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Primeval Whirl
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Location Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
Coordinates 28°21′23″N 81°35′15″W / 28.356378°N 81.587606°W / 28.356378; -81.587606
Park section Dinoland U.S.A.
Status Defunct
Operated March 31, 2002 to March 15, 2020
Statistics
Manufacturer Reverchon
Product Spinning Coaster
Type Steel - Spinning - Wild Mouse - Twin
Riders per train 4
Hourly capacity 900
Propulsion Chain lift hill
Area 62.3 feet × 137.8 feet
Height 42.7 feet 42.7 feet
Speed 29.1 mph 29.1 mph
Length 1377.9 feet 1377.9 feet
Inversions 0 0
Duration 1:30 1:30
G-force 2.5 2.5

Primeval Whirl was a duo of steel spinning wild mouse roller coasters located at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA. The ride was originally manufactured by French company Reverchon, but Disney made modifications to the attraction and afterward claimed to be the ride's manufacturer.[1]

History

Primeval Whirl opened on March 31, 2002 with its official opening on April 18.[2]

The rides reverted to seasonal operation in 2019, and in July 2020, a memo to cast members confirmed the coasters' permanent closure.[3] The roller coasters were subsequently scrapped in 2021.[4]

Incidents

A 63-year-old employee fell off the ride's platform on November 24, 2007 and died five days later.[5] Following the accident, Disney added additional safety measures to the ride to prevent a similar incident.[6] Federal investigators later charged Walt Disney World with five safety violations and fined the company $21,500.[7]

A 52-year-old mechanic suffered was struck by a moving vehicle on March 13, 2011 and died the following day.[8] The attraction was closed at the time of the accident. [9] In September, Disney was fined $69,000 for three safety citations related to the death, including that gate sensors were not maintained and that guardrails were not installed properly.[10]

Design

Both Primeval Whirl rides were standard spinning wild mouse roller coasters manufactured by Reverchon. The two coasters did not race each other, or interact in any way.

Trains

Single cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row, for a total of 4 riders per car.

Images

References

  1. Garcia, Jason (2011-06-08). "Disney Ride Idled Through Summer". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
  2. Haymon Long, Karen (2002-04-19). "Disney Coaster Is No Small Whirl". The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
  3. "BREAKING: Rivers of Light closed forever, Confirmation of Primeval Whirl and Stitch's Great Escape permanent closures". Blog Mickey.
  4. Soberman, Matthew (2021-10-02). "PHOTOS: Props and Track Torn Down at Primeval Whirl as Demolition Continues at Disney's Animal Kingdom". WDW News Today. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  5. "Disney worker dies". Journal and Courier. 2007-11-30. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
  6. Powers, Scott (2008-03-05). "Enhancing a ride's safety features". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
  7. Powers, Scott (2008-05-24). "Disney hits with violations, fined $21,500". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
  8. Garcia, Jason (2011-06-08). "Disney Ride Idled Through Summer". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
  9. Postal, Leslie (2011-03-14). "Animal Kingdom worker injured at Primeval Whirl". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
  10. "Disney fined for violations in park death". The Bradenton Herald. 2011-09-17. Retrieved 2025-05-25.

External links

Articles on Walt Disney World
Present coasters
Former coasters
Present rides
Former water slides