Man dies after riding popular Walt Disney World ride: report

ORLANDO, Fla. - A 44-year-old man collapsed after riding a popular Walt Disney World ride and then later died, according to an injuries report from Florida's major theme parks released this week. 

The incident happened May 26 at the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom, according to the Memorandum of Understanding Exempt Facilities Report for the second quarter of 2023. 

After the man exited the ride, he collapsed and later died from a personal illness, the report said. The report does not specify what happened on the ride, how the man died or any possible contributing factors.   

This report includes self-reported incidents from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Each quarter, Florida's major theme parks provide a list of injuries that happened at the parks. It includes basic details like when the incident happened and what ride. 

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Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios ultimate guide: Hours, maps and parking info

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Walt Disney World reports 7 incidents in April-June 2023

The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad incident is one of six that Walt Disney World self-reported between April and June 2023. Here's a look at the others: 

  • April 2: A 61-year-old man had a seizure after riding Avatar Flight of Passage
  • April 17: A 21-year-old woman had a seizure after getting off the Frozen Ever After ride
  • May 1: A 9-year-old lost consciousness after riding Tron Lightcycle Power Run
  • June 7: A 41-year-old man fell while exiting the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway and fractured his elbow
  • June 26: A 27-year-old man had chest pains and illness after going on Test Track

disney safari ride death

Photo: Universal Orlando, Getty Images

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SeaWorld Orlando reports 2 incidents

On May 27, a 24-year-old man experienced loss of consciousness after riding the Kraken rollercoaster, according to the report. A day later, a 23-year-old woman also lost consciousness after riding the Pipeline rollercoaster. 

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Universal Orlando reports 2 incidents

A 75-year-old woman experienced motion sickness on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Ride on April 6, according to the report. 

On May 15, a 61-year-old female also experienced motion sickness on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. 

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Busch Gardens Tampa reports 1 incident

A 12-year-old boy reported an exacerbation of a prior hip surgery after riding Kumba on June 1, according to the report. 

LegoLand Florida did not report any incidents. 

Kilimanjaro Safaris

This is the latest in a series of articles on Theme Park Tourist in which we'll talk to Cast Members at Walt Disney World to understand their roles and the part that they play in "creating the magic" for guests. The interviews will offer an insight into Cast Members' day-to-day roles, the training that they undergo and the aspects of their jobs that they find the most rewarding. We might even uncover a funny story or two. Kilimanjaro Safaris is a live safari adventure that embodies the heart of what Animal Kingdom was built to be. The ride was one of the opening day attractions at the park, and continues to be one of its most popular draws. The signature attraction at the park, Kilimanjaro Safaris takes guests on a real off-roading adventure past real animals (with seemingly no fences) that takes place on a parcel of land equal in size to the entire Magic Kingdom park. Among the animals that are on show are lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinoceros and cheetahs. The Cast Members that work on Kilimanjaro Safaris play a crucial role in the ride experience. In particular, they are responsible for actually driving the safari trucks, and for pointing out the various animals en route. It's one of the most unique and coveted roles at Walt Disney World - where else can you go on a mini-safari every single day? Amy Ziese worked as an Attractions Cast Member on Kilimanjaro Safaris in 2006 (Amy has previously shared with us her experiences of working as a Housekeeping Cast Member ). She was kind enough to speak with Theme Park Tourist about her experiences of working on the ride - and you can read her thoughts below.

Landing the role

Amy was working on the Dinosaur attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom when she was told that Kilimanjaro Safaris (KSR to Cast Members, for Kilimanjaro Safari Ride) was short-staffed: "Anyone who was interested could be cross trained and eventually transfer to work over there. I’ve always loved KSR and was excited to try a spieling role, not to mention the thrill of working on an attraction with live animals. One of my managers at Dinosaur had previously worked there and encouraged me to go for it."

Training up

disney safari ride death

Since Amy was a cross-train from Dinosaur, she had already completed Daklamation, which is the class for new hires at Animal Kingdom. She went straight into attractions training for Kilimanjaro Safaris: " We began by practicing the spiel while we were off the truck and driving the truck without worrying about talking. After a couple days of that, we put it all together and once we were able to take a couple solid trips, we started going with guests on the truck."

"I trained along with one other person, who was also a cross-train from Dinosaur. For some trips we would take turns with one of us spieling and the other one driving to help us get the hang of it. She was a better driver and I was stronger at spieling, so she would practice talking while I focused on driving for several trips. We also had to learn all the positions off the truck, but these were much easier, particularly since we had both worked in attractions previously."

Day-to-day duties

Working on Kilimanjaro Safaris wasn't simply a case of driving the safari trucks all day long: "Every KSR cast member rotates through all the positions. So you take your turn on the truck, but you’ll also work as a greeter, grouper, strollers, and other positions. Every day was different so you never knew exactly what positions you would land most or when."

Kilimanjaro Safaris (2)

"Obviously driving the truck is one of the most challenging positions. While you’re trying to spot all the animals and point them out to guests, you’re also maintaining the appropriate distance between yourself and the next truck, keeping an eye on guests to make sure they stay seated, slowing down just enough for guests to try and get some great pictures, and keeping an ear on the radio in case there are any special situations (like animals in the road that will slow you down and keep you stuck in one area for awhile)."

The "old" Kilimanjaro Safaris

Little Red

When the ride opened to the public, it retained the story that included the disappearance of "Big Red" but didn't show the elephants death. It did, though, include a fake elephant known as "Little Red", who was "rescued" by the guests on the safari. This version of the ride included a fast, bumpy chase in which the guests pursued and stopped the poachers and evetyone went home with a compelling lesson about the dangers of poaching in Africa. The chase was one of Amy's favorite parts of the attraction: "I was lucky enough to work KSR when the bridge was moving and you got to chase down the poachers, so there was a lot of bumpy driving and a thrilling element of urgency there at the end when you could really get into the role of tracking those poachers down." In 2007, the story was toned down. The guests were told of a baby elephant wandering the park and were asked to keep an eye out for it. Though they still found the elephant and briefly encountered the poachers, the message wasn't so stark. Finally, in 2012, Kilimanjaro Safaris lost the last lingering message about the harsh realities of poaching in Africa. Poachers and Baby Red have disappeared along with all radio chatter between the tour guide and the game warden that warned of poaching and set up any kind of story line. The bumpy chase is long gone, and even the unstable bridge that would rock from side to side remains stubbornly secure.

Kilimanjaro Safaris trucks are very real. "It's not a secret, but I think a lot of guests didn’t really believe that the trucks were free-moving," says Amy. "We take them off the ride path and park them in a big parking lot backstage every night. They don’t go very fast, so it’s agonizing taking them on and off and driving the backstage roads at that pace, but they are absolutely real, free-moving trucks."

Kilimanjaro Safaris

The reason that the trucks don't simply cycle around on a track is very simple: "The animals here are free roaming. Drivers will often need to swerve to one side of the road or another to scoot past a stubborn giraffe. While they can’t leave the road entirely, there’s enough wiggle room to help them navigate the savannah safely."

disney safari ride death

Founder of Theme Park Tourist and a lifelong fan of everything Disney and Universal. He loved everything about Theme Parks and his goal in starting the site was to create a resource that could help fans make the most of their park trips, and to make visiting theme parks a little more affordable by capturing as many money-saving tricks as possible.

Great Blog,Nick. When will you be doing an article on african safaris? We would love to contribute :-)

On one of our trips we were held up by a animal that had stopped in front of another vehicle ahead of us. We could see that. Then we got a little boot from one of the large antlered animals who thought we should be moving along. He trotted off after that, probably because we were all laughing.

We go to see a baby being born one year and when we went back 2 years later they pointed out the young animal. It was the one we had seen being born a couple years before. It was awesome. It was one of the deer like animals. I'm blanking on what it was.

Sorry this reply is five years later, but I think it may have been a bongo! I've seen those at that attraction before

The first time my husband and I got to experience this attraction, we got held up by a giraffe. The giraffe actually stuck his head in the truck, and we all got to have an "up close and personal" encounter. As I recall, he also tried to pull the pin out of the door lock. :) It was a great experience, and a treasured memory. We ride every time we go now.

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44-Year-Old Dies After Riding Disney World Roller Coaster

in Walt Disney World

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

A 44-year-old Guest at Walt Disney World Resort tragically passed away following a ride on a popular Magic Kingdom Park attraction.

Walt Disney World Resort is a place where Guests from all over the world come to enjoy its many theme parks, including Magic Kingdom , EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” and remains one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world.

Cinderella Castle

Each quarter, Walt Disney World and the rest of the Florida theme parks are required to release an incident list to The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services where they share the latest occurrences to happen in the theme park, including injuries and incidents that resulted in a Guest spending at least 24 hours in the hospital.

The latest incident report revealed a tragedy as a 44-year-old man reportedly collapsed after exiting Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and “later passed away from a personal illness” on May 26. His obituary states that he died on May 27.

A report from Florida Politics’ Gabrielle Russon indicates that, since the incident occurred on Disney World property,  paramedics from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, previously known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District , were called to the scene following the Guest’s collapse. The district also released two 911 phone calls that appeared to be made by one Disney Park Guest and one Disney Cast Member.

“The woman who appeared to be a cast member said a doctor was on the scene and people performed CPR on the man to get him breathing again. Paramedics soon arrived, Disney World representatives did not respond for comment Tuesday for this story,” the report indicates.

Big Thunder Railroad

The man’s obituary shared that he was “a dutiful husband and father of three young boys,” as well as a physician.

Several other incidents were reported, as well. In April, A 61-year-old male reportedly had a seizure after experiencing Avatar: Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park , and a 21-year-old female Guest reportedly had a seizure after exiting Frozen Ever After.

