Troubled Primeval Whirl Still Not Open

It was supposed to re-open on Wednesday...but it did not. The attraction, originally scheduled for a lengthy refurbishment, remains closed, and it is unclear whether Disney has been given clearance to re-open it after the death of a maintenance worker, hit by one of the vehicles while working on the ride in March.

There have been some signs of testing--vehicles moving on the track--so the open could be merely delayed a few days. Or, this could be could be another nail in the coffin of an attraction with a troubled history. Only time will tell.

Cast Member Dies After Head Injury at Animal Kingdom

A Walt Disney World Cast Member, 52-year-old Russell Roscoe, an attraction mechanic with Animal Kingdom Engineering Services, was pronounced dead this morning after experiencing a head injury Sunday at around 3:45 p.m. while working on the Primeval Whirl attraction at Animal Kingdom. The ride was not operating for guests, as it was undergoing refurbishment. The 911 call reveals that Roscoe was hit by a moving vehicle. Few other details have been released, and OSHA is investigating the accident.

This is the second death associated with this particular attraction. In 2007, a CM died five days after falling from the platform of the ride. After that, sensors were added to prevent similar tragedies from happening. In 2008, federal investigators faulted Disney for five safety violations and fined the company $21,000 for the accident.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Roscoe family.