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Roller Coasters Collide at Disney's California AdventureDisneyland: The accident at California Screamin' sent more than a dozen to local hospitals. Dozens other are evaluated and released at the scene.
From josh sarvinski
A collision between two trains near the loading station on California Screamin' Friday night sent 15 people to local hospitals for what were described as minor injuries. Forty-eight people were on the trains involved, which hit each other at around 6:40 p.m., according to Anaheim authorities.Posted July 30, 2005 at 7:19 AM City spokesman John Nicoletti said neither car derailed. Nicoletti told local media that 13 people were treated at the scene and released. He said 20 others were evaluated, re-evaluated and released. California state investigators have closed the ride pending an investigation.
Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond. From Anthony Murphy
Very strange! It sounds like these injuries are Disney's fault for once! Maybe they are not, but they sound like it was a ride malfunction. I would like to find more info on this! It seemed to be not that bad of a accident so it kinda stinks that the ride is closed down, but I found out that this is the law in CA!Posted July 30, 2005 at 8:01 AM
From Chuck Campbell
After what happened with Thunder Mountain, I imagine that Disney and the state aren't taking any chances. The shutdown is a wise move, but it does leave DCA one major attraction short--and it's short of major attractions as it is.Posted July 30, 2005 at 10:10 AM
From Jason Lester
I was watching this on the news last night. Some guy at the scene said it looks like a brake failure. This theory doesn't really check out.Posted July 30, 2005 at 10:23 AM The trains collided at a slow speed, but if there was a brake failure then wouldn't the trains crash at high speed. There'd be nothing to slow them down. The brakes on California Screamin' are right after a helix which gives the cars considerable speed. So you'd think they would crash at high speed if the brakes failed. There was apparently a back-up in the station so the first car was stalled before the station. Pretty much right on the brakes. Then the brakes must have slowed it down. It didn't slow itself down. So the car gets stuck on the brakes and then the other car comes later out of the helix. To be a slow collision the second train would have to hit the beginning of the brake run, taking enough speed off to just bump the train in front of it without considerable damage. Anyhow, this isn't a major accident. CBS and NBC didn't even cover it last night.
From Robert OGrosky
If i what i have read is right(have seen it reported on other web sites)they state that at the time of the accident that Ca Screamin was on "manual operation", and if that is the case then it would seem to be a training issue or a employee not following procedures.Posted July 30, 2005 at 11:33 AM It is also claimed that Big Thunder was in manual operation when the train derailed and if that is the case then disney needs to improve there employee quality control. Cant verify the above info but it is what i have seen reported.
From rick stevens
If they were on manual operation, the employees running the ride need some re-education. It is a shame that the best ride in DCA is shut down, hopefully it will be a short lay off. You would think that these rides would be on an automatic backup just in case. Kind of like elevator brakes. Posted July 30, 2005 at 12:24 PM
From Jason Lester
Automatic backup can hurt things to. Remember when Insanity on the Stratosphere stopped in mid-ride because it was on auto operation. The winds got high and the ride detected that they were unsafe conditions to operate in so the ride shut down. Posted July 30, 2005 at 3:49 PM
From Robert Niles
When I worked Thunder at WDW, it was SOP to *never* put a train (or, to be precise, a station with a train in it) in manual when guests were on board that train.Posted July 30, 2005 at 6:20 PM Do we have any TPI readers who were at the ride when the accident happened, who would like to share what they saw?
From Vince Randall
There's no situation where an accident doesn't sadden me. Especially a day at a theme park.Posted July 30, 2005 at 7:37 PM My prayers go out to the people and the families. Safety is so important to Cast Members, and it is not something taken lightly. My prayers go out to the Cast Members working on CS at DCA. Be blessed all.