On May 1, a 9-year-old reportedly lost consciousness after experiencing TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom. In June, a 41-year-old male fell while exiting the Tomorrowland Speedway and fractured his elbow, and a 27-year-old male had chest pains and illness after experiencing Test Track at EPCOT.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a coaster located in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park.

Disney Wiki

  • Walt Disney World Resort
  • Disney Parks incidents

Incidents at Walt Disney World

  • View history

This is a summary of notable incidents that have taken place at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida . This list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of every such event, but only those that have a significant impact on the parks or park operations, or are otherwise significantly newsworthy.

The term incidents refers to major accidents, injuries, deaths, or significant crimes that occur at a Disney park. While these incidents were required to be reported to regulatory authorities for investigation, attraction-related incidents usually fall into one of the following categories:

  • Caused by negligence on the part of the guest. This can be refusal to follow specific ride safety instructions, or deliberate intent to break park rules.
  • The result of a guest's known or unknown health issues.
  • Negligence on the part of the park, either by ride operator or maintenance.
  • Act of God or a generic accident (e.g. slipping and falling), that is not a direct result of an action on anybody's part.

According to a 1985 Time magazine article, fewer than 100 lawsuits are filed against Disney each year for various incidents.

Several people have died or been injured while riding attractions at Walt Disney World theme parks. [1] Prior to 2001 , Disney was not required to report incidents to the state authorities, but they have made reports since. For example, from the first quarter of 2005 to the first quarter of 2006 , Disney reported four deaths and nineteen injuries at its Florida parks. More statistical information is available at Amusement Park Accidents.

  • 1.1 DINOSAUR
  • 1.2 Expedition Everest
  • 1.3 Kali River Rapids
  • 1.4 Primeval Whirl
  • 1.5 Festival of the Lion King
  • 2 Disney's Blizzard Beach
  • 3.1 Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
  • 3.2 Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • 3.3 The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • 4.1 Boat Accident
  • 4.2 Other incidents involving guests
  • 5.1 Maelstrom
  • 5.2 Body Wars
  • 5.3 Mission: SPACE
  • 5.4 Soarin'
  • 5.5 Spaceship Earth
  • 6.1 Astro Orbiter
  • 6.2 Backstage
  • 6.3 Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe
  • 6.4 The Haunted Mansion
  • 6.5 Main Street, U.S.A.
  • 6.6 Pirates of the Caribbean
  • 6.7 Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
  • 6.9 Space Mountain
  • 6.10 Splash Mountain
  • 6.11 Guest altercations
  • 7.1 Guest altercations
  • 8 Resort-wide
  • 9.1 Disney's BoardWalk Inn
  • 9.2 Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
  • 9.3 Doubletree Guest Suite Resort
  • 9.4 Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • 10.2 Monorail
  • 11.1 Donald Duck
  • 11.3 Minnie Mouse
  • 11.4 Pirate
  • 11.5 Tigger
  • 12 References
  • 13 See also

Animal Kingdom [ ]

  • On January 28 , 2016 , an Orlando-area attorney announced that he had been retained by a family involved in a biting incident at the park. According to the attorney, in October 2014 , a snake fell out of a tree onto a group of guests in a public area of the park. It bit an eight-year-old boy that it landed on, causing his grandmother to suffer cardiac arrest and die soon afterwards. The attorney claimed that it had escaped from the park's facilities, but Disney officials, while acknowledging the biting incident, stated that it was not part of their collection and was wild. They further stated that it was non-venomous, and that a park nurse treated the bite with an adhesive bandage and the family continued its visit afterwards.

DINOSAUR [ ]

  • On April 30 , 2005 , 30-year-old Ryan Norman of Mooresville, Indiana , lost consciousness shortly after exiting the ride and later died. He wore a pacemaker, and Norman's parents said he had a heart condition. An investigation showed the ride was operating correctly and was not the cause of Norman's death.
  • On May 29 , 2013 , a woman found a loaded pistol on the ride. It was reported to the ride attendant, which in turn was reported to authorities. Its owner stated that they were unaware of Disney's policy against weapons and had a concealed weapons permit.

Expedition Everest [ ]

  • On December 18 , 2007 , a 44-year-old man from Navarre, Florida lost consciousness while riding the coaster. He was given CPR at the station and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. An autopsy by the Orange County medical examiner's office concluded that he died of dilated cardiomyopathy and that his death was considered natural.

Kali River Rapids [ ]

  • On May 29 , 2007 , five guests and one cast member (three teenagers, one 21-year-old, and two people in their 40's) were injured while exiting a raft during a ride stoppage triggered by a monitoring sensor. It was on a steep incline, and the emergency exit platform allowing guests to easily access the emergency stairs from the incline malfunctioned. An investigation determined that it "disengaged and slid," according to a Disney spokesperson, who went on to say that Disney will use an alternate method for guests to exit the ride in future emergencies. The six people were taken to local hospitals to treat minor injuries, where they were later released.

Primeval Whirl [ ]

  • On November 27 , 2007 , a 63-year-old employee died from a brain injury suffered four days earlier when she was hit by a ride vehicle after falling from a restricted area of the station. On May 23 , 2008 , OSHA fined Walt Disney World US $25,500 and charged the company with five safety violations. The fines were: $15,000 for three serious violations; $7,500 for a still missing handrail that had been previously reported; and $3,000 for not responding to OSHA requests within the requested time period.
  • On March 13 , 2011 , a 52-year-old employee suffered head injuries while working on the ride and was airlifted to a local hospital, where he later died. The ride was undergoing maintenance and was closed to the public at the time of the incident.

Festival of the Lion King [ ]

  • On March 21 , 2016 , a small electrical fire originating from beneath one of the puppet floats broke out during a performance of the show. It was quickly extinguished and no one was hurt. The show resumed performances the next day.

Disney's Blizzard Beach [ ]

  • On March 15 , 2007 , 51-year-old Oscar Wicker, Jr. from Pulaski, Mississippi , collapsed near the Downhill Double Dipper. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Initial reports say that he died of a heart attack. His family says that he had a pre-existing heart condition. An autopsy showed that he did die of a heart attack.

Disney's Hollywood Studios [ ]

Indiana jones epic stunt spectacular [ ].

A number of incidents involving the show's performers have occurred since its premiere in 1989 . In 1990 , OSHA fined the resort $1,000 after three performers were injured in three separate incidents. In one, a performer fell 30 feet when a restraining cable failed. In another, a performer fell 25 feet when a prop ladder collapsed unexpectedly. A third performer was pinned by a malfunctioning trap door. At the time, OSHA cited Disney for failing to provide adequate fall protection, including padding and other equipment. Later, while rehearsing a new, safer routine, another performer fell 25 feet onto concrete. Several incidents have also occurred with the plane's propeller. Normally, the performer playing the burly German mechanic is supposed to fall through a trap door just before being hit by the propeller (to simulate the mechanic's fate in the first movie). On several occasions, though, the door did not work, and performers were hit by the propeller (which, thankfully, is breakaway); many guests joked that, in the event of such an incident, they had opted to recreate the mechanic's gory death seen Raiders of the Lost Ark . For a time, the scene was reworked so that the mechanic was instead shot to death, but eventually, the original version was reinstated.

  • On August 17 , 2009 , a 30-year-old performer died after injuring his head while rehearsing a tumbling roll. Performances for the next day were canceled out of respect for him.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith [ ]

  • On June 29 , 2006 , 12-year-old Michael Russell from Fort Campbell, Kentucky , was found to be unresponsive after the ride came to an end. CPR was administered by his father on the scene while awaiting arrival of paramedics, but he was declared dead on the way to the hospital. The ride was shut down for the investigation, but reopened a day later after inspectors determined that it was operating normally. Initially, a medical examiner stated that Russell may have had a congenital heart defect. The final report confirmed that he died from that. His death marked the seventh such incident to occur in a Disney theme park since December 2004 .

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror [ ]

  • On July 12 , 2005 , 16-year-old Leanne Deacon from Kibworth, Leicestershire, England complained of a severe headache and other symptoms after riding the ride. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. She underwent surgery to stop intracranial bleeding. On August 6 , she returned home via air ambulance. While she reportedly had ridden the ride several times previously during her visit with no ill effects, her initial collapse was unexplained. Later tests showed that she had been in pain for a few days, before having a massive stroke leading to cardiac arrest. After an examination by both Disney and state inspectors showed no ride malfunction, the ride was reopened the next day. She returned home after spending six months in the hospital due to two heart attacks and surgery.

Disney Springs [ ]

Boat accident [ ].

  • On April 22 , 2010 , a 61-year-old woman from Celebration, Florida, suffered a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and back pain due to a boating accident near the Treehouse Villas. The rented Sea Raycer that her husband was driving collided with a Disney ferryboat. The Orange County Sheriff's report states that the Sea Raycer crossed into the ferry's right-of-way.

Other incidents involving guests [ ]

  • On December 25 , 2015 , a fight broke out at Bongo's Cuban Cafe between a 70-year-old man and the restaurant staff. The man claimed that he was tired of waiting for his food. He argued with the restaurant's general manager and threw a punch but missed. Another employee jumped in to try to stop the confrontation. The man was escorted out of the restaurant after he grabbed a worker's bicep, which left a mark. The man was arrested a short time later outside Starbucks. At some point during the fight, someone falsely reported hearing gunshots at the restaurant. This rumor spread quickly, leading to mass panic including a stampede. The suspect was found without a weapon and was charged with battery.

Maelstrom [ ]

  • When the ride first opened on July 5 , 1988 , the final scene involving an oil rig in the stormy North Sea featured wind, pouring rain, crashing waves, and lightning produced by a Tesla coil. Allegedly, a reporter attending the grand opening fell out of the boat, into the water, and drowned, but this has never been proven.

