Death at Big Thunder Mountain has led to the belief that the ride is haunted

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via DisDining.com

Nearly 20 years ago, a young man lost his life at the Big Thunder Mountain attraction at Disneyland Resort in California, which led the state to mandate stricter safety requirements. And today, some still believe his spirit lives on inside the park.

Twenty-two-year-old Marcelo Torres, a graphic designer and aspiring animator, was seated in the lead passenger car of the ride vehicle at Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain attraction when a tragic accident happened on the ride in 2003. The crash was the result of the failure of a mechanical part on the locomotive ride vehicle.

Per a report in theLos Angeles Times, the accident happened when two bolts from the locomotive’s left guide wheel assembly came loose and fell off the vehicle, causing a chain-reaction of events.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Opens in Frontierland at Disneyland - D23

The bolts falling off caused “an axle to jam into the railroad’s ties. The locomotive nose-dived, and its rear hit the top of a tunnel. The force snapped a tow bar connecting the locomotive to the lead passenger car, which slammed into the locomotive’s undercarriage,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

Marcelo Torres was killed in the accident, and ten other Guests were injured as well.

Torres’s parents, Jaime and Carmen Torres, of Gardena, California, sued Disney after the death of their son. In December 2005, just three days before jury selection was to begin in the case, Disney settled with the Torres family for an undisclosed amount.

The Walt Disney Company also accepted responsibility for the terrible accident, saying in a statement from then-Disneyland Resort spokesman Rob Doughty, that Disney “deeply regrets that the tragic accident occurred and [is] terribly saddened by the grievous pain this caused the Torres family.”

marcelo torres family disneyland accident

In response, Marcelo Torres‘s parents issued a statement, saying, “There is no money possible to pay for his life– ever–but that is the only remedy the law can provide. Now that this exhausting emotional process has finally concluded and we have our answers, we will hopefully have some closure.”

But some believe that closure hasn’t come for everyone and that Marcelo Torres‘s spirit still lives on near the Big Thunder Mountain attraction at Disneyland Resort.

An online video posted by HauntedTraveler77 claims that the spirit of Marcelo Torres sits on a bench near the attraction in the evenings.

One viewer responded, saying “I haven’t seen the ghost but I get an icky feeling walking over there after closing. There are some places you don’t go alone.”

big thunder mountain

The accident was one of three serious accidents that happened in just five years at Disneyland. The accident also led the State of California to mandate additional safety requirements for Disneyland. Per the Los Angeles Times:

After the crash, the state ordered Disneyland to retrain ride maintenance workers, managers, and ride operators; to require a test run of all cars on Big Thunder Mountain before passengers are loaded, and to require that those who perform maintenance on rides be the ones who sign that the work was completed.

The Big Thunder Mountain crash was one of three major accidents during a five-year period at Disneyland in which ride maintenance arose as an issue. A patron was killed in 1998 when he was hit by an iron cleat that a taut rope tore from the Columbia sailing ship. Two years later, nine passengers were injured on Space Mountain when a bolt broke on a wheel assembly.

Disney Announces All-New After-Hours Event Coming This Summer

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Disney is giving Disney Park Guests more opportunities to experience the magic after-hours.

Walt Disney World Resort announced the return of H20 Glow Nights at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon this summer and Disneyland announced the return of three popular events for the beloved series Disneyland After Dark.

Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts Nite, Villains Nite, and Star Wars Nite have been huge successes thus far and, now, Disney has announced an additional night to the series with an all-new theme– Disneyland After Dark: Grad Nite Reunion!

Disneyland After Dark 2022

It’s time to relive the “good-ol’ days” and celebrate a party for the decades at the first-ever Disneyland After Dark: Grad Nite Reunion! Debuting on select nights this June at Disney California Adventure Park, you can join in a reunion party filled with dancing, fun, and plenty of nostalgia from graduation classes of the last six decades.

From good times to even better dance moves, this separately-ticketed Disneyland After Dark event gives you after-hours access to Disney California Adventure with the opportunity to experience special offerings* not typically available during the day. Enjoy delicious cafeteria-inspired dishes, special character experiences, entertainment, photo opportunities, and some favorite attractions (with shorter wait times!) for four hours of fun. Also included with your ticket, you’ll have three additional hours pre-party to mix-in at Disney California Adventure park!

In addition to these special offerings, you’ll receive a commemorative credential and guide as well as unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass** digital photos you take during the party.

Disneyland After Dark: Grad Nite Reunion will be offered on June 23, 28, and 30, 2022. Tickets will go on sale on Disneyland.com, beginning April 28, 2022, no earlier than noon PT.

Disney California Adventure Park Entrance

Here are some of the details for what you can expect at Disneyland After Dark: Grad Nite Reunion.

