The Big Thunder Incident

[CalDisney]

I thought you might find this interesting: From a Disneyland C M `s
point of view:Hi Guys! I just wanted to share a little bit about how horrible it is
to work on tragic days like today...We found out about the accident at
Honey at about 11:30am. They told us Thunder had derailed and there
were about 10 injured and 1 in serious condition...that's ALL they
said...I found out while waiting in line for my food during lunch time
that in fact that man had been pronounced dead at the scene. Now, think
about it guys...somebody was just killed at my work, but I'm not allowed
to talk about it (even if a guest inquires about it) and I'm expected to
continue with my happy face. We were then watching the news in the
break room and I saw the beginning of Eisner's press conference. It
appalled me so much, because I heard Eisner say with his 2 faced look
"we are deeply saddened by today's accident" More than likely this
incident could have been prevented had they put some more money into the
maintenance of the attractions and a little less money into eisner's
pocket. A star tours maintenance cast member has been quoted in the
past saying that the company has refused to order new parts for
attractions, they are now asked to refurbish old parts and reuse them.
What has this multi-million dollar company come to?? I don't know about
you but I know this well definetly make me think next time I was to go
on a Disneyland ride. I was EXTREMELY upset, annoyed, and frustrated at
work, but most of all I felt uncomfortable being there. Anyways, I
needed to vent a little, thanx for listening guys oh and sorry if you
don't agree with what I've said (I really don't need to hear about it
though).

 

[trekkie]

Thank you for posting that

If you could also post the same message on other Disney boards (disboards.com, laughingplace.com and mouseinfo.com), it would be great.

 

[CalDisney]

Update from the same CM:
Hey guys! I wanted to let you know about some of the latest details I
heard today about the Thunder accident...we're now hearing a little bit
more about exactly what happened and VERY disturbing news is coming at
the end of the explanation so read on.
What I heard today was that the ride has 2 different kind of E-Stops
(Emergency Stops), one for the lifts and one for the ride in
general...as the train (involved in the accident) was going up the lift
inside the tunnel it was at the top so the engine (locomotive) was at
the top and the train wasn't yet, the lift e-stopped. The locomotive
kept going because it was off the lift and separated from the train then
for some reason, from what I understood from the explanation, the train
then started up again and went full speed into the locomotive that had
stopped at the next brake zone. The man died from impact. Now comes
the disturbing news, 2 days before this accident happened this same
train had been tagged out (inoperable due to maintenance issues) because
they noticed that connection between the locomotive and the train were a
little loose, since they thought Friday would be a half way busy day
they said "use the train till it breaks, then we'll fix it" I have an
inside source from facilities on the west side. SOO...that brings me to
the point that this accident COULD VERY WELL HAVE BEEN PREVENTED!!!
This made me even sadder when I heard this today at work...my prayers go
out to the family of the victim and all those hurt but I hope they sue
Disney for every penny, I know a life can not be replaced with money,
but if Disney doesn't know what to do with the money then these people
deserve it. I hope this news doesn't upset you guys TOO much, but you
guys are my buddies and I'd like you guys to know the truth about what's
going on...I'll pass things on to you guys as I find them out.

 

[Merlin]

Originally posted by trekkie
I imagine y'all have heard the latest on the tragedy, that it couldve been prevented, etc. With that in mind, I just hope that Eisner & Co get sued for every d@mn penny possible in this case. Why anybody who likes Disney still supports him is beyond me. One can argue about the d@mn "technicalities" till their heads hurt, but bottom line:
budget cuts=poor attraction/ride maintenance=greater chance for injury=risking the companys name being tarnished=in the case of Disney, tarnished even further.

What's even worse is that Eisner and all his Armani wearing pals in TDA and Burbank are all probably wondering why this happened. If everything was all working by the book, it'd be one thing. But it wasn't. Due to budget cuts in order to enlarge Eisner's pocketbook, lives were lost. This tragedy on Big Thunder Mountain was no "sudden accident."

I hope that someday, Eisner gets what's coming to him. And I don't mean a larger present, er, "raise," from his Board of Directors.

