How difficult an undertaking is it to write about someone that wasn’t famous and you never even met? I wondered that as I sat down at the keyboard to write this. I’m speaking of Austin Wuennenberg, the monorail pilot that lost his life last weekend in a monorail accident
at Walt Disney World.
Austin worked in a place he loved doing a job he loved – monorail pilot. How do I know that? Because no one who deals directly with the guests as Disney calls them does it for the money. There isn’t much of that involved with working for Disney. They do it for the love of the job, for the chance to make the guests happy and for the good feeling they get inside when they have done their job well.
He had tremendous success as a monorail pilot, becoming a role model to the many children that had the privilege to ride in the front of his cab. His position demanded that he explain the same things over and over to nearly everyone who rode in his cab. He never complained and treated every question he was asked like it was the first time he heard it.
I watched the video that the Orlando Sentinel has put online that was taken by Diane Cimino of Briton, CT earlier in the week that the accident happened. Watch Austin and you can plainly see how well he interacted with the guests. And he knew his stuff, too. How many of you could rattle off the 12 colors of the WDW monorails without pausing?
Trains and monorails capture little boys imaginations early in life. For them to actually meet someone who runs one is better than meeting the President or even Mickey Mouse. The joy and amazement that Austin brought to that little boy in the video was only the tip of the joy he brought to so many others. Often times, a person does not intend to be a role model for someone. It’s usually the last thing on their mind. But those are the times that end up being most indelibly seared into a child’s memory, an event that will live in the child’s mind for decades. Austin never got the chance to be rich and famous. But he had the position of role model down pat. He was a cast member that Walt himself would have been proud of. Sure he had problems of his own and wasn’t perfect but he had the ability to put that all aside when he went on stage.
Your family and friends will miss you dearly, Austin. There is another group who will miss you as well – the children who never got the chance to ride with you. And I guarantee that there is at least one little boy who will never forget you.
So here’s to you, Austin. I salute you. I didn’t know you at all but I knew you well. And now a few other folks do, too.
What a beautiful tribute to Austin! He was truly an outstanding CM at WDW and I’m sure he will be missed very much.
One of my dearest memories as a child was riding in the front of the monorail on our many trips to WDW…my dad made sure we rode up front every time! The coolest part was getting to talk to the pilot. I bet Austin made thousands of kids feel the way I did once upon a magical time.
My daughter, a former Disney International College Programme Cast Member, and son in law, also a Cast Member, both worked on Sunset Attractions at the same time as Austin. They are both deeply shocked and saddened by his death, remembering him as a hard worker, friendly and outgoing – an all round good guy. We all feel for his family and friends, and like many contributors to this forum, will spend a quiet minute in tribute to Austin the next time we use the monorail. Thank you for your lovely tribute.
What a sad lose for all of us in the Disney family. I will say a prayer for Austin now and the next time I ride the monorail. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute.
Nancy
This was a very good article. well done…It is sad to think that someone lost their life this way. But he was doing what made him happy. He was at his “Happiest Place on Earth” I watched the video link, It brought tears to my eyes to think someone who loved their job so much and was so good with that family. That really is the true disney spirit and he portrayed it very well. Austin will be missed by all even those who did not know him personally. because when your are disney you really are just one big happy family. God Bless you Austin for a job well done. We Will miss you….
I believe we all feel a since of loss because those of us who frequent Disney or work there are linked together like an extended family. I didn’t know Austin but I too shed a tear when I watched the video. Thank you and God bless you for your wonderful tribute Jack.
“The Disney Fanatic”
The ribbon / monorail is awsome. Has anyone actually produced these to sell? We are going to WDW in late Sept and would be proud to wear.
I feel a personal sense of loss. Though I probally never met Austin during our visits there, I can tell he loved to do his part in creating, and spreading the magic. The results of his efforts are priceless to the many memories He has helped to create. I too will will remember Austin each time I go back. My heartfelt thoughts to His Family.
we will miss austin. i watched the video and he and others at the magical place is the reasonwe come back every year. god bless and keep his family in this hard time.
Great job. The video is sad to watch but it gives you such a good idea of just what type of person Austin was. Way too young. I was wondering-is that an actual pin shown at the top of the article? I thought possibly they were for sale and the money going to something in honor of Austin. I’d love to get some if so.
Again, great job and great tribute Jack.
Dean
The Ribbon and monorail on the original blog post was created by someone. To my knowledge it is not an actual pin.
very well done jack. my family and i have had the wonderful opportunity to ride up front quite a few times over the past few years. each and every time was a great experience, especially for my 9 year old son. he still remembers the monorail pilots names from each trip. our condolences to austins family. may he always live on in the eyes and hearts of the people whose lives he touched. and you are right..there is 1 little boy who will never forget him..
Beautiful, very beautiful ! Next time I ride the monorail it will be impossible not to think of Austin. My thoughts and prayers reach out to the family, I am sure Austin will forever be in the hearts of so many who have had the pleasure of sharing a ride with him.
