Interesting, the things you'll find...

[Ms. Matterhorn]

Another reason to have seatbelts on the trucks.

[Randy B]

LOL...the Sentinal was the first thing I checked earlier. They didnt have the article up yet. LOL

Come On BW, fess up, you know you tossed that lady off cause she was screaming OH MY GOD! over and over. :p:

And the "fire" was the torching of several pairs of heelies. :D:

Randy

[dancinghomer]

That article made me think. On most rides, evacuations are pretty straight forward, but how do you do an emergency evacuation on the safari, especially if something catches fire. Quickly getting out of a vehicle in an area with animals could prove to be a very dangerous situation.

[Randy B]

That article made me think. On most rides, evacuations are pretty straight forward, but how do you do an emergency evacuation on the safari, especially if something catches fire. Quickly getting out of a vehicle in an area with animals could prove to be a very dangerous situation.

Having studied the aerial photos I can state conclusively that a "backstage" area is never more than a stones throw away from the entire safari route. And the more dangerous critters are limited in their range so most of the critters that could come in contact with guests departing a stopped truck would be the types that would tend to avoid contact (Zebra, Ostrich, etc). So I would suspect that unless something happens to cause herd beasts to panic and stampede TOWARD the departing guests, it probably wouldn't be overly dangerous to walk the entire road.

JMHO of course.

Randy

[CMGUY89]

From my discussions with Safari CM's there are designated exit points they can drive off of if need be, but there are also "safe zones" at which evacuated guests can stand and be safe from animals. Usually they can get rescue out there pretty quick through the aforementioned exit points.

[mechurchlady]

I applied for Moms Panel and do not remember how but I found out about it. It is a DISNEY RUN AND OWNED site pretending to be run by people like Polar but IT AINT.

i rate it just below an infected boil as being useful and insiteful. I can go to disboards and other boards and get a ton of information from people who are from many lifestyles and who are experienced. I also can get 10 opinions where they people on Disboards opine on a topic and give useful information. Over there they discuss gay, straight, families, singles, elders, disabled and more. Moms Panel cannot in any way compare to this site, disboards or even MiceChat. hrmph

[Big Wallaby]

Okay, my thing with the mom's panel was that at least, maybe, it will help someone. I am sure someone will look because it's there. Anything to get the info out is a good thing, even if it has its flaws (which, we even have ours here, as well).

As far as the article goes, I am somewhat impressed. They waited to air it until some facts were discovered (whereas, say, the Oregonian would have had something out immediately where five people died), and if you look at most of the people who were injured in their reports, it was their own stupidity, and they come pretty close to outright saying it (the possible exception being the man on Everest, either way thoughts and prayers still with his family as they are still learning to live without him. To me, that's just one of those freak things).

Now, for the things you didn't hear in the news: The driver handled everything perfectly, doing exactly what he should. The incident happened in the best place possible, really. It was in a place not accessible to animals, so they were able to evacuate easily (well, as easily as you can evacuate a safari truck). While most of the animals on the Savannah are probably not going to injure people if they have to evacuate, I would still hate to have to do it near, say, the white rhinos or a few other animals out there. They are used to seeing people in trucks, but not out walking around. Had an incident I was told about in training where a drunk guy jumped out at the white rhinos and they freaked out.

All in all, this is the best this situation could have turned out.

Worst part is when I am sitting there thinking to myself,

Why couldn't that have been Bus 2780?

As far as me not saying anything last night, sorry. I didn't want to be the first, and I wanted to correct anything the newspaper might get wrong.

[lady ulrike]

Ok, I have one question. The only two injuries with the safari (one from this recent incident and one from last quarter) said they were injuries that resulted from people jumping out of the truck (that's the wording the paper used) is it SOP to have guests jump out when evacuating? Or are people just being SGs? Or is the paper exaggerating and they stepped out, but maybe just stepped on uneven terrain in a funky way? Okay, so it's kind of 3 questions, but really that's just the possible answers to the one question.

[Cranbiz]

Why couldn't that have been Bus 2780?

My thoughts exactly. Well, maybe not. My thoughts, Why couldn't that been any 2700 series bus!


Then I thought, We have not had a bus fire since BW left, and now a safari truck burns. Maybe it's the curse of the marsupial! :D:

J/K BW.

On another note, I don't suspose the truck was one of the trucks that suck.

[ktulu]

And the more dangerous critters are limited in their range so most of the critters that could come in contact with guests departing a stopped truck would be the types that would tend to avoid contact (Zebra, Ostrich, etc).

You should come visit during the Texas State Fair when I put on my demonstration of "how to feed an ostrich out of your hand" at the petting zoo. Why they put ostrich's in a petting zoo is beyond me, but if you're not careful they will grab the paper cup out of your hand and swallow it!

As far as the fire, I loved the Fox News article. "Massive Blaze on Disney Ride", but the fire was mostly out when the firemen got there...

News organizations crack me up. Anything to get someone to "tune in"....