From Jason Lester
It was all minor injuries man. Nothing serious happened.Posted July 30, 2005 at 11:49 PM
From Peter Pedersen
First I'd like to say that I hope everyone is alright. Now, Rides have safety protocols built into their PLC's (that's the Program Logic Control, The Computer that makes it go.) This PLC tells the brakes to stop the train if there is a train up ahead, in the way. For trains to colide like that it is usually equipment failure. One common failure is the brakes themselves, they are two pads that clamp down on a metal fin on the bottom of the train. Unfortunately, they do ocationally slip. Not usually more than a foot. The fact that they weren't moving faster shows that they at least engaged. Unfortunately for everyone on the ride at the time, this was one of the rare occations that they didn't stop the train.Posted July 30, 2005 at 11:33 PM
From Robert OGrosky
Im no expert on the the mechanics of roller coasters, but i have read that Ca Screamin had more than one set of blocks that shouldnt have prevented this, which is leading some to believe it was human error and not mechanical. Posted July 31, 2005 at 10:46 AM
From Tracy West
California Screamin' may had a computer failure.Posted July 31, 2005 at 2:15 PM See, it was at a low speed because it is at the end of the ride. Even if it was a break failure, the train would be going te same speed. I say that the collision was at about 20-30 mph. They actaully collided at the break section right, at the break section it makes a left turn to another set of breaks. Now sometimes when both stations are not ready to take another train to load, a train will sit there and wait. My guess is that, the cast memebers were not moving fast enough,(loading people on and off of the trains.) If this happens, another train will hit the break section and stop, is not normal, usually it just slows down, and continues to the next set of breaks. Before you know it, here comes another train. Even if they had sent out another train, it would still not be fast enough: The train waiting to get into a station has to wait until the train in the stations is gone, then it can move, but then the train in the brakes, still will not move fast enough. Normally, California Screamin', on a busy day, has 5 trains. So, if this is ture, this leaves, 2 in the stations, one in the waiting section, one in the breakes, and one coming up from behind. That is my theory.
From Jason Lester
Your theory doesn't work. The train is moving faster than 20-30 mph at the end. Have you ever ridden it? Coasters don't slow down because they're near the end of the ride. That's what brakes are for. That's why this is so screwy and wierd. It was a low speed collision, which would lead you to believe that the brakes did work. We'll have to see what the investigation turns up.Posted July 31, 2005 at 6:56 PM However, I do believe this was a human error.
From Jason Herrera
Jason, you're coming off as a real a-hole. Posted July 31, 2005 at 9:16 PM How about showing other posters a little more respect and not downplaying their opinions? Thanks, man.
From Bre Marie
I was Currently at DCA this last week while the collision of the California Screamin took place... I was not on the ride however the day before the collision the ride had been shut down for several hours and been through run through testing...while on another ride, the rollercoaster passed right by me and my family...There was a horrible smell and it definately smelled like major break issues...however then the ride was up and running the next day..The day it crashed..My sisters had just been on it before the crash and said that it took longer then it should have to stop completely.Posted July 31, 2005 at 10:48 PM
From annie miller
I think that all of you, before talking should be an experienced RO, ride operator, which I happen to be at Disneyland resort in California adventure. I do happen to know how the ride systems in DCA work, which few of you do, apparently. Yes something may be in "manual," but it isnt called that. It is called manual mode, just for terminology. And it has nothing to do with a person individually controlling the car and when it breaks and starts. Yes they do dispatch the train, but after that, the computer takes control. The breaking system is a part of the computer operation and is not controlled by the cast member. If something fails in the system, usually something else takes over. When you guys say manual operation as you describe it, we call that maintenance mode, but we never NEVER dispatch a moving vehicle with guest in maintenance mode. maintenance mode simply allows the maintenance workers to jog the train where they want it and lets them "call" the vehicle to come basically. As for slow cast members, sure if they were slow, and didnt get the train out of the station, hey that happens, and not usually at the fault of the cast member. There are usually disabled people who need extra time, or people who ask questions, or people who don't pay attention and take forever to pull down their safety restraint, but if that happens a little thing called technology steps in. When a vehice is not dispatched on time, then it will cause an automatic ride stop or an automatic emergency stop which will stop all trains in a breakings zone. With 5 trains, 2 in the station, one in break zone 1, breakzone 2 and breakzone 3. Every attraction has this happen. space mountain, the matterhorn, big thunder even fantasyland dark rides will stop if they get backed up. Pirates also shuts down when the boats go beyond a certain point. I ensure you that the highest priority at all disney parks is SAFETY. So the next time you decide to visit a disney park, remember our main concern for you is safety, so listen when someone says tug on your seatbelt or put one on, remain seated, get off the hand rails, keep your hands and arms inside, keep your shoes on, and dont bicker when your child is too short for a ride. Everything is for your safety. I also love how everytime a minor accident happens with a guest it gets soooooo blown out of proportion when not once have i heard in the news that a cast member suffered bruises after being punch by a guest who was upset because their child wasnt tall enough. Please please give ride operators credit. They are not stupid, and if you think they are, then so are you because you just placed your life in a stupid persons hands. I can guarantee that we have the highest levels of training and a series of tests before we are able to work on any attraction. I hope everyone can realize that our job is to keep you safe, happy, and wanting to return. I'm sorry if I stepped on toes. -- Posted August 1, 2005 at 1:40 AM
From Anthony Murphy
I am glad that somebody from Disneyland has spoken on this discussion, it makes it more interesting. Anyway, I think the problem here is that Disney is being held at a higher standard than most other parks. I couldn't tell you how many accidents have happened at my home state's main theme park Six Flags Great America. My point is that it happens everywhere. Yes, it shouldn't happen anywhere, but Disney, like all other Theme Park companies, is not perfect and I believe should not be taken at a higher standard than other parks!Posted August 1, 2005 at 9:06 AM
From Jason Lester
Sorry guys. Okay, I just have a little bit of a short temper. I'm not trying to come off as a jerk, I'm just offering my opionion and trying to debate, which TPI is for. I'll try not to be such an a**hole again.Posted August 1, 2005 at 10:16 AM
From Robert Niles
Thanks, Annie. Sounds like the basics of Disney coaster SOP today are pretty much the same as they were on Thunder at WDW a decade ago.Posted August 1, 2005 at 11:41 AM
From Mike M
WHAT A SURPRISE! ANOTHER INTAMIN AG ACCIDENT!! JUST TWO MONTHS AGO, KINGDA KA HAD A MAJOR MALFUNCTION, AND A YEAR AGO TOP THRILL DRAGSTER FRAYED, SPRAYING THE RIDERS WITH METAL. Every single roller coaster I know of made by Intamin AG has had an accident or major malfunction. They are extremely unreliable and there are so many other amazing alternatives, like Bolliger and Mabillard coasters. Some examples of Intamin AG coaster(most with malfunctions) are: Top Thrill Dragster, Superman: Ride of Steel, Kingda Ka, California Screamin', Superman: The Escape, and Millenium Force. As you can see, most of these have had accidents, when not one B and M coaster has ever had an accident. Intamin AG neeeds to shove their ego somewhere else and concentrate more on ride safety. Posted August 1, 2005 at 11:33 AM
From Anthony Murphy
Interesting, I never thought of it like that! Six Flags Great America have a similar issue where it is a paticular roller coaster that breaks down. It seems the one good company you are talking about works well there!Posted August 1, 2005 at 12:15 PM
From Jason Lester
It's not just Intamin, which seems to be the scapegoat for many coaster accidents. Yes, it is partially their fault, but we can't let Disney off the hook that easy. Blame falls on both sides.Posted August 1, 2005 at 10:19 PM
From Steph M
Off the subject... the horrible accident in UK where a 16 year old girl fell from a ride called Hydro (made by Intamin) a year ago... were any conclusions ever drawn as to what happened? The last report said they were investigating the restraints.Posted August 3, 2005 at 10:22 PM
From Ryan Guad
One of my fav. rides @ DCA Ca Screamin' is safe! This seemed like it was gonna happen to me too once visiting the park. If the people dispatching a train then the train waiting at the brakes has to wait longer. It would seem that that was the case. The train was waiting and the other one that launched after it was coming around to the brakes finding the other train ahead of it, concluding into a collision! It's not a very big deal and i think people should disregard these recent events go on it and have a blast! I love this ride and it's not going to change my routine: ALWAYS go on CA SCREAMIN AT LEAST 2-3 times while visiting!Posted August 6, 2005 at 5:49 PM
From Jason Lester
While I agree that people shouldn't worry too much and should still go and have a good time, things like this shouldn't be disregarded.Posted August 6, 2005 at 5:57 PM If everyone just forgets about it and doesn't care, then there will just be more risk of another accident. And the next one could be worse.
