Update: turns out the driver of Monorail Pink was placed on administrative leave as well. All the leave is with pay pending the results of the investigation. Local TV channel WESH is reporting that two Disney World employees have been suspended pending further investigation of… Read More »Disney suspends two cast members over Monorail Crash
Guests to Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort can now immerse themselves in the life of one of the most iconic figures of our time. “Diana — The People’s Princess” celebrates the late Princess of Wales in a walk-through experience featuring 800-900 rare artifacts… Read More »Diana – The People’s Princess exhibit opens at Downtown Disney, Orlando
The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary statement on the July 5th collision of two Monorails at Walt Disney World that left one cast member dead. It contains what we have to take as the most accurate description of the tragic unfolding to date. The full report can take 6 months or more.
One of the most heartbreaking details revealed by the NTSB is that the Monorail Purple pilot died while trying to switch his train into reverse and save the lives of his passengers. An upstanding young man and a hero. I hope Walt Disney World finds some way to honor his heroic actions.
Update: The Orlando Sentinel has discovered a potentially unsettling detail. The Manager who was responsible for Monorail Central Control was off property at the time of the crash, although still issuing commands through their radio. They had been asked to take over the Central Coordinator duties after the original coordinator left early due to illness. My sources tell me it’s unlikely this was a contributing factor to the crash. But having the coordinator in the station as an extra pair of eyes during switch times is probably a bonus.
The full text of the statement below the cut:
Read More »NTSB releases preliminary statement on Monorail Accident
Many voices in the theme park industry and across Disneyana are beginning to struggle with what should happen next at Walt Disney World. What should happen now that a life has been tragically and unnecessarily lost? I’m not yet ready to make any suggestions as … Read More »What should Disney change after Monorail Death?
The Orlando Sentinel has posted a very moving video of Austin Wuennenberg the monorail pilot killed in the tragic Sunday morning accident at Walt Disney World. The video was recorded just a few weeks ago when the Cimino family of Briton, Conn., took a ride… Read More »Fallen Monorail Pilot Receives Tribute from Guests
Update: The National Transportation and Safety Board has just said that they will be investigating this accident.(via Orlando Sentinel) This is interesting to me since I called the NTSB on Sunday to ask, but could only leave a voice mail asking if they would. I… Read More »Monorails Running Again at Walt Disney World
Disney fans united on twitter today in honor of Austin Wuennenberg, the 21 year old Monorail Pilot who died in the tragic Monorail collision accident at Walt Disney World in the early morning hours of July 5th 2009. As you can see in this screen… Read More »Disney Fans Honor Fallen Monorail Pilot with Twitter Trending Topic
The Orlando Sentinel has come out with a long anticipated update on the progress of Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter project. Inspired by the movies, Harry Potter will get a multi-attraction treatment with re-themeing of two existing attractions and a new ‘Robocoaster’ :… Read More »Harry Potter Attraction takes shape at Universal Orlando