I debated over whether or not to approach this as, in the past, many of the on-site injuries reported in the news wind up being overblown or of no fault to the park itself. However, I found that this particular accident might serve as a caution to those new and repeat visitors to the Magic Kingdom.
On Tuesday, February 14th, a 70 year old man fell on the loading conveyor belt while boarding Peter Pan’s Flight and landed in front of an approaching ride vehicle. Cast Members immediately stopped the ride and the man was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. His injuries were not critical according to a recent article in the Orlando Sentinel, but the man did have to be hospitalized.
For those unfamiliar with Peter Pan’s Flight at the Walt Disney World Resort, when boarding your “pirate ship” vehicle, you step onto a large conveyor belt (much like the ones you usher your groceries down at the supermarket) and step into one of the ride vehicles. The purpose of this conveyor belt was to make loading faster, lines shorter, and the ride more overall efficient.
However, it’s always disconcerting when you first step onto that conveyor belt and as the ride vehicles move along side the belt, it is sometimes a bit tricky getting into the ride vehicle. So, in order to turn this blog entry from sensationalism to (hopefully) helpful, here are a few tips for those that plan to ride the ride:
1. Before you step onto the conveyor belt, get your bearings. See exactly where the conveyor belt starts and where exactly you are stepping.
2. Don’t rush. If you can’t get on that particular ride vehicle, the cast member will seat you on the next one.
3. Older guests who have balance problems should receive a helpful hand when at all possible. If you are unsure, ask a cast member to find someone to assist you.
4. When all else fails and you know you’re not going to balance well on that conveyor belt, use the handicap entrance. This should only be used if you are absolutely unable to step onto that conveyor belt, but it is much better than falling if you have balance problems.
This isn’t a scary ordeal for most guests, but as with anything mobile – escalators, elevators, etc. – there are safety precautions you should take. Peter Pan’s Flight is a gentle ride and can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.