From Adriel Tjokrosaputro
Legend says,"If a coaster has a Mickey-Shape inversion,it will have so many accidents."Posted August 6, 2005 at 9:44 PM
From Chase Harrison
DISNEY IS CURSEDPosted August 7, 2005 at 8:08 AM
From Chase Harrison
its like they did something Walt Diseny didnt want them to doPosted August 7, 2005 at 8:08 AM
From Jason Lester
Hmmm... I wonder what that could be?Posted August 7, 2005 at 10:32 AM cough*DCA*cough
From josh sarvinski
cough*walt disney studios paris*coughPosted August 8, 2005 at 11:00 AM
From Jason Lester
cough*hiring eisner*coughPosted August 8, 2005 at 4:37 PM Man, I think I'm coming down with a cold or something.
From Sherly C.
OMG!!! WHY DISNEY????? OF ALL THE PARKS???? WHY?????? WHY DO ALL THE TERRIBLY SICK PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEY SHOULDN'T RIDE EXTREME RIDES BUT DO SO ANYWAYS CHOSE DISNEY TO DIE??? WHY DO ALL THE TECHNICAL PROBLEM BUGS DECIDE TO ENVADE DISNEY???Posted August 10, 2005 at 2:38 PM
From Cameron Rust
Maybe Walt's trying to tell us something...Posted August 10, 2005 at 11:17 PM
From Adriel Tjokrosaputro
Look!Disney said,"Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination,".There is something hidden in Disney's words."NEVER COMPLETE",what it means.Or maybe Walt's spirit was wakened by the nwe attraction Raging Spirits from Tokyo DisneySea.Posted August 10, 2005 at 11:48 PM
From Mike M
If the coaster cannot handle the crowds, then it has a serious design flaw. There should be enough station and brake run room for all the trains to fit. If that is not the case, then Disney needs to talk with Intamin and either make the brake run longer or remove one of the trains. Posted August 11, 2005 at 9:57 PM
From Michael Page
Man you people suck at making INTELLIGENT responses. Accidents happen ,**** happens, its happened at six flags, probably universal studios, and knotts berry farm. Something goes wrong, Disney will do WHAT THEY CAN to help mediate the problem, and then reopen the ride when it's ready. Eisner has nothing to do with California Screamin', (it's a publicly held company) the board has something to do with it, even so, the designer should be consulted. And there will probably be another accident in the future, because guess what, **** happens.Posted September 1, 2005 at 12:25 AM
From Anthony Murphy
Very true! I think that everybody holds Disney at a higher standard, which, in some ways, Disney has brought it upon themselves. I think this year has shown tha Disney is not perfect. However, I think this accident could have been prevented, but I don't know how!Posted September 1, 2005 at 6:11 AM
From Jason Lester
It could have been prevented had Diseny taken the coaster down a few days of the year for maintence and to inspect it. However, DCA has such a shortage of rides that taking down the biggest (besides TOT) would prove deadly to attendance for so-called day. Deadlier then a coaster crash. I don't think so.Posted September 1, 2005 at 11:24 AM Disney got lucky this time. Next time, we'll see.
