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News and Views

Big Thunder Update

Monday brings with it the continuation of the official investigation into what went wrong on Friday, causing an accident that injured 10 and killed one. As the rest of this week’s update shows, despite the tragedy everything goes on at Disneyland. That is the case here at MousePlanet as well, as we continue our normal publishing schedule. We’ll continue to update our coverage of Big Thunder as necessary, so be sure to check out that page for the latest information. In addition to our coverage, we hope to use it as a clearinghouse for all information known about the accident, so if you find any good information sources elsewhere on the Web, please let us know about them.

Big Thunder Trail is closed, and a construction fence stretches to the

Mark Twain dock. The chain of wooden benches discourages park visitors

from approaching the fence. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Among more petty concerns about the incident is that it takes yet another E-ticket attraction offline. The official determination of what when wrong will probably take weeks, and will most likely require more weeks after that to correct any issues found.

This means that for the rest of September, five E-ticket attractions (more than half) will be down park-wide, and three of the five on the west side will be offline (leaving only Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean). Three of Disneyland’s trademark “four mountains” are out of commission, two of them indefinitely. While it seems gauche to think about such things so soon after such a terrible accident, you have to wonder how safety perceptions will combine with too many “closed” signs to affect attendence for the next couple of months. At this point, Haunted Mansion Holiday probably can’t open soon enough for Cynthia Harriss and her bosses.

The Big Thunder Mountain station sits empty, while the investigation continues.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Rumors. As the weekend passed, no new official word was given on the cause of the accident, but information did begin to leak out from various sources. Often, they were very different and contradicted each other. The engine was found away from the train, the engine was found with the train; Marcelo Torres was found in his seat, he was found on the tracks; and so on. But the most common elements to the various versions was that the engine portion of the train somehow became separated from the main portion of the ride vehicle (perhaps due to an emergency stop—or e-stop—caused by something else), only to have the engine roll back and impact the stopped rear portion.

MousePlanet has not been able to get adequate confirmation of this to stand behind it, but did pursue technical information about the ride to see if it was feasible. Needless to say, those people most familiar with the current condition of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are not easy to talk to right now. However, MousePlanet was able to confirm with a source familiar with the original version of the ride (opened in 1979) the following information, none of which would seem to contradict the above version of events.

• The engine portion of the mine train serves no functional purpose, and Big Thunder could continue to operate even if this portion was removed.
• The engine portion of the vehicle did not have its own anti-rollback devices. Unlike the passenger portion, the engine can roll backwards through stops specifically intended to stop such movement.
• The engine portion did not have its own mechanisms for braking, meaning a loose engine could roll through the brake stops, even if an e-stop had been triggered.

It is very important to note that these were true when the ride opened 24 years ago; we have not been able to confirm whether any updates affecting these were made over the years.

The exit from Big Thunder Mountain, far right, is blocked off with yellow

barrier tape. The folded patio umbrella provides shade for security guards

stationed in the area. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Changes? Before we move on the regular portion of the update, there is one other issue we would like to throw out there and see if our readers can settle a point. It is known that at one time the Mark Twain spiel included reference to Big Thunder. As of today, however, this was not part of the spiel. The text was:

Those tracks off the port side lead to Big Thunder Mountain, site of the biggest gold strike in these parts. But in spite of these riches, that mine’s been riddled with trouble and strange happenings for as long as I can remember.

But none of the MousePlanet staff members are confident that it was still
there recently; it may have been removed quite a while ago. We’d like
to hear from any reader with information on this.

Updated 9/10: We thank the several dozen people who took the time
to contact us about this question. The audio portion does indeed exist
on the audio track for the Mark Twain. However since the accident, cast
members have been instructed to skip over that portion of the recording
entirely. In addition, there was a reported case where an operator on
Sunday did not hit the skip button fast enough, which resulted in the
full spiel being broadcast.

Ordinarily, the outdoor dining area at Rancho del Zolaco restaurant in

Frontierland has considerable natural light from the portaled adobe walls

that separate it from the Big Thunder Mountain attraction. Although the

eatery is now open, a new constuction wall now blocks the view of the

ride. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The show must go on…

Giant signs in the esplanade announce the ABC Primetime Preview Weekend

events. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Despite the accident on Big Thunder Mountain, the ABC Primetime Preview

Weekend event went on at Disney’s California Adventure park as scheduled.

