Saturday, September 13
There's a great big beautiful fan tribute to the Carousel of Progress here. This show -- essentially an ad for General Electric products -- began at the 1964 New York World's Fair and eventually moved to Disneyland and Walt Disney World. It's still running in a very modified version in Florida.
A very complete and amateurish video is available, if you can manage a 100mb download. Worth it for the Wonderful World of Color excerpt of Walt interacting with the robots. There's also a simply hideous 1980s "modern day" sequence that's not to be missed. GE abandoned the show in the mid-1980s because it was long past its sell-by date, and the final scene was later re-worked to show the voice-activated oven accidentally burning the holiday turkey.
A very complete and amateurish video is available, if you can manage a 100mb download. Worth it for the Wonderful World of Color excerpt of Walt interacting with the robots. There's also a simply hideous 1980s "modern day" sequence that's not to be missed. GE abandoned the show in the mid-1980s because it was long past its sell-by date, and the final scene was later re-worked to show the voice-activated oven accidentally burning the holiday turkey.
Paul Torrigino and Richard Gutierrez worked for Disney Imagineering, and now have their own design business. Excellent portfolios, and an obsession with Tiki bars ought to keep Danny's Land visitors browsing for a long while.
They also have a damn scary ventriloquists' doll collection.
They also have a damn scary ventriloquists' doll collection.
A map of the Utilidors under Walt Disney World.
A larger version.
A cartoon about maps of the Utilidors.
A larger version.
A cartoon about maps of the Utilidors.
# posted by Dan @ Saturday, September 13, 2003
"One of the... attractions isn't the right word, because that makes it sound pleasant... one of the experiences at next month's event will be something called 'InfestStation.'
"It offers parkgoers the opportunity to have their arms and legs strapped to a chair and their heads enclosed in a Plexiglas box.
"You know where this is going, don't you?"
"It offers parkgoers the opportunity to have their arms and legs strapped to a chair and their heads enclosed in a Plexiglas box.
"You know where this is going, don't you?"
# posted by Dan @ Saturday, September 13, 2003
Friday, September 12
Three cheers for Robert Ingersoll, author of Effects of the [1891 Chicago] World's Fair on the Human Race.
Update on Leon Janzen's death -- in lieu of flowers, the family would like contributions made to a writing scholarship being created in Leon's name. You can send all donations to:
Leon Janzen CalArts Writing Scholarship
P.O. Box 800880
Santa Clarita, Ca. 91380-0880
Leon Janzen CalArts Writing Scholarship
P.O. Box 800880
Santa Clarita, Ca. 91380-0880
Thursday, September 11
The Orlando Sentinel reports:
"A tourist from South Florida who had a pot of 180-degree coffee spilled into his lap while at a Disney character breakfast has been awarded $668,000 by an Orange County jury [...] Testimony showed Allocco suffered extensive blistering as well as pigmentation changes to his genitals and groin from the upended 28-ounce pot of coffee on Oct. 7, 2001. The award last week included $50,000 for future medical care and $100,000 to Allocco's wife for 'loss of consortium.'" How did all this happen? "The pot fell off a tray carried at shoulder height by a waitress at the Polynesian Resort's Ohana Feast. The three-day civil trial before Orange Circuit Judge William C. Gridley showed coffee was not supposed to be carried that way, Miami lawyer John Elliott Leighton said."
"A tourist from South Florida who had a pot of 180-degree coffee spilled into his lap while at a Disney character breakfast has been awarded $668,000 by an Orange County jury [...] Testimony showed Allocco suffered extensive blistering as well as pigmentation changes to his genitals and groin from the upended 28-ounce pot of coffee on Oct. 7, 2001. The award last week included $50,000 for future medical care and $100,000 to Allocco's wife for 'loss of consortium.'" How did all this happen? "The pot fell off a tray carried at shoulder height by a waitress at the Polynesian Resort's Ohana Feast. The three-day civil trial before Orange Circuit Judge William C. Gridley showed coffee was not supposed to be carried that way, Miami lawyer John Elliott Leighton said."
Wednesday, September 10
Panorama Blue was a 1970s, widescreen, 70mm, soft-core porno with a roller coaster scene. With John Holmes. I apologize for mentioning it.
More from Mouse Planet on former Big Thunder Mountain Railroad maintenance supervisor Bob Klostriech:
"Said one mechanic: 'On Big Thunder, over the years, we developed time schedules for the replacement of axles, etc., so you replace it before it breaks down. They're now (in spring of 1998) one year behind on preventive maintenance. You run it 'til it falls apart.'
"He later noted: 'The train has gone off the track a couple of times—at least once from the separation of a tow bar (the link between the cars). We had to get a crane to get a car. People were hurt, but not critically.'
