Disney employee struck, injured by guest at Tomorrowland Speedway
Featured, Jason Garcia, News — By Jason Garcia on March 15, 2010 at 9:58 am
A Walt Disney World employee broke his leg Sunday afternoon after he was struck by a guest driving a car at the Tomorrowland Speedway in the Magic Kingdom, authorities said.
The unidentified employee was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center in stable condition, said Bo Jones, deputy fire chief with Reedy Creek Emergency Services.
The accident occurred just before 1 p.m., Jones said. Disney temporarily closed the attraction but re-opened it less than three hours later.
The gas-powered ride vehicles used in the Tomorrowland Speedway have top speeds of 7 mph.
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10 Comments
Are the race cars made by Toyota?
I worked at (then) “Grand Prix Raceway” in the mid-70’s and it was no different.
“BLOOD ALLEY” STRIKES AGAIN!
I rode the Tomorrowland Speedway about six weeks ago and found the steering linkage on my car to be severly worn. In fact, the car could not be controlled by the driver and was weaving back and forth across the track within the full limits of the control guide. That kind of wear did not happen overnight and is a significant safety hazard.
Also, some guests appeared to be intentionally ramming the cars in front of them at the unload area. That is also a safety hazard that was not addressed. One way to address this problem is to require rammers to show their entrance pass, which the ride operators will run through a scanner that will not allow that guest to ride the Speedway again after the second offense (i.e., they get one warning). If that guest will not produce his park entrance pass, that guest would be escorted out of the park for the day.
Jack, the steering is on purpose. Been riding those since the ’70s. Not sure but I think they did that to make it more of a challenge. The center bar keeps the car in its late without any intervention from the user. Would love to see them upgrade the cars to electric engines with maybe a fake engine sound. Sometimes in the summer the exhaust smell is overpowering. Still a fun ride though. Even with the bumping at the end. -Ron
Why was the worker where he could be hit by the car???????? Seems like a that is the question…..
Bret, you must work for the Disney office of counsel. If the car has worn steering linkage, the car can move in an unpredictable manner. Bret, you might have good legal skills (i.e., like casting doubt) but you’re no engineer.
OK…Everyone should try working at speedway Then come back and post your negative comments about it being the cast members fault….7mph is slow and yes speedway is lame But the GUEST DON’T pay attention to what the cast members tell them and IGNOR all instructions given to them. When asked to slow down or stop to let a cast member pass they laugh!!! So for you who think this is funny TRY working at speedway!!!
Why was the cast member no paying attention. Just because the guest driving wasn’t paying attention doesn’t give the cast memeber a right to be ignorant and not pay attention to whats going on. 7mph is slow and there should be time to get out of the way
Jim, your bravery for working at “Blood Alley” is an inspiration to us all. Neither I, nor my coal miner father or uncles who served in the military can imagine the many dangers you must have encountered. Every time I pass by this track, seeing 3rd graders zoom by at top speeds of 7mph, I will think of you, and salute the sacrifices you have made so that we all can have freedom at this world we call Disney.
This is not a life and death situation. Just watch the place a little closer now that they had the accident. What else can you do. Have you been to Disney? you go through that park and the next day you can’t remember anything they said to you. it’s a place you have to hustle to every ride and hope to get on. Relax, take a deep breath and enjoy the day.