MNE Ep. 83 “November Trip Report, Part 1″
Will and Shannon sit down, with refreshing beverages, to catch you up on their November Walt Disney World trip. Tucked away behind the Dawa Bar in the Harambe village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a quiet, serene area. Perfect for podcasting while Princess Peanut (our 2 1/2 year old daughter) naps in her stroller!
This episode might be a bit rough as we’re trying to remember how to podcast. We hope you enjoy catching up with us and hearing about our trip; with great ambient Animal Kingdom sounds to back us up!
Thanks for listening!
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Episode Length: 58 minutes 26 seconds
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The Magic Never Ends Podcast explores the Imagination and Dreams of the Walt Disney Company through the Parks, Movies, Music and Cruise Line. Join Will, Shannon and their 2 year old daughter as they take you family-filled audio adventures.
Terrance to Join Faires in Pixie Hallow at Magic Kingdom
Terrance, the fairy who “hands out the pixie dust to other fairies each day so they may do their magic” is now joining Disney Faires at the Pixie Hollow meet and greet area at the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Tinker Bell, Iridessa, Fawn, Silvermist, and Rosetta already are available to guests for a meet and greet. Which is a very fun and immersive experience! If you haven’t visited Pixie Hollow, you must try it on your next visit to the Walt Disney World Resort! Be advised that Pixie Hollow is VERY popular and wait times can exceed 75 minutes during busy times. I recommend going right when Pixie Hollow opens (generally at 10am) or right before it closes.
Terrance addition to Pixie Hollow coincides with the release of Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, due out on Disney DVD and Blu-Ray on October 27, 2009.
Walt Disney World returns to 180-day booking window in October
Starting Oct. 27, 2009, guests can start booking their Advanced Dining Reservations, Recreation Activities and Tours at the Walt Disney World Resorts up to 180 days prior to their arrival at the Magical vacation destination.
Not too long ago – and those that travel to WDW regularly remember that the booking window was 180-days out. Then earlier this year, Disney decided to switch it t0 90 days. Well, now it’s back to the old way: 180-days!
I think I’m fine with the 180-day booking window. We don’t always know that we’ll going 6 months in advance but we’ve generally made what ever ADRs we want.
Phone lines open 7 a.m. eastern time daily.
To make your dining reservations call 407.WDW.DINE. To make your recreation reservations call 407.WDW.PLAY, 407.WDW.BASS (fishing) or 407.WDW.GOLF. To make your Walt Disney World tour reservations call 407.WDW.TOUR. For additional information about Walt Disney World visit www.disneyworld.com.
Is this good? Is this bad? Tell us your reaction to this booking window!
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 Florida Hospital Celebration Health, where he was pronounced dead at 8:53 p.m., Orange County sheriff’s deputies said.
Varbanov is the the third cast member in seven weeks to die after sustaining injuries while working.
On July 5, monorail driver Austin Wuennenberg, 21, died when another train backed into his own.
On August 10, Mark Priest, 47, died from complications he experienced after a bad on-stage fall at the Magic Kingdom.
Out of respect for the deceased cast member, Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez says the Indiana Jones show was not performed Tuesday.
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 work hours; monorail standard operating procedures; and mechanical maintenance and inspection history of the trains and switch mechanism.”
The e-mail also said that interviews have been completed with “the switch control operator, the pilot of the striking monorail train, and the monorail coordinator that was on duty on the night of the accident.”
The next report, per an NTSB spokesman, won’t likely be released for about six months.
Disney World Tests Centrailized FastPass System at Animal Kingdom
Under the current system, guests must go to each individual attraction that participates in the FastPass system to gain a ticket. Last week, Walt Disney World is experimenting with a new system that would centralized the FastPass distribution method. This test began at Disney’s Animal Kingdom where guests can visit vending machines at the centralized location of It’s Tough to Be a Bug for the theme parks’s three most popular rides: Dinosaur, Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Passes are still available at their normal location of at the attractions as well.
The Walt Disney World Resort always strives to improve guest experience. Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez said the resort wants “to make it even easier for guests to utilize FastPass during their visits.”
What do YOU think of this proposed change? Do you think it will improve guest experience? Are you tired of walking all over the park to get your FastPasses? Do you have suggestions on how to further improve this system?
What is Disney’s FASTPASS® Service?
Take advantage of Disney’s FASTPASS® service. You can enjoy the rest of the park while FASTPASS® saves your place in line.
To use Disney’s FASTPASS® service:
Don’t Miss Out on Walt Disney World Free Dining Offer – Ends July 26
Get FREE the Disney Dining Plan with the purchase of a specific 5-night/6-day Magic Your Way hotel and theme park ticket package. Travel dates are between August 20 and October 3, 2009 and must be booked by July 26.
Hurry! Because rooms fill up and availability is limited!
Go to disneyworld.com/freedine for more details.
Don’t forget to book your Advance Dining Reservations! You can do so at Disneyworld.com/dining
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 incident. Some people reported renewed worry about the safety of Walt Disney World Resort transportation.
