Disneyland doesn't want to be your nanny -- and shouldn't be

How many years has it been since parents let their kids roam freely around the neighborhood in Southern California? Two decades? Three?

How bizarre, then, to read Wednesday morning that Disneyland has just stopped allowing parents to ditch -- I mean drop off! -- their children at the amusement park to spend the day roaming around free of adult supervision.

Starting Saturday, according to a story by Times staffer Hugo Martin, children will have to be accompanied by someone at least 14 years of age.

I mean, what? Were they letting in packs of 6-year-olds?

It’s definitely not cheaper to give your child free rein in Toon Town than to hire a baby-sitter. Daily tickets are an eye-popping $81 for those under 10 and $87 for everyone else. (Kids under 3 get in free.)

On the other hand, if you buy an annual pass, as Martin pointed out, that will set you back less than $700, which, over time, could be a real deal baby-sitting-wise.

I recall a story that ran nearly 20 years ago in the Los Angeles Times that featured parents lying on the beach at Raging Waters, the San Dimas amusement park, while their children frolicked around unsupervised.

“I just want to come to the beach,” said one unidentified mother. “I sit or sleep or smoke a cigarette or whatever and the kids play in the water. With all these lifeguards everywhere, it's like a baby-sitter for your kids. I can really relax. Yeah, now that is raging."

Some readers were appalled that a parent would use an amusement park as a sitter substitute.

Well, the parents might have been smoking, or napping, but at least they were present.

What parent in this day and age would let a kid in the single digits roam around an 85-acre park unsupervised? Even 10, 11 or 12 is dicey if you ask me.

I’d love to hear from you if you consider Disneyland, or any other theme park, an appropriate destination for your unaccompanied child. I would really love to know what you are thinking.

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Twitter: @robinabcarian

robin.abcarian@latimes.com

Photo: Visitors pass by the entrance gate to Disney California Adventure on Monday. Beginning Saturday, children under age 14 will have to be accompanied by someone 14 or older to get into the park. Credit: Christina House / Los Angeles Times

Cruise ship Queen Elizabeth to visit Queen Mary in Long Beach

In keeping with tradition, the newest Cunard ocean liner -- Queen Elizabeth -- will sail by Long Beach Harbor on Tuesday night to pay homage to her predecessor the Queen Mary, once the undisputed grand dame of the North Atlantic.

This is the third “royal rendezvous” in four decades between one of Cunard’s modern vessels and the Queen Mary. Organizers have scheduled a whistle salute, fireworks display and free admission to Long Beach’s iconic flagship for the “once in a generation meeting.”

Over the past decades Cunard Line, which use to own the Long Beach ship, has sent vessels to pay tribute to the first queen. In the early 1980s, Cunard Princess made a stop to say “hello,” according to the Queen Mary website. In 2006, it was the Queen Mary 2 and in 2011 it was Queen Victoria. The latest will be the 2,068-passenger Queen Elizabeth, which went into service in October 2010.

Organizers and cruise ship officials say Tuesday's meeting between the two ships will be the most poignant of all because the original Queen Elizabeth -- whom the current ship is named for -- and the Queen Mary crossed the North Atlantic regularly from 1946 to 1967. Both ships were owned by Cunard Line at the time. 

“Every Wednesday one queen would leave New York and the other queen would leave England,” said Everett Hoard, commodore of the Queen Mary. “And in mid-transatlantic, they would cross each other.”

Adding additional historical significance to the meeting is the Goodyear Blimp, based in nearby Carson. Goodyear built hundreds of blimps for the U.S. Navy in World War II to serve as coastal patrols and to escort convoy and troop ships such as the Queen Mary and the original Queen Elizabeth.

“We’re very proud of these contributions, and that not a single ship was ever lost when one of our blimps stood guard overhead,”  said Elizabeth Flynn, spokeswoman for the Spirit of America. “We are honored to provide escort to Queen Elizabeth as she meets up with her sister the Queen Mary.”

Tuesday’s event is organized by the Queen Mary and Cunard Lines. The Queen Mary is managed by Evolution Hospitality. 