  • Enjoy sightings of beloved Disney characters throughout the evening with a few favorites proudly wearing their cap and gown
  • March-along pep-rally style with some favorite Disney friends
  • Dance through the decades to hits of today and yesterday
  • Retro photo opportunities
  • Unique, cafeteria-inspired food and beverage offerings
  • Special after-hours access to most of the park’s attractions
  • Party attire encouraged. Don’t forget to show your school spirit! (Please read the Disneyland Resort Attire Guidelines).
California Adventure

Visit Disneyland.com/DisneylandAfterDark for additional details. Parking fees are not included in the ticket price. A limited quantity of tickets for each event will be available, so be sure to snag tickets as soon as they go on sale!

First Look at Disney’s Halfway to Halloween Eats and Treats

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

It’s halfway to spooky season! As April 28 approaches, we are soon-to-be halfway to Halloween! And we all know it’s never too early to get in the spirit. These wickedly delicious items are running amuck, amuck, amuck across Disney Parks.

These eats are sure to put a spell on Guests with tasty flavors and adorable eats. See the return of favorites like the Sister’s Elixir Hot Cocoa Bomb at The Ganachery at Walt Disney World Resort or the Spooky Churro from California Churro at Disneyland Resort. And be on the lookout for some new tricks and treats from Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs, including exclusive trading cards to collect.

DISNEYLAND RESORT

Downtown Disney District

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs (available April 28 through May 1)

  • Cheddar Pickle Dog: The pickle dog sprinkled with cheddar cheese for a pop of orange to celebrate Halloween

California Churro (available April 27 through May 4)

  • Spooky Churro: A churro rolled in cinnamon sugar cut in half, drizzled with peanut butter and chocolate sauce, and topped with yummy peanut butter candy pieces in seasonal colors
8 Halloween Churros not to be missed at the Disneyland Resort | Chip and Company

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

Magic Kingdom Park

Sleepy Hollow (available April 28 through August 13)

  • Lady on the Gravestone 50th Chilling Chamber Pop: Citrus cake crumbs, raspberry buttercream, and blue crisp pearls (New)

Available at Liberty Square Popcorn Cart and Various Outdoor Vending Carts (available April 28 through May 1)

  • Jack Skellington Popcorn Bucket (Limit two per, person per transaction while supplies last)
First Look at Disney's Halfway to Halloween Eats and Treats 2022 - ThrillGeek

Disney Springs

The Ganachery (available April 28 through May 1)

  • Sister’s Elixir Hot Cocoa Bomb: Dark chocolate cauldron filled with hot cocoa mix and marshmallows topped with an edible image of the Sanderson Sisters and a chocolate broom stirrer

Gideon’s Bakehouse (available April 28 through May 1)
Get an exclusive trading card during Halfway to Halloween. Each four and six cookie box will feature one of the sixteen cards, plus be on the lookout for a bonus card for those waiting in line featuring Barnabas Mephistophelittle! (Limit of one per person while supplies last)

  • Pumpkin Spice Shadow Cakes: Chocolate-dipped spice cakes with a pumpkin buttercream filling (New)
  • Frankenstein Cake Slices: A three-layer chocolate cake covered in cookies and cream buttercream and loaded with M&M’s
  • Valentina Cake: Classic red velvet cake covered in a light and fluffy cookies and cream marshmallow buttercream

Available at Various Outdoor Vending Carts in West Side (available April 28 through May 1)

  • Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket (Limit two per, person per transaction while supplies last)
Fans Line Up Throughout One Disney Park to Snag New Limited-Time Popcorn Bucket - Inside the Magic

Resorts

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (available April 28 through May 1)

  • Hocus Pocus “Amuck” Cakes: Rich devil’s food cake with “peanut boo-tter” filling decorated to resemble all three Sanderson Sisters

(Note: All offerings are subject to change.)

The Kardashians Made Guests Wait So They Could Ride Attractions By Themselves

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

If you frequent Disneyland Resort — as a lot of locals do — then you know that there is a chance that, on any given day, you could see a celebrity. Oftentimes, those celebrities will be seen being escorted around Disneyland or Disney California Adventure with Cast Members wearing plaid vests. Those vests indicate that the group has paid for a VIP Tour — which means that they don’t have to wait in the stand-by queues to ride an attraction, they get automatic Lightning Lane access.

While the Guests on the VIP tours do get Lightning Lane access, they typically do not get to ride the attractions by themselves. And most would never think to ask. However, that same thought process does not seem to run in the Kardashian family. Kim and her sister Khloé Kardashian recently visited The Happiest Place on Earth with their daughters Chicago and True, as well as their brother Rob’s daughter, Dream. The girls were excited to be in the Parks and ride some of the most popular attractions, which is where the problems originated.