"Klostriech himself revealed: 'We've had trains come apart over the years. We've had spindles break, an axle break, a bogey break. So everything's been upgraded over the years.' But, with spottier maintenance, he warned, 'Let's see what happens when somebody gets seriously hurt. I'm going to be the first one who puts them in jail.'
"Said one mechanic: 'On Big Thunder, over the years, we developed time schedules for the replacement of axles, etc., so you replace it before it breaks down. They're now (in spring of 1998) one year behind on preventive maintenance. You run it 'til it falls apart.'
"He later noted: 'The train has gone off the track a couple of times—at least once from the separation of a tow bar (the link between the cars). We had to get a crane to get a car. People were hurt, but not critically.'
"Klostriech himself revealed: 'We've had trains come apart over the years. We've had spindles break, an axle break, a bogey break. So everything's been upgraded over the years.' But, with spottier maintenance, he warned, 'Let's see what happens when somebody gets seriously hurt. I'm going to be the first one who puts them in jail.'
# posted by Dan @ Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Tuesday, September 9
An Orange County Register article on the Big Thunder Mountain accident (requires registration):
"(Ken) Martin said he called Anaheim police Friday to suggest that investigators do a forensic study of the ride's computer system. It's a relatively new technique in examining ride safety, he said, that acts like 'an autopsy of the attraction.'
" 'These computers can be forensically examined just like a bloodstain,' he said. 'If you get into these computers at the right time, you can go back six months or more to see information stored on the chips that tell you exactly what the system was doing, at what time.
" 'Every ride has patterns, like a normal heartbeat, and if there's anything unusual it will show up on the computer (data) like an EKG.' "
"(Ken) Martin said he called Anaheim police Friday to suggest that investigators do a forensic study of the ride's computer system. It's a relatively new technique in examining ride safety, he said, that acts like 'an autopsy of the attraction.'
" 'These computers can be forensically examined just like a bloodstain,' he said. 'If you get into these computers at the right time, you can go back six months or more to see information stored on the chips that tell you exactly what the system was doing, at what time.
" 'Every ride has patterns, like a normal heartbeat, and if there's anything unusual it will show up on the computer (data) like an EKG.' "
Motley Fool on the Big Thunder Mountain accident:
"Go beyond the thrill-ride worrywarts waving the 'I told you so' finger when it comes to roller-coaster safety. For the most part, it's still a safe diversion. The drive to the park is riskier...
"The tears are real. The fears are overblown."
"Go beyond the thrill-ride worrywarts waving the 'I told you so' finger when it comes to roller-coaster safety. For the most part, it's still a safe diversion. The drive to the park is riskier...
"The tears are real. The fears are overblown."
LA Times on the Big Thunder Mountain accident:
"After a deadly accident involving the Columbia sailing ship ride in 1998, Disneyland officials kept police at bay for 4 1/2 hours, letting them onto the scene only after the blood had been washed away. Disney officials escorted witnesses to police and often remained on hand for their interviews. But Friday, after an accident on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad killed one person and injured 10 others, it was Disneyland's investigators who cooled their heels. More than six hours passed before police and state officials let them onto the accident site...
(snip)
" 'As I watched it unfold, [Disney] did it perfectly, saying the right things and giving out as many facts as were available,' said Carl Winston, director of the Hospitality and Tourism Management program at San Diego State University, who watched Disney's televised press conference on Friday.
" 'They've changed their approach almost 180 degrees in terms of cooperating with public agencies.'
"Amusement park safety advocate Kathy Fackler, once one of Disney's outspoken critics, agreed: 'There's been sort of an evolution. It gets better each time. This is the first [accident] where I say, "Yes, this is how the system should work." ' "
(Note: LA Times link requires registration.)
"After a deadly accident involving the Columbia sailing ship ride in 1998, Disneyland officials kept police at bay for 4 1/2 hours, letting them onto the scene only after the blood had been washed away. Disney officials escorted witnesses to police and often remained on hand for their interviews. But Friday, after an accident on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad killed one person and injured 10 others, it was Disneyland's investigators who cooled their heels. More than six hours passed before police and state officials let them onto the accident site...
(snip)
" 'As I watched it unfold, [Disney] did it perfectly, saying the right things and giving out as many facts as were available,' said Carl Winston, director of the Hospitality and Tourism Management program at San Diego State University, who watched Disney's televised press conference on Friday.
" 'They've changed their approach almost 180 degrees in terms of cooperating with public agencies.'
"Amusement park safety advocate Kathy Fackler, once one of Disney's outspoken critics, agreed: 'There's been sort of an evolution. It gets better each time. This is the first [accident] where I say, "Yes, this is how the system should work." ' "
(Note: LA Times link requires registration.)