Free admission to the Queen Mary will be offered from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Organizers say the best public viewing location will be on the ship's Promenade Deck. The Queen Elizabeth will sail into the harbor about 6:30 p.m., followed by whistle salutes. The fireworks display will begin at 7:30 p.m.

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Photo: The Queen Mary at its permanent dock in Long Beach Harbor in a 2011 file photo. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times  

State coastal panel OKs zip line for Venice Beach

The California Coastal Commission on Thursday approved a pilot program that would bring a zip line to the Venice Beach recreation area this spring and summer.

Under the plan approved on a 7-4 vote, as many as four 750-foot-long zip lines would run above park land on the seaward side of the boardwalk between Horizon and 17th avenues. They would run between a 44-foot-high take-off platform and a 24-foot-high landing platform.

Rides would cost about $20 each.

Los Angeles Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents the area, said he hoped the zip lines would be in place by Memorial Day.

Some critics decried the prospect of hundreds of screaming zip line riders in the recreation area. But proponents said the city's share of proceeds would help pay to clean bathrooms and trash cans at the popular venue.

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Amusement parks' liability for injuries is limited, court rules

The California Supreme Court on Monday limited the liability of amusement parks, ruling 6-1 that riders of bumper cars and similar attractions cannot sue for injuries that are inherent to the rides.

“A small degree of risk inevitably accompanies the thrill of speeding through curves and loops, defying gravity or, in bumper cars, engaging in the mock violence of low-speed collisions,” Justice Kathryn Mickle Werdegar wrote for the majority. “Those who voluntarily join in these activities also voluntarily take on their minor inherent risks.”

The court’s decision extended a doctrine that limits liability for inherently risky activity associated with sports. The decision extends a doctrine that involved sports like football and skiing and certain forms of recreation.

Amusement parks will continue to be required to use the utmost care on thrill rides such as roller coasters, where riders surrender control to the operator. The court distinguished bumper cars from roller coasters, noting the former rely on driver participation and inherently involve collisions.

The case was brought by a woman who broke her wrist on a bumper car at California’s Great America park in the Bay Area. Rejecting her lawsuit, the court said amusement parks were required only “not to unreasonably increase the risk of injury” inherent in such rides.

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Photo: The Great America amusement park in Santa Clara. Credit: Paul Sakuma / Associated Press

Three hurt when wheel falls off Knott's stagecoach ride

Three people were hospitalized when a stagecoach ride carrying 14 visitors lost a wheel and flipped at  Knott's Berry Farm.

The stagecoach fell to its side and sent 14 passengers tumbling Sunday afternoon. The three passengers taken to the hospital suffered minor injuries, a Knott's spokesman said.

Knott’s closed the stagecoach ride until further notice.

“Three guests were transported to a local hospital for minor injuries," Knott's officials said in a statement. "The ride will be closed until further notice. Guest safety is Knott’s number one priority.”

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Disneyland contract employee hurt working on Space Mountain roof

A 37-year-old Disneyland contract worker cleaning the roof of Space Mountain sustained moderate injuries Wednesday when his harness malfunctioned, authorities said.

He slid about 20 feet before coming to a halt on the lip of the large, ridged roof. Anaheim firefighters responded to the call about 7 a.m., parking a truck beneath the injured man, extending a ladder and lowering him down in a basket.

The rescue took about 45 minutes and concluded before the park opened for visitors, said Anaheim Fire Marshal Jeff Lutz. 

"it was a real easy, uncomplicated operation," Lutz said.

Space Mountain, a high-speed indoor roller-coaster ride through the dark, is one of the park's most popular attractions. Wednesday's injury was the second accident to occur in two months. On Oct. 3 a Disneyland machinist sustained head, back and neck injuries when he was struck by one of the vehicles he was testing. 

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is investigating the October incident and Wednesday's injury, said Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown.

The machinst injured in October was released from the hospital about a week ago, but Brown said she could not comment on his condition, citing patient privacy laws.

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Mitt Romney loses election, but still goes to Disneyland

Where would you go after losing a presidential election? Mitt Romney chose the Happiest Place on Earth.

The former Republican presidential candidate and governor of Massachusetts was spotted at Disneyland on Tuesday, according to several photo-snapping Twitter users who were also at the Anaheim park. Romney appeared to be accompanied by several members of his family, including his wife, Ann.

