Disney Reorganizes WDW Transportation Management
Disney announced that Jim Vendur will oversee both operations and maintenance of the Walt Disney Word transportation system that includes the 15-mile monorail, ferryboats and a fleet of about 300 buses, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Vendur is a vice president who was previously in charge of the transportation maintenance. Disney stated that this restructuring was already in the works before →
Disney performer fatally injured in Hollywood Studios accident
Walt Disney World stunt performer Anislav Varbanov, 30, was fatally injured during a rehearsal for the " Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular" at Disney's Hollywood Studios. He was doing a tumbling roll after 7 p.m. Monday when he was hurt. Disney workers dialed 911 at 7:34 p.m. to report that a cast member sustained a head injury. Varbanov was rushed to →
NTSB Agency Says It Could Be 6 Months Before Final Report on Disney Monorail Crash
The Federal agency said Wednesday they have received most of the documents they requested in the investigation of the July 5th Disney World monorail crash that killed monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg. The National Transportation Safety Board said in an e-mail to the media that "the documents that will become part of the investigation are employee records showing training, work history and →
Twelve hurt when 2 Disney buses crash
At about 2:40pm today, a rear-end crash occurred, involving two Walt Disney world buses, reports the Orlando Sentinel. Twelve people were injured and taken to area hospitals. This accident comes 11 days after the deadly monorail crash that killed 21-year-old monorail pilot, Austin Wuennenberg. People quickly took to the social networks, such as Twitter, Plurk and Facebook to discuss the →
Disney Mononrail Crash Triggered by Employee Mistakenly Radioed He Activated Track Switch
The Orlando Sentinel has spoken with multiple sources with knowledge of the accident's investigation. The publication reports that a maintenance bay employee radioed incorrect information. This combined with a shift change when a sick employee was granted early dismissal lead to events to the deadly 2am July 5 crash which killed 21-year-old monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg. Investigators still have work in →
Mother of Deceased Monorail Pilot Expects to Sue Disney
Christine Wuennenberg, mother of the Austin Wuennenberg, the monorail pilot killed in the July 5 crash, has filed a petition in Orlando state Circuit Court, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The petition filed July 9 is to preserve crucial crash evidence in Disney's possession that she feel may be destroyed, erased or altered. She is also asking the judge to →
Disney World Suspends Policy of Guests Riding in Monorail Front for Now
Not a surprising change in wake of last Sunday's monorail accident. Had guests been in the front of the monorail with pilot Austin Wuennenberg when the accident occurred, more lives would've been lost. Though I'm saddened by this policy change, as riding in the front of the monorail is quiet a magical experience. Watch the video Diane Cimino of Briton, →
Vigil Held For Disney Monorail Crash Victim
Family, friends and coworkers gather in Celebration for a vigil to celebrate his life. Four Facebook groups have been created dedicated to Wuennenberg's memory. The Facebook group, One Rail, One Family vigil for Wuennenberg organized the vigil. Former and current WDW Monorail Operations cast members created this group and have openned it publically for anyone wishing to celebrate the Wuennenberg's memory. Watch video. Click →
Suspended Disney monorail pilot releases statement
Distraught, surviving pilot from fatal monorail incident is under doctor's care. Alan Rubino, 62, piloted the reversing monorail that crashed into the train driven by 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg, killing the young man. Rubino's friend Dennis Pickering read a statement from the pilot to local media. "Alan wishes to extend to family and friends of Austin his deepest and heart-felt condolences. Given the current →
Disney’s monorail procedures changed in years leading up to accident
Walt Disney World now requires drivers, when switching off the resort's Epcot loop, to operate their trains from twin controls in the rear cab. This policy change comes as a result of the pilot in last weekend's monorail collision remaining in the front cab, while attempting to make the loop switch. The Orlando Sentinel spoke with former monorail pilots, who stated →
Disney Suspends 2 Employees After Monorail Crash
The on-duty manager and coordinator at the time of the deadly crash have been suspended without pay, reports WESH Orlando. Citing a source within Disney, the two Disney employees believed to be responsible for the switching of the two monorail trains during the 2am collision Sunday are facing disciplinary actions. This action is not surprising after WESH Orlando released information that →
Family, friends remember Austin Wuennenberg as more than a Disney monorail pilot
Most people know Austin Wuennenberg as the Walt Disney World monorail pilot who died in the Sunday 2am crash. During the Wednesday memorial service, his uncle Bill Shanahan reminded everyone that there was more to the 21-year-old than his death. A brilliant student. A thoughtful companion. A skilled computer programmer. A devoted family man. Someone that always made his friends smile. Click →
Full NTSB Statement On Disney Monorail Crash
Safety Board Releases Factual Findings WESH Orlando has the National Transportation Safety Board statement on Wednesday about the Disney World monorail crash. Click here to read the full text. The NTSB's findings also indicate that Austin Wuennenberg, the 21-year-old monorail pilot killed in the crash attempted to reverse Monorail Purple before the crash. In exclusive interviews Wednesday, two sources told WESH 2 News →
Funeral service set for Disney monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg
According to the Orlando Sentinel, funeral services have been set for Austin Wuennenberg, the monorail pilot killed in Sunday's terrible crash at the Walt Disney World Resort. Services are at 2 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Kissimmee, said Twis Lizasuain, a Kissimmee Police spokesperson who is acting as a spokesperson for the Wuennenberg family. Also check out the Orlando →
Attempt to switch tracks may have caused Disney monorail crash
National Transportation Safety Board to investigate incident On Monday in an unprecedented move, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated it will investigate the fatal crash of two Walt Disney World monorail. The federal agency is best known for probing airline crashes. Initial reports from other investigators Sunday, indicated that the accident occurred from a track switch that never happened. An Orlando Sentinel →
Disney World will reopen monorail — with extra safety features
After the deadly Sunday 2am Walt Disney World monorail crash, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the Disney monorail has resumed operation. The publication cited a note to Walt Disney World employees this morning, stating that new safety sensors were added to monitor track switches. Per the note, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration "released" the monorail system back to →
