Big Thunder Mountain Problems

[lemonysnicket3]

I was looking through theme park insider and noticed a lot of people are getting hurt there. should they take out the ride or no?

[BaldEagleBob]

Interesting subject. BTM RR is one of my very favorite rides! I have been on both DLR and WDW versions many times.

What exactly is "a lot of people" getting hurt over what time span? I am really curious about this.

[MinniesDream]

I love Big Thunder Mountain, I ride it every time I go to Disneyworld.

The only case where someone was 'hurt' was when they weren't sitting correctly.

I fail to see that 'lots of people' get hurt. I've only seen one case on that, and it was their fault, not the ride's.


~Smooth

[figmentisback]

those 2 accidents have been solved and fixed to not happen again as long as they have a great rehab crew every night.

[Grooveygrl]

ive only ever been on BTM at DLP and it rocked! but ive never seen anyone get hurt..

[oldgrumpy]

The only case where someone was 'hurt' was when they weren't sitting correctly.

The notorious injuries at DLR's ride haven't been rider fault.

[coolbradrapmaster]

i would say keep it up its not like it is going too brake every time

[BaldEagleBob]

Ok, so again: How many is :"a lot of people"?

And what is that number as a percentage of the millions that have ridden on it?

It helps to have a sense of proportion about these things.

[SurfedUpDane]

Here are some arguments I have heard from both insiders and guests regarding keeping the mountain of thunder.

-"It's red! It looks cool at dusk!"

-"I like to ride it and pretend I am in the old west! I pretend my camera bag is a sack of gold that I just nabbed from the fort and am trying to get away!"

-"All those pennies! Once every six months Disney employees dip in there and get all the coins out. They use them to buy treats for a cast member ice cream social!"

-"What else would they put there? Another ride based on a c.g. movie?"

[iLoveTheRain]

Originally Posted by oldgrumpy

The notorious injuries at DLR's ride haven't been rider fault.

So...we don't consider standing up on the roller coaster to be the rider's fault?

And I believe the other incident was due to a Cast Member not properly doing their job. Again, not the ride's fault. Human stupidity.

[lemonysnicket3]

well about 10 in 04-07 is whats up.

[TheCoasterNut]

Originally Posted by lemonysnicket3

well about 10 in 04-07 is whats up.

I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to say here. . .

Oh, and as for incidents on the mountain, the derail was a combination of human error, and mechanical failure. You see, the "floating axel" on the engine of the old trains fell into the track, got caught in the cross-ties, and ran into the rest of the train. Their was supposed to be a safety wire that would hold the axel in place if it were to fall, but the piece on the train in question was never located.
Old Design

New Design

[hulamoongirl]

I happened to be at Disneyland the day that train de-railed. Pretty spooky if you ask me! I was eating lunch at the Hungry Bear and noticed a couple helecopters hovering over us really high (which is very unusual these days after 9/11 and flight restrictions over Disneyland).

While Disney shut down Frontierland entirely (thank goodness they let us leave from where we were) none of the cast memebers would comment on what was happening. You could feel the sense of urgency though. Called a friend to turn on the news and voila! Disaster at Disneyland.

Anyhoo, I've been on it since, but cringe when I am going through the spot on the ride where it de-railed.

Here is my take - that train must have ridden the track thousands of times and to de-rail once or twice....I have better odds being hit by a car crossing the street. Keep on riding those rides!!