For those who were born in the 80s and more recently, it’s hard to believe there was a time before the ubiquity of computers in our lives. Yep. Cash registers were all mechanical. Totals were often figured out on the fly in peoples heads. Tickets were torn or punched to indicate prior usage. Pneumatic tubes… Read More »Disneyland circa 1970
Hong Kong Disneyland has been in the news as much for the ticky tacky things that plague a new themepark as it has for the fact that it’s the first Disney theme park in China, which is the real story here. They’ve had problems with pollution, unexploded WWII shells, roving packs of dogs, shark fin… Read More »Hong Kong Disneyland… or is that whiner land?
Disney theme parks are receiving lots of attention this summer, but not all of its due to the Happiest Celebration on Earth. A 3-month rash of injuries, accidents, and deaths has focused media attention on some of Disney’s flaws. The Orlando Sentinel doesn’t think it will affect attendance at the parks. How about you? Will… Read More »Will the recent accidents, injuries, and deaths keep you away?
Although it is not law in the state of California, it is industry practice to consult with a roller coaster’s manufacturer before making changes to the attraction. The OC Register is reporting that Disney made changes to some brake zones on California Screamin’ three months ago and didn’t tell Intamin, the ride’s manufacturer. "If you… Read More »I’m sure they were going to tell them soon
Theme Park Insider is maintaining a list of verified accidents at theme parks across the nation. Sadly the most recent accidents have all occured at Disney parks.
Hot on the heals of the Korean Disney park ‘announcement’ comes a bit of speculative news from Shanghai. The article states "the sources said the park will be four times bigger than Hong Kong’s Disneyland," which sounds like someone’s wet dreams to me. Disney Corporate claims to have very valid business reasons for building these… Read More »Wet Disney Dreams in Shanghai?
"We were stopped for about 60 seconds. We had never stopped that long," Bromagen said. "I could hear the other car coming. We couldn’t do anything but get ready to be hit. We couldn’t move and we couldn’t see it coming." Then, he said, he "heard a tremendous smack and then people screaming," The LA… Read More »Further Details while coaster remains closed
I personally doubt it was either operator error or mechanical failure. I actually think this was a software problem with the system. I believe the ride cascaded (backed-up) into zone 7 (the zone just before the picture is taken) and the train was captured and released too early. It also might not have been captured… Read More »More speculation from former ride operator