urban legend.

Yea I read that to on snopes.com. Nobody has actually "died" at Disneyland as they are "declared" dead on Disney property.


Good luck on your trip Dr. Q! :D Have a nice time!

[Brother Michael]

Dude, just ride Pirates of the Caribbean...

...it's the best ride and no one dies on it.

Mike

[JonMaker]

Am I alone in feeling that the chance of being maimed increases the sense of fun?

danger = fun

It's a pity someone actually had to die like this.

death != fun

[After G]

55 in 15 years... sign me up for those kinds of odds.
How many people were killed in automobiles/airliners/trains in the past 15 years?Those are some awesome odds. I mean if ONE SINGLE PLANE crashes, that's like 200 - 300 people dead. Instantly. Pretty good track record considering what some of these rides do like flip you upside down and stuff. Still, I never liked the feeling roller coasters gave me, and I don't plan on riding any soon.

[Lacero]

Wow, this thread headline is misleading, perhaps it can be edited to reflect an event that happened TWO YEARS AGO! Anyway, looks like Disney's 50th anniversary celebration is off to an "knock 'em dead" start.

[devilot]

Wow, this thread headline is misleading, perhaps it can be edited to reflect an event that happened TWO YEARS AGO! Anyway, looks like Disney's 50th anniversary celebration is off to an "knock 'em dead" start.
Disnyland or is it all of Disney? Man I can't wait for DL to re-launch Space Mountain... I've gone twice in the last year or so and it's been closed this whole time. But a bit bummed that the ride's probably not gonna have those cheesy 80's synth beats and corny laser "effects," all of which mean Space Mountain to me. :D

[krimson]

Catching up on Disney incidents:

Two week ago: Boy dies on Mission: Space (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/14/disney.death.ap/) ride at Disney World (see thread)

Monday: Matterhorn Bobsleds closed after woman becomes ill (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050630/us_nm/leisure_disney_dc_2)

Tomorrow: I'm taking my family to Disneyland! If I'm maimed in a freak accident on the Casey Jr. Circus Train ride, I'll report it here Friday. Wish me luck!


GOOD LUCK!! :)

[wdlove]

I wish you health and safety to you and your family Doctor Q. Hope that you will post some pictures of your family venture? ;)

[Counterfit]

Dude, just ride Pirates of the Caribbean...

...it's the best ride and no one dies on it.

Mike
Didn't you read the article?! :eek:
One other death was reported at Disney World this year. A 77-year-old woman who was in poor health from diabetes and several ministrokes died in February after going on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. A medical examiner's report said her death "was not unexpected."

[bousozoku]

Am I alone in feeling that the chance of being maimed increases the sense of fun?

danger = fun

It's a pity someone actually had to die like this.

death != fun

Yes, at Disney, somethng has to go wrong to increase the chance of fun because the rides are a little too bland.

It's Disneyland's 50th anniversary. I don't know if any of you saw the old black and white films that they showed on the Disney t.v. show so very long ago but the monorail was pretty impressive stuff for 1955.

I was just past Disneyland a week ago and I didn't see anything from just outside the park--other than lots of tourists, of course. I'm surprised that I couldn't see Cinderella's castle at all. It's quite noticeable in Japan.

[tech4all]

I was just past Disneyland a week ago and I didn't see anything from just outside the park--other than lots of tourists, of course. I'm surprised that I couldn't see Cinderella's castle at all. It's quite noticeable in Japan.

Actually it's Sleeping Beauty Castle ;)

Yea I know samething, right?

I think the reason why it's not as noticeable is because normally castles were designed to intimidate the pheasants, and Walt Disney didn't want that affect at Disneyland. Thus the castle isn't as large as it is in other Disney parks.

[CanadaRAM]

I think the reason why it's not as noticeable is because normally castles were designed to intimidate the pheasants...

Yeah, don't want the fowl to get all uppity...

[jaw04005]

You know this kinda freaks me out. I've been to Walt Disney World (FL) 6 times since I was 5, and every time we've went Big Thunder Mountain has been closed for some reason.

I'm now 21, and my family and I are going back during the first of August. As of now, it scheduled to be operational.

Maybe it's a sign? :eek:

[tech4all]

Yeah, don't want the fowl to get all uppity...

I swear I am making so many typos today. That's the word the spell check gave me. I meant the "peasants" as in non-royalty.

[bousozoku]

Actually it's Sleeping Beauty Castle ;)

Yea I know samething, right?

I think the reason why it's not as noticeable is because normally castles were designed to intimidate the pheasants, and Walt Disney didn't want that affect at Disneyland. Thus the castle isn't as large as it is in other Disney parks.

If you say so. ;)

When I was on the plane going into Narita airport, we passed all this flat land and this huge pseudo-European castle. It stuck out like a sore thumb. Until recently, that was as close to Disney as I'd ever gotten.