This was a very moving tribute to Austin who left us way too soon but doing something he truly loved! As a parent I think this video would bring his parents great comfort knowing the wonderful person they had raised in a world so messed up! We love Disney and had the chance to ride up front, maybe even with Austin. Let’s hope that he is still driving a monorail somewhere! We will think of him each time we ride. Thanks for such a awesome memory!
Thank you so much for sharing this video with us. I will remember Austin as we visit Disney World. Hopefully there will be a donation box for his family, if its not already there.
My thoughts and prayers are with Walt Disney staff and Family and friends.
Jack, you’ve written a wonderful tribute to Austin. Last week I watched the Cimino video online – and at work the next few days talked about the crash to my fellow employees – both Disney fans and other employees. I told them how I felt Austin was the right man in the right job. I told them to watch the video to see what I meant – a castmember who not only explained the Monorail, but explained it with excitement and joy in his face, words and voice. I’m sure he made every single Co-Pilot feel that they were special and their questions were the most important ones he heard all day. The right man in the right job!
We’ll be going to WDW in just over 30 days – I’ll make sure to stop for a brief Moment of Silence when I get on the Monorail to remember Austin. My sincerest heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Jack:
Every time I think there is no way for you to outdo yourself, you prove me wrong. But now I think you may never outdo this moving and beautiful tribute. If we didn’t know that you weren’t a friend of Austin’s, we probably would think you knew him for years. Job well done! And like so many others, you made me cry. Walt would be proud beyond words…
Our hearts and prayers go out to Austin’s family and friends. We live in the area and ride the monorail often. Our son Devin loves it and we’ve had the good fortune to ride up front in the pilot’s cabin many times. We rode once with Austin and remembered how nice he was. He told us his age and that he was going to school. We went last night and rode in his honor. We were wondering if it will ever be the same as before. I don’t think so. We’re hoping that Disney will do something to honor Austin. Put his name on one of the monorail trains perhaps as they have Walt, Roy and others on the sides of the steam trains at the Magic Kingdom. God bless him.
What a great tribute. It brought tears to my eyes. The family of Austin must be proud that they had such a wonderful person in their lives that touched so many others. At Disney after a long hot day you get a chance to meet a person like this it just makes your day more enjoyable. Bless you Austin.
If anyone is planning a trip to disney in the near future consider getting a purple monorail pin. It looks just like the one on this page. I’m going in Sept and just bought a purple monorail pin for $12 on ebay and will be wearing it.
A touching tribute. My condolences to his family. I don’t think I will ever ride the monorail again without thinking of Austin.
In today’s society after 9/11, you seem to hear the term “HERO” used in varied ways. My family and I have been honored to be Guests at WDW since 1973. We have met and stayed in touch with many Outstanding Cast Members. I have been asked “why do you keep going back to WDW when there are so many other places in the worlkd to go”. My answer is now going to be changed forever to Austin Wuenneberg. I hope that his family and friends are able to read these sincere and heartfelt tributes to thier son and friend.
When My family visits WDW in three weeks, we will remember Austin. I will make sure to thank as many of the 99% of Castmembers who are just like him and let them know how much that they are loved and appriecated.
Thanks Austin, we will miss you!!
Thank you for posting this. My deepest sympathy to all Austins family and friends. Im sure Walt is looking after him now.
Thank you for the post,and the chance to see Austin doing what he loved. That video was great, and that little boy will always have a hero I am sure.
Gods Blessings to Austin, his family, and his friends.
Beautiful words and a wonderful tribute. As a former cast member I can attest to the repetition a position at WDW may incur. But this man truly loved his job. There is no question in that! Thank you Austin for a job well done. You’ll be in our hearts.
That was a beautifully written tribute piece. Thank you so very much for putting in words what so many of us have felt in the days since the accident. We as a community of Disney fan-atics mourn alongside Austin’s family, friends, and fellow cast. It’s always a great thing when people can come together across so many lines to join in a common cause which in this case is to honor a wonderful young man who obviously had a lot of good in him and gave of himself freely to all of us who didn’t even know him as guests in his world.
Thank you, Austin. You are missed.
Thank you for posting this. I have tears in my eyes as I write this. This young man obviously enjoyed what he did as he brought so much joy to that little boy. When I ride the monorail on our trip in a week I will remember Austin.
I’m glad to see the ribbon graphic I created get used. It didn’t seem to catch on in the several boards I posted it to. Anyone should feel free to use it in any way that pays tribute to Austin or other WDW cast members.
Here’s the text of the post I had with it…
It’s strange that hundreds of miles away, and with no affiliation with the transportation cast community except having been their guest many times, that I’d feel such a personal connection when hearing the news of the accident and Austin’s death on CNN. I turned the TV off with a tear in my eye. It touched me again to read on [the boards] of his bravery to remain at the controls and attempt to back his train, obviously aware of the peril he was personally in.
I can’t imagine the impact of this tragedy on Cast Members, and of course the devastation to his family. I’ve posted condolences on several boards, but would like to do more to show my support. After reading Figments Friend’s comments, I found a purple monorail pin on EBay. I’m not into pin trading, and don’t wear a lanyard while I’m at Disney. But I’ll find a place to wear this pin during our upcoming trip to memorialize Austin, and to symbolize my condolences to all WDW cast members on your loss.
