Fire Destroys a Disney Bus

[ztbz]

This past Wednesday, a bus operating out of the magic kingdom caught on fire and was burnt from the rear of the bus to the front, the Bus was totaled and will not be repaired, Luckily no one was hurt and got out safely, Traffic into and out of the Magic Kingdom area was backed up all afternoon. So far I not heard anything about this on the news or in the paper.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Tyler

............are you keeping this from us?

 

[danny1649]

Glad no one was hurt,sorry about bus and the congestion at MK because of fire.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Nick@ VB+OKW
Tyler

............are you keeping this from us?

Not really keeping it from y'all per se, but, you have to understand, I'm not really able to talk about this incident. I was hoping that this information would not be leaked onto the boards, as some people could get the wrong impression.

Like I said, I really am not at liberty to discuss this event in detail, however, from what I have heard, it was a freak one in a million accident, and was NOT due to lack of inspections or maintenance neglect. It was a unfortunate situation that could not have been prevented.

I am relieved to say that no one was injured, and all guests were quickly taken away to safety.

I would also like to add that each Disney bus undergoes comprehensive inspections each and every night. In addition, every morning, each bus undergoes a thorough Safety Pre-Trip. If that bus does not pass the Pre-Trip or nightly inspection, for whatever reason, it will not be placed into service until the issue can be resolved. If something arises during the day, the bus gets taken out of service immediatly, and taken to a maintenance facility.

After this particular incident, the specific component that was found to be at fault was inspected on every one of our other buses, to be sure that something like this won't happen again.

Here at Disney, Safety comes First, Last, and ALWAYS. It was an unfortunate one in a million situation that could not have been prevented. It's a shame too, that particular bus was a very good bus. Drove, and handled quite nicely.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Tyler
Thanks for responding. It always ceases to amaze me how WDW trys to keep any "negative" publicity(accidents,suicides,hostage situations, deaths,etc) from the "paying public" and the media, that happens on WDW property.
We appreciate your honesty................maybe WDW will someday do the same.

 

[billybaruch1]

Originally posted by ztbz
This past Wednesday, a bus operating out of the magic kingdom caught on fire and was burnt from the rear of the bus to the front, the Bus was totaled and will not be repaired, Luckily no one was hurt and got out safely, Traffic into and out of the Magic Kingdom area was backed up all afternoon. So far I not heard anything about this on the news or in the paper.

Thanks for the infomation ztbz.

Please don't misunderstand, Tyler, I'm one of your biggest fans, and hope your move to Guest Relations is as good for you as I'm sure it will be for all the Disney guests at Pop Century. However, I agree with Nick@ VB+OKW about WDW's honesty. The more I'm exposed to things like this, the more critical and cynical I become. I worry about how sour I may be on Disney if I keep reading these boards for another year or two, or twenty!

I mean, the public relations can only get worse if they cover it up. What about the move towards transparency in finances and the effort to reform corporate governance? Is Disney above all that because they bought the local authorities way back when?

All the corporate accounting scandals are way over my head and I claim no special knowledge of this week's bus fire. But I wonder why honesty and FULL DISCLOSURE is not Disney's policy. With such an innocent "one in a million" accident, to hide it is only to invite speculation and rumor, in my opinion.

Wouldn't it be better to avoid "leakage" and "wrong impressions" by a simple statement of facts? Also, and please forgive my impertinence, but since you wrote it twice, exactly how is it you know for sure it "could not have been prevented?"

Thank you for all you've done here and do everyday in the World.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

In regards to Disney's disclosure policy... that is something that is out of my control. When CM's are hired, we sign contracts that prevent us from discussing such events. As such, I really cannot say much more on the matter. Not my choice, especially since I'm being monitored. As I do not represent Disney on an official level, if you wish for an official statement, you'll have to contact Guest Relations.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
When CM's are hired, we sign contracts that prevent us from discussing such events.

Is this Russia or the USA?

 

[tigger&tigerlover]

Okay, call me a dreamer if you must, but I can understand Disney's view.

To me, going to Disney is like going to another world entirely. I personally prefer *not* to know what accident happened, what died/burned/broke/etc. while I was there. I know it's not realistic, but I want to be immersed in the "fairly tale" during the time I'm there.

IMO, if Disney went public with all the possible things that *anyone* would consider bad, it most certainly would interupt the fantasy.

I go for the *magic*, and I'd really not be brought down to the "real world" if I can help it when on vacation.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Indeed, one of our seven service guidelines is to "Preserve the Magical guest experience."

 

[billybaruch1]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
In regards to Disney's disclosure policy... that is something that is out of my control. When CM's are hired, we sign contracts that prevent us from discussing such events. As such, I really cannot say much more on the matter. Not my choice, especially since I'm being monitored. As I do not represent Disney on an official level, if you wish for an official statement, you'll have to contact Guest Relations.

