Club 33 manager dies in ‘tragic’ Disneyland accident

The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, The Monorail, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, July 12, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Disneyland employees are mourning the “tragic” death of Club 33 administrator Bonnye Lear who fell from a moving golf cart and hit her head in a backstage area of the Anaheim theme park.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of Bonnye and offer our sincere condolences to everyone who cared for her,” Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock said in a statement. “At this time, we are focused on supporting her family and our cast members through this tragic event and making sure they have the resources they need.”

Anaheim Police and Anaheim Fire & Rescue responded to a traffic collision on Wednesday, June 5 at 11:30 a.m. in a backstage area of Disneyland, according to spokesperson Sgt. Jonathan McClintock.

Police and fire personnel found a female Disneyland employee who had fallen from a moving golf cart and struck her head, according to McClintock. She was transported to a local hospital in grave condition and later died from her injuries, according to McClintock.

Bonnye Mavis Lear, 60, of Fullerton, died on Friday, June 7, according to Orange County Coroner spokesperson Sgt. Frank Gonzalez.

Anaheim police detectives are investigating the traffic collision.

Club 33 employees were “terribly upset” after being notified of the death of their fellow cast member, Disneyland parlance for employees. Lear, a 24-year Disneyland employee, worked in membership support services at the members-only club.

Disneyland bills the private Club 33 in New Orleans Square as exclusive, world class and shrouded in mystery. Club 33 was inspired by the VIP lounges Walt Disney experienced at the 1964 New York World’s Fair where It’s a Small World and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln first debuted. The private Disneyland club opened in May 1967 a few months after Disney’s death in December 1966.