Body Wars [ ]

  • On May 16 , 1995 , four-year-old Linda Baker passed out during the ride. It was stopped immediately, and paramedics were called to the scene. She was pronounced dead at the hospital. Some of her relatives said that she was known to have had a heart condition, but the autopsy was inconclusive as to whether the ride (which was rougher than Star Tours , its counterpart based on the same technology) aggravated it.

Mission: SPACE [ ]

  • On June 13 , 2005 , 4-year-old Daudi Bamuwamye died after riding the ride. An autopsy, released on November 15 , by the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office, states he died as a result of a pre-existing, previously undiagnosed heart condition called idiopathic myocardial hypertrophy. On June 12 , 2006 , a lawsuit was filed against Disney by his parents, claiming that they never should have allowed a 4-year-old child on the ride, and didn't offer an adequate medical response after he collapsed. On January 11 , 2007 , the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice with both sides having to only pay their own attorney fees.
  • On April 12 , 2006 , 49-year-old Hiltrud Blümel from Schmitten, Germany , fell ill after riding the ride and died at nearby Celebration Hospital. It was later found out she died from a bleeding brain caused by high blood pressure, not due to the ride.
  • From June 2005 to June 2006 , paramedics treated 194 riders. The most common complaints were dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Of those 194 guests: 25 people passed out, 26 suffered difficulty breathing, and 16 reported chest pains or irregular heartbeats. The period was compared to the rough test-and-adjust period of Space Mountain . Disney responded by deactivating the centrifuge on one of the simulators and offering it as a less-intense experience known as "Green Team". The original experience for the hardier thrill-seekers was retained as "Orange Team".

Soarin' [ ]

  • On January 15 , 2007 , 67-year-old John Parietti from New York suffered from slurred speech and right-side weakness after riding the ride. He died two days later. The medical examiner ruled that he had a stroke, but did not perform an autopsy.

Spaceship Earth [ ]

  • On August 14 , 1999 , a 5-year-old boy was seriously injured after falling or stepping out of a ride car. He was treated for an compound fracture at the Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Magic Kingdom [ ]

Astro orbiter [ ].

  • On October 9 , 2011 , a fire broke out in the centerpiece of the ride. Authorities reported that it was caused by a light bulb that shorted out and started to smolder. The incident occurred shortly after the park had opened for the day, and no guests were aboard the ride when the fire was discovered. It re-opened the following day.

Backstage [ ]

  • On February 11 , 2004 , 38-year-old cast member Javier Cruz died when he was accidentally run over by the Beauty and the Beast parade float in a backstage area. He was dressed as Pluto at the time.

Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe [ ]

  • In March 2010 , a 4-year-old boy from San Diego , California , suffered severe burns to his face after being scalded by a cup of hot nacho cheese. The accident occurred when he sat down to dinner in an unstable chair and grabbed a tray of food to prevent himself from falling, resulting in the cheese flying into his face. His parents sued Disney, with their attorney claiming that "the cheese should not have been that hot" and that Disney made no effort "to regulate and monitor the temperature of the cheese which was being served to young children." A Disney representative commented on the incident: "It's unfortunate when any child is injured. We just received notice of the lawsuit and are currently reviewing it."

The Haunted Mansion [ ]

  • In February 2007 , an 89-year-old woman fell and broke her hip while exiting a ride vehicle.

Main Street, U.S.A. [ ]

  • On August 11 , 1977 , a 4-year-old boy from Dolton, Illinois drowned in the moat surrounding Cinderella Castle . His family sued Disney for US$4 million and won; however, the jury found the plaintiffs 50% liable for allowing him to climb over a fence while playing and reduced the award to US $1.5 million.
  • On September 18 2023 , a wild bear was spotted in a tree near Main Street, U.S.A. during a pre-open check. Most areas of the park where the bear was spotted were closed while the FWC searched for the bear.

Pirates of the Caribbean [ ]

  • 77-year-old Gloria Land of Minnesota lost consciousness and died after riding the ride in February 2005 . A medical examiner's report said she was in poor health from diabetes and she previously had several ministrokes. The report concluded that her death "was not unexpected."
  • A 12-year-old boy lost part of his fingertips when he dangled his hand over the end of the boat. In those days, the load area was split into two canals, as with It's a Small World . The incident occurred at the point where the canals merged, and the boy's finger was pinched by the walls. Although Disney won the lawsuit, they realized the potential for more injuries, and quietly reconfigured the load area so that the boats load single-file.

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel [ ]

  • On December 12 , 2010 , a 77-year-old woman with pre-existing conditions collapsed after exiting the ride. She later died due to the incident.
  • On February 14 , 1999 , 65-year-old part-time custodian Raymond Barlow was critically injured when he fell off the ride. He was cleaning the Fantasyland station platform when the ride was accidentally turned on. He was in the path of the ride vehicles, and grabbed a passing one in an attempt to save himself. He lost his grip and fell 40 feet, landing in a flower bed near Dumbo the Flying Elephant . He died shortly after being taken to a local hospital. The ride, which had been scheduled to close before the accident occurred, was permanently done so on November 11 , 1999 . As a result of the accident, OSHA fined Disney $4,500 for violating federal safety codes in that work area.

Space Mountain [ ]

  • 6-year-old Rame Masarwa fainted after riding the ride on August 1 , 2006 , and was taken to nearby Celebration Hospital where he later died. The medical examiner's report showed that he, who was terminally ill and suffered from cancer of the lungs, spine, and abdomen, died of natural causes due to a metastatic pulmonary blastoma tumor. He was visiting the Magic Kingdom as a recipient of a trip by the Give Kids the World program.
  • On December 12 , 2006 , an unnamed 73-year-old man lost consciousness while riding the ride. After being taken to a nearby hospital, he died three days later. The medical examiner's report stated that he died of natural causes due to a heart condition.
  • In the ride's early days, injuries were commonplace, mainly because it could not be seen from outside, and the signage said nothing about it being a roller coaster (in fact, this wasn't allowed at all). One woman stated she thought it was a slow-moving ride with projections of the "pretty pictures of space". Others thought it was along the lines of Peter Pan's Flight . Eventually, a low-key safety spiel was recorded by former Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper, and signage was allowed to call the attraction a roller coaster. Furthermore, two of the rocket sleds were removed and placed outfront in a steep dive with astronaut dummies inside to reinforce that it was a roller coaster.

Splash Mountain [ ]

  • On November 5 , 2000 , 37-year-old William Pollack from St. Petersburg, Florida was critically injured while trying to exit a ride vehicle while it was moving through the ride. At the time, he told fellow passengers that he felt ill, and attempted to reach one of the marked emergency exits.
  • On August 3 , 2020 , a ride vehicle sank after the drop. A cast member told guests to remain seated, but they evacuated anyway and were chastised for presenting a "safety hazard". Said cast member received heavy criticism for her strict adherence to protocol.

Guest altercations [ ]

  • On May 20 , 2007 , five guests from Shirley, New York , ages 14 to 20 years old, were arrested for allegedly attacking a sheriff's deputy. They were accused of spitting and harassing other guests, and were being detained by Disney security near Space Mountain. When an Orange County sheriff's deputy arrived, the deputy stated that he was "Punched in the face with closed fists...by all the defendants." During the melee, the deputy used a stun gun on an unnamed 17-year-old female guest. All five, including 19-year-old Brian Guilfoil and 20-year-old Rose DiPietro, were arrested on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, and for resisting arrest with violence. The 17-year-old one was also cited for battery on a uniformed officer.
  • On May 29 , 2007 , a 34-year-old Clermont, Florida woman was allegedly attacked by a 51-year-old park guest from Alabama as they waited in line at the Mad Tea Party . On the day of the attack, while Disney security did speak with witnesses, Orange County police did not take any sworn statements from those witnesses. The victim stated that the sworn statements were not taken due to a delay in the arrival of the deputies. On July 17 , an arrest warrant was issued for the alleged assaulter. The attacker was convicted on charges of battery and sentenced to 90 days in jail, nine months' probation and an anger management course. The victim and her husband later filed two separate lawsuits against Disney. Her lawsuit claims, among other things, that: Walt Disney World provided inadequate staff and security at the ride; there was a lack of adequate training to recognize security threats, that the park did not anticipate the attack and have the attacker removed before anything happened and that the following investigation was mishandled. His lawsuit against Disney is claiming the loss of his wife's support and companionship due to the attack. In 2011, a jury found in favor of Disney.

Typhoon Lagoon [ ]

  • In August 2005 , 12-year-old Jerra Kirby of Newport News, Virginia felt ill while in the wave pool. Lifeguards talked with her after noticing her sitting on the side of the pool, and she said she felt fine. She passed out shortly thereafter. CPR was performed on her, and she was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The autopsy showed that she died due to arrhythmia caused by an early-stage viral heart infection.
  • On July 3 , 2009 , a 51-year-old man from Farmington, New York was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation after allegedly attempting to remove a teenager's bathing suit while in the wave pool. Disney security was notified and they called for Orange County deputies. In the arrest report, both Disney security and the deputies report observing the man attempting to do the same to at least five other girls.
  • On July 10 , 2009 , a 51-year-old man from Connecticut was charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition after he allegedly fondled himself in front of a teenage girl near the wave pool. One eyewitness, a visitor who worked with paroled sex-offenders in Missouri , confronted him who then fled the scene. As he attempted to leave the parking lot, he ran a stop sign and was stopped by an Orange County deputy and detained on charges of driving with a suspended license. He denied the lewd conduct charges, claiming his European-style swimsuit was too small. This was the fifth sexual-related reported incident to occur at a Central Florida water park in 2009; the other parks aside from Typhoon Lagoon were Blizzard Beach, Aquatica, and Wet 'n Wild.
  • On July 16 , 2009 , a 29-year-old man from Washington was arrested and charged with one count of lewd molestation of a teenager. He was sentenced to 24 months in state prison.

Resort-wide [ ]

  • Several hours after opening on September 11 , 2001 , the 9/11 terrorist attacks commenced. Fearing that the American parks could be idealogical targets (likely targets for planes included the Matterhorn at Disneyland , Spaceship Earth, and Disney's Contemporary Resort ), Michael Eisner gave the order to evacuate all four parks in Florida (due to timezone differences, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure never opened that day). Cast members were informed not to mention why the parks were closing to avoid inciting panic, and a special PA system used by the park vice president announced that the parks had closed for the day, while, again, not disclosing the reason; those with cell phones, however, learned of what was going on, and news spread like wildfire, causing some panic, but mostly shock. Cast members formed human corridors to gently guide guests to the exit, and guests were given complimentary tickets as compensation. Reportedly, an AC-130 Gunship flew over MGM Studios and Epcot, with one guest saying it was flying low enough to see someone manning a machine gun, indicating it was prepared to intercept any hijacked planes. Fortunately, no planes attacked Disney property (the attacks were mainly centered at military, economic, and political targets). Non-essential cast members were given the option to go home, but many chose to stay and traveled to resorts in character costumes to comfort scared children. That evening, the Electrical Water Pageant was performed on the Seven Seas Lagoon with all floats showing the American flag or stars (as they normally do in the finale), instead of animals. Following the attacks, there was a downsurge in business, as everyone was scared of getting on a plane lest it get hijacked by terrorists, leading to the delay of the opening of Disney's Pop Century Resort (the Classic Years opened in 2003 , while the Legendary Years never opened and eventually became Disney's Art of Animation Resort in 2012 ), Disney's River Country closed at the end of the 2001 season, never reopened, and has since been left to rot, Surprise Mornings were nixed in favor of characters visiting the resorts (though they later returned as Magic Mornings or Extra Magic Hours), the invisible security approach was abandoned and guards given better equipment, bag checks became mandatory, the Jungle Cruise 's pistols were replaced with props and either a sound effect or the skipper humorously making the gunshot sound themself (real pistols firing blanks are still used at Disneyland), along with a joke about the crashed plane being banned (which was reinstated at a later date), pneumatic barricades were installed at backstage road entrances to prevent suicide bomb vehicles from barreling through, attractions including Carousel of Progress and the Timekeeper became seasonal (The Timekeeper permanently closed in 2006 and was replaced by Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor , while Carousel of Progress eventually returned to daily operation, due to being the only attraction at the resort that can be dusted for Walt's fingerprints), and rain ponchos sold in the parks were changed from yellow to transparent in 2003 to, among other reasons, cut down on instances of families being unable to find each other and shoplifting, as well as to (presumably) ensure no one could conceal weaponry or explosives.

Resort Hotels [ ]

Disney's boardwalk inn [ ].

  • On June 29 , 2000 , a waiter and a child were held hostage by the latter's father in a hotel room over domestic issues. During the hostage situation, other guests were evacuated and given alternative accommodations in the resort. The man released the hostages and handed himself over to authorities in the early hours of June 30 .

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground [ ]

  • On May 23 , 1987 , a six-year-old boy drowned in a swimming pool. His family later sued, stating that resort should have had more than one lifeguard on duty to monitor the crowded pool, and that it should have had a safety line between the shallow and deep ends, as is prevalent at most other pools.

Doubletree Guest Suite Resort [ ]

  • On June 13 , 2010 , a body was discovered at the hotel. The cause was originally unknown, but was later declared a suicide.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa [ ]

  • On October 9 , 1989 , a 33-year-old woman from Glen Cove, New York , was killed when a tiny speedboat collided with a ferry boat. She and her 8-year-old son were broadsided by the ferry while trying to videotape friends and family members who were water skiing in the Seven Seas Lagoon . A crew member and a visitor on the ferry dove into the water and rescued her son. He was not hurt in the accident.
  • On June 14 , 2016 , a two-year-old boy from Elkhorn, Nebraska , was splashing around in the shallows of the Seven Seas Lagoon at 9:15pm and was attacked by an alligator after he and his family went to a movie night on the beach. His body was found intact at approximately 1:45pm the following afternoon, in the vicinity of where he went missing; he was found 12 to 15 yards (11 to 14 m) from the shore in about 6 feet (1.8 m) of water. The medical examiner ruled that he died of "drowning and traumatic injuries." Reuters reported that the resort would put up signs warning guests about alligators. In the days following the incident, references to alligators and crocodiles (such as a Jungle Cruise joke about a crocodile, the crocodile float in the Electrical Water Pageant , and the character Louis from The Princess and the Frog ) were temporarily removed, before being reinstated after some time passed.

Resort-wide transportation system [ ]

  • On March 23 , 2010 , a Disney transportation bus rear-ended a private charter one near the entrance to the Epcot parking lot. Seven guests aboard the Disney one received minor injuries, while the driver was reported to have received critical ones.
  • On April 1 , 2010 , a nine-year-old boy was run over by a Disney transportation bus at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground while he was riding his bicycle with an 11-year-old friend. A report from the Florida Highway Patrol says that he appeared to turn his bike into the road and ran into the side of the bus, subsequently being dragged under its right-rear tire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary report stated that the driver, who has 30 years' experience with Disney, was not impaired or driving recklessly and that charges probably would not be filed, pending a full investigation of the incident. In October, Disney was sued for $15,000 by the boy's mother.
  • On December 26 , 2010 , a 69-year-old man died after stepping in front of a moving Disney transportation bus in the parking lot of Disney's Port Orleans Resort .

Monorail [ ]

  • In February 1974 , a monorail train crashed into the one ahead. One driver and two passengers were injured.
  • On June 26 , 1985 , a fire engulfed the rear car of the six-car Mark IV Silver monorail train in transit from the Epcot station to the Transportation and Ticket Center. It pre-dated onboard fire detection systems, emergency exits, and evacuation planning. Passengers in the car kicked out side windows and climbed around the side of the train to reach the roof, where they were subsequently rescued by the Reedy Creek Fire Department. One of the passengers who kicked out a window found a D-ring that a Martin Marietta engineer designed and placed in anticipation of such a scenario. Seven were hospitalized for smoke inhalation or other minor injuries. The fire department later determined that the fire started when a flat tire was dragged across the concrete beam and ignited by the frictional heat. Following the incident, Mark IV Monorail Coral was equipped with a fire detection system, and tires were (and still are) inflated using nitrogen instead of air.
  • On August 30 , 1991 , a monorail train collided with a diesel maintenance work tractor near the Contemporary Resort as the tractor drove closely in front of the train to film it for a commercial. Two employees were treated at a local hospital for injuries.
  • On August 12 , 1996 , an electrical fire occurred on a train pulling into the Magic Kingdom station. The driver and the five passengers on board exited safely. Two bus drivers who witnessed the fire and assisted were overcome by smoke and treated at a nearby hospital.
  • On July 5 , 2009 , during a failed track switchover from the Epcot line onto the Magic Kingdom express line, Monorail Pink backed into Monorail Purple at the Transportation & Ticket Center station, killing the 21-year-old pilot of Monorail Purple. OSHA and park officials inspected the monorail line and the monorail reopened on July 6 , after new sensors and operating procedures were put in place. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board showed no mechanical problems with the trains or track but did find that the track used in the switchover was not in its proper place for the track transition. The NTSB also noted that Purple's pilot attempted to reverse his train when he saw that there was going to be a collision. Disney suspended three monorail employees as a result of the incident. On October 31 , 2011 , the National Transportation Safety Board issued its findings on this incident, citing the probable cause as the shop panel operator's failure to properly align the switch beam before the monorail train was directed to reverse through it. Following the accident, the undamaged ends of Purple and Pink were joined together to create Monorail Teal, and the center cars from Purple were combined with two brand-new cab cars (the first built by Bombardier in years) to create Monorail Peach. The Pink and Purple colors have been retired, and front-cab riding has been banned for safety reasons (it was also banned for a period on the Disneyland Monorail System , though eventually reinstated, as the Disneyland system can only support two trains at a time, and they are properly spaced to ensure a crash cannot occur; a crash has never occurred on the Disneyland system to date).
  • On June 16, 2017, Monorail Blue had a brake shoe fly off without warning while runnng the Epcot Line. No one was injured, and a guest was photographed holding the broken shoe as a souvenir. The Epcot Line was temporarily closed shortly thereafter, and the Disneyland system also went down for refurbishment to inspect their monorails.

Characters [ ]

  • In 2005 , Walt Disney World reported 773 injuries to OSHA for cast members portraying one of 270 different characters at the parks.
  • Of those injuries listed, 282 were related to costuming issues, such as costume weight affecting the head, neck, or shoulders.
  • 49 injuries were specifically due to the costume head.
  • 107 injuries were caused by park guests' interactions with the characters, where the guest hit, pushed, or otherwise hurt (intentionally or not) the costumed cast member.
  • Other items in the report include skin rashes, bruises, sprains, or heat-related issues.
  • One change that Disney made to assist character performers was to change rules limiting the overall costume weight to be no more than 25% of the performer's body weight.