I agree with you ONE HUNDRED PERCENT!!! Nobody's denying that back in 1984 and even the early 90s, Eisner did some great things for the company and got it into fantastic shape. But he went way too far. It is no longer Walt's dream but rather just a profit-making machine. It amazes me how anyone could claim they truly love Disney but yet support Michael Eisner. The company needs to cut him loose before breakdowns, injuries and fatalities become more common. Disneyland used to be known as the one place you could go and feel confident that you were completely safe. Now their safety record is absolutely disgraceful. Eisner's job is to increase shareholder value, but I can't imagine anyone thinking Disney would be a good investment now. That's the irony. He's supposed to be this great, visionary leader and businessman and yet he's too shortsighted to see that his greed and cheapness are hurting the company, it's stockholders, and most importantly...the safety of it's guests.

 

[trekkie]

As sad as he felt during the press conference, it is hard to feel any sympathy for him.

I don't wish him to go to Hell or anything, but I do wish him out of Disney ... and fast

 

[CalDisney]

Im Sorry But Eisners on his way there!!!

he dosent care about Anyone Just Money Money and More Money.

I feel the same way about Cynthia Harris

 

[CalDisney]

Originally posted by Merlin
I agree with you ONE HUNDRED PERCENT!!! Nobody's denying that back in 1984 and even the early 90s, Eisner did some great things for the company and got it into fantastic shape. But he went way too far. It is no longer Walt's dream but rather just a profit-making machine. It amazes me how anyone could claim they truly love Disney but yet support Michael Eisner. The company needs to cut him loose before breakdowns, injuries and fatalities become more common. Disneyland used to be known as the one place you could go and feel confident that you were completely safe. Now their safety record is absolutely disgraceful. Eisner's job is to increase shareholder value, but I can't imagine anyone thinking Disney would be a good investment now. That's the irony. He's supposed to be this great, visionary leader and businessman and yet he's too shortsighted to see that his greed and cheapness are hurting the company, it's stockholders, and most importantly...the safety of it's guests.

Hey Merlin!!!
Welcome back

 

[trekkie]

Saxdly, I am too

Cynthia Harriss did wonders for DL at first. But now, she's slipping. Although not nearly as bad as Pressler (I do believe that she has at least some passion for the park, unlike Pressler), the huge delays in park upkeep (Golden Horseshoe Saloon, facades around the Main Street Emporium, etc) and the seeminly total lack thereof (Toontown backdrop, for example) does not bode well. Plus, her handling, or lack thereof, of Tomorrowland is simply unacceptable.

And don't even get me started on the treatment of CM's during the POTC film premiere.

 

[CalDisney]

Are you a CM Trekkie???

I know a CM/lead that works at the candy store in DTD and they had no Problems.

 

[trekkie]

No, unfortunately. We don't live near Disneyland. But working at DL -- not DTD or DCA -- would be like a dream job.

I read up on tghe POTC fiasco at mouseplanet.com, laughingplace.com and miceage.com

 

[Merlin]

Originally posted by CalDisney
Hey Merlin!!!
Welcome back

Hey CalDisney!! Great to hear from you as well! I wasn't sure if you and Carla were still speaking to me after that mishap a few months ago. I felt terrible when I got to my phone and realized you guys had tried so hard to get in touch with me. Hopefully you'll let me make it up to you both one of these days!

Take care!

 

[Merlin]

Originally posted by CalDisney
Im Sorry But Eisners on his way there!!!

he dosent care about Anyone Just Money Money and More Money.

I feel the same way about Cynthia Harris

I have a friend of a friend who works in Maintenance and he has said for years, "Michael Eisner would slit your throat if he thought he might find a dollar bill behind it!" I would absolutely characterize Cynthia Harris in the same way.

 

[Merlin]

Originally posted by trekkie
Saxdly, I am too

Cynthia Harriss did wonders for DL at first. But now, she's slipping. Although not nearly as bad as Pressler (I do believe that she has at least some passion for the park, unlike Pressler), the huge delays in park upkeep (Golden Horseshoe Saloon, facades around the Main Street Emporium, etc) and the seeminly total lack thereof (Toontown backdrop, for example) does not bode well. Plus, her handling, or lack thereof, of Tomorrowland is simply unacceptable.

And don't even get me started on the treatment of CM's during the POTC film premiere.

Don't be buffaloed by Cynthia Harriss! I worked for her when she was the VP of Stores at The Disney Store, before she transferred to the parks division. She is NOT the nice person she appears to be. And she does NOT have a passion for the park (despite appearances). I promise you that! What she has a passion for is climbing the corporate ladder and slashing costs so that it appears she is MAKING money for the company.