# posted by Dan @ Tuesday, September 09, 2003
Sad news: Leon Janzen of The E-Ticket, an excellent Disneyland fanzine, died last night. More details as I get them.
UPDATE: from Jim Hill Media:
"...Word comes this afternoon that Leon Janzen, co-founder of "The 'E' Ticket" fanzine, was felled late last night by a fatal heart attack.
"Leon is probably best known within Disneyana circles as the one of the writers/publishers of "The 'E' Ticket" fanzine. Considered by many to be THE source when it comes to great in-depth reporting about Disneyland history, "The 'E' Ticket" has been regularly published since the Winter of 1986. To date, 40 issues of this always excellent and informative little magazine have been produced. The most recent one being the Fall 2003 issue (which -- ironically enough -- featured Leon's heartfelt tribute to his late friend, David Mumford).
"Leon is survived by his younger brother, Jack (the other writer/publisher of "The 'E' Ticket").
"As of this moment, no information is available concerning funeral arrangements, where to express condolences, etc. But -- as that info becomes available -- we'll be sure to share it with JHM readers.
"In the meantime, the thoughts and prayers of the entire JimHillMedia.com family go out to Leon's family and friends tonight.
"Leon Janzen was a really great guy. A true friend to anyone who loved a good story about the Disney theme parks.
"He will be missed."
(Thanks and condolences to Chris M, who considered Leon his mentor.)
UPDATE: from Jim Hill Media:
"...Word comes this afternoon that Leon Janzen, co-founder of "The 'E' Ticket" fanzine, was felled late last night by a fatal heart attack.
"Leon is probably best known within Disneyana circles as the one of the writers/publishers of "The 'E' Ticket" fanzine. Considered by many to be THE source when it comes to great in-depth reporting about Disneyland history, "The 'E' Ticket" has been regularly published since the Winter of 1986. To date, 40 issues of this always excellent and informative little magazine have been produced. The most recent one being the Fall 2003 issue (which -- ironically enough -- featured Leon's heartfelt tribute to his late friend, David Mumford).
"Leon is survived by his younger brother, Jack (the other writer/publisher of "The 'E' Ticket").
"As of this moment, no information is available concerning funeral arrangements, where to express condolences, etc. But -- as that info becomes available -- we'll be sure to share it with JHM readers.
"In the meantime, the thoughts and prayers of the entire JimHillMedia.com family go out to Leon's family and friends tonight.
"Leon Janzen was a really great guy. A true friend to anyone who loved a good story about the Disney theme parks.
"He will be missed."
(Thanks and condolences to Chris M, who considered Leon his mentor.)
Sunday, September 7
Update from the LA Times about the Disneyland Big Thunder Mountain Railroad death:
"Maintenance has been a concern in recent years to Disneyland watchers and some former employees. For 40 years, said Dave Koenig, a Disneyland watchdog and author of 'Mouse Tales,' the park had a rigorous preventive maintenance schedule for every attraction based on replacing each part before it wore out. In the late 1990s, however, the park cut back on maintenance even while attractions were being added...
"Bob Klostriech, 61, who worked in maintenance at Disneyland for 23 years and supervised the crew at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, said he tried on several occasions to warn park officials that reducing maintenance would lead to a tragedy.
" 'I was starting to worry that something was going to happen,' Klostriech said. 'We didn't have full crews. We couldn't do inspections like we should have been doing. I told my manager that the way they changed their maintenance was unsafe for guests.'
"Klostriech said that in 1997 he wrote a warning memo to his supervisor, followed by a registered letter to an administrator. Nothing was done, he said. 'I tried. Nobody would listen to me.' "
I hope he gets a chance to testify.
"Maintenance has been a concern in recent years to Disneyland watchers and some former employees. For 40 years, said Dave Koenig, a Disneyland watchdog and author of 'Mouse Tales,' the park had a rigorous preventive maintenance schedule for every attraction based on replacing each part before it wore out. In the late 1990s, however, the park cut back on maintenance even while attractions were being added...
"Bob Klostriech, 61, who worked in maintenance at Disneyland for 23 years and supervised the crew at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, said he tried on several occasions to warn park officials that reducing maintenance would lead to a tragedy.
" 'I was starting to worry that something was going to happen,' Klostriech said. 'We didn't have full crews. We couldn't do inspections like we should have been doing. I told my manager that the way they changed their maintenance was unsafe for guests.'
"Klostriech said that in 1997 he wrote a warning memo to his supervisor, followed by a registered letter to an administrator. Nothing was done, he said. 'I tried. Nobody would listen to me.' "
I hope he gets a chance to testify.