Donald Duck [ ]

  • A 27-year-old woman from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit in August 2010 against the Disney corporation, claiming that the Donald Duck character groped her during a photo and autograph session in May 2008 while she and her family were visiting Epcot. The lawsuit is for US$200,000 in damages to compensate the alleged victim for negligence, battery, negligent infliction of emotional distress and intentional and reckless infliction of emotional distress. The woman claims to suffer from severe physical injury, emotional anguish and distress, acute anxiety, headaches, nightmares and flashbacks, and other emotional and physical ailments. Part of the lawsuit's basis is a report from the Orange County Sheriff's Office that alleged similar acts by costumed characters have been reported to them 24 times since 2004 . The woman did not file a complaint at the time of the incident.
  • In September 2004 , Disney cast member Michael Chartrand was suspended for allegedly shoving two unnamed Kodak employees while dressed as Goofy at Animal Kingdom on August 29 , 2004 . They believed that Goofy was a different cast member who was joking around until they were relaxing backstage and saw it was not their friend. Chartrand's attorney stated that they shoved back as part of routine horseplay among cast members meant to entertain. The sheriff's office was considering misdemeanor charges. During the investigation, two cast members came forward saying Chartrand touched their breasts. His lawyer claimed that he was merely looking at their lanyards full of lapel trading pins.

Minnie Mouse [ ]

  • On June 7 , 2009 , a 60-year-old man from Cressona, Pennsylvania allegedly touched Minnie Mouse while visiting the Magic Kingdom. He was convicted of misdemeanor battery on August 11 .
  • On August 6 , 2009 , a 47-year-old cast member playing the role of a pirate in the Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial show slipped on a puddle of water on the stage and hit his head against the scenery. He was taken to a local hospital with a broken vertebra in his neck and a cut that required 55 stitches. He died four days later due to complications.
  • In April 2004 , Disney cast member Michael Chartrand was arrested for allegedly fondling an unnamed 13-year-old girl and her mother while dressed as Tigger during a photo opportunity at the Magic Kingdom in February. He was charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child between 12 and 15 years old, and one count of simple battery. The case went to trial, where the jury's deliberation lasted less than one hour. Chartrand was acquitted of all charges, and returned to work at Disney.
  • On January 5 , 2007 , 14-year-old Jerry Monaco Jr. of Greenville, New Hampshire was allegedly punched in the head by a Disney cast member dressed as Tigger during a photo opportunity at Disney-MGM Studios. He was suspended pending the results of the investigation. In his statement to the sheriff's office, he claimed that he was acting in self-defense as Monaco Jr. was pulling on the back of the costume, causing Fedelem to lose his breath. Jeffrey Kaufman, the lawyer who represented Michael Chartrand in an earlier case against Tigger (see below), released his own opinion on the situation. He believed Monaco Jr. instigated the situation and that Fedelem's movements were an involuntary reaction to pain. Kaufman was not representing Fedelem at the time of this statement. On February 15 , 2007 , the State Attorney General's office announced that no charges would be filed against him.
  • In August 2016 , during the Fantasmic! finale, the Dopey performer slipped onto the first deck but landed on the Goofy performer. The Chip performer immediately noticed this and helped the Dopey performer.

References [ ]

  • ↑ Summary of some incidents from AP wire

See also [ ]

  • Incidents at Disneyland Resort
  • Incidents at Disneyland Paris
  • Incidents at Tokyo Disney Resort
  • 1 Character Birthdays
  • 3 Inside Out 2
  • Nation & World

Boy dies after riding Disney World’s “Mission Space”

A 4-year-old boy died after passing out aboard Walt Disney World's "Mission: Space," a ride so intense that it has motion sickness bags and several riders have been treated for chest pain.

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A 4-year-old boy died after passing out aboard Walt Disney World’s “Mission: Space,” a ride so intense that it has motion sickness bags and several riders have been treated for chest pain. Daudi Bamuwamye passed out yesterday afternoon on the attraction, which simulates a rocket launch and trip to Mars. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said his mother carried him off the ride and employees helped her place him on a bench. Paramedics and a theme park worker tried to revive him, but he died at Celebration Hospital. The sheriff’s office said the boy met the minimum 44-inch height requirement for the ride at the Epcot theme park, which uses centrifugal force to simulate twice the normal force of gravity. An autopsy was expected today. Officials said the boy from Sellersville, Pa., was on the ride with his mother, Agnes, and a sister. During the ride, the mother noticed that Daudi’s body was rigid and his legs were stretched straight out. She told detectives that she thought he was frightened so she took his hand. “When the ride ended, the victim was limp and unresponsive in his seat,” according to a sheriff’s office report. The $100 million ride, one of Disney World’s most popular, was closed after the death but was reopened today after company engineers concluded that it was operating normally. In 2003, Disney began placing motion sickness bags in the ride. During an eight-month period in 2003-04, six people over age 55 were taken to hospitals for treatment of chest pain and nausea after riding “Mission: Space,” though none of them was found to have any serious problem. At that time, it was the most hospital visits for a single ride since Florida’s major theme parks agreed in 2001 to report such problems to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Updated figures were not immediately available. One other death was reported at Disney World this year. A 77-year-old woman in poor health from diabetes and several ministrokes died in February after going on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at the Magic Kingdom. A medical examiner’s report said her death “was not unexpected.” Signs warn visitors about the intensity of the “Mission: Space” ride. “For safety you should be in good health, and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that can be aggravated by this adventure,” one sign on view last year said. Signs also warn pregnant women not to go on the ride. Florida’s major parks are not directly regulated by the Department of Agriculture; state law exempts large, permanent amusement parks that have their own inspectors from state oversight. But the parks agreed to share safety information in 2001. Disney officials said in a statement after the boy’s death that they were “providing support to the family and are doing everything we can to help them during this difficult time.”

Orlando Sentinel

Timeline: Deaths and accidents at Disney

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Aug. 22, 1989: A 29-year-old jogger was seriously injured on Walt Disney World property when he ran in front of a truck. Feb. 8, 1990: A worker was killed at Disney Hollywood Studios when he fell 33 feet to his death from a scaffold while working on an air-conditioning duct. Feb. 8, 1990: In an unrelated accident, three tourists were injured when three sets of cars in the Space Mountain roller coaster at Walt Disney World’s Disney World Magic Kingdom abruptly stopped because the computer detected a faulty wheel and automatically halted the system. Feb. 6, 1990: Five tourists suffered minor injuries when pieces of molding fell from the ceiling of the Haunted Mansion attraction at Walt Disney World’s Disney World Magic Kingdom. Aug. 18, 1994: A 6-year-old girl was badly injured when she became pinned between a boat and boarding dock at the It’s a Small World ride at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The girl suffered collapsed lungs, a broken rib and a broken arm. Dec. 31, 1999: Six people were burned when fireworks at Disney World’s New Year’s Eve festivities exploded near them. June 13, 2005: A 4-year-old boy died of a heart attack after riding the Mission: Space ride at Epcot. April 11, 2006: A 49-year-old woman became ill after riding Mission: Space at Walt Disney World’s Epcot. She was taken to a nearby hospital and died the next day. April 30, 2007: an unidentified worker who was bent over a ride vehicle for Primeval Whirl at Animal Kingdom to pick up trash was pushed over the edge of the platform by the vehicle. She suffered a minor head injury. November 2007: Karen Price, a 63-year-old ride operator for the Primeval Whirl at Animal Kingdom, was loading guests onto the attraction when she was hit by one of the vehicles. Price, who was leaning over the vehicle when it began moving forward, was pushed 10 feet forward and off of the ride platform, where she fell 3 feet to the ground and struck her head. She died five days later. Dec. 18, 2007: A 44-year-old man visiting Walt Disney World died after apparently suffering a heart attack on the Expedition Everest roller coaster in Animal Kingdom. No heart defibrillators were immediately available in the area. July 5, 2009: A 21-year-old monorail driver was killed when his train crashed into another monorail because of a track change malfunction. This was the first fatal accident involving a monorail in the resort’s 38-year history. Aug. 6, 2009: A 47-year-old Disney performer was injured during Captain Jack’s Pirate Tutorial show at Disney World. He succumbed to his injuries and died a few days later. Aug. 17, 2009: A stuntman at Disney’s Hollywood Studios died after suffering a head injury while practicing a tumbling roll during a rehearsal for the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show. Oct. 31, 2009: A 4-year-old girl was injured at Disney’s Fort Wilderness resort when a golf cart she was riding in overturned. March 14, 2010: A Walt Disney World employee broke his leg after he was struck by a guest driving a car at the Tomorrowland Speedway in the Magic Kingdom. March 23, 2010: Eight people were injured, one seriously, because of a crash between a Disney bus and Waldorf-Astoria bus near Epcot. April 1, 2010: A 10-year-old boy was hit and killed by a bus while riding his bike at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. July 9, 2010: An electrician working for a Disney subsidiary died after he was shocked as he worked near an electrical transformer at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. March 14, 2011: A Disney worker injured while repairing the Primeval Whirl roller coaster at Animal Kingdom later died from the injuries. 52-year-old Russell Sherry Roscoe suffered massive head injuries while working on the ride and he was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center. March 23, 2012: Katherine Jo-Ann Baliton broke her fibula boarding the Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise. She died April 7, 2012 because of a blood clot in her leg three days after surgery for the broken bone, according to a lawsuit brought by her family against Disney. August 16, 2013: A 63-year-old Orlando woman was killed when a bus taking tourists from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World resorts hit the rear of her car, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The 1996 Buick stopped in the left lane on Epcot Center Drive about 3:25 p.m., and the westbound bus was unable to stop in time to avoid hitting it, troopers said. The driver of the Buick, Solange Blain, was pronounced dead at Florida Hospital Celebration Health. The crash happened under clear skies at Overpass Road near the Epcot theme park. July 10, 2014: A tourist from the United Kingdom was hospitalized after an accident on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. The tips of the man’s ring finger and his pinky finger on his right hand were severed, according to Bo Jones, with the Reedy Creek Fire Department. Dec. 25, 2014: A 22-year-old woman with a pre-existing condition, lost consciousness after riding It’s A Small World on Christmas Day. She later passed away. The state report did not indicate when she died. Oct. 2014: A 54-year-old woman lost consciousness and died after riding Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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9 tragic deaths that happened at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World is normally known to bring smiles to visitors from across the world.

Unfortunately, news of a two-year-old boy being attacked by an alligator and pulled into a lagoon at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has cast a shadow of the magical destination and it’s not the first time tragedy has hit the resort.

RELATED: Walt Disney World closes beaches after alligator takes boy

Here are eight other times people died on Walt Disney World property.

  • On March 22, 2016, a man reportedly jumped to his death from Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s inner A-frame tower. Witness reports stated Walt Disney World monorails temporarily shut down as officials quickly roped off a crime scene area, but reopened later in the day to normal operations.
  • A three-year-old child drowned in one of Disney’s Art of Animation resort pools on July 14, 2015. The Orlando Sentinel reported the child got separated from his parents and following a brief search, was found at the bottom of the pool around 8 p.m.
  • A fatal accident occurred on April 12, 2015 at the Walt Disney World Speedway when a driver at the Exotic Driving Experience lost control on the course and crashed. A Florida Highway Patrol investigation concluded driving instructor Gary Terry, 36, died when driver Tavon Watson, 24, was driving a Lamborghini at 100 mph in the wrong direction on the track. Officials said Terry’s car “wouldn’t have been exposed to the end of the guardrails had the car been traveling in the direction for which the track was designed, which was counterclockwise.” Walt Disney World received $7,000 in fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a result of the accident. The Walt Disney World Speedway was demolished in August 2015 to expand Magic Kingdom parking.
  • A Walt Disney World costumed cast member playing Pluto in the daily afternoon parade “Share a Dream Come True” was run over by one of the parade floats on Feb. 11, 2004. Javier Cruz, 38, had worked at Walt Disney World for eight years  and was a father of two. He was struck just before entering a public viewing area in Frontierland, according to the Orlando Sentinel . The accident led OSHA to assess a $6,300 fine .
  • On Sept. 12, 1992, a man shot and killed himself at Disney’s Epcot theme park. Allan Ferris entered the park about 90 minutes after operating hours in search of his ex-girlfriend. Orange County deputy sheriffs reported Ferris demanded to see the woman and when security guards refused, he pulled out a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun. Ferris fired three shots and the three guards fled. One guard escaped, but two stopped after Ferris shot at them again. Ferris took the guards hostage in the Journey into Imagination pavilion for approximately 10 minutes. He eventually released the hostage and walked out with the gun pointed at himself. Moments later, he shot himself in the head. He was pronounced dead at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
  • A four-year-old boy from Dolton, Illinois drowned in the moat surrounding Cinderella Castle at Disney’s Magic Kingdom on Aug. 11, 1977. Joel Goode climbed over a fence around the five-foot deep moat, fell in and died. Goode’s mother sued Magic Kingdom for negligence, claiming the fence around the moat was too short (no higher than 31 inches tall, according to the plaintiff’s lawyer). According to the Daytona Beach Morning Journal , the case was tossed out on Oct. 8, 1981 when the presiding judge ruled the mother “failed in her duty to control the child of tender years.” In December 1982, the 5th District Court of Appeals ruled Goode’s mother could sue Walt Disney World and she filed a suit for $4 million. Jurors awarded her a total of $1.5 million dollars after deciding she was 50 percent at fault for the incident, according to the Ocala Star-Banner .
  • On July 5, 2009 two trains in the same Disney monorail line crashed at about 2 a.m. According to the National Transportation Safety Board , The agency cited a “shop panel operator’s failure” to switch over a track from the Epcot line to the Magic Kingdom express line. This resulted in the Monorail Pink train backing into Monorail Purple at the Ticket and Transportation Center. Monorail Purple pilot Austin Wuennenberg, 21, died at the scene. The NTSB also cited “Walt Disney World’s lack of standard operating procedures leading to an unsafe practice when reversing trains on its monorail system” as one of probable causes of the accident. OSHA proposed a $44,000 penalty against Walt Disney World for the incident, but ultimately reduced it to $35,200 following an appeal by the company.
  • On April 1, 2010, 11-year-old Chase Brubaker of St. Petersburg, Florida died after being hit by a bus at Disney’s Wilderness Resort. The Florida Highway Patrol reported two children were riding bicycles on the sidewalk along a roadway when Brubaker biked off the sidewalk, “struck the side of the bus and then was subsequently pulled underneath the bus and run over by the bus.” The 11-year-old girl riding with the victim and 28 passengers on the bus were not hurt in the accident. Officials also said there was no evidence the the bus driver, David Russel Rich, 56, a 30-year Disney employee at time, was impaired or driving recklessly.

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13 of the darkest, most controversial Disney rides and attractions of all time

  • Controversial attractions Superstar Limo and ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter no longer exist.
  • Disney is set to rebrand Splash Mountain, which has been called out as having racist depictions.  
  • The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) received backlash for "ruining" a beloved attraction.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

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Representatives for Disney Parks didn't respond to Insider's request for comment.

The Jungle Cruise is undergoing some changes amid backlash.

disney safari ride death

In January, The OC Register reported that the Jungle Cruise rides at both Disneyland and Disney World will be undergoing major updates to remove "negative depictions of native people."

"Imagineers are constantly looking for opportunities to enhance experiences, and when it comes to updating classic attractions, they employ a very careful and thoughtful approach," Disney officials said in a statement, per the OC Register. "In this particular case, Imagineers created a storyline that builds upon what people love the most while addressing negative depictions simultaneously."

According to the OC Register's report, Imagineers will update the attraction's scenes that feature shrunken-head dealer Trader Sam and the one of a rhino chasing a safari group.

The ride has previously been criticized as being racist and for its depiction of Indigenous peoples as "savages," IGN reported .

On Monday, Disney began removing certain parts of the attraction, including Trader Sam . 

Splash Mountain has been called out for having racist depictions. Disney later announced it's redesigning the ride.

disney safari ride death

Splash Mountain, one of the most famous Disney World and Disneyland rides, is based on the notorious 1946 film "Song of the South."

Over the past few decades, Disney has made it nearly impossible to watch this movie, which follows a man who was formerly enslaved, Uncle Remus, who is now living on a plantation during the Reconstruction Era following the American Civil War . Remus shares the stories of Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear, which are the characters we see depicted on Splash Mountain.

As Matt Singer wrote for ScreenCrush , the movie has a number of issues, including how it depicts Black individuals as inferior and is deliberately vague about slavery. The movie, as well as the ride that took inspiration from it, is now widely regarded as emblematic of a racist past.

Following a popular Change.org petition calling for Disney to rebrand the ride, the company announced it would be changing Splash Mountain to a "Princess and the Frog" attraction.

As of now, no date has been given for when the renovations will take place in California or Florida, though Disney says it has been planning these redesigns since 2019. 

As Insider's Amanda Krause reported , no renovation plans have been announced for the Splash Mountain ride at Tokyo Disneyland. 

The Haunted Mansion features a controversial visual depiction of death.

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In addition to being the location where many guests have unlawfully scattered their loved ones' ashes, the Haunted Mansion contains a controversial visual at its start. 

In the pre-show area, after an introduction to your "Ghost Host," the room goes dark and reveals a hanging corpse above, punctuating it with the sounds of shattering glass and terrified screams.

There's debate among fans about whether this stretching-room part of the ride should be changed or not.

According to some, the scene seemingly portrays death by hanging or death by suicide in an insensitive manner and is not necessary for the ride . Others argue that this part of the Haunted Mansion should be left alone, as it is part of the original ride that should not be "sanitized."  

That said, Disney guests who prefer to skip the beginning of the attraction can reportedly ask a cast member about a pass-through option , which allows guests to skip the stretching room and head straight to the loading area for the ride. 

Disney has altered several problematic scenes on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

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Opened in 1967, Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland is known for being the last ride that Walt Disney himself oversaw before his death.

But a few controversial scenes from the original attraction have been altered since the ride made its debut. 

The ride previously featured a scene where the male pirates were chasing frightened-looking women who seem to be trying to escape them. According to Emily Mae Czachor's report for the LA Times , in 1997, the women were given plates of food to make the chase seem less sinister, and as if it was about hungry pirates trying to get something to eat.

In addition, as Hugo Martin reported for the LA Times, in 2017 Disney announced more changes to the ride. It would be removing the Wench Auction scene, changing the banner reading "Auction: Take a wench for a bride" to "Surrender yer loot." 

More updates came in June 2018 when the ride's auction scene was further altered.

Dewayne Bevil reported for the Orlando Sentinel that now, instead of auctioning off a redheaded woman while potential buyers yell "We wants the redhead," today's version of the ride has the woman working alongside the pirates to auction off loot she found.

Kilimanjaro Safaris has gone through a number of changes since it opened.

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Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom is a safari ride where families get to view real-life giraffes, cheetahs, elephants, and more. During the ride, guests also encounter a "band of elephant poachers" and chase them.

According to multiple reports , in the original version of the ride, seen only during previews before the park's opening in 1998, there was a scene in which riders learn that poachers have taken a mother elephant, "Big Red," and her baby, "Little Red," to get their ivory tusks. 

The ride reportedly ended by showing guests the animatronic elephant known as "Big Red," who had been killed by the poachers — but "Little Red" was saved.

According to AllEars.net , a site not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company, the early previews of the ride drew complaints from parents who found it too scary for children.

Disney reportedly toned down the poaching storyline, but the ride maintained that Little Red had been captured by poachers, encouraging guests to keep an eye out for him.

Reviews were still mixed , with some arguing the poaching storyline was educational and others feeling unhappy about how it upset their children.

In February 2012 , Disney announced it would be removing "Little Red" and its related set pieces from the attraction in order to add more fan-favorite zebras.

Several songs in the Country Bear Jamboree have been criticized as having "not-so-politically-correct" lyrics.

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One of the few attractions left at Walt Disney World that's been around since the early 1970s, Country Bear Jamboree is a stage show where animatronic bears play and sing country songs for the audience. 

As Brooks Barnes wrote for The New York Times , the attraction has been criticized as having "not-so-politically-correct" lyrics. 

One of the lyrics in question that the bears sing includes the line: "Mama, don't whup little Buford. I think you should shoot him instead."

The animals also perform covers that some have called "inappropriate for kids," including a version of a Tex Ritter song that includes the graphic lyrics, "There was blood on the saddle and blood all around, and a great big puddle of blood on the ground."

The show was cut down during a 2012 refurbishment, which involved removing some of the bears' banter and the songs "Fractured Folk Song" and "Devilish Mary," Barnes reported for The New York Times.

At that time, former Disney chief creative officer Burce E. Vaughn told the New York Times , the attraction's overhaul "was done with a lot of love."

He added, "You want to be really sensitive to the original spirit. But tastes also change, how people consume media changes. We must keep our product relevant."

Some felt Snow White's Adventures in Florida was far too scary for children.

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The first Snow White's Adventures attraction opened at Disneyland in 1955 as a ride through the classic film. It notably featured a sign that warned parkgoers that the attraction was scary, per D23, the official Disney fan club.

The ride was later renamed Snow White's Scary Adventures.

As the Tampa Bay Times reported , when the attraction opened at Walt Disney World in 1971, the ride designers switched it up with a new, much scarier version that had guests experiencing the ride through Snow White's point of view.

Per the Tampa Bay Times, the ride featured loud noises, jump scares, and a simulation of the riders being attacked by the witch. 

According to a 1994 review of the ride from Orlando Sentinel reporter Leslie Doolittle that was shared by Yesterland , an unofficial website that covers Disney attractions, the ride was scary for children and a bit confusing since it never shows Snow White or her prince.

The ride was updated in 1994 and this version was meant to add, according to Doolittle, some "endearing scenes" to offset the scarier ones, including a moment where Snow White rides off with her prince.

Ultimately, the Disney World version of the ride closed permanently in 2012 as part of a major Fantasyland expansion, but it does live on in other parks.

Some compared ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter to a childhood nightmare.

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ExtraTERRORestrial Encounter tried to bring the 1979 sci-fi movie "Alien" to life in the Magic Kingdom.

After the ride's soft opening in 1994, former Walt Disney chairman and CEO Michael Eisner remarked that the ride wasn't "intense enough," Christine Shenot reported for the Orlando Sentinel . 

Imagineers went back to the drawing board and produced a ride with a script that Shenot referred to as having the "familiar feel of a childhood nightmare."

With its gory pre-show that ended in a disfigured alien to loud noises and strobe lights, the ride was controversial among families with young children.

According to Mental Floss , the intensity of the ride even warranted signage outside of it, declaring, "The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter is a frightening theatrical experience in a confined setting with loud noises and moments of total darkness." 

In 2004, the ride was changed and rebranded as Stitch's Great Escape, a nod to the 2002 family-friendly Disney film "Lilo and Stitch."

In March, multiple outlets reported that Disney filed permits indicating a potential demolition of Stitch's Great Escape. 

The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) was called one of the worst refurbishments in park history.

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When Florida's version of the Enchanted Tiki Room got a makeover in 1998 , a lot of fans were angry about how Disney changed a beloved, classic attraction. 

The new version of the ride, called The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management), starred Iago from "Aladdin" and Zazu from "The Lion King" instead of four parrots. 

The once-calming and relaxed ride was replaced with a new script and hosts (especially Iago) that were considered "loud," "abrasive," and "jarring," by many guests, according to WDW Info , a site not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company. 

Although some enjoyed the Tiki Room's update , WDW Info reported that the consensus was that this was "one of the worst refurbishments in Disney parks history." 

The ride closed for several months in 2011 due to fire damage , and when it reopened later that year, the "Aladdin" theme — particularly Iago — had been replaced with many elements from the original, beloved version of the attraction, as reported by Dewayne Bevil at the Orlando Sentinel .

The short-lived Superstar Limo has been called the "worst ride ever."

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Called the "worst ride ever" by Theme Park Tourist , Superstar Limo was a dark attraction at Disney's California Adventure that didn't last long. 

One of the primary issues was the concept. The original idea for the ride, according to AllEars.net , was to put guests in the position of paparazzi in Hollywood trying to catch celebrities as they raced through Los Angeles. 

But in 1997, while the ride was being installed , Princess Diana tragically died in a car crash while her driver was trying to evade paparazzi.

As former Disney chief creative officer Bruce E. Vaughn said on the docuseries "The Imagineering Story" on Disney Plus, per AllEars.net , "The original conceit was probably too self-referential about Hollywood — those paparazzi riding, and catching celebrities. Then you end up with Princess Diana dying right midway while the project is being installed, and suddenly paparazzi are, like, that's a really bad theme."

The ride, which finally opened in 2001, changed its concept, making the rider a celebrity on their way to a movie premiere instead of a paparazzo. Superstar Limo also featured several caricatures of Hollywood celebrities that Vaughn called "grotesque" in the docuseries.

Yesterland, which compiled reviews from the ride's 2001 opening, concluded that "the majority of guests were disappointed and puzzled by the ride."

The ride closed in 2002 , less than a year after it opened. 

Controversial depictions of Native Americans and toy rifles on Tom Sawyer Island have since been removed.

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Inspired by the classic book by Mark Twain , Tom Sawyer Island is an attraction that guests can explore on foot or by narrated riverboat ride around the Rivers of America.

The attraction opened at Disneyland in 1956 and, as Yesterland reported , one of its original features was a settler's cabin that was on fire. Per Yesterland, the ride also featured a man who'd been shot by an arrow, who the attraction's narration described as "the victim of an Indian arrow."

According to artwork acquired by Yesterland, which is reportedly of a 1962 Disney souvenir map, there were once "friendly Indians" and "unfriendly Indian villages" located on Tom Sawyer Island. These could be references to Twain's original story, which some argue perpetuates harmful stereotypes of Native Americans as hostile , uncivilized, and aggressive.

By the 1970s , many of the explicit references to Native American culture had been removed from the attraction.

In 2001, the attraction faced more scrutiny after a 6-year-old girl lost part of one her fingers while playing with a toy frontier rifle at Tom Sawyer Island, Jessica Garrison reported for the Los Angeles Times.

These fake rifles were later removed from the attraction.

In 2016, Disney removed Steven Tyler's "crude hand gesture" from the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.

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The Hollywood Studios Rock 'n' Roller Coaster stars the rock group Aerosmith in a thrilling ride through Los Angeles to get to the band's show.

According to Inside the Magic , a Disney news site not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company, since the ride opened in 1999, frontman Steven Tyler could be seen doing a "crude hand gesture." 

In 2016, Matt Muaney reported for the Orlando Sentinel that Disney altered Tyler's hand to an open palm with four fingers up.  

Tyler immediately shared his response to the change on Facebook.

In a 2016 Facebook post , Tyler wrote, "WELL NOW I AM IN 'SHOCK'...YOU KNOW I WOULD OWN UP TO THIS DOOZIE...WAY TO GIVE ME THE FINGER NOW WALT DISNEY WORLD...17 YEARS LATER"

In the same post, Tyler still called the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster the "GREATEST RIDE AT DISNEY." 

Mission: Space is so intense that multiple warnings have been added to it.

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An Epcot ride that opened in 2003, Mission: Space is known for being so intense that a motion-sickness bag is included on the ride, according to AllEars.net .

Intended to simulate the g-force an astronaut experiences during lift-off, the ride has been praised by guests for being realistic, though some said that it caused them to experience headaches, dizziness, and vomiting . 

Per CBS, since 2004, the ride has featured  safety-related signage warning guests that certain health conditions, like high blood pressure, "can be aggravated" by the attraction.

The attraction has also made headlines for its involvement in two tragic deaths.

In 2004, the Seattle Times reported that a 4-year-old was unresponsive after riding Mission: Space, and he later died at a hospital. Per Reuters, the family later sued Walt Disney World for negligence and the lawsuit was settled in 2007. 

In 2006, the Tampa Bay Times reported  a 49-year-old woman had felt ill after the ride and later died in a hospital. 

In 2017 Disney announced it would be adding a more "family-friendly" and less intense part of the attraction called the "Green Mission" that guests could choose to ride over the more intense "Orange Mission." 

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disney safari ride death

  • Main content

Wild Africa Trek

Valid admission required. A theme park reservation may be required based on admission type.

An Exhilarating Safari Adventure

Be awestruck viewing wild animals in their natural habitat on the 3-hour Wild Africa Trek. On this privately guided tour, discover animals of nearly every variety living in the Safi River Valley—an untamed environment that resembles their home turf in Africa.

The Journey Walk along a grassland path, cross a rope bridge and ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna—with a chance to view African creatures including towering giraffes, powerful rhinos, hippos and crocodiles.

Along your journey, your knowledgeable guide will share insights about the majestic animals you’re viewing, as well as details about the park’s dedication to animal conservation.

And as if your safari weren’t memorable enough, you’ll receive a complimentary souvenir as well!

Complimentary Photo Services Enjoy your encounters with the animals of the Harambe Reserve while a trained photographer captures all the action and excitement throughout your adventure—a service that’s included with your tour.