We’ll be going soon to WDW and we still plan to use WDW Resort transportation.
What do you think of WDW Resort transportation? Do you feel safe riding it?
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 piecing together the entire picture, including what roles everyone played. The investigation is looking to whether Alan Rubino, the driver of the second monorail, should have realized he was traveling down the wrong track. It has been determined that the maintenance bay worker’s mistake is not solely to blame.
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 grant her access to this evidence, which includes audio and video recordings. The Orlando Sentinel reports that she expects to sue the Walt Disney and Resorts.
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, Conn. shared with the Orlando Sentinel about the memorable experience Cimino’s 4-year-old grandson Christyan had riding in the front of the monorail piloted by Austin Wuennenberg. It’s memories such as these that make Walt Disney World special.
Hopefully this is a temporary change. I agree that Disney needs to make monorail procedural changes in the aftermath of this deadly crash. Truthfully, though, this change is more about minimizing than prevention.
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.
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 investigation, it would be inappropriate for Alan to comment,” said Pickering, who is also a part-time monorail pilot.
According to Pickering, Rubino was following instructions when the collision happened. He states that monorail pilots don’t take any action with the monorail unless they’ve instructed to do so.
Read the full story, with a video, at the Orlando Sentinel.
WESH: Ex-pilot says Disney monorail supervisor routinely off-site
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 that this new policy was once the standard procedure but changed to save time. No one could pinpoint the time frame as to when this policy change occurred. Per those pilots interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel, though, the procedure the pilot followed in last Sunday’s crash has become common during the past decade.
The process of switching tracks requires the monorail pilots to manually override the automated anti-collision systems on the trains. Without this computer assisted system, pilots thus must remain extremely vigulant and cautious during the track switching operation.
Disney would not comment to the Orlando Sentinel as to why the procedure changed over the years.
The publication did receive the opinion of two monorail pilots that worked at the resort within the past five years. They believe the change occurred to ferry guests quicker along the Epcot loop.
3 Disney World monorail employees on paid leave during deadly crash investigation
Updating an earlier report from WESH 2 News, Walt Disney World has placed three Disney World monorail employees, who were working during the Sunday 2am accident, on paid leave, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
WESH 2 News quickly updated the earlier article of two Disney employees on unpaid disciplinary leave, to reflect the statements coming from Disney spokespeople.
The Orlando Sentinel quotes Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty as stating that’s it’s “part of the investigative process” and “not a disciplinary action.”
This now calls into doubt this “source inside Disney” that WESH 2 News had cited earlier. WESH 2 News reporting style has already come under fire from some Disney Cast Members over how the news outlet showed a recreation of the monorail crash. (See Disney Cast Members express outrage over TV monorail crash re-creations using children’s toys)
Disney declined to release the names of the employees on leave. They did state that it was a monorail pilot, a worker in the monorail’s maintenance shop, and a transportation manager. When the accident occurred, these three had crucial responsibilities in two train monorail operation.
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 linked the on-duty manger at an off-site restaurant during the time of the fatal crash that took the life of 21-year-old monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg.
The National Transportation Safety Board still needs to complete their investigation. So we don’t have all the facts. The federal agency did determine the crash was not the result of a mechanical failure but the NTSB still is unsure what or who is responsible. Unfortunately, it’s sounding more like human error and maybe a break down in monorail operational procedures. There are supposedly multiple people that have the ability to witness and react to these types of problems. Two people that have this ability would be the two monorail pilots involved. One of the pilots, Wuennenberg, according to the NTSB report react. He stopped his train in an attempt to reverse course.
The social networks continue the Austin tributes and discussions. Disney fans wish for Disney to erect a permanent tribute to Wuennenberg on the Walt Disney World Resort, with the hopes one of the monorails could be named after him.
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 here to read the full Orlando Sentinel article about this well-loved young man and remember to celebrate the life of Austin Wuennenberg.
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 the on-duty manager over the Disney monorail was off property during the Sunday morning accident.
To read more please click over to the WESH Orlando web site.
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 Sentinel article, Disney visitors remember monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg with an e-mail from Diane Cimino of Briton, Conn. whose family on a recent trip had the pleasure of meeting Wuennenberg. She shared, what is now a bitter sweet video of the monorail pilot. In the video, he shares a memorable moment Cimino’s 4-year-old grandson Christyan, giving the young boy plenty of the Pixie Dust treatment.
1,000 Immigrants Celebrate U.S. Citizenship at WDW
As the American people begin their Independence Day celebrations, 1000 new Americans will celebrate their U.S. Citizenship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida!
“This year, Disney parks are asking our visitors ‘What Will You Celebrate?‘,” said Walt Disney World Resort President Meg Crofton in her welcoming address. “And on a weekend when our entire nation celebrates its independence, we are honored to host — and celebrate — 1,000 individuals who are embracing American citizenship.”
