Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened last Wednesday
after a six-month refurbishment following a fatal accident of Marcelo Torres and
the injury of several others last September. In a memo to Disneyland on March
10, Al Tafazoli, Principle Engineer of the Elevator, Ride and Tramway Unit of
the California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Occupational Safety
and Health wrote:
The Division conducted a comprehensive follow-up
inspection on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim,
California on Monday, March 8, 2004 through Wednesday, March 10, 2004 in regards
to the Corrective Action Specifications in the Accident Investigation report dated
November 26, 2003.
The Division has verified compliance with the Corrective
Action Specifications Items “A” through and including “H”
in the Accident Investigation report on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction
dated September 5, 2003 at Disneyland.
At the conclusion to the Division's
comprehensive inspection, no safety hazards were observed therefore this attraction
may be put back into operation.
A crowd of Disney managers
and invited media were on hand as the first riders exited the attraction. While
some MousePlanet readers say that the ride feels slower, others reject that notion,
saying that it would be extremely difficult—if not impossible—to slow
down a gravity-based roller coaster at perceptible levels without making major
modifications to the hills and track.
In response to the reopening of the
ride, Jaime and Carmen Torres, parents of the victim, sent an open letter to Disney
CEO Michael Eisner and Disneyland President Matt Ouimet on Friday morning:
It has been only six months since our son, Marcelo,
died on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland. A death caused by faulty
maintenance, lack of safety procedures, lack of training, cost cutting measures
and very serious safety violations that could have been prevented.
Only
six months ago, we had Marcelo with us here, with his smile, his dreams, his plans
and ambitions. Hopefully, people will not forget that this ride, the very same
ride where the state investigators found a series of safety violations, is the
one that killed our twenty two year old son. Our son suffered a horrible death
in being crushed on his head and chest by the locomotive of that train causing
broken ribs and massive internal bleeding.
Our son died at a place where
you go to have fun and be happy, where you are supposed to feel safe. Our son
indeed went to Disneyland for fun, with some friends, but he never came back to
us. SAFETY?… Disneyland was not a safe place to go.
Now, Disneyland
has decided to reopen Big Thunder Mountain and it has been all over the news.
Business as usual… as we try to go on with our lives… but, we can't
stop thinking “Why?” Why didn't they stop the train when it was making
unusual clacking noise that Friday morning? How can work be signed off without
being performed? It is unthinkable that Disneyland didn't even train its employees
to maintain and stop the ride when they noticed unusual noises coming out of the
train that day and days before. Why does the State need to order Disneyland to
retrain its entire staff?
You may not understand the horrible pain that
we are going through, the horrible pain of losing our son so tragically. The reopening
of this ride so quickly has only reopened the wounds we have been trying to close
over the past six months. Life is not always fair but you had the power to prevent
this.
The life of Marcelo would start like a story of Walt Disney “Once
upon a time, Marcelo was a happy boy that grew up in a happy family.” Marcelo
was always happy, quiet and loving. Marcelo always had kind words for other people,
speaking of peace, his dreams and his plans ahead of him. He is not here anymore
and we will never be the same again without him. Our families life has changed
forever and we will now go through our whole lives with the emptiness of not having
our son. You may not know how it is for a mother to feel the pain of not having
her son on a daily basis. To cry everyday, feel the desperation of not having
him. I want to see Marcelo's smile again, to hug him, and listen to his voice
and laughter, see his beautiful smile. We look for answers so no other family
need suffer like this.
You have reopened that ride, where our son was killed,
and we are only left with his pictures, beautiful memories of our life that now
goes on without our beloved “Mars.”
The ride
itself has a few noticeable differences since it closed six months ago. The goat
standing atop a crag has received a new coat of fur. The falling-rock effect in
one of the tunnels has been replaced with a projection system.
The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad train has been modified from six months ago.
Most visible is the lack of second wheel on the engine train. Photo by David Michael.
There
is a noticeable change on the engine train. Whereas the old trains used to have
two sets of large wheels, they now only have one large wheel in the front. The
track itself sports far more brakes and sensors as well.
The track of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction now includes more brakes
and sensors. Photo by David Michael.
Ladybug, ladybug fly away?
Members
of our MousePad discussion boards have noticed that Francis' Lady Bug Boogie,
a spinning ride in the Flik's Fun Fair section of Disney's California Adventure
park, which has been experiencing more closures than usual over the past months,
is once again closed for refurbishment. In fact, the ladybug-shaped vehicles have
been removed entirely from the area, and the Cast Member Reference Guide
lists no reopening date for the ride. MousePlanet reader Darkbeer, who noted that
the ride has been closed twice since Labor Day, said, “There is something
mechanical that Disney doesn't like about the ride…”
Down in
front!
On Wednesday, Disneyland began removing the eight olive trees that
ring the Central Plaza (often referred to by park regulars as “the Hub”).