There were no major changes of events or activities, and nothing was said

about the tragedy across the esplanade. [Look forward to our coverage

of the event tomorrow.]

Jim Belushi performed at DCA with his band The Sacred Hearts. Photo by

Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

So long, Lucky

After a surprise appearance during the ABC Primetime Preview Weekend

where the new WDI creation posed with the likes of Bonnie Hunt and Jennifer

Garner, Lucky the Dinosaur is leaving DCA and heading back “home”

now.

Her character on Alias might be used to meeting all sorts of unusual

characters, but Jennifer Garner isn’t quite so relaxed as she poses with

Lucky the Dinosaur. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Although visitors and cast members will miss Lucky, a certain mouse may

be relieved to get rid of the new kid. During Lucky’s appearances last

week, Mickey Mouse could be found standing on the sidewalks of Hollywood

Boulevard, completely ignored as visitors rushed past him to see Lucky.

One mom tried everything to get her 4-year-old son to meet Mickey, and

the child was having none of it:

Mom: Look Nicholas, it’s Mickey Mouse!

Nicholas: (pointing) Dinosaur!

Mom: Nicholas, don’t you want to take a picture with Mickey?

Nicholas: (pointing) Dinosaur!

Mom: But Nicholas, you said you wanted to see Mickey. Here he is!

Nicholas: (pulling away) Dinosaur!

Even though the mom didn’t realize she was outvoted, Mickey knew he was

no competition for a walking dinosaur. Taking young Nicholas by the hand,

Mickey walked with the family over to see Lucky, as Mickey’s character

host shook her head and laughed.

Monorail news

In our August 18 Disneyland

Park Update, we reported that Disneyland was considering a number

of changes to the monorail operation, including running just one monorail

each day and limiting monorail access to Disneyland Resort hotel guests.

The changes were to take place on September 2, when park attendance drops

after the big Labor Day crowds depart.

Duct tape helps to keep the Disneyland monorails in motion. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

Sure enough, the monorail opened on September 2 with just one train in

service. With the resort hotels at only 37 percent capacity, the decision

was made to keep the monorail open to everyone; hotel guests and day guests

alike.

The monorail operated all day Tuesday and Wednesday with just one train.

A monorail cast member tells us that a second monorail was added on Thursday

in response to a large number of guest complaints about excessive wait

times. Two trains were kept in service all weekend.

Monorail operation will be fine-tuned during the next week, as the staff

tries to balance transportation needs with operational concerns. A cast

member tells us that one possible plan is to run two monorails during

the busier morning and evening hours, dropping back to one monorail in

the afternoons on low-attendance days. The cast member laughed and said,

“But this is changing hour-by-hour, so who knows what next week will

bring?”

This time, it’s not the wind

DCA has decided to close the troublesome Golden Zephyr attraction on

weekdays, offering the ride only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The ride,

which must already be shuttered when winds top 15 miles per hour, is a

low-capacity attraction with a long load-and-unload cycle. DCA’s overall

ride capacity is barely affected by closing the ride—but is that

really the point?

The Golden Zephyr sits empty. MousePlanet file photo.

Disney frequently closes shops and restaurants on slow days, a practice

that many visitors already complain about. And it’s well known that rides

are often closed for rehab during the off season. But when the park starts

closing otherwise-functional rides on low-attendance days just to save

money—without lowering single-day ticket prices to match the reduced

offerings—park visitors are—and feel—shortchanged. The

truth is, your $47 buys you a lot more when you come during the high season.

With the resort capacity at just 37 percent this week, perhaps Disney

should look for additional ways to entice people to visit during the off-season.

Speaking of cutbacks

Club Buzz dropped its weekday breakfast service several weeks ago. Apparently

the restaurant has also stopped serving lunch Monday through Thursday.

The location opens at 11 a.m. these days, and offers a limited snack menu

of drinks, frozen novelties, funnel cakes, apple fries and baked goods.

Visitors looking for a more substantial meal are encouraged to visit Redd

Rocket’s Pizza Port or Village Haus.