This is the exactly the same bs we're given about refillable mugs. If Disney's "front-line troops," its personal representatives who present their smiling faces to the public, "do not represent Disney," then who does?

"Being monitored!" Is that a fate worse than death? Or are you paranoid? Is it just the price one pays to serve the Mouse? Is the scrutiny like the Truman Show, or are you just prohibited from contact with friends, family, or strangers who may ask uncomfortable questions? I'm curious.

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
Indeed, one of our seven service guidelines is to "Preserve the Magical guest experience."

If it's not based in honesty, the Disney "Magical guest experience" is something distasteful from a snake oil salesman with a sleight of hand ability at three card monty.

Pick this card! Yes, the bus burned and there was a problem but we took care of it. Or pick this card! Yes the bus burned and there was a problem and we're filing a lawsuit against the responsible people. Or pick this card! No there was no problem and no bus ever burned. Ha, ha.

 

[jann1033]

1) give poor Tyler a break!
2) accidents are just that accidents. Maybe Disney's "policy" has something to do with the overboard reporting so common in the media today as well as the crazy litigation..accidents happen, that's life. if you feel traumitized by this experience don't go on a bus just my opinion if you disagree fine but don't take it out on an employee, what's he suppossed to do about it?

 

[mrsheppo]

I agree. Give Tyler a break. I work for a large nationwide entertainment corporation that is listed on the Fortune 500. As front line employees, many of us are asked to sign disclosure statements that we cannot discuss certain news items with the media. Those who have are soon seeking new employment. All media inquiries go through our public relations department.

My daughter works for the same company as I do and one night had a guest die right in front of her. It was extremely traumatic for her and for the guests around that saw it occur.

I think it is important to let people enjoy their Disney experience without hearing of all the awful things that happen.

Just my opinion.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by jann1033
1) give poor Tyler a break!

jann1003

If you read my posts, it wasn't aimed at Tyler.......... WDW.
Also I was always taught "Honesty is the best Policy".............apparently WDW doesn't think so.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by mrsheppo
I think it is important to let people enjoy their Disney experience without hearing of all the awful things that happen.

mresheppo

If people don't want to hear or read about this(bus burning)....why does this topic on this Transportation board have the one of the highest posts and view counts (550 and counting) on the 1st page?

 

[seashoreCM]

Let's not pick on Disney just because it was one of their buses that experienced the part failure.

More important, what could have been done to reroute other buses to reduce jams and delays? Was it (or in the future would it be) desirable to reroute some of the other buses via the Transportation & Ticket Center and all those guest pile on board the monorails and ferrys?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

I thought I heard one of these in the past month (I forget the airline or the location)
"Engine caught fire, fortunately it was put out quickly and the passengers evacuated from the plane without incident. Blamed on a tube that burst and spewed fuel over the outside of the engine." (Nothing was said about having all airlines inspect all their plane engines' tubes of that kind regularly from this point on.)

 

[safetymom]

I don't feel that Disney has to tell me or make me aware of everything that happens on property.

If you don't like how Disney does something then take it up with Disney. Don't discuss it with a CM that is trying to be helpful.

I agree with the policies that Disney has that CM's have to sign.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by billybaruch1
If Disney's "front-line troops," its personal representatives who present their smiling faces to the public, "do not represent Disney," then who does?

I think you misunderstood me. Right now, I am just a regular person just like you, who happens to work for Disney. I am at home, on my free time. This is not something I am asked to do, or am paid for. I just come here because I like Disney, and I have something to offer. As such, I cannot represent Disney.

Originally posted by billybaruch1
"Being monitored!" Is that a fate worse than death? Or are you paranoid? Is it just the price one pays to serve the Mouse? Is the scrutiny like the Truman Show, or are you just prohibited from contact with friends, family, or strangers who may ask uncomfortable questions? I'm curious.

It means that Disney does watch this board, and if they see that I violated that contract that I signed, I could get into trouble at work. I like my job very much, and would like to keep it.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by safetymom
I don't feel that Disney has to tell me or make me aware of everything that happens on property.
I agree with the policies that Disney has that CM's have to sign.

safetymom
So I guess if you are at Magic Kingdom, and a ride malfunctions and a guest is killed(just happened at Disneyland)................you would not want to be made aware of what happened and why?

P.S. 18 posts and 650 views so far on this topic.........I think people want and have a right to know.......and this proves it.

 

[tigger&tigerlover]

>P.S. 18 posts and 650 views so far on this topic.........I think >people want and have a right to know.......and this proves it.

Not true. I agree with *not* knowing, I've read this post several times to see the different angles and viewpoints (I'm curious). Just clicking on the post doesn't mean people agree with wanting to know about everything.

And I've now posted to it twice, so not all who post are wanting full disclosure either.