According to the Disney Parks Twitter, the Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is now serving breakfast options. Also according to the official twitter updates, the new “breakfast service features egg-bacon, pancake platters for adults and children”. We do not have any pictures of the service in operation yet, but will try to cover this new breakfast option as soon as possible.
The WDWNTube Disney Parks video site has just become home to the very first video of the Magic Kindom’s “Wishes!” fireworks as seen from the observation deck on top of the new Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort!!! For your enjoyment, we have embedded the video below:
This weekend was a celebration of America at the Walt Disney World Resort, and WDWNT Videographer Matt Paul was there to capture all the festivities for the WDWNTube Disney Parks video site. Below you’ll find video of the new Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom, the “Celebrate America” fireworks show from July 4th, and the special patriotic tag from Illumination: Reflections of Earth:
WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber has put together a video recapping the monorail accident from this morning, featuring insight from a former Walt Disney World Monorail pilot on what may have happened. WARNING: This video may contain pictures and images too graphic for some, please watch at your own discretion:
From the Orlando Sentinel:
Two Walt Disney World monorail trains collided early Sunday morning, killing the operator of one of the trains.
Walt Disney World spokesman Mike Griffin said the crash happened at about 2 a.m. Sunday, on one of the monorail’s last runs of the day.
Austin Wenneberg, 21, a Disney employee who was piloting one of the monorails died at the scene of the accident, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said. One other employee was transported to Florida Hospital Celebration. The second driver’s injuries were not serious, Griffin said.
WESH.com photos of the scene: http://www.wesh.com/slideshow/news/19956082/detail.html
ClickOrlando.com video, shot by a guest: http://www.clickorlando.com/video/19956043/index.html
WPTV.com photo of crash: http://www.wptv.com/Photo.aspx?content_id=0c8c0e15-cdc9-488b-9f03-a72f43ccef1aThe trains were transporting guests leaving Epcot. Six park guests were on the train during the crash, and were evaluated by paramedics at the scene according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
According to park schedules, Epcot closed Saturday at 10 p.m.
The wreck is the first fatal accident in the Walt Disney World monorail system’s almost 38-year history, according to CFNews13.com. However, at Disneyland in California, there has been at least one death on the monorail system, according to park historians.
Walt Disney World officials said they are working with law enforcement officials to find out what happened.
“Our heart goes out to the cast member and the family,” Griffin said.
Epcot is scheduled to open on time at 9 a.m. today, but the monorail to the park will not be in service, according to a Walt Disney World spokeswoman.
Walt Disney World released the following statement from Griffin regarding the incident:
“Today, we mourn the loss of our fellow cast member. Our hearts go out to his family and to those who have lost a friend and co-worker. The safety of our guests and cast members is always our top priority. The monorail is out of service and we will continue to work closely with law enforcement to determine what happened and the approximate next steps.”
Check back for updates.
We have sad news to report this morning. It would appear that 2 monorail trains have collided. Full details are not available yet, but as they become available we will post them here. Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased driver. Below, find details from cnn.com:
(CNN) — A monorail train at Walt Disney World crashed into the back of another train early Sunday, killing one driver, according to an amusement park spokesman and a witness interviewed by CNN.
A 2 a.m. ET monorail crash at Disney World killed one person, a park spokesperson said.
The crash occurred about 2 a.m. at one of the monorail stops at Disney World in Florida, said the witness, who requested anonymity.
“Today we mourn the loss of our fellow cast member,” said a statement by Mike Griffin, Disney’s vice president for public affairs. “Our hearts go out to his family and to those who have lost a friend and co-worker.”
The statement said the monorail was shut down, “and we will continue to work closely will law enforcement to determine what happened and the appropriate next steps.”
The witness said one monorail train rammed into the back of a stationary train. A photo of the crash provided by the witness showed the front car of a train badly damaged where it hit another train at a station.
According to the witness, a family of six in one train was freed from a damaged car. The witness said the family was shaken but uninjured.
Matt Paul visited the Magic Kingdom on July 3rd to witness the new citizen naturalization ceremony, as well as to see the “Celebrate America” fireworks and he has some photos to share:
The castle forecourt stage was decked out
I have returned from my latest trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, and there were plenty of things going on in the last week. So let’s not waste any time, on to my photo report:
There is a large balloon promoting “UP” outside the AMC Theater in Downtown Disney West Side
Walt Disney World has released a video of the swearing in of 1000 new American citizens that took place yesterday at the Magic Kingdom:
Our own Conner Purzycki has sent in a video of the updated Fantasmic, featuring just the new Crocodile and Flotsam and Jetsam (no dragon unfortunately). Here’s his video, embedded through our wonderful WDWNTube Disney Parks Video Site:
