Sculpture atDisney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa dedicated to a boy killed by a wildalligator there in 2016. Note the rope barriers and signs warning of dangerous reptiles in the background, which were erected throughout Walt Disney World due to this incident.[1]
This is a list of notableincidents that occurred at theWalt Disney World Resort inLake Buena Vista andBay Lake,Florida, United States. The term "incidents" refers to major injuries, deaths, loss (or injury), or significant crimes related to the attractions themselves, or personal altercations and incidents between the theme park guests and employees. Attraction-related incidents usually fall into one of the following categories:
Negligence on the park's part, either by ride operator or maintenance.
Negligence on the guest's part—this includes 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.
Acts of God, which include generic accidents (e.g. slipping and falling) that are not the direct result of an action on anyone's part.
According to a 1985Time magazine article, nearly 100 lawsuits are annually filed against Disney for various incidents.[2] Florida theme parks are required to notify the state of any ride-related injuries or illnesses that require a hospital stay of at least 24 hours.[3]
On December 27, 2002, eight people were injured when a ferryboat collided with the dock at theTransportation and Ticket Center after the captain put the engines into reverse too late, and was unable to stop the boat in time.[4]
On April 22, 2010, a 61-year-old woman fromSkipton,North Yorkshire, United Kingdom (who had a vacation house inCelebration, Florida at the time) suffered a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and back pain due to a boating accident near the Magic Kingdom. The rented Sea Raycer that her husband was driving collided with a Disney ferryboat. TheOrange County Sheriff's Office later stated in a report that the Sea Raycer crossed in the ferry's right-of-way.[5]
On December 30, 2019, a 56-year-old woman leapt from the upper deck of a ferry into theSeven Seas Lagoon. She was rescued by Disney lake patrol. The guest was uninjured and was taken to a nearby hospital for observation and mental health evaluation. The Orange County Sheriff's Office later confirmed it was asuicide attempt.[6]
On April 27, 2023, the FerryRichard F. Irvine collided with the dock at the Magic Kingdom, knocking at least one person unconscious. One male guest sued Disney for $50,000, claiming that his head and neck struck a steel pillar in the collision, causing him to fall into a garbage can.[7]
On February 22, 1993, a 45-year-old cast member fromPort Orange was killed when his red 1989Honda Accord lost control and crashed head-on into a Disney transportation bus on the west side of Buena Vista Drive, forcing a short closure to ramps leading toEpcot. None of the 29 passengers in the bus were injured.[8]
On March 23, 2010, a Disney transportation bus rear-ended a private charter bus near the entrance to the Epcot parking lot. Seven guests aboard the Disney bus received minor injuries, while the bus driver was reported to have received critical injuries.[9]
On April 1, 2010, a 9-year-old boy fromRedington Beach, Florida was crushed to death by a Disney transportation bus atDisney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground while riding his bicycle with an 11-year-old girl. A report from theFlorida Highway Patrol says that the victim appeared to turn his bike into the road and ran into the side of the bus, subsequently being dragged under the bus's right rear tire.[10] The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.[11] A preliminary report stated that the bus 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.[10] In October 2010,Disney World was sued for $15,106 by the boy's mother.[12] Disney settled out of court in 2012 with her.[13]
On August 6, 2017, a bus driver, 47-year-old Collins Yakep ofOrlando, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center after a collision occurred at an intersection. 34-year-old Ritesh Bhagani ofWinter Garden, Florida was driving north on Buena Vista Drive in a black late-2000sCadillac Escalade SUV when he ran a red light and struck the front side of the bus that was en route toDisney's All-Star Sports Resort as he was turning. The passengers and driver on board the vehicles were taken to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital suffering minor injuries.[15]
On December 11, 2018, two Disney transportation buses carrying 51 people in total collided with each other on Epcot Center Drive near Epcot, with fourteen guests receiving minor injuries. One of the buses, driven by a 21-year-old man fromDavenport, Florida, ran into the back of another bus, driven by a 62-year-old woman fromSt. Cloud, Florida. Neither of the drivers were injured, and the 21-year-old received a ticket following the crash.[16]
On July 10, 1990, four teenaged boys were killed when their late-modelFord Mustang smashed into the rear of a bus during a high-speed pursuit near the Caribbean Beach Resort at Disney World property. Three of the four boys died on scene, while the fourth boy, a 17-year-old from Orlando, was later treated with critical injuries at Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a few hours later. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated that the Mustang was traveling between 85–90 mph (137–145 km/h) when it smashed into the bus with no passengers inside during the morning hours. The driver, a 19-year-old man fromWindermere, had a record of seven traffic violations and his license was suspended at the time of the crash.[17][18]
On August 31, 1994, an unidentified truck driven by a 20-year-old man fromKissimmee, Florida, lost control and crashed into a tree nearDisney's Contemporary Resort, killing its passenger, an 18-year-old electrician fromChicago, Illinois (who lived in Windermere at the time), during a high-speed pursuit with both Disney security and the Orange County Sheriff's Office. According to authorities, Disney employees immediately chased the truck down after witnessing its passenger standing on top of the moving vehicle.[19]
On April 1, 1995, a 9-year-old boy fromSchoolcraft, Michigan named Tyler Edward Hrab, was killed after being fatally struck by a moving car driven by a 17-year-old Disney employee fromKissimmee in the parking lot. Tyler was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead the following day. On July 7, his parents filed a lawsuit seeking $15,500 in damages.[20]
On December 4, 2010, theWalt Disney World Monorail System was forced to halt its operations for 40 minutes after an unidentified SUV crashed into one of the system's pillars at one of Epcot's parking lots, forcing short monorail closures leading to both Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. Its operations resumed an hour later following a short investigation leading that there was no serious damage reported to one of the pillars. No injuries were reported from the SUV crash.[21]
On February 2, 2023, a 53-year-old Colombian man was rear-ended by an oncoming whiteToyota Tundra while riding his bicycle onOsceola Parkway, forcing closure to ramps leading to Disney's Hollywood Studios. He was airlifted to Osceola Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead after arrival.[22]
On October 6, 2025, a fatal five-vehicle crash onFlorida State Road 536 that killed anelectric bike driver forced Epcot Center Drive in Disney World property to close during the morning hours. TheFlorida Highway Patrol stated that the biker involved in the crash, who was unidentified, was later transported to Celebration Hospital but was pronounced dead after arrival.[23]
On February 12, 1974, theMark IV Monorail Blue rear ended the Mark IV Monorail Red due to driver error. One driver, a 20-year-old man from Orlando, and two passengers, one fromRochester, New York and the other fromCanton, New York, were injured.[24]
On June 26, 1985, a fire engulfed the rear car of the six-car Mark IV Monorail Silver in transit from theEpcot station to the Transportation and Ticket Center.[25] This fire 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 theReedy Creek Fire Department.[26] Seven passengers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation or other minor injuries.[27] The fire department later determined that the fire started when a flat tire dragged across the concrete beam and was ignited by the frictional heat.[28]
On August 30, 1991, two Disney cameramen were minorly injured afterMark VI Monorail Red collided with a maintenance rig outside Disney's Contemporary Resort, knocking both men down. According to authorities, nobody was on the monorail at the time of the incident because the monorail itself was used to film a Walt Disney World television commercial. At the time of the incident, the crew attempted to film Monorail Red coming out of the Contemporary Hotel and heading to the Magic Kingdom by using a camera platform in the rig.[29]
On April 26, 1993, a fight broke out at one of the monorail stations when Phillip Harrison, the step-father ofOrlando Magic basketball playerShaquille O'Neal, punched an intoxicated man fromBinghamton, New York in the chest and knocking him onto both the monorail tracks and the ground minutes after stepping out of an unknown-colored monorail. He suffered both neck and back injuries and was taking toSand Lake Hospital before being released following anx-ray scan. Neither of them were charged in the fight.[30]
On August 12, 1996, Monorail Red suffered damage by an electric fire while pulling into the Magic Kingdom station. During the afternoon hours, Red with five people on-board was pulling into the Magic Kingdom minutes after departing from Disney's Contemporary Resort when the monorail's pilot noticed that there was both a smoke and an electric fire. A couple of bus drivers down below also notified about the fire. Despite all five people being rescued safe by Reedy Creek, the pilot suffered smoke inhalation and the two bus drivers suffered injuries, and all three were taken to nearby hospitals. The fire was quickly put out by Reedy Creek and Red was immediately being taken by tug afterward.[31]
