Monorail Crash: Retire the colors?

[WDSearcher]

WOW!!! My friend in Brasil knew about it right away!! Wonder why the news didn't travel across the pond as quickly as it did to South America?!

Did your friend see it on the news? Hear about it on Twitter? Get the info from a friend? Read it online?

Just because one person knew about it in Brazil and one person didn't know about it in England doesn't mean the entire Brazilian nation is aware or that the news didn't make it to UK.

 

[WDSearcher]

What has my disgust with people gawking on the net at the death of a young man and acting as though they were all his best friend when they never even heard of him until he died, got to do with freedom of speech? I'm not calling for censorship, I'm calling on everyone to stop fawning over Austin as though he had been their best friend and little brother, and give his family and friends a chance to greive and heal without a bunch of hoopla from strangers.

It's always a good thing when people care about you, and always a good thing when your friends and loved ones comfort your family if you die.

But you miss a very important point - WE ARE NOT AUSTIN'S FRIENDS OR FAMILY, WE ARE STRANGERS. Most of us never met him or even heard of him before his death (with the exception of one of the regulars on the Photography board who had the priviledge of meeting Austin a couple of weeks before he died).

I'll never condemn anyone for being saddened by the death of a stranger, or for having concern and compassion for the deceased's surviving family and friends. But acting as though you are someone's friend when you never met them is creepy and invasive.

If the folks who are putting so much stock in this one young man's death are over-reacting on their side, then I think you might be over-reacting a bit on yours too. Think about it ... here you are, getting upset and angry at people for getting so involved in a stranger's death ... for fawning over this young man and turning him into some sort of a hero or symbol of something without the family's permission. Aren't you kind of doing the same thing, only from the other direction? You're telling everyone that their conversations and memorials and discussions are not allowing the family to grieve and heal. How do you know?

I doubt that the family currently has time to hang out on the message boards and read posts about their son / brother / friend, but you really have no way of knowing how they feel about the tributes from strangers that Austin is getting. By telling people here that they shouldn't be doing all of this, you're speaking for the family without their permission too, aren't you?

People feel a need to be part of this tragedy simply because it happened at WDW. But this is a WDW board. The reactions you're seeing are kind of expected.

It all seemed silly and overplayed to me too, until I realized that there's probably a message board somewhere out there where no one has even heard of Austin the Monorail Driver because they're talking about what kind of tribute to give the firefighter who gave his life to save a child last week. And there's another message board out there that's discussing how best to honor the dad who got hit by a car on his way to work. Every person who died on the same day Austin did has his or her own memorial conversation going on somewhere, and chances are, a bunch of those are getting a little heated or over-zealous or passionate too.

People here are not being malicious. Everyone here is reacting to a tragedy that happened in a place they love. A place where they thought nothing like this could happen. We hate it when the real world steps into the middle of Walt Disney World. The tributes and all are spiraling out of control just a tad, IMO, but it will eventually calm down and fade away. Your yelling won't make it go away faster. Although it will likely make it stick around longer.

 

[mattsdragon]

I'm a sailor, and we have many ships that are acutally named in honor of ships that were sunk, sometimes with all hands. There is a memorial for the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa, a ship that was lost in WWI, at Arlington National Cemetary, but we still have a CGC Tampa.

 

[inkkognito]

It's a nice thought, but it's seriously over reacting. So many accidents have happened at Disney, many of which got no memorial at all. The Primal Whirl accident was truly a tragedy. This is a tragedy. People dieing of cancer is a tragedy. Deaths caused by car accidents are tragedies. What people are saying, this is one death out of many that have happened this last year, month, week, and some people even died today.

Some of you people honestly make me wonder if you would even care half as much if it wasn't the monorail that killed him.

You hit the nail on the head right there. Many people do care more because it was the monorail. Monorails are a symbol of WDW...Primeval Whirl is not. People buy monorail toy sets, not Primeval Whirl toy sets. The monorail system has been in place since the beginning and was an integral part of the Disney World resort and its original hotels. People use "Please stand clear of the doors..." as their ringtones and computer start-up sounds. People feel a connection to the monorails that is unlike most other things at WDW. Austin's death is no more or less tragic than any other CM's (or anyone else's), but it's connection to a Disney World icon makes it hit home much more for many people. You either feel the connection or not...and apparently a lot of people do.

 

[Eljay]

Here is a letter I have written to Disney in reguards to the tragic recent monorail crash asking that with respect to the victim and this incident Disney retire the colors Purple and Pink on the Monorail.
If you agree, would you copy it and send it with your name?
or write your own to support it.

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Dear Disney,
First let me send my sympathies to the family of the cast member who was killed at the accident on the monorail recently. As well as sympathies to the Disney family as a whole. As a life long Disney fan this is a sad and tragic time.
I realize there is a lot of important things to take care of at this time, this is not the most important thing at the moment but with the recent accident on the monorails may I respectfully request that Disney retire the Monorail colors Purple and Pink.
I know as a frequent visitor seeing these colors now would be a tragic reminder. While it is important to remember the past as not to repeat it, I feel continuing to use these color would be unnessassary with the wide slection of colors available.

