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Realityland's David Koenig

Castle Drawbridge Will Never Rise Again

Rating: 12 votes, 5.00 average.
This week, work was completed on refurbishment of the drawbridge to Sleeping Beauty Castle, all dictated by the Disney lawyers to prevent the possibility of some guest ever toppling into the moat.

Originally, there were black metal chains along the sides to keep pedestrians on the bridge. Later, shields were added to close the gaps. They have now been replaced with thick wooden railings and posts, with black metal bars and chains for good measure. The additions make it virtually impossible for someone to fall though—and prevents the drawbridge from ever being raised again.

The new wooden railings have been “aged” to match the beams on the castle, but they are a stark contrast to the fresh lumber used for the new drawbridge. Perhaps, Disney is relying on heavy foot traffic to naturally age the boards.

Continuing is work on the stone bridge that leads up to the drawbridge. Monday night, workers jackhammered away the seating areas in the little alcoves that line the parapet of the bridge. Safety management was afraid of guests standing up on the stone benches and losing their balance.

Next up, reported a construction worker on the project, “the parapet of the bridge itself will have railing extensions. Safety said they were about 8 inches too low. To prevent guests from falling off, they must be raised. So it was either install railing extensions or build up the parapet.”

I’ve heard of guests tumbling into lagoons, rivers and canals, but never of anyone falling off the bridge.

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Comments

  1. Disneyphile's Avatar
    This is beyond stupid. Really. I am waiting for a "required dress code" of bubble wrap, joint padding, and crash helmets next.
  2. houseofmouse's Avatar
    When will the insanity end??? What the heck is going on out there?
  3. stan4d_steph's Avatar
    This is ridiculous. Personal accountability has gone out the window in the United States due to our sue-happy culture.
  4. kingu's Avatar
    Cal Osha, Cal Osha, go see Cal Osha... They'll ruin any experience for a fine of $197,000.95
  5. spectromen's Avatar
    I'm so disgusted right now.
    The little alcoves? Has anyone ever fallen off?

    JOKE, this world is becoming.
  6. DwarfPlanet's Avatar
    DW and I loved sitting in the little alcoves and just people watching and taking a break. Its a wonder that they even put in a stone bridge and not cover it with rubber due to someone may trip and fall. You can only idiot proof so far until you become the idiot, Disney lawyers.
  7. nickjandrews's Avatar
    We need to burn the lawyers at the stake. Or hang them! This is far beyond absurd. DL has been open for how many years now with how many guests and not a single instance of this happening?
  8. Jimbo996's Avatar
    The drawbridge is hardly ever raised and lowered. Either way, it is an non-issue.

    Hey, if you really want to know what a frivolous lawsuit is, the on-going legal case brought by those proporting to protect autistic children is it.
  9. Disneylandfanguy's Avatar
    "Castle Drawbridge Will Never Rise Again "

    And when exactly was the park planning on raising the drawbridge again? Has that occasion ever come up in the last 10 years?


    "I’ve heard of guests tumbling into lagoons, rivers and canals, but never of anyone falling off the bridge."


    Let me guess, if you had heard of someone fallen from the drawbridge, you would have made a blog post stating. "Shame on the park for not having fall protection!" Right?

    It's a shame, to be sure. I don't think it's necessary to get rid of the seats, but let's be honest, the original bridge rails did have rather huge gaps. I wouldn't be surprised of people have lost their belongings in the past.

    Mr. Koenig, you always seem to get melodramatic at the park whenever a change is made, but have you ever stopped to consider all of the changes that the park has gone through before your lifetime?
  10. Dave1313's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Disneylandfanguy

    It's a shame, to be sure. I don't think it's necessary to get rid of the seats, but let's be honest, the original bridge rails did have rather huge gaps. I wouldn't be surprised of people have lost their belongings in the past.
    Regarding personal belongings, I'm sure it would still be easy for someone to drop a cell phone and have it accidentally end up in the moat.

    Too many lawyers! (or rather, too many people willing to sue for their own lack of personal responsibility)
    Updated 10-01-2014 at 05:34 AM by Dave1313