Dozens of people tweeted about Romney's appearance at the park. Some of those messages are included below.

Mitt Romney goes to Disneyland

Storified by @lanow's curation of social media � Wed, Nov 21 2012 10:38:03

Mitt Romney, you have just lost the 2012 Presidential election. What are you going to now?! HE'S GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!!!!Jenny Bug

Mitt Romney rockin' a tire at Disneyland's California Adventure. #romney #disneyland http://pic.twitter.com/0Oufu3ZuStansell

So, supposedly Mitt Romney was here in Disneyland yesterday. And everyone saw him. Except us. I guess he didn't buy a park hopper... o_OJohn Himpe

Mitt Romney wears a collared dress shirt at Disneyland. #lightenupbuddykatie

Oh hi. Mitt Romney was at Disneyland today. http://pic.twitter.com/cfeRGO1LMelissa Rogers

Mitt Romney was at Disneyland today. Couldn't pull the sword from the stone. The guy just can't win.Jason Queen

Mitt Romney went to Disneyland today. He's still trying to take Californialand.Wendy Liebman

Just saw mitt Romney at Disneyland on space mountain no big deal lolBrittany Yanni

I just saw Mitt Romney here at Disneyland. I guess win or lose, everyone's going to Disneyland.Charlie Hinojosa

 

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Photo: Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth. Credit: Jay Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

State probes critical injury of Disney worker at Space Mountain

State officials are investigating an accident at Disneyland's Space Mountain that left a 68-year-old machinist in critical condition.

The Oct. 3 accident occurred as the machinist was testing a vehicle on the popular, high-speed ride, said Patricia Ortiz, a California Division of Occupational Safety and Health spokeswoman.

“Preliminary information that we heard was that he was struck by the vehicle … how [is] still being determined,” Ortiz said.

The Disney worker suffered critical back, chest and head injuries and was taken to UCI Medical Center, authorities said.

KNBC identified the worker as Christopher Monday, a Lakewood resident.

Suzi Brown of Disneyland Resort said that the ride did not malfunction and that “it was cleared for normal operation.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our cast member and his family,"  she said. "On behalf of his fellow cast members, we offer our heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery.” 

Ortiz said as the state investigates the accident, employees or witnesses who may have been present at the time of the accident will be interviewed.

The investigation could take up to six months.

-- Ari Bloomekatz

Photo: Space Mountain. Credit: Disney.

 

 

Male killer whale hurt at SeaWorld in San Diego

An 11-year-old killer whale injured during a show at SeaWorld in San Diego continues to recuperate but is currently not performing in the Shamu Show, SeaWorld said Wednesday.

Nakai, a male, suffered a deep gash to his lower jaw during a show with two other orcas Sept. 20.

SeaWorld officials say the injury occurred when the animal accidentally scraped his jaw on the side of the pool. But the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has suggested it was the result of a fight with other killer whales.

"The lives of orcas at SeaWorld consist of privation, stress, injury and premature death," said PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. The group has called for an investigation by the Department of Agriculture, which inspects animal parks.

But in a statement, SeaWorld said that its methods of care "exceed standards set by the (federal) Animal Welfare Act. There is no organization more passionately committed to the physical, mental and social care and well-being of animals than SeaWorld."

PETA has scheduled a protest outside SeaWorld for Wednesday.

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Photo: Nakai's injury. Credit:  Ingrid Visser / Orca Research Trust

Man falls from water slide at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

A man has been hospitalized after falling from a water slide at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Valencia.

Park spokeswoman Sue Carpenter said the 19-year-old made his way up Venom Drop, part of a 75-foot-high group of slides called Black Snake Summit, about 4:15 p.m. Sunday, according to KTLA-TV.

The man then passed other people in line, and went down the slide head-first on his stomach, even though protocol is to go down feet-first on the back.

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He was not cleared to go down the slide by lifeguards. The man fell off the slide about halfway down and landed on the pavement, the station said.

"He just hit the concrete. ... There was a loud bang," witness Tristan Esparza told KTLA. "Everybody heard it."