Primeval Whirl to Remain Closed for Investigations
You may remember the fatal accident that fatally injured a Disney Cast Member in March, while he was working on the infamous Disney's Animal Kingdom wild mouse coaster, "Primeval Whirl". Just yesterday, it was stated that the coaster would remain closed at least until September 14, 2011. By saying "at least", it means that the coaster may actually reopen months later... if ever again.
Yes, it is that serious. The death of that poor cast member was not the only fatality caused on this ridiculous attraction. Another cast member fell on the the tracks and died a few days later for a head injury, while other two cast members were injured, but fortunately survived the accident. Take a look at what the Orlando Sentinel says about the roller coaster's extended closure:
Disney coaster to remain closed through summer as fatal-accident probe continues
Walt Disney World will keep a roller coaster closed through the summer as federal investigators continue examining the death of a resort mechanic who was killed while working on the attraction in March.
Disney recently extended the closure of Primeval Whirl, a spinning coaster in Disney's Animal Kingdom that has been shut down since January for maintenance, until at least Sept. 14. The reopening of the ride, initially scheduled for April, already had been postponed once, until early June.
The new date coincides with a six-month deadline facing the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration to complete its investigation into the death of Russell Roscoe, a 52-year-old attractions mechanic who was struck by one of the attraction's ride vehicles on March 13. Roscoe, who lived in Sumter County, suffered a massive head injury and died the following day.
Disney said Tuesday that some of the planned maintenance for Primeval Whirl had to be pushed back to accommodate the accident investigation. The resort said the new reopening date is not related to OSHA's timeline.
"The refurbishment was delayed as a result of the investigation," Disney spokesman Andrea Finger said.
Resort officials would not say what changes they are making to the 9-year-old ride, nor whether they are making any safety adjustments. "It would not be appropriate to comment while OSHA is still reviewing the incident," Finger said.
Disney recently extended the closure of Primeval Whirl, a spinning coaster in Disney's Animal Kingdom that has been shut down since January for maintenance, until at least Sept. 14. The reopening of the ride, initially scheduled for April, already had been postponed once, until early June.
The new date coincides with a six-month deadline facing the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration to complete its investigation into the death of Russell Roscoe, a 52-year-old attractions mechanic who was struck by one of the attraction's ride vehicles on March 13. Roscoe, who lived in Sumter County, suffered a massive head injury and died the following day.
Disney said Tuesday that some of the planned maintenance for Primeval Whirl had to be pushed back to accommodate the accident investigation. The resort said the new reopening date is not related to OSHA's timeline.
"The refurbishment was delayed as a result of the investigation," Disney spokesman Andrea Finger said.
Resort officials would not say what changes they are making to the 9-year-old ride, nor whether they are making any safety adjustments. "It would not be appropriate to comment while OSHA is still reviewing the incident," Finger said.
It would not be the first time Disney has had to make safety upgrades to Primeval Whirl following an accident.
As yo can see, this rides does not need more safety adjustments. It just needs to be teared down, at this point! Hardly anyone rally enjoys it, and if they do, they will now be very concerned for the life of those who work in the attraction. What will be the future of Primeval Whirl? Will it ever reopen reopen? I believe so. Should it ever reopen? No, I don't think so.
I really don't like this attraction:
ReplyDelete1st: You need to wait an Ice Age to ride it inside the extremely long queue
2nd: the ride is too small for the tall people like me
3rd: the track it's absolutely boring and cause many hurt between you and the other people on the vehicle.
4th: the thematization is totally absent
If you add tho this four points alla the accident it caused, I don't know why Disney, inside a very characteristic place like Dinoloand, meed to keep this attraction open and won't replace it with something that people and family could enjoy it much more!!!!
But is "Galaxy Spin" in Fun Spot U.S.A. the same ride type of Primeval Whirl?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with all the points you brought up, Bigfoots! I also liked the fact that you said that "You need to wait an Ice Age to ride it inside the extremely long queue" :-)!
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, the Galaxy Spin (now called Power Trip Coaster) is the same kind of ride, but the manufacturer is Zamperla, so it should be fine.
I agree with both of you. This is one of very few standard amusement park rides at Disney World. It was not designed by Imagineers and is not of the same quality and theming as most other Disney attractions. I have long said they should remove it (along with the games in Dinoland) because they look like a cheap amusement park or boardwalk (neither of which have anything to do with dinosaurs, by the way). I'd much rather see some type of interactive walk-thru dinosaur experience (think Triceratops Encounter, but much larger with multiple stations, and lots of winding trails, trees, bushes and other foliage).
ReplyDeleteI agree with you all, but Dinorama still has its place bacause it fits with the story. The story can be found on wikipedia. At first i didnt care for Dinorama either, but i found out it tied in with the story.
ReplyDelete