Thank you for the joy you bring us on our vacations, even when you’re hurting inside.
– Dave
What a lovely tribute, and the video was so poignant…seeing Austing doing what he loved doing (and was so good at as well) brought tears to my eyes. God Bless, Austin.
That was a very nice tribute. I was shocked when I saw the video, because when I went to DisneyWorld with my younger cousin we rode up in the front and he was the same pilot.
I would like to express my condolences to Austin’s family. I hope they can take comfort in the joy that he gave to others during the course of his work. I have ridden with my son in the front of the monorail several times in the early years of our visits. My son still holds his “Co-Pilot License” in a special drawer (he will be 16 in three months time!). These Cast Members leave a lasting impression on visitors to WDW and it is Cast Members like Austin who have given us so much joy over the years that we keep going back. May he rest in peace.
I hope Austin’s family can take comfort in tributes like these. When we go to WDW we know that there will always be CM’s just like Austin who go the extra mile and entertain us when there is an unexpected hitch or wait.
I will never forget a CM at Animal Kingdom Park named Brian who during a bad thunderstorm asked us to remain in the Bat House. Whilst there he shared with us fantastic stories about WDW, and I must admit I was disappointed when it was safe to leave I could have listened to his stories all day long!
Thank you so much for the beautiful tribute. He might not have been rich and famous, but he will be missed. He touched countless lives in his short time here. Thank you for your hard work and dedication, Austin!
That video made me teary too 🙁
All Ears Team, I would like to post the tribute image on my facebook page, would you mind?
<3
Very nice. The video is a great way to really “see” how kind this nice young man was to visiting families. My heart goes out to his family.
Not enough adequate words to describe your beautiful tribute……
BRAVO!
Austin, our family trip in 12 days is dedicated to you!
Thank you for the beautiful words.
The video at the Orlando Sentinel was so sad because at the end of the video the grandmother said that each time her grandson saw a monorail he would say “I bet that’s my Austen”.
Very well written and heartfelt. I am a mother of three boys and my older ones love to ride in front with the pilot. It is so sad what happened to Austin, a young life cut short. He will be missed by all and even those who did not know him.
Thank you for sharing and allowing me to see the wonderful video.
What a beautiful tribute to such a dedicated young man! After watching the video you can see how truly dedicated Austin is and how knowledgebly he spreads his magic around from family to family who has the opportunity to ride up front with him. As we get ready to come to our Magical place next month, we will take a ride on the monorail, and take a moment to reflect as we journey at what a wonderful young man he was and how he made others so happy.
That image is absolutely beautiful and tasteful. The cast members at Disney are the best around and everywhere I go I compare it to Disney. No place has met Disney standard yet.
words can not express this perfect tribute and all of the positive comments given to austin!
the world needs more people like austin to put that spark of magic in a childs eye.
chubbs
Excellent……Thank You!!!
Great tribute!! Thank you for writing this column! He may have not been famous in life, but he certainly will be remembered now!
Totally agree Brian B.
What a great tribute. The video brought tears to me eyes. We were just there last month and spent a good deal of time on the monorails as a way to relax between parks.
I’d love to use the ribbon above on my blog or as an avatar. Just wanted to get permission first (or did that come from another site?). Thanks!
ALLEARS: The person who sent AllEars the ribbon said it may be used by others as part of the tribute to Austin.
I watched the video that the Cimino family took while riding with Austin. I admit I cried, because Austin was the epitome of a great Cast Member, the kind that make your trip even more special. I know that some Monorail drivers are irritated by families that ride up front (as evidenced by some comments I saw on the Orlando Sentinel website), and that’s a shame. Those Monorail drivers have a chance to spread some extra Pixie Dust, and most of them do. Austin was one of those, and I’m so grateful for CMs like him that go the extra mile. They’re the reason we keep going back to Disney.
Thanks for putting into words what so many of us were thinking and feeling!!
Thank you Jack, for putting into words what all of us experience with every visit to WDW and the wonderful CM’s.
What an appropriate tribute to a man who was like millions of americans going out everyday and trying to make this country a better place. With all of the hype about Michael Jackson I think we should all stop and consider the people in this world who really deserve our admiration. More often than not they are people like Austin who rarly receive the attention they deserve. Thank you Austin! May you rest in peace.
Thanks for putting what I was thinking into words. My son James had the honor of working with Austin last summer at the Rock’n’Roller Coaster. We met him briefly in his role there and he made a lasting impression on my wife by personally thanking her for the cookies that she had made for the CMs at Coaster. He was not only a castmember that Walt would have been proud of, but also a gentleman, polite and courteous to everyone he met. He was one of a kind.
Your tribute to Austin was awesome!
Thanks for doing it!
Great job!!! We should all remember how much those special CM’s go out of their way for us. Truly they are the “Disney” difference.
Very well written. And yes, anyone who works for Disney does it not for the money, but for the love of seeing the joy and magic on the faces of the many guests they interact with. Thanks for a very fitting tribute.
Very nice Jack.
Well Done
This is my tribute….
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kpcphotographydesign/3699159973/