The trees were roughly 75 years old when they were planted before the park opened
in 1955. The trees are decorated year-round with white twinkle lights, and during
the holiday season with a variety of glowing ornaments.
Guests may not be able to see the castle anymore, but they have benches they can
sit on facing away from the Central Plaza. Photo by David Michael.
Unfortunately,
Disney fears that the trees will limit the viewing area of the face of Sleeping
Beauty Castle during the upcoming 50th Anniversary projection show, and ordered
the trees replaced with less-obstructive bushes. A construction wall surrounds
the Central Plaza and the Walt and Mickey Partners statue. A Disneyland manager
says that the trees will be replanted, but was uncertain where they would be relocated
to. The Central Plaza—with the new, lower shrubs—reopens on March 27.
Sleeping Beauty Castle closes June 21 through October 2 for a complete facelift
in preparation for the 50th Anniversary celebration.
Ears to the ground
…Superstar
Limo, a ride at Disney's California Adventure that has been collecting dust
for over a year, is now scheduled to reopen May 19, 2004.
…Believe…
There's Magic in the Stars fireworks show is scheduled to return on April
2, 2004
…The Disney Gallery closes on April 19 to install a
new exhibit called “The Art of Fantasyland.”
…Buzz Lightyear
Space Ranger Spin is tentatively scheduled for July 2005, not May as previously
rumored.
Got any interesting news or rumors?
Contact us here.
Superstar Limo closed indefinitely (rumored to reopen May 19).
Francis'
Lady Bug Boogie closed indefinitely.
Future Attraction Closures
Muppet Vision 3D closed March 22 – 25.
Adventureland
restrooms closed April 19 – May 1.
Peter Pan's Flight
closed April 19 to May 28.
Pirates of the Caribbean closed May
3 – 7.
Alice in Wonderland closed June 1 – July 3.
Sleeping
Beauty Castle closed June 21 – October 2.
Snow White's Scary
Adventures closed August 23 – September 11.
Enchanted Tiki
Room closes September 8 – October 30.
Haunted Mansion
closed September 13 – October 1 for installation of Haunted Mansion Holiday
overlay.
Matterhorn Bobsleds closed September 13 – November
5.
Disneyland Resort Hotels
Disney's Paradise Pier
Hotel Pool closed May 3 – 8.
Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom
closed July 2 – 16.
Disneyland Hotel Convention Center lobby,
upper level & lower level closed July 16 – September 1.
Note:
Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. All information is subject to change
without notice. To get the most recent updates, call Disneyland at (714) 781-7290.
Frights,
Camera, Action exhibit about the Haunted Mansion attraction and movie at the
Disney Gallery, extended through April 18.
March
MousePlanet's
MouseAdventure puzzle-and-scavenger-hunt event. Space still available, pre-event
registration required (read
details here).
Spring Premiere Sculpture Event debuts “I'm
not Bad, I'm Just Drawn That Way,” a 5,000-unit limited edition porcelain
sculpture of Jessica Rabbit. Walt Disney Classics Collection event will be held
both at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. March 26 – 28.
April
The construction on the Tower of Terror attraction continues. Over the weekend,
they were testing the elevator doors on two of the shafts. Photo by David Michael.
Tower of Terror event, details available at the Disney Gallery Web
site (link).
April 22 & 23.
May
Twilight Zone Tower
of Terror Opening at DCA. May 4.
A Celebration of Walt Disney
Art Classics – “A Disney Blast to the Past” May 14 –
16.
October
CHOC Walk - this fun-walk through
Disneyland park is a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital of Orange County (link).
October 3.
Disneyland Resort Annual
Passholders save up to 20 percent car rentals from Alamo Rent A Car and National
Car Rental. Restrictions apply—get full details and the necessary discount
codes on the Annual Passholder Web site (link).
Mighty Ducks tickets
Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders save
up to 50 percent on Mighty Ducks tickets. Offer applies to selected dates only,
through April 4. There are three seating areas to choose from, at varying prices
and discount levels. Visit the Annual Passholder Web site for more details (link).
Anaheim
Angels tickets
Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders save on Anaheim Angels
tickets. Offer applies to selected dates only. There are three seating areas to
choose from. Visit the Annual Passholder Web site for more details (link).
Disney's
Passport Plus Package for 2004 includes:
Disneyland Resort Park
Hopper Ticket
$10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card
Preferred Seating
at select shows in Disney's California Adventure Park
California Diamond
Fun Book (one per package)
Free parking at Disneyland Resort Theme Parks
Prices are as follows:
5-day: $129 (children: $99)
6-day:
$159 (children: $129)
7-day: $184 (children: $149)
An additional
handling fee of $10 will be charged per mailing address.