[Doctor Q]

Dude, just ride Pirates of the Caribbean...

...it's the best ride and no one dies on it.I did, but I saw a skull over the entrance tunnel, so somebody must have died there.

Man I can't wait for DL to re-launch Space Mountain... I've gone twice in the last year or so and it's been closed this whole time. But a bit bummed that the ride's probably not gonna have those cheesy 80's synth beats and corny laser "effects," all of which mean Space Mountain to me. :DAny idea what they ARE doing differently? The signs there just say "closed for refurbishment". Somebody said he heard that they rebuilt it with the same design as before and just added safety upgrades, but I don't know if that rumor is true. One other big area is closed off behind walls (where the submarine ride used to be). I wonder what's in there.

You know this kinda freaks me out. I've been to Walt Disney World (FL) 6 times since I was 5, and every time we've went Big Thunder Mountain has been closed for some reason.Thunder Mountain was working fine yesterday. We went on it twice. We also wanted to go on Splash Mountain, which is waaaaaaaay far away from Main Street. We walked all that way just to get Fast Passes, then back to other areas to go on other rides until our Fast Pass time arrived. Then we went back and discovered the ride had broken down. They said to come back later and they'd let us in even after the Fast Pass expiration. We did come back later (getting sorer feet from all the walking each time), got in the Fast Pass line (10 min) instead of the standby line(>30 min), got to within a dozen people of the front of the line, and the ride broke down again. So yes, we trudged away again and came back yet another time (not being sensible enough to stay off a ride that might actually have something wrong with it) and finally got on the ride late in the day.

To celebrate the Golden Anniversary, Disneyland had a few parts of each ride painted gold: golden Autopia cars, golden Mr. Toad's Wild Ride car, golden Dumbo, golden teacup, etc. My wife had to knock down only 2 or 3 little kids to get to ride on the one and only golden horse on the King Arthur Carousel. (See closeups below. The Toad car and Dumbo are the photo-op models they provide next to the real ride.)

The only brush with death we had (other than sore feet) was when a hippo attacked our Jungle Cruise boat but, having survived many such encounters over the years, I knew we would survive if I quickly aimed and shot the hippo. With my camera, that is.

Finally, Mickey said to say hi to all his friends at MacRumors. We certainly have members here who are Happy, Grumpy, Bashful, Sneezy, Sleepy, and/or Dopey, and a couple of Docs. Me? I'm Goofy.

[MacFan25863]

Space Mountain reopened today. Same track with new effects. Also, expect something to happen in the next year or so that will blow your socks off about it, since its something that has never been done on a coaster before that will happen to it ;)



The sub area is closed off since they are rebuliding the sub attraction into a Finding Nemo sub attraction. Should be interesting.


It's Disneyland's 50th anniversary. I don't know if any of you saw the old black and white films that they showed on the Disney t.v. show so very long ago but the monorail was pretty impressive stuff for 1955.


psst...the Monorail didn't open until 1959.... ;)


To celebrate the Golden Anniversary, Disneyland had a few parts of each ride painted gold: golden Autopia cars, golden Mr. Toad's Wild Ride car, golden Dumbo, golden teacup, etc. My wife had to knock down only 2 or 3 little kids to get to ride on the one and only golden horse on the King Arthur Carousel. (See closeups below. The Toad car and Dumbo are the photo-op models they provide next to the real ride.)


Yea...its pretty corny. Each attraction that opened on July 17th 1955 got one attraction vehicle repainted gold. The carousel horse is stupid, since, on most carousels, one of the horses has gold outlines, supposidly the "lead horse". Walt Disney didn't want a "lead horse" on that attraction, since he felt everyone should have the "lead horse" experience. Painting one of them gold kinda defeats the purpose, if you ask me.



-Your resident Disney Geek

[devilot]

Space Mountain reopened today. Same track with new effects. Also, expect something to happen in the next year or so that will blow your socks off about it, since its something that has never been done on a coaster before that will happen to it

-Your resident Disney Geek
WHAT?! WHAT?! Don't be a meanie, tell us! What's it gonna be like?

[bousozoku]

...
psst...the Monorail didn't open until 1959.... ;)
...
-Your resident Disney Geek

See? I told you that it was really advanced for 1955. ;)

[Don't panic]

WHAT?! WHAT?! Don't be a meanie, tell us! What's it gonna be like?

i second that.
at least a hint (or two)

[law guy]

Police officials have closed their investigation into the accident. They found "no criminal culpability or negligence".

One fact was revealed: An employee heard an odd "metallic clanking" noise coming from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride 30 to 45 minutes before the crash. He finally decided to pull the ride out of service when the train came back to the station. It never made it that far.