Lunch will be served on Friday—please check back later. Photo by

Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Buy a ticket to ride

When the Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) shuttle service first debuted

in May 2002, passengers could only buy tickets from their hotels or select

designated locations (none of which were on Disney property). At the start

of this summer, drivers were allowed to sell one-way-only tickets to passengers

leaving the Disneyland Resort, but round-trip and multi-day tickets were

still available only through hotels.

It’s a little hard to spot, but this machine holds your ticket to ride

on ART. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Now Disney has quietly allowed the Anaheim Resort Transporation department

to install a self-serve ticket vending machine on Disney property. The

machine, located against a wall near the costuming building, accepts cash

and credit cards, and vends single- and multi-day passes.

MousePlanet’s guide

to ART appreciation, written when the service was launched last

spring, gives you some basic information about the system. MousePlanet

reader Darkbeer posted more updated

information earlier this year, including a revised list of routes

and stops.

A bright spot on the horizon

In a bit of good news, the long-delayed refurbishment along the south

edge of the Emporium facade on Main Street, USA has been completed, and

the construction wall removed. The newly restored buildings look bright

and fresh.

Three Main Street exteriors have a bright new look. Photo by Adrienne

Vincent-Phoenix.

Happily ever after

After a long weekend covering the tragedy at Big Thunder Mountain, and

the frenetic ABC Primetime Preview Weekend, it was a magical surprise

to discover a wedding at DCA Saturday night. Staff rushed around preparing

buffet tables and finishing centerpieces, making the area ready for the

reception. The guests had a reserved viewing area for Disney’s Electrical

Parade, and the reception began after the park closed for the evening.

DCA’s Sun icon makes a lovely backdrop for an outdoor wedding reception.

Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Splash Mountain: September 2 – November 6
• Haunted Mansion: September 8 – October 2, for the installation

  of the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay

• Tarzan’s Treehouse: September 8 – 10
• Sailing Ship Columbia: September 8 – 12
• Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through – indefinite.
• Space Mountain – through 2005
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – indefinite.
• Disney Gallery – Instead of closing over the weekend as reported

  here earlier, the gallery closes on September 14.

Splash Mountain is closed until November 6. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney’s California Adventure

• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: September 2 – 26
• Francis’ Lady Bug Boogie: September 8 – 26
• Superstar Limo – indefinite

The Tower of Terror looms over A Bug’s Land. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Future Attraction Closures

• “it’s a small world”:– October 20 – November

  7, for the installation of the “it’s a small world” Holiday

  overlay

• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: November 3 – 26
• Mark Twain Riverboat: November 3 – indefinite

Even the construction walls have synergy: the Redwood Creek Challenge

Trail provides a new location to hang ABC promotional posters. Photo by

Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

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.

Park Events

September

• Spode “Disney Christmas Tree Celebration” pattern

  debuts at Disneyland [Saturday, Sept 13]

• Shag “One Enchanted Evening” merchandise release

  at Disneyland [Saturday, Sept 20]

• Fiesta Latina at Disney’s California Adventure. [September

  13 – October 5]

October

• Fiesta Latina at Disney’s California Adventure. [September

  13 – October 5]

• Haunted Mansion Holiday Exclusive Dinner [Wed, October 1]

• Haunted Mansion Holiday Event [Thur, October 2]

• MouseAdventure at DCA. [October 12]

• Nightmare Before Christmas film screening at the Disneyland

  Resort. Details to follow. [October 30]

December

• Marie Osmond “Enchanted Tiki Room Hostess” doll release

  and meet-and-greet at Disneyland [Saturday, Dec 6]

• Candlelight Processional at Disneyland [Saturday, Dec 6 and

  Sunday, Dec 7] – tentative dates

• Robert Olszewski “Central Plaza” sculpture release

  at Disneyland [Saturday, Dec 13]

Current Discounts & Promotions

Special Lion King offer for Disneyland Annual Passholders

Pre-order The Lion King Platinum Edition DVD or VHS at the Disneyland

Resort between August 3 and September 20, and receive free shipping and

two free gifts: a limited edition plush Simba, and a limited edition pin.

The Lion King Platinum Edition DVD will include new scenes and

a new song by Elton John.

Annual Passholders nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels

Annual passholder discounts are available at the Paradise Pier hotel

from August 31 to December 12. Rates are $79 per night weekdays, and $119

per night weekends. AP rooms are also available at the Disneyland Hotel

and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel at higher rates.