From Anthony Murphy
Jason, just to tell you, I have never been at a Theme Park which includes Disney, Universal, Busch, and Six Flags and there was never a closing of an attraction for any reason that you were talking about. Not saying that they shouldn't, but it is a bigger problem than just DIsney. Don't blame Disney, blame the entire theme park industry!Posted September 1, 2005 at 12:48 PM
From Robert Niles
Accidents happen.Posted September 1, 2005 at 5:14 PM So does people screwing up. The real skill lies in being able to tell the difference.
From Anthony Murphy
Very true Robert, very true!Posted September 1, 2005 at 7:49 PM
From Andy Hine
I think they have to many trainsPosted September 2, 2005 at 2:17 PM
From Jason Lester
Maybe you weren't there the day it happened, but it does. Universal takes down Jurassic Park for maintenance all the time.Posted September 2, 2005 at 6:08 PM Also, Disney is a year-round park. If a park is seasonal, then maintenance is performed during the closing.
From Anthony Murphy
Very true Jason, of course I must be a lucky man! All the rides have been open when I have been there. Not that I don't believe you, but I find it weird that I have never been there during that time!Posted September 2, 2005 at 11:08 PM
From Jason Lester
How many times have you been?Posted September 3, 2005 at 2:10 AM I went once and Maliboomer was down for maintenance, but that was the only time. Actually the point I'm trying to make is they never take the rides down. So it's understandable you wouldn't be there during a closure, because there aren't any. What I'm saying is they should close a ride once in a while to inspect it, but this is a problem because of the small amount of rides at DCA. Look, it boils down to this: Closing a ride for one day out of the year or losing a life? How hard a choice is that?
From Anthony Murphy
I have been to Disney world more than 40 times, yes I know thats kinda sad. My big wonder has to do with Disney World because my family goes there so often compared to the other parks that I have been too. Once again, I must be a lucky person (and I am saying that in a serious and thoughtful way). I have played roller coaster tycoon enough to know that you have to check rides to they don't crash. Its good that Disney and everybody else closes their rides for a day and inspect or fix them, but I just have never seen it happen! Posted September 3, 2005 at 7:06 AM And it is better to keep a ride closed for day to save lives in the futre. Perhaps DIsney was not thinking into the future, but do you believe that this was the problem at DCA with this attraction? Or are you speaking about Disney's problems in a whole because the Thunder Mountain one off the top of my head is the one that could have benefitted from your claims!
From Jason Lester
Not Disney in general but a select few of their rides. Mostly as you pointed out, Thunder Mountain and California Screamin'. Tower of Terror is another ride with a serious possibility of accidents. That one should be checked along with Matterhorn, Maliboomer, and Splash Mountain. The others should be checked but aren't as big an issue as those rides.Posted September 3, 2005 at 11:12 AM
From Ron Kresser
How can anyone say that Disney does not take their rides down for maintenance? You all must go during the summer time. Try going in the off season and see what rides are down. If you put in various dates into Disney’s web sight it will tell you what rides will be down and what kind of maintenance they are doing. PM or periodical maintenance usually takes a ride down for 1 to 6 weeks. Restoration maintenance can take a ride down for more than a year (look at how long the carousel was gone).They probably won't have any rides down until after their 50th. If Disney had known there would be a problem they would have taken DCS down in a heart beat. Look at how long it has now been out of commission and how much they are loosing because of it.Posted September 19, 2005 at 1:05 PM
From Jason Lester
Ugh, what I'm trying to say is that they don't take them down as much as other parks. They're not seasonal and don't have the oppurtunity, so the rides don't go down as much. I was also pointing out DCA, not Disney in general and how when a DCA ride goes down that's a big loss for the park that day.Posted September 19, 2005 at 4:28 PM Topic's archived almost anyways.
From josh sarvinski
I read on another site that screamin' has been seen testing lately.Posted September 24, 2005 at 3:20 PM
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