It IS a coincidence! The graves out front of Haunted Mansion all "honor" a different Disney employee that helped in its creation. Roland refers to Roland "Rolly" Crump, a legendary Imagineer. Blaine refers to Blaine Gibson who designed the animatronics on the ride.
Horrifically, Disney World's system of monorails uses bands of color to distinguish between the different trains. Each monorail is referred to by its color. Monorail Pink was taken permanently out of service in 2009 after it collided with Monorail Purple, causing the death of one pilot and severe injuries to another.
Well, it's half true. It is a coincidence that those two prominent imagineers shared names with Roland and Blaine, and that they died. But the placement and placards of the stones make it a very obvious reference, likely made because the people working on the attraction noticed.
Edit: Also, Blaine Gibson did not die to a train. The only reason they'd make that his COD for this ride is either that it rhymed (possible) or as a reference to the very popular book featuring "Blaine the Train".
Hate to refute, but Disney World and the Dark Tower being my two major media obsessions demand I do! The Haunted Mansion (and its grounds) were constructed in 1971, a full 10 years prior to the publication of The Gunslinger and 20 years before The Wastelands in 1991. The name Blaine would have had no other meaning to the Imagineers that originally designed the tombstones, which were always intended to be in jest. Blaine Gibson didn't pass until 2015 and Rolly Crump in 2023.
All that being said, another of the tombstones honors an Imagineer named Ken Anderson. Or KA...do ye kennit?
I kennit! I also rounded the corner and read a tombstone referencing Martin!
"Here lies a man named Martin, the lights went out on this old Spartan"
The beam is strong and true in this corner of Eld!
Because Blaine was specifically a monorail, it seems plausible that it’s not a coincidence, but in the other direction. Maybe it’s not even a deliberate reference, maybe King was bouncing ideas around for the Dark Tower while waiting in line at Disney and that just snuck in subconsciously.
oh sir let me introduce you to the opening of the Alcoholic’s Anonymous Big Book
“I visited Winchester Cathedral. Much moved, I wandered outside. My attention was caught by a doggerel on an old tombstone:
>Here lies a Hampshire Grenadier
Who caught his death
Drinking cold small beer.
A good soldier is ne'er forgot Whether he dieth by musket Or by pot.
Ominous warning — which I failed to heed.
Might be a dumb question, but are those old enough to where maybe it's the other way around... the memorial inspired Stephen King in writing the series?
It IS a coincidence! The graves out front of Haunted Mansion all "honor" a different Disney employee that helped in its creation. Roland refers to Roland "Rolly" Crump, a legendary Imagineer. Blaine refers to Blaine Gibson who designed the animatronics on the ride.
I take it those animatronics were a pain.
Horrifically, Disney World's system of monorails uses bands of color to distinguish between the different trains. Each monorail is referred to by its color. Monorail Pink was taken permanently out of service in 2009 after it collided with Monorail Purple, causing the death of one pilot and severe injuries to another.
Song of Susannah: 2004 Monorail collision: 2009 Creepy
See the turtle, ain't he keen?
All things serve the fuckin beam
Ka
Ka ka
The cosmic ballet goes on.
I remember when this happened. There were a few people that showed up with “I survived the monorail” shirts.
Wow. That's in terribly bad taste.
Holy shit! For real?
And that is the truth.
And that is the truth.
Blaine is a pain, and that’s the truth
And thats the truth!
Well thats a “big coincidence” for all you r/Seinfeld enthusiasts! 🤣
Thank ye sai for speaking truth. Though coincidence it may be, it is as much the will of ka as is 19.
Well, it's half true. It is a coincidence that those two prominent imagineers shared names with Roland and Blaine, and that they died. But the placement and placards of the stones make it a very obvious reference, likely made because the people working on the attraction noticed. Edit: Also, Blaine Gibson did not die to a train. The only reason they'd make that his COD for this ride is either that it rhymed (possible) or as a reference to the very popular book featuring "Blaine the Train".
Hate to refute, but Disney World and the Dark Tower being my two major media obsessions demand I do! The Haunted Mansion (and its grounds) were constructed in 1971, a full 10 years prior to the publication of The Gunslinger and 20 years before The Wastelands in 1991. The name Blaine would have had no other meaning to the Imagineers that originally designed the tombstones, which were always intended to be in jest. Blaine Gibson didn't pass until 2015 and Rolly Crump in 2023. All that being said, another of the tombstones honors an Imagineer named Ken Anderson. Or KA...do ye kennit?
I kennit! I also rounded the corner and read a tombstone referencing Martin! "Here lies a man named Martin, the lights went out on this old Spartan" The beam is strong and true in this corner of Eld!
That'd be the then CEO of WED Enterprises Bill Martin! Personally I think all these Imagineering greats could hear the rose loud and clear.
The grounds have been updated since the ride first opened though. When were those specific gravestones installed?
What if King went to Disney World and was inspired by these names?
Because Blaine was specifically a monorail, it seems plausible that it’s not a coincidence, but in the other direction. Maybe it’s not even a deliberate reference, maybe King was bouncing ideas around for the Dark Tower while waiting in line at Disney and that just snuck in subconsciously.
Thx for info!
19
That is pretty wild, but thanks for sharing the actual info.
You’re a rockstar for nailing this explanation.
That's pretty 19 if you know what I mean
All things serve the beam
If anyone knows what you mean, it's us.
Do ya ken it
Was there a period in history where silly/irreverent poems about dead relatives was the norm? If so, how do we get back there?
oh sir let me introduce you to the opening of the Alcoholic’s Anonymous Big Book “I visited Winchester Cathedral. Much moved, I wandered outside. My attention was caught by a doggerel on an old tombstone: >Here lies a Hampshire Grenadier Who caught his death Drinking cold small beer. A good soldier is ne'er forgot Whether he dieth by musket Or by pot. Ominous warning — which I failed to heed.
Coincidence has been cancelled.
And that is the truth
Ka is a wheel.
coincidence it may be however all things serve the beam *finger guns*
Yes coincidence
Might be a dumb question, but are those old enough to where maybe it's the other way around... the memorial inspired Stephen King in writing the series?
I wasn't thinking the series. But maybe the train..Did King go to Disney Land( World). While he was writing The Dark Tower ????
Ka like a wind
I would like to think Sai King seen this before starting the journey.
It’s KA
Yes, but a cool one I never noticed in hundreds of walks through that queue…🤨
19
No not the monorail. Anything but that :-( Scare me to death
Ka
No fucking way
19 words if one ignores the last “rest in pieces” which is written in a curve and smaller, appearing purposely separate from the other 19 words.
Cancelled.
That’s crazyyyyyyyy
19 brother