New SoCal Salute
announced; two parks, two days at one-day price
The Disneyland Resort
is offering a new version of the Southern Californian resident salute through
Friday, April 30. Residents may spend a day at Disneyland and a day at Disney's
California Adventure for the price of a one-day ticket.
Eligible residents
can purchase up to five “2fer” tickets per day with proof of Southern
California residency (zip codes 90000 through 93599, or Northern Baja California
residents within zip codes 21000 through 22999; valid ID required). “2fer”
tickets are priced at the regular one-day ticket prices for the Disneyland Resort
theme parks—$47 for ages 10 and up, $37 for ages 3 through 9—and are
available at Resort ticket booths as well as at the Disneyland Web site (link).
The first day of use must occur on the date of purchase; the second day
of use must occur within 30 days of purchase or before April 30, whichever occurs
first.
New AAA tickets
AAA announced new ticket plans for the Disneyland
Resort:
2-day adult Flex Passport $98 (children: $78)
5-day
adult Flex Passport $129 (children: $99)
The new prices took effect
December 24, 2003, and all tickets include free parking.
Disney's Wildfire
Heroes Salute
“Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute” entitles active
California firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel, with proper organization
and photo ID, to one free three-day park hopper ticket. They can also make a one-time
purchase of up to five three-day park hopper companion tickets for $39 each. Discounted
hotel rates are also available at the three Disneyland Resort hotels.
The promotion is valid through March 31, except for blackout dates of February
14 to 16. For more details, visit Disneyland's Disney's Wildfire Heroes Salute
Web page (link)
or call (714) 520-5069.
Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort
hotels
Annual passholders can book a room at the Paradise Pier hotel for
$59. This offer is valid only on Sunday nights, through March.
Annual Passholders
can also book rooms at the Paradise Pier Hotel for $79 a night, Sunday through
Thursday.
Weekend rates and discounts for the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's
Grand Californian are higher. Make reservations at 714-956-MICKEY, and ask for
rate plan APN. Note: these offers run concurrently. If your trip includes
a Sunday night stay, be sure to ask for the lower rate for that night.
Get
5 days and 4 nights for the price of 3
Book a package at the Disneyland
Resort for a minimum four-nights through the Walt Disney Travel Company, and the
package price includes one night's free accommodations at participating hotels.
Your package will also include a five-day Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket
for the price of a three-day Disneyland Resort park hopper ticket. Click
here for a list of participating hotels and dates.
City Pass available
with AAA packages
You can purchase the Southern California City Pass with
Walt Disney Travel Company packages.
A Southern California City Pass booklet
includes admission to five separate entertainment options:
3-day Disneyland
Resort Park Hopper Ticket
1-day ticket to Sea World Adventure park
1-day
ticket to the World-famous San Diego Zoo
1-day ticket to Knott's Theme Park.
Instead of the Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket currently included
in California packages from the Walt Disney Travel Company, guests can select
a Southern California city's for an additional charge of $47 per pass ($32 per
pass for children 3 through 9).
Note: The Southern California City's does
not include the $10 ESPN Zone Arena Game Card, or the California package's
feature that allows guests to collect multiple Fastpass tickets at once for free
in advance.
AAA-Disney's Resort Magic Package
This package requires
a minimum 2-night hotel stay, and includes:
Accommodations at Disney's
Paradise Pier Hotel, the Disneyland Hotel, or Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
Disneyland Resort Hotel self-parking and Fitness Center access
Disneyland
Resort Park Hopper Ticket – valid for entry into Disneyland park and Disney's
California Adventure park with full park-hopping privileges
Free ESPN Zone
Arena Game Card – $10 value (one per person)
New. Collect Fastpass tickets
for multiple attractions at one time. Preferred Seating at a choice of select
shows in Disney's California Adventure
Exclusive – Walt Disney Travel
Company collectible pin and lanyard (one per person)
Exclusive – Walt
Disney Travel Company California Fun Book (one per package)
Exclusive –
Disneyland Resort Magical Pocket Guide (one per package)
You can book
this package through your local AAA affiliate travel agent.
Disney's
Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular 12:30p, 2:15p, 5:00p
Playhouse
Disney – Live on Stage! 11:30a 12:30p 1:30p, 3:15p, 4:15p 5:15p
Who
Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It! Noon 1p 2p 4p 5p
The
Ugly Bug Ball 11a 12p 1p 2:30p 3:30p 4:30p
The Magic
of Brother Bear 11:30a, 12:30p, 1:30p, 3p, 4p, 5p
Ralph
Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Rob Kloptenstein 6:30p
PSST!
Did you recently notice something new or different in the park? Are you a CM with something intriguing to share? Heard any good rumors lately, or know of something our readers will wanna know? Send them in so we can follow up on them!
MousePlanet®
is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its
subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available
at www.disney.com.
This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary,
editorials, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts
of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change.
Please call destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.