Kardashian's Disneyland

Disneyland Resort is always crowded, as an “off-season” seems to be a thing of the past. Many attraction wait times frequently surpass 30 minutes, forcing Guests to pick and choose what attractions are most important to ride during their trip. So, you can imagine the frustration many of them felt when they were forced to wait even longer because the Kardashians were riding the attractions — by themselves.

kardashian's Disneyland

That’s right. Kim and Khloé posted videos from their magical trip, and it is evident that no one else is on the ride when they are. Kim and her family rode the  Dumbo attraction and all of the other ride vehicles are empty. The long line and crowds can be seen as they circle the Guests.

There were also aggravated Guests at the Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland. Rachael Kevin was visiting Disneyland with her family, waiting to ride the teacups, and shared a video of the long line of people all waiting while the Kardashians rode by themselves. According to Rachael, her family and everyone else in line, were forced to wait even longer, so the Kardashians could have the ride to themselves. In the video, young children can be seen watching a ton of empty cups go around while only a handful of people enjoy the ride.

@shesbrewing

Thanks a lot @Kim Kardashian #disneyland #madteaparty #kardashians #kimandkourtney

♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Now, this is not completely on the Kardashians. A lot of the blame should be directed at Disney. Just because you are a celebrity does not mean that you should get all sorts of special treatment. It does not mean that you should get the ride to yourself. Disney does not have to allow this. They could treat the Kardashians the same as every other group at the Park. They could tell them that their other Guests matter just as much. But they don’t.

Dazzling ‘World of Color’ Returns on April 22 to Disney California Adventure Park

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

“World of Color,” the nighttime spectacular that has enchanted millions of Guests with its dazzling display of water, fire, fog, lights, music and the magic of Disney storytelling, is returning to the Disneyland Resort April 22, 2022! 

This breathtaking extravaganza at Disney California Adventure Park brings animation to life, where Guests can relive memorable scenes from beloved Disney and Pixar films. Powerful dancing fountains shoot high to the sky on Paradise Bay, creating a fantastic movie screen of water and a veil of mist, while lasers electrify the night, capped with a soaring soundtrack. Guest’s may see scenes such as WALL-E and Eve zipping through the cosmos, Pocahontas exploring just around the river bend and Jack Sparrow battling on the sea.

Did you know? Here are a few “World of Color” fun facts!

  • The inspiration for “World of Color” came from Walt Disney himself. The show begins and ends with the original theme song from “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” 1960s television program, which was written by Disney Legends Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman.
  • “World of Color” features a gigantic projected water screen – a wall of water 380 feet wide by 50 feet high, for a projection surface of 19,000 square feet!
  • The fountains can send water to heights ranging from 30 feet to 200 feet – higher than the top of Pixar Pal-A-Round!
  • The “stage” for “World of Color” in Paradise Bay is nearly one acre and longer than a football field!
  • During “World of Color,” Guests will see an array of heroes, heroines and colorful villains from the vast treasure of Disney and Pixar films, with characters from “Finding Nemo,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Toy Story,” “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King.”

When “World of Color” returns, we will be adding a virtual queue system to help you view this popular show. This virtual queue is only accessible via the Disneyland mobile app. Beginning April 22, distribution times for the virtual queue enrollment will begin at noon, daily.* Guests that are able to make a virtual queue selection will receive a notification via the Disneyland app to enter the designated “World of Color” viewing area via one of the two marked entrance points (Blue or Yellow) assigned to them, approximately 45 minutes before the show begins. For how-to details on the virtual queue system, visit Disneyland.com. If the virtual queue reaches capacity, please visit the Paradise Bay viewing area shortly before “World of Color” begins to check in with a Cast Member for walk-up viewing options. Joining the virtual queue for World of Color is not required to view the spectacular, but it is highly recommended.

Check the latest entertainment details and schedules at Disneyland.com or the Disneyland mobile app. Entertainment, experiences, and offerings may be modified, limited in availability or unavailable, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Theme Park reservations and valid admission for the same Park on the same day are required for Park entry. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability and not guaranteed. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. Visit disneytraveltradeinfo.com/dlr for important information to know before your visit, including the latest information on face coverings.

*Please note, in order to enter the virtual queue, you must have entered Disney California Adventure park with a one day, one park ticket/Park Hopper ticket or Disneyland park with a Park Hopper ticket. The virtual queue is only accessible beginning at 12:00 p.m. via the Disneyland mobile app, and is subject to availability. Guests who begin their day at Disneyland may then enter Disney California Adventure park with their Park Hopper ticket after 1 p.m. for their designated entrance and show time. Joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to view “World of Color.”