Sincerely,

After 80-something posts that have strayed way far away from the original thought, I would like to point out that the original wording was suggesting that "...seeing these colors now would be a tragic reminder."

I don't see any mention of a memorial to the pilot, or retiring the entire train, or that this death is any more or less tragic than any other, or so many other spin-offs.

I am just going to try to place myself in the shoes of the ordinary family, who has saved for the perfect vacation.

It's a year after the accident and mom, dad and the kids are on the monorail platform, on their first day at WDW. Mom says quietly to dad, "Oh my gosh, wasn't there a terrible accident on this monorail last summer? I remember seeing that on TV, the pink and the purple trains crashed, it was terrible. I remember the colors, because our little princess said that she wished it wasn't her two favorite colors that crashed." Dad whispers to mom, I'm praying one of those colors doesn't pull into the station. One minute later the new Monorail Turquoise pulls in and the matter is forgotten for the rest of their vacation.

This next scenario is something that would happen every day, all day to the pilots that drive Pink or Purple.

A few months from now, Monorails Pink and Purple are back on track and they resume allowing guests to ride with the pilot. A group of insensitive idiots enter the front of Purple and immediately start saying terrible things to the pilot, "Aren't you afraid to drive this monorail? "Do you think it's haunted?" "Did you know that pilot?" "Do you think it could happen again?"

I know that the majority of you think it's unnecessary to retire the colors, but the reason I am in favor of it, is to attempt to resume the magic as quickly as possible.

 

[ugadog68]

My vote is No - do not retire them - unless we could paint them all red and black!

And there has been some discussing of the colors - here's a chart...

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

You hit the nail on the head right there. Many people do care more because it was the monorail. Monorails are a symbol of WDW...Primeval Whirl is not. People buy monorail toy sets, not Primeval Whirl toy sets. The monorail system has been in place since the beginning and was an integral part of the Disney World resort and its original hotels. People use "Please stand clear of the doors..." as their ringtones and computer start-up sounds. People feel a connection to the monorails that is unlike most other things at WDW. Austin's death is no more or less tragic than any other CM's (or anyone else's), but it's connection to a Disney World icon makes it hit home much more for many people. You either feel the connection or not...and apparently a lot of people do.

I see exactly where you are coming from. What's funny is, the reason you want the colors changed is the reason I don't, lol!!! It's such an iconic attraction that I don't what it forever tainted by this death to everyone, including the people there for the first time. I have had attractions that are tainted by death. BTM's town scene in both parks remind me of the crash. I would HATE for other people to remember that on vacation. It really sucks out the fun.

Like I said, I think Disney should had a memorial to the people who died at Disney on one of the hotel properties. It would be away from the actual attractions so hopefully it would take away some of that connection while remembering them.

OR!!!! (big or)

WDW could use this event to do what DLR did and replace all the monorails.

They could take this event and add two of those, and slowly replace the rest. I would be in full favor of that!

I persoanlly think retiring the colors all together is not going to do anything. It's a train itself. If they are going to repaint it they are better off getting a new one.

 

[inkkognito]

My husband just said the other night that he wonders if this will spur Disney to accelerate moving to the new models now. We just missed riding them when we were at DL last year. They were testing Red but not allowing guests on it yet.

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

My husband just said the other night that he wonders if this will spur Disney to accelerate moving to the new models now. We just missed riding them when we were at DL last year. They were testing Red but not allowing guests on it yet.

I honestly think that that will be the best situation for issue. I think they have higher captivity too, so they could use less monorails. They seem to pump them out every 6 months, so it could be a while if we ever see them, and it will take 5 years to get all ten, but I think it would be worth it.

 

[SKTiger]

While I don't necessarily support changing the colors of just the pink and purple, I would mind seeing a fresh coat of paint on all of the trains, maybe to represent the characters.

Mickey's Train could be black with a thick stripe of red for his shorts another stripe of black for his legs, and then yellow at the bottom for his shoes. Minnie's Train could be red with white polka dots. And so on and so forth.

 

[Azree]

I think they have higher captivity too, so they could use less monorails.

Sure does feel that way when it's crowded, doesn't it?

 

[dizfamily4]

rather than retire the color, a plaque or some sort of memorium to the driver would always keep his memory alive, as they said it was a dream job for him and to honor hin like that sort of keeps his dream alive...just a thought

 

[WDSearcher]

After 80-something posts that have strayed way far away from the original thought, I would like to point out that the original wording was suggesting that "...seeing these colors now would be a tragic reminder."

I don't see any mention of a memorial to the pilot, or retiring the entire train, or that this death is any more or less tragic than any other, or so many other spin-offs.

I am just going to try to place myself in the shoes of the ordinary family, who has saved for the perfect vacation.

