Disneyland, August 2000: Accidents at Space Mountain, Hotel Construction
It was a rough nine days at Disneyland, twenty-five years ago, August 1 to 9, 2000. Space Mountain came apart, just as a fired worker sued, claiming he was dismissed as a whistleblower about poor ride maintenance. The park sizzled in the heat, as electricity was in short supply, but Disney reported record parks revenue.
Accident-filled period
Space Mountain was closed August 1, after a malfunction the night before. Around 10:55 pm, a wheel “came apart or was dislodged from the track,” bring the ride car to a stop. Passengers were taken to hospital, with a German woman being treated for multiple bruises, and everyone else reporting lesser injuries. Cal/OSHA launched an investigation.
On August 8, two men working on the Grand Californian Hotel fell roughly 25 feet onto a roof, when their scaffolding collapsed. They worked for Custom Metal Fabricators, based in Orange. Initial reports were unsure whether the workers were wearing mandatory safety harnesses.
Also this week, a fired Disneyland maintenance supervisor filed lawsuit that the company fired him as a whistleblower. The ex-employee claimed that Disney was cutting the budget on maintaining rides, but Disney’s response, filed with the Orange County Superior Court, was simply that he took more time off than allowed.
Electricity woes
Temperatures reached in to the 100s in inland areas of southern California, leading to authorities asking for voluntary conservation. It was reported that Disneyland shut down air conditioning and lights in employee areas. A park spokesperson said that the changes didn’t “affect our guests in any way in terms of park experience or safety,” but making cast breaks miserable? That can’t help but challenge cast’s sunny demeanor. Across town, Knott’s closed four of 65 attractions for three hours in the afternoon on August 1 and 2.
Lion King costumes
Disneyland Hotel displayed costumes and masks from Broadway musical The Lion King, until August 31. Surprisingly, the show was promoted as “open 24 hours,” meaning that the hoteliers wouldn’t look at you askew if you wandered into the lobby at 2:37 am to see the elaborate head dresses designed by Julie Taymor.
Speaking of the Disneyland Hotel, both it and the Disneyland Pacific Hotel (now Pixar Place) were $199 per room, per night, double occupancy.
Radio Disney broadcasting live
DJs Just Plain Mark and Zippy broadcast live from Disneyland on August 9, from 1 to 5 pm. The duo — Mark Sutherland and Gary Wallace — had a show on the station from 1997 to 2001. Mouse Planet interviewed the duo before one of their appearances in 2001.
Parks spending at record levels
Disney reported its quarterly earnings, August 3, including that revenue for Parks & Resorts set a new record, with $1.9 billion revenues, $565 million operating income. The 45th anniversary events at Disneyland were in part credited with the record.
Jeff Gottlieb, Greg Hernandez, “Disneyland closes Space Mountain after accident hurts 9,” The Los Angeles Times, 2 August 2000, page B3. Jeff Gottlieb, “State to investigate Disneyland mishap,” The Los Angeles Times, 3 August 2000, page B3. Ana Beatriz Cholo, with contributions from E. Scott Reckard, “2 men injured when scaffold falls at hotel,” The Los Angeles Times, 9 August 2000, page B3, B9. “Ex-Disneyland worker says he was fired for whistle blowing,” The Los Angeles Times, 5 August 2000, page C2. Scott Martelle, Leslie Earnest, “Big users cut power so region keeps its cool,” The Los Angeles Times, A1, A28. Advertisement, The Los Angeles Times, 31 August 2000, page 34-B. “Radio,” The Los Angeles Times, 9 August 2000, page F11. Reuters, “Disney Co. income soars 48% in its 3rd quarter,” The Los Angeles Times, 4 August 2000, page C3.