There is still a separate state probe in progress.

Well, no one's going to jail for negligent homicide, but I'd be surprised if there weren't claims pressed for civil negligence here. Accidents in general - it seems I hear of at least one a year - last year, I recall someone killed at Six Flags NE. This year there was the boy who died at Disneyworld and then this Disneyland episode. I did go to the latter as a kid a few times and enjoyed Mr. Toad's Wild Ride very much. I also liked a Peterpan ride over a miniture city - the rides that recreated the movies' other worlds were the fun ones for me - never the thrill rides. Aside from that theme enjoyment, I'm thankful to have not developed the taste for expensive days strolling the permanent carnivals.

[MacFan25863]

Look at the picture carefully....

[Inspector Lee]

DAMN! talk about sensationalizing!

Yeah, maybe a little sensational but... There are whisperings that nobody ever officially dies on Disney property. Most of the time, the unfortunate (read: victims) are officially pronounced dead off the grounds.

And this is sensational too, I know. I just find it hard to believe that nobody ever seems to talk.

And this isn't to say that accidents should never happen because that would be impossible. How many accidents per visitor is in the millions which is on par. It is just that you never hear anything, not even a whisper. And with the number of people out there looking for that quick easy squeezy $$$, I find this a little bit eerie.

[tech4all]

Look at the picture carefully....

I looked at it but all I could sorta see is something that looks like "ROCKET" faded out or something on the sign.... :confused:

[Xtremehkr]

I have been on this ride literally dozens of times, I a guess I should feel lucky that nothing has happened while I was riding. To me or to anyone else. It's unbelievable that Disney has chosen to let be a problem for so long.

[nosnahbed]

Yeah, maybe a little sensational but... There are whisperings that nobody ever officially dies on Disney property. Most of the time, the unfortunate (read: victims) are officially pronounced dead off the grounds.

And this is sensational too, I know. I just find it hard to believe that nobody ever seems to talk.

And this isn't to say that accidents should never happen because that would be impossible. How many accidents per visitor is in the millions which is on par. It is just that you never hear anything, not even a whisper. And with the number of people out there looking for that quick easy squeezy $$$, I find this a little bit eerie.

A co-worker of mine died at Disneyland when I worked there! Not job realted however... So yes, all sorts of people die at Disneyland just like they die everywhere elese.

You have to take it in prespective.... you are WAY more likey to die on the freeway to Disneyland then at the park itself.

[MacFan25863]

I have been on this ride literally dozens of times, I a guess I should feel lucky that nothing has happened while I was riding. To me or to anyone else. It's unbelievable that Disney has chosen to let be a problem for so long.


Your kidding me, right? Out of the hundreds of thousands, ...maybe millions...of people who have ridden that ride, ONE person has died. Its safer to ride Thunder Mountain than it is to drive to the park in which it is located. Disney has unbelievable maintence. Most of the death's at Disney parks have been to guest stupidity, very few are Disney's fault. You are more likely to get struck by lighting and win the lottery on the same day than you are to die on a Disney attraction.



For those of you wondering, its called "RockIT Mountain". The functionality for it has already been built into Space. With a flick of a switch, the entire attraction changes into a new experience, with new music, lighting, and themes. It should be announced in the next few months, opening in the next year or so. During the day, it will be RockIT Mountain, during the night, Space. Pretty cool, eh?

[Doctor Q]

According to an article I read today, Space Mountain at Disneyland used to shine a light at riders so the rest of the ride would feel relatively darker, but they no longer need to do this because the ride itself is now much darker. Before, you saw glimpses of track and shapes around you as you rode. Now, you supposedly see only "space", stars, comets, or whatever they have in there to represent a ride through space.

[rendezvouscp]

Wait a minute, wasn't Space Mountain supposed to open back up on the 17th? Did Disney change the date?
-Chase

[MacFan25863]

Wait a minute, wasn't Space Mountain supposed to open back up on the 17th? Did Disney change the date?
-Chase


Its soft opening right now, which means they are in the final stage of testing (looking at guest reaction). They do this with all attractions. The grand opening is on the 15th.

[bousozoku]

According to an article I read today, Space Mountain at Disneyland used to shine a light at riders so the rest of the ride would feel relatively darker, but they no longer need to do this because the ride itself is now much darker. Before, you saw glimpses of track and shapes around you as you rode. Now, you supposedly see only "space", stars, comets, or whatever they have in there to represent a ride through space.

I remember being so bored (it's a little too smooth and slow) that I was looking at the various items hanging plus the other cars on the tracks at various points.

Hopefully, they've speeded up the initial launch as they did with Rock 'n' Rollercoaster at MGM Studios, which uses the same kind of track. The electromagnetic push has been used on several coasters to give an amazing boost.