Disney shows Restraint...

[Sarangel]

...or will once they tally the vote. The Orlando Sentinel has an article about the Amusement Park Industry's pending vote to increase the safety standards for both Thrill and Non-Thrill rides. These standards would be industry wide, but wouldn't have the force of laws. Disney is behind the new standards, which isn't surprising given that they've suffered over the last couple of years with safety issues.

On one hand, I think this is a good idea, but on the other hand, I do sort of wonder about the culture of Victimhood it fosters. If corporations take the responsibility for keeping people from being stupid, does that make them liable if people succeed in being dumber than they expect?

Sarangel

 

[CarolMN]

No one can keep some people from being stupid. As our soon-to-be ex-govenor is fond of staying, "you can't legislate away stupidity". I don't see how there can ever be standards that will make amusements parks even close to 100% safe (and still have enough attractions that patrons want to see to allow for a profit). My proof is the many posts that ask how to get around the height requirements for children.

That said, I'm very glad that the amusement park industry is interested in improving safety.

I wish that people who do the stupid things (like disregard height requirements or stand up on rides like Splash Mountain) were not allowed to sue. Failing that, I wish that corporations would refuse to settle lawsuits just because it would cost more to fight them than settle for "nuisance value". Seems to me that once a corporation got a reputation for refusing to settle those types of suits, the lawyers would quit taking them! Would save the corporations $$ in the long run. JMHO. YMMV.

 

[Dad of 5]

There's already tiny legal print on admissions media that gives WDW an out with hours, attractions, and closings.

How long will it be before they add something like "Use of this admission media for entrance to any park, attraction, or transportation on WDW property constitutes agreement to indemnify and hold harmless WDW, etc. from any liability for harm, injury, etc. caused by any party or self-inflicted, accidentally or otherwise."

Sure, there would still be the nuisance suits, but it might help prevent a lot from getting very far. It's a shame, and only about a step away from making people sign waivers at the entrance gates - but maybe that's what it will take.

 

[Lesley]

It seems to me that the problem is people believing they have the right to be compensated for their stupidity. If you didn't bother to read the warnings, didn't keep your hands and arms inside the ride vehicle and remain seated.....that should be your problem, not the company who runs the ride. But they sue and say they didn't see or hear the warnings, etc.....

So, how to make it clear to people that they are responsible for their actions, regardless of how stupid they are? Perhaps the disclaimer is what's needed. Make it the responsibility of an injured party to prove that they didn't cause the problem, rather than making the parks responsible for proving they didn't have unsafe conditions?

As with everything, there seems to be no way to ensure justice....as hard as many people work trying to do so.