 

[trekkie]

It's almost like what I call the "Jerry Jones curse." Cynthia Harriss arrives at DL; she's great at first; and in the end, she's just as ruthless and crude.

 

[trekkie]

Merlin: you HAVE to post under the BTM tragedy thread at mouseinfo.com. Out of all the disney boards I post on, I've had a Hell of a time there. Post there what you've posted here. I don't know; you can call me crazy or whatever, but I cannot stand Disney fans who love Eisner and stick up for him.

I swear ... some would kiss his @ss if they got the chance.

 

[mkepcotmgmak]

i absolutely hate reading this post. if this stuff is true then it really upsets me. I mean, WALT WOULD and probably is turning over in his grave. how can these people only think about money? this isn't six flags. walt built this company to where it pretty much makes money on its own, you just have to maintain it, and add to it... NOT TAKE AWAY. this is crazy... i think Eisner did do a GREAT job getting Disney back on his feet, but if he is this money hungry, then he needs to step down. we don't need a money hungry person in charge, but a kid at heart, who understands the value of a dollar. If Walt were still alive, man, things would be SO MUCH DIFFERENT!...
I would love to write a letter to these people, but I am an ex CP, and hope to be a future one, and I would hate to do ANYTHING to mess up working for this Co. in the long run... one day, I will be in Eisner's Chair, reading WDWMAGIC and listening to these ideas...

 

[trekkie]

Ya know -- I don't mean to sound super-fanatical or anything, but if you believe strongly about this, fight for what you believe in. I wouldn't wanna work for a company that I know in my heart is "not right."

But of course, that's just me.

I once wanted to work at the Disney Store. Now, you'd have to drag me kicking and screaming into one of those places; unless I'm going in to leave stacks of campaign flyers w/a "Please take one" sign behind employees backs (and yes, I really do that)

 

[Merlin]

Originally posted by trekkie
Merlin: you HAVE to post under the BTM tragedy thread at mouseinfo.com. Out of all the disney boards I post on, I've had a Hell of a time there. Post there what you've posted here. I don't know; you can call me crazy or whatever, but I cannot stand Disney fans who love Eisner and stick up for him.

I swear ... some would kiss his @ss if they got the chance.

This is the only board I've ever posted on. But I'll take your advice and check it out. Thanks!

 

[Merlin]

Originally posted by mkepcotmgmak
i absolutely hate reading this post. if this stuff is true then it really upsets me. I mean, WALT WOULD and probably is turning over in his grave. how can these people only think about money? this isn't six flags. walt built this company to where it pretty much makes money on its own, you just have to maintain it, and add to it... NOT TAKE AWAY. this is crazy... i think Eisner did do a GREAT job getting Disney back on his feet, but if he is this money hungry, then he needs to step down. we don't need a money hungry person in charge, but a kid at heart, who understands the value of a dollar. If Walt were still alive, man, things would be SO MUCH DIFFERENT!...
I would love to write a letter to these people, but I am an ex CP, and hope to be a future one, and I would hate to do ANYTHING to mess up working for this Co. in the long run... one day, I will be in Eisner's Chair, reading WDWMAGIC and listening to these ideas...

My wife asked me the other day what I thought Walt would think if he were still alive. I said that if she had asked me that question 10 years ago I would have said that Walt would have been disappointed in some things, but pleased and impressed by some others. But today I would say that he would have been absolutely devastated. This park was his dream and his labor of love. He would be so disgusted to see how Michael Eisner and Cynthia Harriss have turned it into essentially a giant Disney Store with a bunch of attractions that are breaking down and injuring people. His memory doesn't deserve this.

If you want my opinion, I don't think writing a letter would hurt your chances at a future career within the company. I would write it if I were you. I'm planning to write one myself.

 

[craziebabie1]

It could have absolutely been prevented. There have been CM's concerned about the Maintenance problems in the park for the last few years. The cutbacks are rediculous. They need to focus more on safety and less on seeing how much money they can keep in thier pockets. I was always hearing about safety concerns from CM's when I was working there. Especially on The Roller coasters. Maybe they should listen to what the CM's are saying for once. My heart goes out to the family of the man who lost his life.

On a lighter note, after the incident my mother cared for some of the injured in the accident. She is a Nurse, and she says they were doing well.