2009 Walt Disney World monorail accident: 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 Monorail Purple's pilot, 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg of Kissimmee, Florida.[32] One cast member and six guests who were also on the trains were treated at the scene and released.[33]OSHA and park officials inspected the monorail line and the monorail reopened on July 6, 2009, after new sensors and operating procedures were put in place.[34][35] An investigation by theNational Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) 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 placed three monorail employees on paid administrative leave as a result of the incident.[36] On October 31, 2011, the NTSB 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.[37][38] As a result of this incident, cab riding for guests was discontinued.[failed verification] OSHA proposed a total of $44,000 in fines against Disney for safety violations, but that amount was later reduced to $35,200.[39]
On November 18, 2015, Monorail Coral was being towed by a monorail tug for an unknown reason. The monorail separated from the tug, then crashed into it, causing damage to the body of the monorail and shattering the windshield. All monorail lines were shut down after Coral's accident but resumed operations the next day.[40][41]
On January 6, 2018, Monorail Red was taken out of service after one of its doors failed to close before departing from the Transportation & Ticket Center. Despite no injuries reported, the door remained open during its route to Epcot. Shortly after taking off, maintenance was called and workers spent around 10 minutes trying to fix the door.[42]
On October 31, 2023, Monorail Yellow was stalled near the Epcot parking lot toll plaza after one of its tires were blown during route. The Reedy Creek Fire Department safely departed all passengers inside Yellow before being towed by a monorail tug afterward.[43]
On November 23, 2024, the entire monorail system was briefly shut down after a fake bomb threat was made by a 31-year-old man fromDeltona, Florida, after replying to his wife about him having a bomb on a stuck monorail atDisney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. According to authorities, the man and his wife were flagged for an additional check. While the Disney Security guard checked the wife’s bag, the man said that she had a weapon in her bag, which was false. Security guards and police were notified. An unknown-colored monorail was stuck in the station as Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene and Disney bomb dogs searched the monorail and a family member’s car for any destructive devices, but none were found. The man was taken into custody.[44]
On June 12, 1982, a 1-year-old girl fromMuscatine, Iowa was killed after she fell out of the tram when it made a sudden turn in the parking lot leading to the Magic Kingdom.[45]
On October 18, 1992, an 8-year-old girl fromIndian Harbour Beach, Florida fell from the tram while it was moving. Her 38-year-old mother reached out for her but also fell from the tram. The tram at the time was going around 15 mph. The mother was airlifted to the Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she died the following morning. The girl was transported by Reedy Creek to theArnold Palmer Hospital for Children where she was treated and released.[46]
On August 14, 1993, a female guest stabbed two male guests with a 6-inchparing knife at the tram stop in the Pluto parking lot leading to the Magic Kingdom. Both men, a 41-year-old fromCinnaminson, New Jersey and a 37-year-old fromMiami, were both listed in good condition at Sand Lake Hospital. The woman left the scene and drove away with a white unknown-modeled car. Authorities later confirmed that the woman grabbed the 37-year-old man from behind while standing with his daughter waiting for an oncoming tram, and the 41-year-old made eye contact with the female suspect before she shouted to "never look at [her] like that". The knife according to investigators was pulled out from the woman's sock.[47]
On July 27, 1994, lightning struck one of the trams in the parking lot leading to the Magic Kingdom. Seven people were stunned by the strike, but four people were transported to the hospital and were all released that same day.[48]
On September 24, 2024, an 80-year-old man fromArgentina with prostate issues and severeurinary incontinence was arrested by Orange County deputies after he exposed hispenis andurinated in the bushes near the security office of the Transportation & Ticket Center. He was taken into Orange County custody and was banned from entering Disney World property. According to authorities, he attempted to speak to a cast member but couldn't understand because of his non-English accent, while his attorney said that he "didn't do anything wrong".[49]
On May 20, 2025, a 37-year-old woman fromLondon, Kentucky was arrested by Orange County deputies after Disney Security caught the woman sneaking a tin can filled withmethamphetamine into the Transportation and Ticket Center. When a Disney security employee asked what the items were, she allegedly told them it was "Goody's Headache Powder", but was later confirmed as meth after a substance test by Orange County Sheriff. Police didn't confirm if they purposely snuck the items into Disney World property. She was released with a $5,000 bond shortly afterward.[50]
Several instances of visitors losing consciousness on the ride have been reported, leading to the installation of warning cards for riders before entering the ride. The cards are similar to those onMission: Space and warn riders aboutfear of heights,motion sickness, and the seating restraints.[51]
On April 30, 2005, a 30-year-old man fromMooresville, Indiana, lost consciousness shortly after exiting the ride and died from a heart attack moments later. An investigation showed the ride was operating correctly and was not the cause of the man's death; he had anartificial pacemaker.[52]
On May 29, 2013, a loaded.380-caliber pistol with five hollowpoint bullets was discovered by a grandmother and grandson at one of the ride carts at Dinosaur. Disney security immediately took possession of the gun, and Orange County deputies later located the owner, who was an Orlando area resident. He responded to deputies that he didn't know everything about the park's policies. He told investigators that he had a Florida concealed weapons permit and the gun likely slipped out of his back pocket while the ride was active. The weapon was immediately turned over to deputies and the man was banned from entering Disney World property.[53]
Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
On December 18, 2007, a 44-year-old man fromNavarre, Florida, lost consciousness while riding the coaster. He was givenCPR on the ride's loading platform and was later pronounced dead at Orlando Regional Medical Center.[54] The Orange Countymedical examiner's office conducted an autopsy and concluded that the victim died ofdilated cardiomyopathy and the death was considered natural.[55]
On May 29, 2007, five guests and one cast member were injured when an emergency exit platform malfunctioned. The guests were exiting a Kali River Rapids raft during a ride stoppage triggered by a monitoringsensor. The raft was on a steep incline and the emergency exit platform was designed to allow guests to easily access the emergency stairs from the incline. After an investigation determined that the platform "disengaged and slid", it was removed and an alternative evacuation procedure was adopted.[56] The six people were taken to local hospitals for minor injuries and were later released.[57]
On November 29, 2007, a 63-year-old cast member fromCarrollton, Ohio died from a brain injury sustained four days earlier when she was hit by a ride vehicle after falling from a restricted area of the ride platform.[58] On May 23, 2008, OSHA fined Walt Disney World $25,500 and charged the company with five safety violations. The fines were: $15,000 for three serious violations; $7,500 for still missing a handrail that had been reported; and $3,000 for not responding to OSHA requests within the requested time period.[59]
On March 13, 2011, a 52-year-old cast member fromWebster, Florida sustained head injuries while working on the ride and was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he later died. The ride was undergoing maintenance and was closed to the public at the time of the incident.[60]
On October 19, 2020, a 41-year-old security guard was tackled to the ground from behind and placed into a headlock by a 19-year-old man fromPompano Beach, Florida at DinoLand USA. The 19-year-old was then pulled away by guests while resisting. After being secured to a stretcher and being taken toAdventHealth Celebration by Reedy Creek, he became coherent and told a nurse that he tookLSD and attempted to "kill someone". Doctors confirmed that he had both drugs and alcohol in his body at the time of the fight.[61]
On May 29, 2025, a Florida man sued Walt Disney World for $50,000, claiming that Disney was negligent following a July 31, 2021 incident where the man was critically injured after riding on the Downhill Double Dipper slide. According to the lawsuit, the man who weighs 334 pounds at the time of the incident alleges that the ride was not properly equipped or safe for guests of his size, exceeding the ride's 300-pound weight limit, leading to serious harm. He stated in court that during the ride, he was briefly lifted off the slide, which resulted in what he describes as “permanent and catastrophic" injuries. The case is scheduled for a jury trial beginning in May 2027.[62][63]
In 1990,OSHA fined the park $1,000 after three performers were injured in three separate incidents.[64]
In one incident, a performer fell 30 feet (9.14 m) when a restraining cable failed.
In another incident, a performer fell 25 feet (7.62 m) when a prop ladder unexpectedly collapsed.
