Theme park news and notes for July 14

July 14, 2009, 8:16 PM · A few notes from around the theme park world this week:

  • Lost in the news about the death of a Disney World monorail driver is the accident that severely injured at Universal Orlando employee earlier the same week. Now, OSHA has confirmed that it is investigating that accident, as well. The Universal employee was hurt when he was struck by a Dueling Dragons roller coaster train during a 7:30 am pre-opening run.

  • Disneyland is promoting the opening of the newly revamped at Disney's California Adventure. The Golden State counter service restaurant offers tacos, carne asada, carnitas and nachos.

  • Disneyland also is running a weight loss challenge for its employees, donating one pound of food to the Orange County Food Bank for every pound lost by cast members between now and Sept. 14. Weigh-ins started today. Losing weight is just about the best thing that people can do to improve their health, and to fight high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. Slimming down helps you enjoy theme parks better, and last longer in the parks without fatigue, as well. Here's hoping Disneyland's challenge inspires some theme park guests to take up their own version of the challenge, as well.

  • We are talking on the discussion board about Weird Al's new video, about a Jungle Cruise skipper.

  • Finally, SeaWorld Orlando announced the birth of a new male dolphin calf at Discovery Cove. The calf doesn't yet have a name, but is shown here swimming with his mom, Clipper.

    Dolphin calf and mom

    Replies (3)

    July 15, 2009 at 5:52 AM · Good stuff.

    I think Disney just announced some version of their own "Walk in the Parks", but its at Animal Kingdom and has to do with Everest. I am not sure on the details, but I saw it in passing. Its sometime in September.

    July 15, 2009 at 6:21 AM · Thanks - I like these News Updates.
    July 15, 2009 at 9:08 AM · OSHA - "Might as well go to Universal while we're here lads. Last one on Dueling Dragons likes FishSticks"

    SeaWorld - "Look, we're getting desperate for names, so lets not go with the usual names like Clipper, Flipper or skipper. All we need is another lame name like Pipper, WAIT, Pippa, WOOOHOOO" *Splash*

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