LAT: Disney California Adventure Accident Injures at Least 60

[DeepModem Mom]

Disney California Adventure Accident Injures at Least 60
By Rong-Gong Lin II, Times Staff Writer


Two trains on the California Screamin' ride at Disney California Adventure bumped into each on Friday evening, leaving at least 60 riders with minor injuries.

The accident occurred just before 6:45 p.m. as one of the trains was coming was ending its ride and hit a second train that was loading passengers, said Michael Simpson, dispatcher for Metronet, which covers the Anaheim Fire Department.

Most of the injured complained of neck and back pain and some were being sent to local hospitals. Simpson said initial reports indicated that there were no serious injuries....


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ridecrash30jul30,0,2577826.story?coll=la-tot-promo&track=hpmorenews

[K8-EEE]

1. eeeeGADS!!!

My hub is a Diz animator so we get in free, have been on that ride so many times. So happy there were no serious injuries. WHEW! One thing is it ends on the slow side, if one of those hit a loading car full speed ouch.

[Pithy Cherub]

2. Wow! Was just there last week.

Those are really popular!

[LibDemAlways]

3. There are only three trains on the track at any given time.

Just before reaching the station, the track splits so a train can be directed to the left or right. Either the switching mechanism malfunctioned or the ride operator was asleep at the switch. At any rate, I've never seen two trains in the station at once. That's one of the most popular rides at California Adventure and one of the reasons people buy a two-park ticket. Not good for Disney at all during the height of the summer season. Their safety record in recent years hasn't been comforting.

[BootinUp]

4. I was there about 30 days ago

Great ride. But you have to wonder about how safe it is, since it is down so much of the time.

[bliss_eternal]

5. When the Eisner regime came in--

a lot of Disney safety seems to have gone out. I hate to say this. I love Disney, the park, the films, etc. But I am getting so tired of seeing unnecessary accidents occur in a park I care so much about.

If any of you are interested, try reading the books written about the park (i.e Mouse Under Glass). Dh has this one, and I was reading it. It goes into great detail of how the park was still being run by the guys that came in under Walt, and how many of those very guys were pushed to quit/retire. Safety and park security be damned if they could save a few bucks. :wtf:

Bottom line, they didn't want to pay a lot of expensive retirement packages and other benefits to the guys that kept the rides running smoothly and safely. Hence the plaque of accidents(and later a death) of the late 80's and onward. :(

There was another aspect to this, according to the book and those interviewed (present and former employees, records, etc.). Apparently, the company used to replace parts BEFORE they got to the point of collapse of excessive wear and tear. This was ensured by the very guys that I spoke of that were forced out of the company.

The Disneyland resort went from being hailed as one of the safest Amusement parks in the world, to all the accidents and deaths of recent years. All because they pushed out the guys that came in under Walt, and didn't bother training others to do what they did.
They were also unwilling to put the money into the preventive part replacement and other preventative measures. :grr:

After reading this book and the last accident on Big Thunder, my husband refuses to ride it anymore. Can't say I blame him.

Sorry for the rant--as you see I have WAY too much information on this. LOL!

:rant: Getting of the soapbox now. haha

[Kerrytravelers]

6. Mom gives us passes for Christmas every year.

We go all the time, but we've certainly noticed how some aspects of the park are going down, not just since we were kids, but even in the past three years since we started going every other day!

In fact, at the Main Street coffee shop, we struck up a conversation with a family from Mauii who also happen to be shareholders. They have noticed the same thing and plan to use their voice as a shareholder to voice opinions to this fact.

I'm saddened to see yet another accident at Disneyland/California Adventure.


On a side note, if other DUers are Disney fans, maybe we could all meet there sometime for a few hours of Democratic fun! I understand some people like to do their own thing, but perhaps lunch/dinner and a few rides together?

[bliss_eternal]

7. Hi Kerry! Sorry I didn't respond to this sooner--just saw this msg

today. In fact, we just returned from a couple of days in the resort area. I wish I had known you were also a pass holder! Would have been cool to hook up while we were down there, the last couple of days... :hi:

Are there any other DU'ers that are also Disney fans? Would any of you care to get together as Kerry suggests? For a snack, a meal drinks, or just to say hi? I won't try to follow anyone around the parks and cramp their style. LOL! Sounds like fun to me! :thumbsup: Schedule permitting, I'd love to...I would be stoked to no end to bring together some BLUES in a red area...

That would really tickle me! :evilgrin:

Kerry--you've GOT to see the 50th Parade and Fireworks show if you haven't already! OMG! Dh and I had seen it, but we did the priority seating thing for it on Monday night. :wow: The Fireworks show from those seats was nothing short of amazing.

After seeing the new fireworks and parade in DLR AND one in DCA, I have hope in the future of our beloved parks. Seems the new president of the resort may be making a difference for the better.

We will be getting TWO new attractions, too! One is a revamp of an old one, (the subs) the other will be Monsters, Inc in DCA! I'm excited! :bounce: