UniversalParksBlog News for October 24th, 2022
Universal Studios parks have experienced a strange couple of weeks. We’ve got multiple injury reports and some human remains to discuss.
Yes, we’re doing the whole “if it bleeds, it leads” thing in the latest UniversalParksBlog News.
Photo:universal
The Universal Studios Injury Report
Every time an injury occurs at a theme park, the operators must report it to local officials.
Then, once a quarter, these results become public in a statement called the MOU Exempt Facilities Report.
Generally, these results aren’t detailed. A couple of years ago, we learned that an individual had suffered paralysis due to an unfortunate water park incident.
Photo: Volcano Bay
The report had listed the injury as a person experiencing “numbness.” So, you should always take these reports with a grain of salt.
Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World don’t want to scare away customers by providing any indicator that their attractions may prove unsafe.
Photo: TravelSavvy
Still, we should always pay attention to the reports in case trends develop. For instance, the injury I just described proved to be just one of 115 on that ride. Trends develop over time.
In the most recent MOU Exempt Facilities Report, the data covers injuries suffered from July through September 2022.
Photo: NBC via Getty Images
This quarter’s most significant issue occurred at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. A guest suffered syncope, which is a technical term for passing out.
Four other attractions caused guests various forms of discomfort. For example, a tourist at Hollywood Rip Rockit got a headache (it was probably worse than that), while someone on the VelociCoaster reported neck pain.
Photo: IG/ @thejourneyduo
A guest also suffered abdominal pain on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.
Another experienced chest pain on Kopiko Wai Winding River, which is just a lazy river. Similarly, someone else got nauseous at Poseidon’s Fury.
So, as you can see, these things can happen anywhere. Some are innocent, while others probably hide a more stressful story.
Photo: Disney
Perhaps the most interesting story didn’t happen at Universal. A guest rode Tomorrowland Speedway at Magic Kingdom…and immediately went into labor.
CSI: Osaka
Since I write about Disney and Universal frequently, I check Japanese websites regularly. And I never know what I’ll find.
Photo: Universal Studios Japan
One day, local reporters will complain about the quality of collector’s cups. Then, they’ll sometimes follow it up with a discussion about…human remains.
Yes, Universal Studios Japan officials learned the other day that a dead body has resided on the Osaka campus for a while now.
I don’t want to be gross here, but I’m surprised people didn’t notice due to the smell.
Apparently, an individual, reportedly a male aged 60-79, died at the parks two years ago.
Nobody noticed, possibly due to a park closure due to the pandemic. So, the bones sat in the same general vicinity until a lawn care worker stumbled across part of the skull.
At this point, the understandably freaked-out employee reported the matter.
PhotoLjapancheapo.com
Then, park officials brought sniffing dogs to the scene, where they recovered the rest of the corpse. I apologize if this description is too graphic for you.
I’m saying this to confirm two aspects. First, nobody believes that foul play was involved here, at least not yet.
Osaka officials performed an autopsy that determined that the bones hadn’t taken any damage.
Photo: Lift Echo
While medical experts haven’t identified the cause of death yet, the prevailing belief thus far is that the individual died of natural causes.
Also, none of this happened near any Universal Studios Japan attractions.
The unlucky worker discovered the body in shrubs on a road close to but west of the park.
Photo: Hollywood Reporter
As such, no tourist was ever in any danger of stumbling into skeletal bones. Instead, it was seemingly just a random death that occurred on the Universal Studios Japan campus.
I’ll update the story in the unlikely event that police reveal anything more nefarious.
RIP Hagrid
We’ve got a sad story this week for Universal Studios fans. Since 2010, the pride of the parks has been The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Photo:instagram/universalorlando
Universal officials correctly anticipated that guests want to live out our wizarding fantasies.
The concept has proven so popular that Disney has expanded it multiple times. Most recently, Universal added Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Photo: Universal
Since the roller coaster’s inception, it has proven to be the most popular ride at Universal, maybe even on the East Coast.
Sadly, the actor who portrays Hagrid has died. Actor Robbie Coltrane first gained acclaim in the starring role in the British series, Cracker.
Coltrane’s work earned him an unprecedented three consecutive British Academy Television Awards from 1994-1996.
Photo: people
Coltrane leveraged his popularity into a recurring role in the James Bond franchise. Then, the actor earned the role of a lifetime as Hagrid in the Harry Potter franchise.
Calling him beloved almost undersells what he means to Harry Potter fans. Perhaps the only character more revered is Alan Rickman as Snape, a bittersweet acknowledgment.
Both men have died too young. Rickman passed away at 69, while Coltrane was 72.
Photo: people
The actor suffered from a crippling degenerative arthritic condition that had reduced him to a wheelchair since 2019. So, this news isn’t a surprise.
Potter actors have lined up to offer heartwarming stories about Coltrane’s kindness, while fans have paid tribute at the parks.
Photo: fox35 orlando
People are holding up their wands and leaving flowers in memory of Coltrane, a loving means of remembering a brilliant actor.
On a personal note, this Blackadder scene was my first viewing of Coltrane’s talent. It remains one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard:
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Feature Photo: Universal
