Cast Member Tragedy at Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

WDWNT Author on August 18, 2009

Yet another unfortunate story from the Orlando Sentinel:

A Walt Disney World cast member is dead after an accident this evening at Hollywood Studios.

The accident took place during a rehearsal for the ” Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.” The stunt performer was doing a tumbling roll after 7 p.m. when he was hurt. He was transported to the hospital and has since died.

“We lost a valued cast member and our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family as we mourn his passing,” said Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez.

The name of the performer has not been released.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration as well and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office have been contacted. The Sheriff’s office is investigating.

Disney Cast Member Passes Away Monday From Thursday Fall

WDWNT Author on August 11, 2009

Some unfortunate news coming from the Orlando Sentinel:

A performer at Walt Disney World died Monday, days after he was injured during a show at the Magic Kingdom.

Mark Priest was performing Thursday in a “Pirate Tutorial,” an interactive show in which actors lead guests through a series of “pirate skills” tests. Priest fell and broke his neck, according to colleagues, and he had been hospitalized since the accident.

Disney said it was not given any indication that the injuries Priest suffered in the initial accident were life-threatening. But the resort said it contacted both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office after learning of his death.

“Today, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our fellow cast member,” Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said. “Our hearts go out to his family and fellow cast members, and we are offering our support to them during this difficult time.”

A deputy sheriff is being sent to Disney this evening to take an initial report on the incident, spokeswoman Cpl. Susan Soto said.

Our prayers go out to the family and friends of the cast member.

Night Kingdom Scaled Back to Jungle Trek???

WDWNT Author on August 21, 2008

Our good friend Jim Hill over at Jim Hill Media is now reporting that the Night Kingdom project (a fifth park for the Walt Disney World Resort that would only operate during the evenings, operate with a 2 to 1 cast member to guest ratio, and cost a pretty hefty ticket price) has been severely altered, and will now be tentatively named “Disney’s Jungle Trek”. The name change may not be all that was altered, as Jim goes into some detail in today’s article about various budget cuts the concept is already receiving in these very early planning phases.

Jim also reports that various surveys are going to be conducted very soon to gauge guest reaction to the idea of this proposed vanity park. So if your going to be at Walt Disney World in the not-so-distant future, be sure to be on the lookout for those research Cast Members wielding clipboards.

We would also like to remind you that project is still just a rumor and has not been discussed or announced in anyway by the Walt Disney Company. However, numerous sources have confirmed that a project of the sort is indeed in development, but may still never be constructed. To read Jim Hill’s complete article, go HERE.

World’s Worst Job Interview

WDWNT Author on April 30, 2008

From the Orlando Sentinel:

ORANGE COUNTY – -A former Planet Hollywood employee was arrested Monday after he threw his backpack on the ground and told restaurant managers that it contained a bomb, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.

Jason Sean Davis, 21, of St. Cloud came to the Downtown Disney West Side restaurant about 4 p.m. asking to be rehired, deputies said. Managers refused, so he threw his backpack between the gift shop and a stairwell, the Sheriff’s Office said. Investigators evacuated the restaurant, even though Davis tried to take back his allegation.

The backpack was blown up and found to contain only Davis’ belongings. He was arrested on a charge of making a bomb threat and was being held late Monday at the Orange County Jail. Planet Hollywood reopened about 7 p.m.

Toy Story Mania Update

WDWNT Author on April 25, 2008

While I cannot say whether or not I experienced the new Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this week, I can share a few news bites about the soon-to-open interactive adventure.

-Cast Member previews were originally scheduled for this weekend, but are now going to take place from May 2-4, 2008. However, some guests and cast have already play-tested the attraction.

-It seems the rumors of a separate track in the ride were right, as we are now being told that the trams will split down two individual tracks in order to provide a higher capacity.

-The loading area for the attraction is themed to the underneath of Andy’s bed, a much more detailed experience then you will find at the Disney’s California Adventure version of Toy Story Mania. The attraction’s queue is going to take place on two levels of the show building.

Please stay tuned to WDW News Today as we continue to gain information on the upcoming Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney Security Over-Exposed

WDWNT Author on March 17, 2008

From the Associted Press:

An off-duty Disney security guard has been released from jail after being charged with indecent exposure in public, battery and child abuse, authorities said. John Briegel, 43, was arrested on Wednesday and released the same day on $6,000 bond, the Orlando Sentinel reported Friday.

A woman flagged down a Groveland police officer and told him that a neighbor had just hit her 11-year-old son in the face, the newspaper reported. The boy said he was collecting money for his school’s fundraising campaign when he rang Briegel’s doorbell four or five times, the arrest affidavit said. The boy said Briegel answered the door naked, berated him for ringing the doorbell, then struck him on the side of the head with a closed fist.

Briegel admitted answering the door nude and yelling at the boy, but he said he kept his body hidden behind the door and denied hitting the boy, according to the affidavit. Zoraya Suarez, a spokeswoman for Disney, confirmed to the Sentinel that Briegel worked for the theme park’s security department and said that he had been placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of his case.

A telephone message left for a Disney spokeswoman by The Associated Press was not immediately returned after hours Friday. There was no telephone number listed for Briegel and it was not immediately known if he had an attorney.

A Bent Situation!

WDWNT Author on March 3, 2008

I’m sure you’ve all been wondering why exactly King Arthur’s Carousel unexpectedly shut down, & is closed for so long. Well, we now finally have an answer for you. A cast member started it up without unlocking it, thus bending the super-structure.

The Carousel should re-open on April 5th, 2008!