Latest reports indicate that 48 passengers were on the two trains. Of those 15 were taken to the hospital with injuries. I’ve assembed this report from various people who were on the scene or heard about it from people who were there. But it seems a fairly likely scenario to me: California Screamin’ was running… Read More »Update: Disneyland Coaster Accident
There has been a crash on California Screamin’ the big coaster at California Adventure, the second gate at Disneyland Resort. TV images and reports indicate that one train stopped partially out of the final braking zone and a second train ran into the back of it. The LA Times reports that over 60 guests were… Read More »Breaking: Crash at California Adventure Coaster
I am hearing various rumors about the incident at Walt Disney World’s MGM/Disney Studios yesterday, none of which point to this being a problem with the attraction, but I won’t post any of them here as I don’t have confirmation on any of them. The Orlando Sentinel has posted a follow up story, however, with… Read More »More Details on Tower of Terror Incident
The Orlando Sentinal is reporting that Disney World’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction today closed for inspection after a British Teen fell ill while riding. Tower of Terror is another high thrill attraction that can produce high g’s for the rider. Although these are vertical g’s which are different from the lateral kind experienced… Read More »MGM Studios: Tower of Terror closed
The recent tragic death of a 4-year old after riding Walt Disney World’s Mission: Space attraction at Epcot has highlighted the lack of oversight by local, state, or federal agencies for the Florida tourists destination. Now California’s Disneyland theme park, which operates under some of the strictest state oversight in the nation, has just been… Read More »Judges Rule for higher safety standards in California
Dr. John Kuluz, an associate professor and expert in pediatric critical care and brain injuries at the University of Miami, said the mother’s report of her son’s rigidity suggests that the brain was a more likely suspect. "That episode of being rigid makes it sound as if the brain was having increased pressure," said Kuluz,… Read More »Disney World Death Update
Despite improved attendance numbers, apples to apples profit numbers reveal that the parks are having their worst years since the 80s. I’m sure the number crunchers up in Burbank have better models than me, but since you asked… the company is now reaping what it has sowed. The 90s were supposed to be the Disney Decade at the Themeparks. Instead we saw cuts in attraction budgets, a reliance on the cheaper (sometimes! remember the expensive mistake that was Light Magic) entertainment, cuts in training, and an across the board slashing of maintenance budgets. Not only has this resulted in death and injury at the theme parks, but it affected Disney brand as the top quality family entertainment vacation destination.
With Hurricane, now tropical storm, Frances moving on the digging out process begins. For the hotel, convention, and tourism industry the good news is that they were mostly spared the damage caused by Hurricane Charley. The real damage will be when the lost dollars expected from Labor Day weekend are totalled. There does remain the… Read More »The Real Damage in Orlando