A third performer was pinned by a malfunctioning trap door.[64] OSHA cited Disney for failing to provide adequate fall protection, including padding and other equipment.[64]
Later, while rehearsing a new, safer routine, another performer fell 25 feet (7.62 m) onto concrete.[64]
In a rehearsal on August 17, 2009, a 30-year-old performer named Anislav Varbanov died after injuring his head while performing a tumbling roll.[65] The next day's performances were canceled out of respect for him.[65]
On June 29, 2006, a 12-year-old boy visiting fromFort Campbell, Kentucky, was found to be unresponsive after the ride ended. Though his father administered CPR until Reedy Creek paramedics arrived, he was declared dead on the way to Celebration Hospital.[66] The ride was shut down for the investigation and reopened a day later after inspectors determined that the ride was operating normally. A medical examiner determined that the boy had an undiagnosedcongenital heart defect.[67]
On October 24, 2016, a 67-year-old man fromMemphis, died after riding Star Tours. The rider had a pre-existing heart condition, along with other contributing factors. The incident was described as part of a quarterly report filed with the Florida Department of Agriculture, which oversees the safety of the state's amusement parks.[68][69]
On April 27, 2022, a 49-year-old man fromBrazil was arrested and charged with felony child abuse after beating up his adopted 5-year-old autistic son over buying a toylightsaber inToy Story Land. According to authorities, the child threw a temper tantrum after the man refused to buy the lightsaber, in which the man slapped and punched the child in the face after the child bit him in the arm, as well as him kneeing the child while dragging him on the concrete floor. An off-dutySouthaven, Mississippi police and FBI task force officer jumped into action to halt the abusive actions. After being taken into custody, the officer told Orange County deputies that "the type of beating he observed could not be mistaken for 'corporal punishment'".[70]
On July 8, 2022, a 41-year-old man fromClifton, New Jersey, who was diagnosed withbrain cancer, was arrested for child abuse charges after sparking a brawl between the man and two teenaged boys, who jumped in front of him during an altercation atLightning Lane at Toy Story Mania. Authorities confirmed that the two teenagers were heading to Lightning Lane but were kicked out after being notified that they did not have a reservation. At the time, the man's family were waiting in line at Toy Story Mania. They ended up entering Lightning Lane because of them having a reservation. After entering, the two teenagers jumped in front of the 44-year-old before sparking the altercation. The pair continued to heckle the man from further up the line, leading to both shoving and a punch being thrown before he ordered them to back up because of his brain cancer diagnosis. Once they got to the head of the line, the teenagers told the employee that their ride was for two, but the man shouted "two assholes" following their response. All three were escorted out of the attraction, but continued to fight afterward. During the fight, one of the teenagers was shoved into a pole, forcing him to fall forward as he complained of having a “concussion”. He was taken to Celebration Hospital for treatment with cuts on his leg, arm and knee from falling, a small cut on his right ear and blood on his shirt. Meanwhile, the 41-year-old man was taken to custody by Orange County deputies. Following the altercation, the 41-year-old man and the two teenagers were all banned from entering Disney World property.[71]
On September 13, 1998, there was a minor accident on the Tower of Terror which sent seven individuals to hospitals. The car dropped a few feet as normal, but the force from the car snapped both of the elevator cables, causing the car to free fall one floor down before the emergency brake activated. In a report from building inspectors, two of three bolts responsible for the pulley mechanism of the elevator were broken off. Seven individuals were treated and released for neck and back pains.[72]
On July 12, 2005, a 16-year-old girl fromKibworth,Leicestershire, United Kingdom complained of a severe headache and other symptoms after riding the Tower of Terror. She was taken to Celebration Hospital incritical condition,[73] where she underwent surgery for intracranial bleeding. On August 6, 2005, she returned to the United Kingdom viaair ambulance. While she had reportedly ridden the attraction several times during her visit with no ill effects,[74] she had been in pain for a few days prior to the incident. She had an extremely large 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 safely after spending six months in the hospital due to two heart attacks and surgery.[75] On February 13, 2009, the victim's family sued Disney for negligence in the ride's design, failing to adequately warn riders, and not providing proper safety restraints. They were seeking at least US$15 million.[76] The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed in 2012.[77]
On February 8, 1990, a 19-year-old employee fromApopka, Florida died after falling 33 feet from a scaffold while working on an air-conditioner at the park's sound stage. He was pronounced dead after arriving at Orlando Regional Medical Center.[78]
On February 3, 2010, a male stunt performer during a performance ofLights, Motors, Action!: Extreme Stunt Show suffered a leg injury after landing incorrectly on one of his legs while swinging from scaffolding onto a personal watercraft. He was taken to a nearby hospital instable condition, and survived.[79]
On May 16, 1995, a 4-year-old girl fromGalveston, Texas, with a known heart condition lost consciousness during a ride on theBody Wars attraction in theWonders of Life pavilion. The ride was immediately stopped and paramedics airlifted her to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy was inconclusive as to whether the ride had aggravated her condition.[80]
From the attraction's opening through June 1, 2005, paramedics were called for 194 Mission Space riders. Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting were the most common complaints, according toReedy Creek Fire Department records. Out of the 194 riders, 25 peoplefainted, 26 had difficulty breathing, and 16 reported irregular heartbeats or chest pain.[81]
On June 13, 2005, a 4-year-old boy fromSellersville, Pennsylvania, died after riding Mission: Space. An autopsy by theOrange County Medical Examiner's Office released on November 15, 2005, found that the boy died as a result of an existing, undiagnosedidiopathic heart condition calledmyocardial hypertrophy. On June 12, 2006, his parents filed a lawsuit against Disney, claiming that Disney should have never allowed a 4-year-old on the ride due to the ride's height restriction for size over 44 inches (110 cm), and did not offer an adequate medical response after he collapsed and later died.[82] A settlement between the child's parents and Disney was reached in October 1, 2006, and the lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed on January 30, 2007.[83]
On April 12, 2006, a 49-year-old woman fromSchmitten, Germany, fell ill after riding Mission: Space and died atFlorida Hospital Celebration Health hospital in nearbyCelebration, Florida. An autopsy determined that she died from a brain hemorrhage caused by longstanding and severehigh blood pressure; there was no evidence of trauma attributable to the ride.[84]
On November 21, 1984, a husband and wife, along with their 1-year-old daughter, were killed and two other children were injured when the single-engine plane they were flying in crashed while attempting an emergency landing in the Epcot parking lot. ThePiper aircraft was approaching an empty section of the parking lot when it clipped a light pole, shearing off the right wing, and crashing into several parked cars. The family was flying fromGreer, South Carolina, toKissimmee, Florida, for a Disney World vacation.[85][86]
On January 14, 1986, the bodies of a 33-year-old man and his 57-year-old mother were discovered floating in a retention pond after they drove their car down an embankment and into the water during a heavy rainstorm several days earlier. Authorities speculate that the two attempted to escape from the vehicle through the driver's side window as it sank into the six-foot-deep water. The vehicle's lights and windshield wipers were found in the "on" position, leading authorities to believe that the driver lost visibility during the rainstorm, jumped a curb, and slid down an embankment into the pond.[87][88]
On August 14, 1999, a 5-year-old boy was seriously injured after exiting a ride car. He was treated for an open compound fracture at theOrlando Regional Medical Center.[89]
On January 29, 2018, a 20-year-old man from Venezuela was accused and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior after he allegedly groped an 8-year-old boy on the ride. The boy and his mother were seated next to the man who put one of his arms around the boy's chest, his hand on the boy's knee, and touched the boy's groin during the ride. He was arrested shortly thereafter, although he claimed it was an accident.[90]
On June 30, 2025, during a cast member preview, a ride vehicle collided with doors to the exterior section of the ride after the doors failed to open as the vehicle approached, resulting in injuries to four guests.[91]
On October 22, 1982, three weeks after its opening, a 21-year-old seniorMississippi Valley State College band student fromLiberty, Mississippi, suffered both neck and spinal cord injuries after one of the park's ramp platforms fell on him during rehearsal in connection of a scheduled special performance at Epcot. Authorities later confirmed that the entirety of the 450-piece band were performing on a large roof at Epcot property when the accident happened. He was flown by helicopter to Orlando Regional Medical Center before being transported to the Luecerne General Hospital in Orlando where he remained at intensive care for days.[92]
On May 1, 1985, a 42-year-old dancer fromMexico suffered serious injuries after falling 30 feet from a pole during a stunt with a troupe in the Mexico pavilion. He was later taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition, where he recovered from his injuries. Authorities confirmed that the man was climbing halfway up a 60-foot pole during a performance at the center of the pavilion when he slipped and fell, and was among the four dancers climbing the pole.[93]
Epcot became national headlines following the January 26, 1986 arrest of formerColumbia, South Carolina police chief andDowners Grove, Illinois police officer Arthur Hess after failing to appear in federal court in July 1985 for an appeal in connection of his misconduct and obstruction of justice arrest in 1981 during his final hours as the chief of the Columbia Police Department. Hess, alongside co-worker Mary Davis McEachern, also from Columbia, were both arrested that day while spending time at Epcot after being missing for eight months following McEachern's car being discovered inAugusta, Georgia, completely covered in human blood stain. Both of the missing were living inTampa at the time of their arrests.[94]
On August 1, 1987, a 27-year-old male cast member fromWinter Garden was killed when theultralight plane he was flying crashed during a show rehearsal. He was practicing for Epcot's "Skyleidoscope" show at an altitude of 500–1000 feet when the ultralight suffered catastrophic structural failure, nosediving into the ground about 150 yards fromDisney's airfield and 1.5 miles from Epcot.[95]
On September 12, 1992, a 37-year-old man named Allan J. Ferris, fromRochester, New York, entered Epcot after the park closed its gates for the night, and brandished a shotgun at three security guards, demanding to see his ex-girlfriend who worked at the park. He fired four blasts at the guards and took two guards hostage in a restroom near theJourney Into Imagination pavilion. As Orange County sheriff's deputies surrounded the area, the man released his hostages and emerged from the restroom with the shotgun held to his chest. After exchanging words with deputies, he put the gun to his head and fired. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Investigators attributed his actions to a recent breakup with his long-time girlfriend.[96]
On October 12, 2013, a 24-year-old intoxicated Navy officer (Ensign) from bothPensacola, Florida andNaval Air Station Whiting Field was arrested with battery-related charges during Epcot's annual International Food and Wine Festival after entering a backstage office area in Epcot, punched two Disney World male workers in the head and struck a female patron with aPVC pipe. He was taken into custody and was released the following day.[97]
On November 5, 2017, a runner collapsed and died near the finish line of theDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon in the Epcot parking lot. No other details were initially disclosed.[98]
On August 18, 2018, a 49-year-old cast member named Brian Christ was found dead inside a burning car near Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course inthe park's resort area.[99] An Orange County Sheriff's deputy said that the death was not suspicious, but declined to announce the cause of death or the cause of the fire.[100] The death was later ruled as a suicide, due to disturbing messages he posted on hisFacebook account before his death.[101]
On March 12, 2019, a 58-year-old worker fromWinter Garden, Florida died in an industrial incident behind theFrance Pavilion. No details are available on the cause of his death, but it is believed he fell from the roof where the attractionRemy's Ratatouille Adventure was being developed.[102]
On November 1, 2019, a 58-year-old man fromEllis County, Texas named Mark Lockridge died while participating in Disney's Wine & Dine Weekend 5 km race. The victim collapsed while running on the course. The medical examiner stated the cause of death to be hypertension and heart disease.[103][104]
On February 9, 2023, a 33-year-old intoxicated man fromCoweta, Oklahoma, was taken into custody after trespassing through Epcot an hour after closure and assaulting an Epcot worker by throwing stanchions and tables at him. A guest experience manager saw the man lying outside on the ground in the rain near the World Showcase Promenade about an hour after closing time. The worker tried to assist a friend who was with him. While waiting for a wheelchair, the man allegedly became aggressive and began shouting after getting to his feet. Deputies said that he then picked up astanchion and attempted to both swing it and throw it at the manager. The stanchion was tethered to a second stanchion preventing him from striking anyone with it. He then picked up the stanchion a second time and then slammed it on the ground before being restrained by a Samaritan. After a few minutes, he picked up a table and threw it over the railing. The man was ushered off the property before he was taken into custody and being released from bond afterward, while the manager was treated at a nearby hospital for strained muscles in his neck, shoulder, and back. Documents reported that the man was intoxicated, and removed his Hawaiian shirt during the fight and threw the shirt at the manager.[105]
On January 30, 2024, a 38-year-old formerBrookline, Massachusetts police officer, who was honored as 2021's "Officer Of The Year" in his hometown, was arrested, taken to a nearby hospital, and later in custody after allegedly assaulted two Disney World security guards and an Orange County Sheriff's deputy at the entrance leading to Epcot. The Brookline Police Department placed the man on paid administrative leave following the incident.[106]
On June 16, 2024, a 46-year-old intoxicated man and his 24-year-old son fromLake Wales, Florida were taken into custody after fighting with a female cast member leading to both punches and shirts flying near the entrance of the Space 220 Restaurant. According to authorities and witnesses, the 46-year-old father charged in front of the employee like a football player before hitting her with his hand. She fell back on the ground and radioed for help before she punched him in the cheek and face. His 24-year-old son came to help his father before punching a manager. His father then grabbed a metal pole and swung it around before both men were taken into custody shirtless. While both men were taken by Orange County deputies, one of the men resisted in front of officers by shouting death threats to the cast member.[107]
On November 16, 2024, two 25-year-old men, one fromPlantation and the other fromFort Lauderdale, were arrested following an argument with a woman on a handicapped wheelchair at both the France Pavilion and the Land Pavilion. One of the men attempted to assault her before chaos with a verbal tirade directed at her in front of hundreds of guests. The female victim politely left the park before one of the security managers approached to the two men. After advising the two men to leave the park, the man from Plantation became extremely irate and verbally abusive. The man from Fort Lauderdale pulled out his phone to record the incident, before the Plantation man shouted curse words and ethnic slurs in front of the manager, including "Moulinyan" (Italian for then-word). Orange County deputies arrived before placing him in custody. After placing him in handcuffs, the Fort Lauderdale man was arrested for causing a major disturbance. According to authorities, they replied that the man from Plantation was intoxicated in a public establishment causing a major disturbance and breach of the peace, and did the entirety of it by creating a hostile environment towards other guests and becoming extremely confrontational towards Disney managers while being asked to leave. Orange County deputies immediately banned the Plantation man from entering Disney World property.[108]
On January 1, 2025, a 24-year-old intoxicated man fromPort Orange, Florida was arrested on multiple charges after destroying a merchandise kiosk at Epcot while wearing only his underwear during the early morning hours. Disney security reached out to the Orange County Sheriff's Office saying that the man created a scene beforehand when they noticed that he attempted to urinate into the bushes in public on the walkway between both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The man took off his clothes with the exception of his underwear and broke a $1,000 sales kiosk. Following his arrest with third-degree felony criminal mischief and two misdemeanors for disorderly intoxication and trespassing, Disney security immediately banned the man from entering Disney World property.[109]
On March 22, 2025, a large fire broke out in the France Pavilion area near Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, which forced riders to evacuate. A Walt Disney World spokesperson toldWKMG-TV that the fire started from a walk-in cooler in the backstage area of the France Pavilion, but the majority of the cause remains unknown. No injuries were reported, and no buildings were damaged.[110][111][112]
On May 9, 2025, Disney security reported an incident after an unidentified man purposely jumped into theAmerican Adventure fountain while being surrounded with a group of intoxicated friends. According to authorities, two Disney cast members first spotted the man before calling security. Officials say that the incident happened after one of his drunk friends sang a drunken rendition of theStar-Spangled Banner in front of the Liberty Theatre building. The man responsible for the incident was also intoxicated, and the entire group was then escorted out of the park.[113]
On July 9, 2010, a 50-year-old electrician fromDavenport, Florida was electrocuted while working on a site near an electrical transformer.[114]
On April 17, 2022, a young boy had two of his fingers amputated after injuring his hand on a metal sign near the baseball field. His parents filed a lawsuit and are currently seeking more than $30,000 in damages and medical bill coverage in response to his injuries sustained after the incident.[115]
During its final months of construction on July 6, 1971, a 61-year-old male construction worker fromFleming, New York (who lived inBradenton, Florida at the time) was crushed to death by sheet metal that dropped 30 feet from a crane hoist. Another man was injured but was later taken to a nearby hospital in fair condition. Authorities later identified the male victim as an employee from the W.E. Arnold Construction Company, which at the time was under contract withU.S. Steel.[116]
On February 11, 2004, 38-year-old cast member Javier Cruz, dressed asPluto, who had worked at the park for eight years, died at the Magic Kingdom when he was run over by theBeauty and the Beast float in theShare a Dream Come True Parade. Disney representatives commented that "very few... if any" guests had seen the incident.[117] This led OSHA to fine Disney US$6,300 for having employees in restricted areas.
On February 1, 2017, a 54-year-old man died after riding the attraction. His cause of death was believed to be natural causes, as he had a pre-existing medical condition. Sheri Blanton from the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office stated in an email that "the death did not appear to be one of [the examiner's] cases, so the man likely had an attending physician who agreed to sign out the death certificate due to natural causes." She further said, "If he had been under a doctor's care and there was no trauma indicated, the medical examiner's office would not be notified." A Disney spokesperson said the ride was operating as normal.[118][119]
On May 22, 2023, a 44-year-old man collapsed and died after riding the attraction. A later report detailed that he died from natural causes.[120]
On August 18, 1994, a 6-year-old girl fromMiami fell out of one of the ride's boats while it was in the loading area. Orange County authorities believe an incoming boat then struck her after the fall. The girl suffered a broken hip, a broken arm, and a collapsed lung. Paramedics took her to a hospital and she was able to recover fully from her injuries. The ride was closed for an inspection and reopened the following day.[121]
On December 25, 2014, a 22-year-old woman lost consciousness after riding the attraction and later died. The woman had a pre-existing condition.[122]
On August 11, 1977, a 4-year-old boy fromDolton, Illinois, drowned in the moat surroundingCinderella Castle. His parents sued for negligence and were awarded compensation of $1.5 million.[123]
On May 24, 1988, a 3-year-old boy fromPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania succumbed from a congenital heart defect while shopping at the Magic Shop at Main Street. According to the boy's family, they caught a glimpse with Mickey Mouse near Main Street but the line for pictures was long. Instead they stopped at the Magic Store, while the boy was lying on its stroller. As his father looked down towards him, he saw the boy suddenly pitched forward. The father quickly pushed the stroller outside the store and her mother lift the boy, finding out that he was not breathing. Disney officials arrived on scene before the Reedy Creek Fire Department took the boy to Sands Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.[124]
On January 10, 1987, a fire broke out in a tunnel that affects the attraction, which cause the closure to the entirety of Tomorrowland for almost two hours. Despite no injuries, authorities confirmed that arson was ruled out following investigation.[125]
On September 25, 2022, an 83-year-old man fromWest Palm Beach experienced a fatal heart attack and lost consciousness whilst riding the attraction. CPR was carried out after the ride had finished. The man was taken to Celebration Hospital but was pronounced dead at 5:04 p.m. The cause of death was reported as natural causes due to a pre-existing condition.[126]
On February 14, 2006, a 70-year-old man was injured as he became pinned underneath one of the ride's vehicles after falling from the conveyor belt. He was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center by helicopter with life-threatening injuries. The ride temporarily shut down operation that same evening.[127]
In June 1989, a 10-year-old boy fromAsheville, North Carolina named Luke Blalock was riding Pirates of the Caribbean with his family when another boat rammed into the side of the boat they were on. This impact amputated his right thumb, which was resting on the side of the boat. As a result of his injuries, the boy was later rewarded $881,895 by jury for medical costs, pain, and suffering.[128]
On February 1, 2005, a 77-year-old Minnesota woman lost consciousness and died after riding the Pirates of the Caribbean. A medical examiner's report said the victim was in poor health and she had several ministrokes. The report concluded that her death "was not unexpected."[129]
On August 6, 2009, a 47-year-old employee playing the role of a pirate in the "Captain Jack's Pirate Tutorial" show, accidentally slipped on a puddle on the stage and hit his head on a wall. He was taken to Florida Hospital in Orlando, with injuries including a broken vertebra in his neck and severe lacerations on his head that required 55 stitches. He died four days later due to complications from the fall.[130]
On July 10, 2014, a 57-year-old man from the United Kingdom was hospitalized after losing the tips of his ring and pinky fingers on his right hand while riding the Pirates of the Caribbean. The guest had his hand outside of the ride vehicle at the time of the incident. The ride was shut down briefly for inspection and later reopened after it was deemed safe.[131]
On May 23, 1982, a 20-year-old worker was standing near the ledge of the Fantasyland station when the Skyway started up; she grabbed onto a seat and traveled 100 feet (30 m) before a staff member stopped the ride. Some visitors climbed onto the roof of a nearby building, but could not reach her. She fell 15 feet (5 m) to the roof, slid off, and dropped another 20 feet (6 m) to the ground; she injured her back but survived.[132][133]
On February 14, 1999, a 65-year-old part-time custodian was killed when he fell off a seat. He was cleaning the Fantasyland Skyway station platform when the ride was turned on by staff who were likely unaware that he was there. He was in the path of the ride vehicles and grabbed a passing seat in an attempt to save himself. He lost his grip, fell 40 feet (12 m), and landed in a flower bed near theDumbo ride. He was dead on arrival at Orlando Regional Medical Center. The Skyway ride, which had been scheduled to be closed before the accident occurred, was permanently closed on November 10, 1999.[134] As a result of the accident, OSHA fined Walt Disney World US$4,500 for violating federal safety codes in that work area.[135] The incident echoed a similar incident atDisneyland Resort in 1994, when a 30-year-old man fell 20 feet (6 m) out of a Skyway cabin and subsequently attempted to sue Disney. In that case, however, the man later admitted that he had in fact jumped out of the ride, and the case was dismissed.[135]
Throughout its first 10 months of operation between January and October 1975, a total of 337 reports of both injuries and illnesses were reported according to Orange County court records, with a majority of the injuries being both serious and critical. The list of incidents throughout its first 10 months of operation includes one death, a 70-year-old man from Fort Lauderdale, lost consciousness and died after being taken to a nearby hospital on May 16, 1975.[136]
On February 20, 1975, three of its capsule passenger carriers collided with each other for unknown reasons. No injuries were reported, but the ride remained closed for several days. Disney spokesman Roger Swanson replied that the accident happened at the "nearly-leveled low-speed track area" as the capsules were reaching the end of the line.[137]
On August 12, 1980, a 10-year-old girl fromCaracas, Venezuela, became ill while riding Space Mountain.[138][139] She later died of a pre-existing heart condition and hypoxia.[140]
In 1998, a 37-year-old man was hit on the head by a falling object. His left arm was paralyzed, and he suffered from short-term memory loss (losing his job as a result). Two objects were discovered at the bottom floor of Space Mountain: a camera and a candle from Frontierland.[141]
On August 1, 2006, a 6-year-old boy fainted after riding Space Mountain and was taken to Celebration Hospital where he died. The victim was aterminal cancer patient visiting the Magic Kingdom as a part of the Give Kids the World program. The medical examiner's report showed that he died ofnatural causes due to a metastatic pulmonaryblastoma tumor.[142]
On December 7, 2006, a 73-year-old man lost consciousness while riding Space Mountain. He was transported to a hospital and died three days later. The medical examiner found that the man died of natural causes due to a heart condition.[143]
On May 21, 2007, a brawl broke out after five intoxicated teenagers, all fromShirley, New York, swore and spat on other customers near Space Mountain. The Orange County Sheriff's Office reported that a 19-year-old man was threatening security shortly before the brawl started, and an arriving officer used ataser on a 17-year-old girl after she allegedly punched a security officer and everyone came under control. All five teens (ranged from 14 to 20 years old) were arrested on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence, but only two were released with a $2,300 bond the following day.[144]
On July 7, 2015, a 55-year-old woman fromKingsport, Tennessee, died of cardiopulmonary arrest andseptic shock at Florida Hospital Celebration after losing consciousness while on the ride. According to the medical examiner, her medical history showed a history ofhypertension and congestive heart failure.[145][146]
On November 5, 2000, a 37-year-old man fromSt. Petersburg, Florida was fatally injured while trying to exit the ride vehicle while it was moving. He told fellow passengers that he felt ill and attempted to reach one of the attraction's marked emergency exits.[147] He was struck by the following ride vehicle and died at Celebration Hospital.[148]
In September 2018, a man fromNew York City was briefly banned from entering Disney World property after holding a "Trump 2020" sign while riding Splash Mountain. His ban comes a few weeks after a similar incident atExpedition Everest where he held up a "Make America Great" sign during the ride. Following his ban, Disney revoked his longtime annual pass, which he had been using since 1994. According to a member, he replied that the contents of the man's sign was not an issue but rather that it violated park policies prohibiting the unauthorized use of any flag, banner or sign for commercial purposes or to incite a crowd. His ban was lifted two months later after agreeing to Disney to not bring anymore flags to Disney World property.[149]
On October 19, 1991, a 15-year-old girl fromSarasota, Florida, was critically injured after she fell onto the ride’s tracks. According to witnesses, she was jumping from car to car and fell onto the track, where she was dragged under a moving car for at least 50 feet (15.24 m) before the ride stopped. She was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center where she underwent emergency surgery for head and facial injuries.[150][151]
In February 2007, an 89-year-old woman fell and broke her hip while exiting a ride vehicle.[152]
On July 31, 2018, a 24-year-old fromWinter 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. The suspect was arrested on May 17, 2019, and charged with burglary, grand theft, and dealing in stolen property.[153]
On April 12, 2021, a 66-year-old woman fell and broke her wrist while exiting the ride vehicle.[154]
In early-March 2025, the ride went into a pause after bystanders witnessed an unidentified man and his young son jumped out of their log to find the attraction's exits. Standing at the ride's proper for a half-hour, cast members turned on the ride speaker and asked the guest to sit back in the log three separate times, but the man continued to ignore their requests. The man began shining hisiPhone flashlight and shined in front of guests still seated. A cast member then told the man to stay where he was, before a security officer escorted both the guest and his child out afterward. Following the incident, both the man's family were banned from entering Disney World property.[155]
In May 2025, an unidentified man was kicked out from the Magic Kingdom after trespassing through the attraction's outer property searching for his hat, forcing the ride to stop and evacuate. Bystanders witnessed the man walking back and forth through the wet ledge looking at the water, explaining to witnesses that he lost his hat. Cast members immediately took the man out of the park and was kicked out of the Magic Kingdom.[156]
On March 1, 2010, a 4-year-old boy fromSan Diego suffered severe face and neck burns after being scalded by a tray of hot nacho cheese. The accident occurred when the boy sat down to dinner in an unstable chair and grabbed a food tray to prevent himself from falling, resulting in the cheese falling off the tray and into his lap. The child's 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 nacho 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."[157] The family settled out of court in 2011.[158]
During opening week in October 1971, legendaryburlesque starTempest Storm ofEastman, Georgia became one of the first guests to be arrested on Disney World property. Authorities confirmed that she was arrested for violation of a city ordinance banningtopless dancing after performing her own show at the Magic Kingdom, and was released with a $500 bond afterward.[159]
On August 9, 1972, two male employees, including a 20-year-old man from Kissimmee, were both struck by lightning while working at the parking lot leading to the Magic Kingdom during a severe weather outbreak. Both men were taken to Orange Memorial Hospital and were released.[160]
On January 27, 1975, a 39-year-old Reedy Creek Utilities master electrician fromTitusville, Florida was electrocuted to death while working on a tunnel with two other employees in the early morning hours. Orange County deputies later confirmed that the male victim received a 500-volt shock. He was found with his safety gloves nearby.[161]
On August 7, 1979, a 62-year-old woman fromBaltimore, Maryland, on vacation with her three grandchildren, left the park after the 10 p.m. fireworks show. Looking for her vehicle in the parking lot, she fell into a drainage ditch and drowned; her body was found at 9:45 a.m. the next morning.[162] In 1981, her daughter filed a lawsuit against Disney for $3 million, contending that at nighttime, the drainage ramps appeared to be pedestrian walkways, and that there were no barriers preventing her mother from making her way onto one of the ramps and falling into the canal.[163]
On October 17, 1982, a 27-year-old man fromYork, Pennsylvania was arrested after Disney security guards witnessed the man playing with a gauze-wrappedgrenade patched withadhesive bandages while sitting on a bench near the Magic Kingdom. Authorities confirmed that an employee witnessed him playing with the grenade before contacting security guards and Orange County deputies, who questioned the man before covering it with a bomb blanket until technicians arrived. The man explained to authorities that the grenade was deactivated and he purchased the grenade at the Army Surplus store in York. Authorities later recovered a gas mask and an empty first-aid box after his arrest.[164]
On September 11, 1987, a man fromJacksonville, Florida was banned from entering Disney World property after attempting to abuse his own children in public at the Magic Kingdom. According to the report, he spoke with a newspaper columnist atFlorida Times-Union that the man's children broke several rules in public while on vacation with a Baptist group, including cutting people in line, cursing in public, and kicking the man's wife, in multiple areas including Tomorrowland and the Cinderella Castle. As one of his children, a 12-year-old boy, broke several rules to his parents, the man grabbed the boy by his breastbone and pushed him back. He secretly told the columnist that he wanted to pick the boy up and shove his head in the cigarette machine. After the child scampered away, Disney security guards arrived and took the family over to a room. The boy responded that his father attempted to choke him despite the family completely disagreed over his actions. Instead of him being charged for child neglect, the man was immediately banned for a whole year. Security officers were forced to take a photo of the man by using aPolaroid before being released from the park.[165]
On December 29, 1997, nearly 100 anti-gay activists protested near the entrance streets leading to the Magic Kingdom, which caused a minor slowdown. Despite Disney officials saying that the protest had no effect on operations, it was the first protest demonstrated byOperation Rescue National, a controversial Texas-based anti-abortion group that at the time was expanding its mission to "target the homosexuality." Several people from coast-to-coast, includingWheeling, West Virginia andOrland Park, Illinois, were arrested for obstructing traffic and throwing advertising materials onto the streets, and were held in lieu of $500 bail. Operation Rescue members replied that the protest against what they called the "Tragic Kingdom" was prompted by Disney's tolerance of gays. The company even posted a message on the internet calling the protest "a massive assault on the gates of hell". David Lackey, the minister of the Cathedral of the Cross inBirmingham, Alabama, protested towards Disney chief executiveMichael Eisner, who said that "he promoted homosexual life in Disney movies and encouraging it for unknown reasons."[166]
On May 29, 2007, a 34-year-old woman fromClermont, Florida, was attacked by a 51-year-old park guest fromAnniston, Alabama, as they waited in line at theMad Tea Party attraction.[167] The attacker was convicted on charges of battery[168] and sentenced to 90 days in jail; nine months of formal probation; and an anger management course.[169] The victim and her husband later filed two separate lawsuits against Disney. Her lawsuit claimed, 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. Her husband's lawsuit against Disney claimed the loss of his wife's support and companionship due to the attack.[170] In 2011, a jury found in favor of Disney.[171]
On October 17, 2019, a 50-year-old man fromOrlando was arrested for lewd and lascivious molestation in multiple, separate incidents.[172]
On May 16, 2022, Matthew Carney, a then-22-year-oldCanadian man fromOntario was arrested at theCanada–United States border'sPort of Entry inOgdensburg, New York on a warrant and was taken toSt. Lawrence County Correctional Facility inCanton, New York. Back in Florida, according to the incident report taken by Orange County Sheriff's Office in July 2019, Carney, then 19 who was employed at Disney, allegedly told a Disney security guard outside the Magic Kingdom that "he had a bomb" and that "he's going to blow up the Cinderella Castle." The manager noted that Carney "had a straight face, was not laughing and appeared to be serious while making these statements." Carney was searched by an Orange County deputy and found two cell phones with him, with one that was on and one that was "not operable". The guard told deputies at the time that he was authorized to press charges on behalf of the company, and charges were officially filed by the State Attorney's Office in August 2020.[173]
On April 26, 2023, a 56-year-old man fromLeesburg, Georgia was arrested after groping a 21-year-old female cast member at the Magic Kingdom. The cast member told authorities that the man tried to touch her breast, but her shirt was buttoned up too tight. The man “did not say anything to her during the incident, but made eye contact with her and did not apologize for his actions before he walked away”. He was taken into custody by Orange County on a count of battery and a single first-degree misdemeanor charge.[174]
On May 15, 2023, a brawl broke out at the Magic Kingdom Park entrance after one family asked another to move over so they could take a photo in front of the park's Disney 100th anniversary sign. The Orange County Sheriff's Office said at least one person received medical treatment after the fight, but that they declined to press charges. Two unspecified people were later banned from entering Disney World property.[175]
On September 18, 2023, an adult black bear was seen in a tree near the Magic Kingdom, causing the closure of much of the west side of the park including parts of Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square. Attractions in the park reopened when the bear was captured by personnel from theFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for relocation to an area in or nearOcala National Forest.[176][177]
On August 29, 2024, chaos erupted at the Magic Kingdom after rumor spread that shots were fired during late-evening hours. The Orange County Sheriff's Office confirmed that there was no active shooter, and added that no shots were fired at all. Deputies say that a popping balloon was most likely responsible for the trigger. The event was widely discussed on social media, with videos going viral of Main Street stores wrecked by stampeding.[178]
On October 7, 2024, a 35-year-old man fromFlower Mound, Texas was taken into custody on a battery charge after he violently pushed a stroller with a child inside into a Disney employee during a terse exchange. The incident happened several minutes before a fireworks show at the Cinderella Castle. According to a witness, she told the Orange County Sheriff’s Office that she saw a family consisting of a man, woman and a child in a stroller attempting to walk around the cast member. The witness observed the cast member step in front of them, placing herself 2 feet in front of the family and advised that the family that the bridge was closed and to take an alternative route. She advised that the male said something that could not discern and then used the stroller to push the cast member out of the way, making contact with the cast member, with the male using his left shoulder and arm to make contact with the cast member. She then observed the male turn back and attempt to start saying something to the cast member, and then proceeded by pointing the finger as he walked away from the witness.[179]
On October 19, 2024, a 21-year-old man fromBurlington, Massachusetts was taken into custody with a single domestic battery charge after pummeling a female guest near the Casey’s Corner hot dog stand before being taken down by other guests.[180]
On March 29, 2025, a 44-year-old man fromSt. Augustine, Florida was banned from entering Disney World property after a Disney security officer caught the man sneaking a wallet full ofcocaine into the Magic Kingdom. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office used a field test on the white powder and found the “results were presumptive positive, indicating the presence of cocaine.”[181]
On June 25, 2025, a 20-year-old woman fromRosemount, Minnesota was arrested for misdemeanor battery after attempting to ram into a female cast member's shoulder and ended up pushing her afterward during theHappily Ever After nighttime spectacular show at the Cinderella Castle. The woman tried to move past the employee’s left side, which at the time the employee was holding on to a metal railing with her left hand to block people from coming through. She pushed the employee to the ground, but was stopped by a good Samaritan, who secured the woman physically before more employees, Disney Security, and the Orange County Sheriff's Office before the woman was taken into custody. The cast member's left arm and finger suffered minor injuries but ended up staying in Magic Kingdom property.[182]
On July 21, 2025, a 51-year-old woman fromSpain was arrested for child abuse after being accused of injuring a 17-year-old girl in an altercation during theDisney Starlight Parade near the Cinderella Castle. According to a report, the victim moved back to help another guest pass, in which the woman violently grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the side, causing a bruise and abrasion. She told investigators that she was following her daughter to get to the front of the crowd and claimed the teenager was pushing into her, asserting it was ‘her spot.’[183]
On November 4, 1974, a small explosion killed a 49-year-old Orlando carpenter and injured another at the maintenance area while working inside a half-finished 66-foot aluminum boat near the Magic Kingdom. Both men were taken to Orange Vista Hospital where one of the carpenters died from his injuries. The explosion happened nearly two hours after the theme park closed for the night.[184] A short time after investigating, Orange County detectives reported that glue fumes ignited by the filament of a fluorescent light may have caused the explosion.[185] On October 28, 1976, the widow of the carpenter filed a suit against3M and theTraveler's Indemnity Company for the death of the carpenter.
During construction on April 25, 1988, a 59-year-old construction worker fromDonora, Pennsylvania, was killed in a water pipe burst during a pressure test with a 22-inch water pipe. The burst also injured three other workers who were installing underground pipes and working on sewage. The founder of the Frank Irey Construction Company replied in a statement that the workers were in a trench getting ready to pour concrete around the pipe when a joint broke, knocking the pipe into the victims.[186]
On December 8, 2018, a 44-year-old man was seriously injured when his arm got caught in the conveyor belt. Employees' attempts to free the man were unsuccessful. After being freed by fire rescue personnel, the man was flown to a hospital by helicopter to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The ride was closed the following day pending further investigation.[187][188]
On August 4, 2005, a 12-year-old girl fromNewport News, Virginia felt ill while using the wave pool. Lifeguards talked with her after noticing her lying down on the side of the pool; she said she felt fine, but lost consciousness shortly after standing up. Though lifeguards performed CPR on her until Reedy Creek paramedics arrived, she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Celebration Hospital.[189] The autopsy showed that she died due toarrhythmia caused by an early-stage viral heart infection.[190]
On July 3, 2009, a 51-year-old man fromFarmington, New York, was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation after allegedly attempting to removeswimsuits from five teenage girls while all were in the wave pool. Disney security was notified and they called for Orange County deputies.[191]
On July 10, 2009, a 51-year-oldConnecticut man was charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition after he allegedly fondled himself in front of a teenage girl near the park's wave pool. One eyewitness, a visitor who worked with paroled sex-offenders inMissouri, confronted the man 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 after discovering the man had been driving with a suspended license, he was detained. The man 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 wereBlizzard Beach;Aquatica; andWet 'n Wild.[192] The charges were dropped in August 2009 after prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence in the case.[193]
On July 16, 2009, a 29-year-old man fromMountlake Terrace, Washington was arrested and charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a 13-year-old boy.[194] He was sentenced to two years in prison.[195]
On July 3, 2016, a 27-year-oldIndian national fromBaton Rouge, Louisiana was arrested and charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child over 12 years old but under the age of 16, and two counts of battery on accusations of groping six people in the wave pool.[196] The man was released on bond a few days later. He stated that his actions were accidental, and that he did not have his glasses on. He was permanently banned from Disney property.[197] In 2021 he entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.[198]
On October 14, 2019, a 30-year-old woman suffered severe intestinal and genital injuries while riding the Humunga Kowabunga slide.[199]
In 2005, Walt Disney World reported 773 injuries toOSHA for employees portraying any of 270 different characters at the parks.[200]
Of those injuries listed, 282 (roughly 36%) were related to costuming issues such as a costume's weight affecting the head, neck, or shoulders.
49 injuries (6%) were specifically due to the costume's head.
107 injuries (14%) 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.[citation needed]
On May 15, 1985, a mother of a 6-year-old boy fromParsippany, New Jersey filed a suit against Walt Disney World after her son was assaulted by an intoxicated male employee dressed asMickey Mouse. On June 28, 1983, her then-4-year-old son ran across the bridge leading to the Cinderella Castle in excitement to meet up with Mickey. The cast member dressed as Mickey then picked up the child and threw him against the wall of the castle. Bystanders eventually separated the man from the child. She said that a few other employees wearing characters joined in, but all including the man in the Mickey costume frequently walked away. The child was taken to a nearby hospital for psychiatric treatment.[201]
On April 1, 2004, a 36-year-old Disney cast member fromSt. Cloud, Florida, was arrested for allegedly fondling a 13-year-old and her mother while he was dressed asTigger during a photo opportunity at Magic Kingdom's ToonTown on February 21, 2004. Originally charged with one count of simple battery and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child between 12 and 15 years old,[202] the case went to trial, during which the defense produced the Tigger costume to demonstrate the difficulties of maneuvering the costume's oversized gloves and the actor's limited line of sight in the costume. After less than an hour of deliberation, the jury acquitted the employee of all charges. He pleaded not guilty to the charges he faced during his testimony on August 3, 2004, and he returned to work at Disney later that month after a suspension.[203]
On September 15, 2004, the same cast member was suspended once again for allegedly shoving two other employees while he was dressed asGoofy at Animal Kingdom. Initially, the two employees believed that Goofy was their friend joking around until they saw the cast member relaxing backstage while partially out of costume.[204] During the investigation, two other Animal Kingdom employees came forward saying the cast member had touched their breasts. The lawyer claimed that the cast member was merely looking at theirlanyards containinglapel trading pins.[205]
On January 5, 2007, a 14-year-old boy fromGreenville, New Hampshire, was allegedly punched in the head by a 31-year-old Disney employee from Kissimmee, Florida, dressed as Tigger during a photo opportunity at Disney's Hollywood Studios.[206] The family felt that the act was deliberate and filed a police report ofbattery against the suspect.[207] The cast member was suspended pending the results of the investigation.[208] In the statement to the sheriff's office, he claimed that he was acting in self-defense as the child was pulling on the back of the costume and causing him to lose his breath.[209] On February 15, 2007, the State Attorney General's office announced that no charges would be filed against the employee.[210]
On June 7, 2009, a 60-year-old man fromCressona, Pennsylvania, allegedly groped a cast member dressed asMinnie Mouse while visiting Magic Kingdom's ToonTown. The case went to trial on August 11, 2009. The man was convicted of charges of misdemeanor battery[211] and he was sentenced to 180 days of probation and 570 hours of community service.[212]
On August 12, 2010, a 27-year-old woman fromUpper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, filed a lawsuit against Disney claiming that a cast member in costume asDonald Duck had groped her during a photo and autograph session while on a family vacation in May 2008. The lawsuit was for $200,000 in damages to compensate the alleged victim for negligence, battery, and infliction of emotional distress. The woman claimed to suffer from severe physical injury, emotional anguish, acute anxiety, headaches, nightmares, flashbacks, and other emotional and physical ailments.[213] Disney settled the lawsuit with the claimant for an undisclosed amount in 2011.[214]
On November 2, 2019, a 51-year-oldsex offender was arrested and charged with battery after groping a cast member playingAriel during a meet-and-greet.[215]
Three separate incidents involving employees dressed as characters were reported within a day apart in December 2019.[216]
On December 3, a woman in her 60s asked a female cast member playing Donald Duck at a meet-and-greet in the Animal Kingdom if she was allowed to kiss Donald. She consented to the kiss but the woman "proceeded to touch her body all over". When the employee attempted to move away, the woman grabbed hold of her, placed her hands inside the costume and frantically touched her chest over her bra. The woman was never charged due to her suffering from dementia.
