A Spirited Summer Special (AKA Phil Holmes Takes Anaheim!)

Bocabear

Bocabear

Well-Known Member
Actually my last trip to WDW, a mother pulled a kids pants down in the queue for Splash Mountain so the child could pee into the bushes...right where everyone was walking... and as far as tightness in line, I experienced that too... with the kids pushing through our legs to get in front of us....then the parents excusing themselves to get by to get their kid....then just staying there... We had to ask them to go back as they pretended to not understand... and it happened more than once.
So I think a lot of this behavior happens in the US too... go into the waiting area at the Liberty Tree Tavern... you will find every kind of sprawled out all over the floors... it's a mess.
 
Mike S

Mike S

Well-Known Member
Bocabear said:
Doesn anyone have any proof beyond conjecture that the ride is unsafe? or is it just the thought that it is a little rough, so it must be dangerous? Seems like we could create an entire *%$#storm over a perception that the ride is unsafe, when it might just be a little rough...
I mean, if we are throwing out there talk about inspectors and cover-ups, do we have any real documented evidence that there is a problem?
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To me it only seems like Disney felt it is unsafe to run it as it was originally supposed to, like how they added brakes to sections we used to just speed through to reduce the stress on what is a 40+ year old track. I don't think it's a death trap but I do feel strongly that they need to act before it becomes a major problem. Like what was planned, then cut, in 2009.
 
ford91exploder

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
Bocabear said:
Doesn anyone have any proof beyond conjecture that the ride is unsafe? or is it just the thought that it is a little rough, so it must be dangerous? Seems like we could create an entire *%$#storm over a perception that the ride is unsafe, when it might just be a little rough...
I mean, if we are throwing out there talk about inspectors and cover-ups, do we have any real documented evidence that there is a problem?
Click to expand...

The ONLY way to find out would be to perform a ultrasonic/magnetic inspection of the track and structure, That being said the fact that they are in there every week welding up cracks in the track and structure does not give me confidence as cracks are evidence of metal fatigue. Hopefully Disney has installed strain gauges and a monitoring system as a early warning system against catastrophic failure of key structural elements.

The fact that the trim brakes were installed to lessen the load on the structure also does not inspire confidence in overall condition
 
gmajew

gmajew

Premium Member
ford91exploder said:
The ONLY way to find out would be to perform a ultrasonic/magnetic inspection of the track and structure, That being said the fact that they are in there every week welding up cracks in the track and structure does not give me confidence as cracks are evidence of metal fatigue. Hopefully Disney has installed strain gauges and a monitoring system as a early warning system against catastrophic failure of key structural elements.

The fact that the trim brakes were installed to lessen the load on the structure also does not inspire confidence in overall condition
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I would assume that they did that at some point and that is why they have done the fixes they have done to the track to make sure it is good.

The ride is for sure bouncy and a few times coming over a hill I felt like we were going to go off and hit back on the track hard.... But I am getting older and notice things more as I don't want to die any sooner then I am suppose to.

I really cannot believe Disney would let a ride go that was this close to killing someone.... I know we have disney bashers on here but I just won't believe that... just like I don't believe the people saying disney brought the Alligator into the park on purpose...
 
MerlinTheGoat

MerlinTheGoat

Well-Known Member
gmajew said:
I would assume that they did that at some point and that is why they have done the fixes they have done to the track to make sure it is good.

The ride is for sure bouncy and a few times coming over a hill I felt like we were going to go off and hit back on the track hard.... But I am getting older and notice things more as I don't want to die any sooner then I am suppose to.

I really cannot believe Disney would let a ride go that was this close to killing someone.... I know we have disney bashers on here but I just won't believe that... just like I don't believe the people saying disney brought the Alligator into the park on purpose...
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The problem with disbelieving the possibility that Disney is capable of doing such a thing is that there's already a precedence showing that it can happen. The well documented mismanagement of Disneyland from mid 90's until 2003 led to injury and death of multiple guests is rather well known. Investigation discovered that these were due to the neglect of proper preventative maintenance. The infamous "run it to failure" mindset that became a hallmark when Cynthia Harriss and Paul Pressler ran things. Failures on both Big Thunder and the Sailing Shop Columbia caused guests to die, and they had a close call with Space Mountain as well, though thankfully no one died there. There was a very public scandal and backlash against the people running the park, and these incidents were at least partially responsible for why Disneyland has since made such a dramatic turnaround in quality.

I'll also mention that within the past 5 years or so at WDW, there have been a couple of close call instances of crumbling concrete falling in guest areas. No one died thankfully, but it was basically down to sheer luck that they didn't. Prior to its successful refurbishment, Splash Mountain was basically falling apart. Some of the overhanging rockwork high above broke off and fell in the loading area (prompting them to install temporary tarps over the area to "prevent" any further danger). And a concrete branch of the Tree of Life also broke off and fell on a guest walkway overnight (in only light wind mind you), also prompted nets to go up in the area.

So no, it would not surprise me if there are underlying safety concerns with certain rides. What @tirian stated earlier seems to corroborate my Space Mountain concerns. I don't feel comfortable riding it in its present state.
 
Pumbas Nakasak

Pumbas Nakasak

Heading for the great escape.
Variable said:
So clearly Disney is paying off safety inspectors, doctoring test results or what? What exactly are the accusations being leveled here? Is there any evidence of criminal negligence?

Either the rides are certified as safe by the State of Florida/California or they're not.

Are you all calling for stricter standards? Have you contacted anyone at the State level? Is there a whistle blower that needs support to come forward?
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was BTMR signed off by the Californian govt when it had his accident? I know its not the same as California is full pf herbal smoking hippy's but you catch my drift.
 
truecoat

truecoat

Well-Known Member
Bocabear said:
Well regarding the Star Wars Land expansion, the ship has sailed for Disneyland... Shame though they didn't just add a new Tron ride to Tomorrowland and build the whole Star Wars Land at DCA replacing the very mixed failure that is their Hollywood Studios area...they would have had a TOT to overlay, the Monster ride to redo, and tear down everything else to make a Galaxy far far away with it's new signature attraction...leaving Disneyl;and to at least be coherent and giving DCA another hit to make it an actual match to Disneyland for crowd dispersal... But alas...too far along to ever turn back now.
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Also, SWL at Disneyland is like the milk at the grocery store. In the back so hopefully you buy something on the way out.
 
ford91exploder

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
SorcererMC said:
Re: Disneyland Safety vs. WDW. I know this was talked about on these forums before, and this is from 2013 I think but reposting it since it's relevant and probably still true. CA OSHA regulations are under 'State Plan' and different from Florida. Different regulations, inspections/ oversight, etc.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...uld-it-happen-here.863339/page-9#post-5454155
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Let's just say CA safety regulations are LEGENDARY in their comprehensiveness and for the zeal with which they are enforced with.
 
ford91exploder

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
Bocabear said:
Doesn anyone have any proof beyond conjecture that the ride is unsafe? or is it just the thought that it is a little rough, so it must be dangerous? Seems like we could create an entire *%$#storm over a perception that the ride is unsafe, when it might just be a little rough...
I mean, if we are throwing out there talk about inspectors and cover-ups, do we have any real documented evidence that there is a problem?
Click to expand...

A structural engineer whistleblower would be required for that level of 'proof'.
 
Andrew C

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
ford91exploder said:
A structural engineer whistleblower would be required for that level of 'proof'.
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If I was told by someone at WDI or maintenance that the ride is unsafe, I would take the appropriate action to notify the proper authorities of this. I would have an obligation to do so. It would be the right thing to do.
 

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