Half-priced Angels tickets for Disneyland Annual Passholders

Disneyland APs can purchase tickets to select baseball games for the

2003 World Series winners Anaheim Angels at a 50 percent discount. As

we wind down the baseball season, the promotion is available for the following:

• 9/27, Saturday, 1:05pm vs. Texas

Additional information and prices can be found at the Annual Passholder

Web site (link).

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 your package price will include 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.

Play 4 Days pass

Southern California residents, (zip codes 90000-93599), can purchase

a new four-day ticket for just $79. The ticket is valid for four admissions

to either Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure park, between June

1 and September 30, 2003. Residents can purchase just one ticket per person,

per day, so your out-of-town relatives will need to buy their own, regular-priced

admission.

The tickets can only be used at one park each day—no park hopping.

We understand that you can use two admissions—one to each park—on

the same day, effectively making this a $79 two-day park-hopper ticket,

a $20 discount from the regular adult price.

The tickets can not be used at Disneyland on June 28, and July 4, 5,

26, and August 2, 9, 16, 23, 29, 30, and 31. There are no block-out days

for DCA. Tickets are nontransferable, and you must show a valid ID each

time. These tickets can be applied towards the cost of a Deluxe or Premium

Annual Passport, (but not a Southern California Annual Passport), so long

as you upgrade when or before you use the fourth admission.

Disney’s Armed Forces Salute

Through Friday, December 19, all active members of the United States

military (including Coast Guard and activated National Guard and Reservists)

qualify for Disney’s Armed Forces Salute and can claim one free

3-day park-hopper tickets. Since the tickets expire on December 19, you

must claim them by December 17 to use all three day’s worth. The passes

can only be claimed at a park gate ticket booth. To claim the passes,

valid military ID must be shown; activated National Guard and Reservists

must also show their active duty orders.

In addition to the one free pass, each qualifying person can also purchase

up to five 3-day companion passes for $39 each. If the qualifying person

cannot visit a park to purchase these companion tickets, a spouse may

do so instead.

Annual passholder discounts at Alamo

California residents get discounts of up to 20% off Alamo’s retail rates

in the United States. For more details and the discount code you’ll need

for this offer, visit the annual

passholder section of the Disneyland Web site.

ESPN Zone discounts for annual passholders

Disneyland annual passholders can get an Season Ticket Frequent Dining

Card at the Downtown Disney ESPN Zone. The Season Ticket entitles you

to a free soda with your meal purchase of $6.99 or more. Once you have

made four meal purchases, you receive the fifth meal and soda free, and

get a chance to win a pair of tickets to the ESPY Awards in 2004. See

location for more information and details.

City Pass now available with AAA packages

You can now purchase the Southern California City Pass with Walt Disney

Travel Company packages.

With a Southern California City Pass booklet, you will receive admission

to five separate entertainment options. Admission includes:

• 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 guests ages 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.

5-Day Park Hopper promotion extended

The “Get a 5-Day Park Hopper ticket for the price of a 3-Day ticket”

promotion has been extended through January 5, 2004. These tickets are

available when you order online from Disneyland.com.

Restrictions apply – see site for details.

AAA Passport Plus Package

For $122.75, you can get a 5-day park hopper and the following extras:

• Multiple attraction Fastpass (The “Unlimited” option)

• Breakfast in the park (one per person)

• Free ESPN Zone arena game card ($10 value)

• AAA Free parking at the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks

A $13.75 FedEx fee applies to each reservation, (not per person). This

package is available without an air or hotel purchase, and must be purchased

at your local AAA affiliate office at least 5 days before you plan to

use the tickets.

Many readers have experienced difficulties when trying to purchase this

package from their local AAA affiliate. Be sure to read this

thread on our MousePad discussion boards, for more information

about the package and tips on how to help your AAA travel agent book your

package.

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.

Park Hours/Blockout Dates

DL: Disneyland

DCA: Disney’s California Adventure

Annual Pass blockout dates: SoCal

– Southern California Annual Pass. DX

– Deluxe Annual Pass

Visit our Annual

Passholders Blockout Dates 2003-2004 page to see more dates.

Entertainment Schedule