It's a year after the accident and mom, dad and the kids are on the monorail platform, on their first day at WDW. Mom says quietly to dad, "Oh my gosh, wasn't there a terrible accident on this monorail last summer? I remember seeing that on TV, the pink and the purple trains crashed, it was terrible. I remember the colors, because our little princess said that she wished it wasn't her two favorite colors that crashed." Dad whispers to mom, I'm praying one of those colors doesn't pull into the station. One minute later the new Monorail Turquoise pulls in and the matter is forgotten for the rest of their vacation.

Well, not really. Because unless Disney makes a huge deal of changing the colors -- to the point that every single guest will know that Monorail Purple and Monorail Pink are now Monorail Turquoise and Monorail Chartreuse -- how is this family on the first day of their vacation going to know that the new Monorail Turquoise is replacing one of the others? They'd have to know that two new colors were utilized instead of the old. They're not going to get all that info just by seeing a turquoise stripe.

Sure, the new Monorail Turquoise will pull in, but the very next time that family walks up to the monorail (and every time after that), they’ll be wondering if pink or purple are going to pull up next. The worry doesn't go away unless Disney makes a huge deal of changing the colors, which kind of defeats the purpose because THEN when Monorail Turquoise pulls up, the dad in your example will say, "Honey, this used to be Monorail Purple. Remember the article we read?" and DD will say, "Is this the monorail they repainted because it killed someone?" You're not going to win either way.

However, if the colors remain Pink and Purple, and the Pink monorail happens to pull up, then the family gets on the monorail, they get safely to their destination, and DD is thrilled that “her” monorail – with her favorite color – is still there and still safe.

This next scenario is something that would happen every day, all day to the pilots that drive Pink or Purple.

A few months from now, Monorails Pink and Purple are back on track and they resume allowing guests to ride with the pilot. A group of insensitive idiots enter the front of Purple and immediately start saying terrible things to the pilot, "Aren't you afraid to drive this monorail? "Do you think it's haunted?" "Did you know that pilot?" "Do you think it could happen again?"

Do you really see this as something that will happen "every day, all day"? Are there really so many insensitive guests in the world who will choose to ride in the front of the monorail that this will happen "every day, all day"? Because, try as I might, I honestly cannot envision this happening even once.

 

[kmk1180]

to the point that every single guest will know that Monorail Purple and Monorail Pink are now Monorail Turquoise and Monorail Chartreuse --

Not really...while alot of people here on the Dis might be able to name all the colors. (and I'm sure alot can't)....I guarantee you vast majority of guests don't.
So to all but die hard fanatics, it would just be another color.
Even if they heard about the crash.

 

[WDSearcher]

Not really...while alot of people here on the Dis might be able to name all the colors. (and I'm sure alot can't)....I guarantee you vast majority of guests don't.
So to all but die hard fanatics, it would just be another color.
Even if they heard about the crash.

But that's my point. Based on the example given, the family would just see another color. They wouldn't necessarily know that it REPLACED one of the colors that was there before. As far as that family is concerned, today they got Monorail Turquoise. Tomorrow they may still get Monorail Purple. So they'd still worry. (Again ... speaking only to the specific example given.)

 

[kmk1180]

So they'd still worry. (Again ... speaking only to the specific example given.)

Only if they were terrified it would happen again.
In given example that family wouldn't give it a second thought, they would be enjoying their vacation.
Only if they saw the color purple would they be reminded.
Now if they had a deep fear, then it wouldn't matter what color they were on, they would be equally afraid of all monorails.
Much like someone with a fear of flying would be afraid to fly any plane.
but anyone stepping onto a Flight 93 might pause and think about it.

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

I think some people are getting too into it again...

The majority of people won't even know what happened to what ones. That is what WE will know about, because it's what WE care about. Most guests won't know what ones were in the accident, let alone that there is only one pink one.

I think a plaque would be nice. The only thing, isthat other CM's who have died on property have not recived ones. I like the idea, but it's a little unfair if you ask me. Either way, I wouldn't mind him having one.

 

[inkkognito]

And the irony is out of the people that DO know, the story will probably take on urban legend proportions. I know the real details of most of the Disney World (and Disneyland) accidents, and I just roll my eyes at some of the things I hear in line for attractions like Mission Space and Tower of Terror. In a few years, it will be a whole trainful of passengers maimed or killed.

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

And the irony is out of the people that DO know, the story will probably take on urban legend proportions. I know the real details of most of the Disney World (and Disneyland) accidents, and I just roll my eyes at some of the things I hear in line for attractions like Mission Space and Tower of Terror. In a few years, it will be a whole trainful of passengers maimed or killed.

What's sad is that you are absolutely right. Just like Walt Disney is frozen under the Disneyland Castle

 

[DeluxePrincess]

I think if anyone is that upset or nervous about the possibility of riding monorail purple or pink, they should skip the monorail altogether. The entire monorail is a reminder of the accident. Disney will do what Disney will see fit. Our emails about monorail colors won't matter to them much.