Last fall, an Animal Kingdom employee by the name of Karen Price was hit by a coaster car on Primeval Whirl, and died as a result of her injuries. Four months later, Disney is taking steps to ensure this won’t happen again, but installing sensor mats in the area where you enter and exit the coaster cars. I’ve been on the ride several times, and have noticed more than once that you need to move pretty swiftly around the cars to make it in and out without injuring yourself.

The sensor mats won’t change anything for riders, who will still need to move pretty quickly to enter and exit the cars, but the rides will shut down if anyone steps in a designated area beyond the loading area.

It’s been confirmed that the man who died this week on Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom (part of Walt Disney World) had a heart condition. An autopsy showed that Jeffery Reeb had an enlarged and weakened heart. Since visitors with high blood pressure, heart, back and neck problems are asked not to ride, I don’t think Disney will be getting sued over this one.

I just heard on the news that a man died yesterday after riding on Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. This is without a doubt, one of our favorite rides at any theme park. Even my son, who is normally scared of larger coasters, goes on Expedition Everest. It’s not a wild ride, but it’s unique in that it goes backwards inside of the fake mountain at one point, with the track shifting behind you so that you go forward in another direction. At the end, you go down an 80 foot hill.

The name, Jeffery Reed, was 44 and I’m assuming in good health, as visitors with high blood pressure, heart, back and neck problems are asked not to ride. When the ride ended, he was no longer conscious, but he was alert during the photograph portion of the ride, which is done just before the 80 foot drop.

Disney officials verified that the ride is working properly, but it will remain closed. This is the most recent death at Disney since a small child died after riding Mission: Space at Epcot.

We’ve got plans to go to Busch Gardens this weekend with friends. I can’t even remember the last time we went to the park, despite having season passes. I know it was before Sheikra went floorless. Speaking of Sheikra, my 11 year old can’t wait to ride it, and she’s trying to convince me to do the same. No way, man! I’m trying to convince my 10 year old to join me on Montu, but she wants to try Gwazi. That’s the wooden coaster that gives me a beating every time I ride it. It has to be the roughest coaster I’ve EVER been on. No thanks! I prefer Montu - smooth ride, nice loops, and dangling feet!