At the end of your expedition, you’ll receive a photo code that you can use to access and download images taken during your Wild Africa Trek experience.

Theme park admission is required, but not included in the price of this tour. Theme park reservations are also required.

Indulge In Gourmet Eats

Work up an appetite during your trek and then enjoy some first-class, African-inspired snacks.

Sample Menu

  • Garlic and leek hummus and pita
  • Prosciutto and mozzarella
  • Fresh fruit
  • Chicken wrap
  • Marinated tandoori shrimp

Please note: Menu items are subject to change without notice.

Know Before You Go

  • WARNING: For your safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure; heart, back or neck problems; motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate.
  • Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).
  • Participants must be 8 years of age or older and at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall.
  • Participants must be between 45 pounds and 300 pounds. The safety harnesses used for this experience may prohibit Guests of certain body shapes or sizes from participating.
  • You must have physical stamina, comfort with heights, and the surefootedness to negotiate small hills, foliage and unsteady rope bridges on this tour. Guests seeking a less strenuous or wheelchair-accessible trek should contact Wild Africa Trek operations at (407) 938-1373 for alternative programs.
  • Recommended attire includes shorts or pants and a comfortable shirt. Closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots are required. No flip-flops will be allowed. Skirts or dresses are not recommended.
  • Complimentary lockers for your belongings will be provided. You will also receive a safety vest and wireless headset so that you can hear your guide at all times. Cameras are allowed as long as they can be securely fastened to the vest.
  • Please check in 15 minutes prior to the start of the experience at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, located across from the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction entrance. Late arrivals may not be able to join the experience.
  • Excursion occurs rain or shine, with the exception of severe weather or lightning.
  • Tour itinerary, content, duration and availability are subject to change without notice.
  • There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if the Guest cancels within one day or fails to show up for the reservation.

disney safari ride death

Safety, Accessibility and Guest Policies

Make a reservation, times for wild africa trek.

disney safari ride death

Watch CBS News

Woman Dies After Disney World Ride

April 13, 2006 / 6:53 AM EDT / AP

A 49-year-old woman died a day after becoming ill after riding "Mission: Space" at Walt Disney World - the second death in less than a year related to the Epcot ride so intense that it has motion sickness bags and several riders have been treated for chest pain.

The woman became ill after riding the rocketship ride Tuesday afternoon and was transported to Celebration Hospital, where her condition worsened and she died, Walt Disney World spokeswoman Kim Prunty said in a statement.

The $100 million Epcot space ride, one of Disney World's most popular, was closed in June after the death of a 4-year-old boy, the son of a United Nations worker from Uganda, but reopened after company engineers concluded it was operating normally.

The Florida state Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection has been notified and will monitor an inspection of the ride, Disney officials said.

"We have closed the attraction to reconfirm proper operation of the ride," Prunty said.

Disney officials told state inspectors Wednesday that the woman felt dizzy and nauseated after getting off the ride, and may have suffered from high blood pressure and other health problems, Terence McElroy, a state agriculture spokesman, told the Orlando Sentinel.

The park officials also said the ride had been operating normally until it was shut down Wednesday afternoon, McElroy told the newspaper.

One warning sign posted in 2004 in front of the ride read: "For safety you should be in good health, and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that can be aggravated by this adventure."

It spins riders in a centrifuge that subjects them to twice the normal force of gravity, and is so intense that some riders have been taken to the hospital with chest pain.

Daudi Bamuwamye, who died in June, did meet the ride's minimum height limit, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

An autopsy concluded that the boy succumbed to an irregular heartbeat linked to natural causes. People with the condition - idiopathic myocardial hypertrophy with fibroelastosis of the left ventricle - are at risk for sudden death throughout their lives, especially in physically or emotionally stressful situations, medical examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia wrote.

Two adults in poor health and a 12-year-old Virginia girl died last year at Walt Disney World, out of the millions who visit the park each year.

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COMMENTS

  1. List of incidents at Walt Disney World

    In February 2007, an 89-year-old woman fell and broke her hip while exiting a ride vehicle. [101] On July 31, 2018, a 24-year-old from Winter Garden, Florida, who was a former Disney World cast member, entered a restricted area of the attraction and stole various costumes, props, and other items worth over $7,000.

  2. Disney World Guest Intentionally Wrecks Ride, Shuts It Down

    Credit: Disney. As the safari vehicle rumbled to life and set off on its safari adventure, a parent within the group decided it was the opportune moment to address their child's needs ...

  3. Disney Ride Closed Shortly After Woman Died on Board

    Multiple guest and Disney cast member reports allege that in the years before Splash Mountain closed, Disneyland Resort covered up a death on the ride. Witnesses observed blood, medical personnel ...

  4. Man dies after riding popular Walt Disney World ride: report

    FOX 35 Orlando. ORLANDO, Fla. - A 44-year-old man collapsed after riding a popular Walt Disney World ride and then later died, according to an injuries report from Florida's major theme parks ...

  5. Kilimanjaro Safaris

    Kilimanjaro Safaris. /  28.36083°N 81.59361°W  / 28.36083; -81.59361. Kilimanjaro Safaris is a safari attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom on the Walt Disney World Resort property in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It simulates an open-sided safari ride through the savanna of East Africa .

  6. Secrets of a Kilimanjaro Safaris Driver at Disney's Animal Kingdom

    Before the ride opening to the public, it told the grisly tale of an elephant that had been poached. It even included a model of the elephant's bloody carcass, visibly missing its prized tusks. Testers found the scene too disturbing for a Disney attraction, and it was removed prior to the official opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

  7. 44-Year-Old Dies After Riding Disney World Roller Coaster

    A 44-year-old Guest at Walt Disney World Resort tragically passed away following a ride on a popular Magic Kingdom Park attraction. Walt Disney World Resort is a place where Guests from all over ...

  8. Incidents at Walt Disney World

    On November 27, 2007, a 63-year-old employee died from a brain injury suffered four days earlier when she was hit by a ride vehicle after falling from a restricted area of the station. On May 23, 2008, OSHA fined Walt Disney World US $25,500 and charged the company with five safety violations.

  9. Boy dies after riding Disney World's "Mission Space"

    Share story. LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A 4-year-old boy died after passing out aboard Walt Disney World's "Mission: Space," a ride so intense that it has motion sickness bags and several ...

  10. Man Died After Riding Disney's Star Tours, Report Says

    October 24, 2016 / 12:31 PM EDT / CBS Boston. ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS/AP) — Authorities say a 67-year-old Tennessee tourist died after riding Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The September ...

  11. Disney Safari Hippo Found Dead

    June 4, 1998 / 10:47 AM EDT / CBS/AP. A hippopotamus has died at Disney's Animal Kingdom, the latest in a string of deaths at the theme park since last fall. Although an exact cause of death was ...

  12. Timeline: Deaths and accidents at Disney

    Oct. 2014: A 54-year-old woman lost consciousness and died after riding Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios. 2013. May. 29. Aug. 22, 1989: A 29-year-old jogger was seriously ...

  13. Report: Tennessee man died after riding Disney's Star Tours

    October 24, 2016 / 12:12 PM EDT / AP. ORLANDO, Fla. - Authorities say a 67-year-old Tennessee tourist died after riding Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The September death of the ...

  14. List of incidents at Disneyland Resort

    On September 3, 1994, a 76 year-old man jumped to his death from a ninth-floor balcony of the Disneyland Hotel. This was the first suicide known to be committed at the Disneyland Resort. [90] [91] On July 6, 1996, a 23-year-old man either jumped or fell to his death from the 14th floor of the Disneyland Hotel.

  15. Disney guest, 83, dies after 'cardiac event' on PeopleMover, report says

    An 83-year-old Disney World visitor with an undisclosed pre-existing condition had a "cardiac event" and later died after riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover ride at the ...

  16. 9 tragic deaths that happened at Disney World

    A four-year-old boy from Dolton, Illinois drowned in the moat surrounding Cinderella Castle at Disney's Magic Kingdom on Aug. 11, 1977. Joel Goode climbed over a fence around the five-foot deep ...

  17. Disney's Darkest and Most Controversial Attractions, Explained

    Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom is a safari ride where families get to view real-life giraffes, cheetahs, elephants, and more. During the ride, guests also encounter a "band of ...

  18. Boy, 4, Dies After Disney Ride

    June 14, 2005 / 11:31 AM EDT / CBS/AP. Agnes Bamuwamye knew something was wrong after she and her 4-year-old son, Daudi, strapped into the "Mission: Space" ride at Walt Disney World. The boy's ...

  19. Animal Kingdom Attractions

    7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Glimpse real African animals in their natural habitats during an 18-minute open-air safari tour in the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park in Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.

  20. Wild Africa Trek

    For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Take the Wild Africa Trek and view African wildlife on a privately guided VIP safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

  21. Disney's Safari Ride

    [4K] A full ride through of Kilimanjaro Safaris in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. "Set off in an open-air vehicle for a guided tour of an Afri...

  22. Disneyland Slammed For Ride Death

    November 26, 2003 / 4:16 PM EST / AP. A roller coaster accident at Disneyland that killed a rider was the result of improper maintenance and operators who weren't told to take action if a ride ...

  23. Kilimanjaro Safaris Morning Ride Experience in 4K

    Enjoy a morning ride on the Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom! A lot of the animals are naturally more active during the morning hours, so this ...

  24. Woman Dies After Disney World Ride

    April 13, 2006 / 6:53 AM EDT / AP. A 49-year-old woman died a day after becoming ill after riding "Mission: Space" at Walt Disney World - the second death in less than a year related to the Epcot ...