On December 4, a female cast member playing Mickey Mouse in the Magic Kingdom was approached by a family of three when the grandmother patted Mickey on the head five times in an attempt to show her grandson that Mickey wouldn't hurt him. The woman playing Mickey told investigators that it caused her to suffer neck strain, for which she sought treatment at a nearby hospital.
Later in the Magic Kingdom that same day, a 61-year-old man fromBrewster, Minnesota, groped a 36-year-old female cast member in the chest three times while playingMinnie Mouse in a "meet and greet and photograph area". The staff at Disney took action to ban theMinnesota man from entering Disney property the following day, who also had another inappropriate interaction with another cast member. The man, who was never identified by authorities due to him not having any criminal charges, denied his ban by saying that "it's wrong to accuse somebody who did nothing".[217]
On September 27, 2025, a 69-year-old man fromFruithurst, Alabama was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence after threatening to kill his 48-year-old son with apocketknife after being annoyed that his family didn’t help load their bags to check out at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. According to the arrest report, his 67-year-old wife got in the middle of the father and son. Howard replied that he moved his wife out of the way and his son yelled, “Don’t push my mother!” The son then got into his face, so the man admitted he punched him. The man said that his son punched him back. When the Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrived, the man stood outside with a bloody face and a metal bat in his back pocket.[218]
On July 14, 2015, a 3-year-old child was found at the bottom of a resort pool after becoming separated from his parents. Officials with the Orange County Sheriff's Office reported the child was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.[219]
On June 25, 2017, a 5-year-old boy became separated from his parents while at the resort. TheReedy Creek Improvement District and the Orange County Sheriff's Office eventually found him drowning in one of the resort's pools. The boy was airlifted toArnold Palmer Hospital for Children where he was reported to be in critical condition, though he later recovered.[220]
On June 29, 2000, a waiter and a child were held hostage by the child'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, 2000.[221]
On January 25, 2024, a fight broke out at the Belle Vue Lounge at Disney's BoardWalk Inn when a 61-year-old intoxicatedOhio man, who lived inSebring, Florida at the time of his incident, mocked an underage girl diagnosed withDown syndrome and in a wheelchair at a neighboring table. When the girl's mother confronted him he responded violently shoving her, slapping her husband in the face and punching him in the neck when he attempted to intervene. An unnamed bystander grabbed the suspect and removed him from the scene. The suspect was taken to a nearby hospital for injuries sustained during the fight, then transported to the Orange County Jail after being medically cleared.[222]
On October 31, 1992, a 21-year-old woman filed a lawsuit seeking damages after she was allegedly attacked in her hotel room. Although no suspect was reported at the scene of the crime, it was later reported that the incident was a scam, implying that the woman allowed her brother to verbally assault her. She was taken into custody and faced criminal charges.[223][224]
On December 18, 2020, a 43-year-old female travel agent fell several stories from the resort and died four days later from blunt force trauma to the head. The District Nine Medical Examiner's Office did not file an autopsy report regarding the woman's death as it was deemed accidental since she apparently fell from a standing height, suffering a head injury.[225]
On October 26, 1978, a 27-year-old man fromBaltimore, Maryland died in an apparent suicide at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Orange County deputies reported that the man wrote a suicide note, taped it on his chest, and jumped from the 12th floor of the balcony and crashing through the glass in the ladies dress shop on the fourth floor of the concourse during the early morning hours. Police also reported that the man had been arrested a few weeks prior to his death outsideDisney's Polynesian Village Resort during theInternational Chamber of Commerce Congress, which deputies found the man sleeping on a beach near the hotel before the arrest. He was charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools, but the charges were later dropped. A spokesman at Disney replied that the man is not a registered guest at the hotel.[226]
On April 4, 1981, a 27-year-old man fromRed Lion, Pennsylvania died in an apparent suicide at Disney's Contemporary Resort after falling from the 15th floor housing the observation deck to the parking lot. An Orange County spokesman later ruled his death as a suicide.[227]
On January 4, 1983, a 31-year-old former employee from Kissimmee shot himself in the chest after shooting his wife with a handgun three times following an argument in the basement at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Both employees were taken to the Orange Vista Hospital, but the male was pronounced dead after arrival. The female victim in the shooting was also a Disney employee as a housekeeper and was able to make a full recovery after being transferred to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Florida records later reveal that the former employee, Lester Oliver Sterling, was part of Disney for only a short time between 1981 and 1982, and had an extensive criminal history dating back to his arrests in February 1974 for kidnapping his 6-month-old daughter, and his armed burglary arrest on September 12, 1975, for breaking into the house of his former wife's mother nearWinter Park and threatening to kill everyone in the house. On June 4, 1976, Sterling pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year at the Orange County Jail as well as lifelong probation.[228]
On November 12, 1992, an off-duty cast member died after falling outside the Top of The World restaurant on the Contemporary Resort's 15th floor. The cast member had been sitting on the ledge when a swarm ofwasps appeared. The cast member lost his balance and fell to his death 11 stories below while trying to swat them away.[229]
On March 22, 2016, a death occurred at Disney's Contemporary Resort. The monorail's service was temporarily suspended while the Orange County Sheriff's Office investigated. Investigators announced that they believe that the person died by suicide. According to multiple sources, the person jumped to their death inside the central A-frame tower.[230][231][232][233]
On May 28, 2018, an intoxicated Arizona man was arrested at Disney's Contemporary Resort after he falsely told other guests an active shooter was in the resort. Panic soon followed and the resort was placed on lockdown until police arrived. The reports were traced back to the man, who was found hiding in bushes outside of the resort. In questioning, the man claimed he did it to get reactions from people for a class and his YouTube channel.[234]
On March 4, 2020, a woman died in an apparent suicide at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Office responded to the resort around 4 p.m. after receiving a call that someone may have jumped off of the building. Upon arrival they were assisted by Reedy Creek officials, they found an unresponsive woman who was later pronounced dead at the scene.[235]
On July 26, 2023, a 39-year-old man fromGreendale, Wisconsin accidentally fell from a balcony to his death at Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Hotel. An Orange County Medical Examiner told theMilwaukee Journal Sentinel that the man died from blunt force trauma from an accidental fall.[236]
On October 14, 2025, a 31-year-old woman fromNaperville, Illinois was found dead at the Contemporary Hotel. Media sources first reported that the victim died after being struck by one of the monorails, which runs right into the center of the Contemporary, but officials from the Orange County Sheriff's Office immediately denied that narrative. Orange County deputies ruled her death as suicide.[237][238] The following day, the Orange County Medical Examiner released information in a statement, saying that the victim died from multiple blunt impact injuries from a jump.[239]
On October 23, 2025, a 28-year-old man fromPalm Bay, Florida died after suffering a medical emergency while staying at the Contemporary Hotel. According to investigators, the outdoor area near Bay Lake Tower was taped off, and a heavy presence of first responders was visible. Orange County later ruled his death as a suicide by "multiple traumatic injuries".[240]
In July or August 1976, a 57-year-oldGeneral Motors worker fromDayton, Ohio, fell unconscious after skimming down aRiver Country slide into a pond. He was dragged out of the water several minutes later before being transported to the Orlando Regional Medical Center. He died from his injuries 11 days later.[241]
On August 22, 1980, an 11-year-old boy fromLong Island died after swimming in the River Country water park next to the campground exactly eleven days before his death. After arriving back in New York, he was immediately taken to St. John's Hospital inQueens before transported toLong Island Jewish Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased on August 22. The cause of death was determined to beprimary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a brain infection caused by the microbeNaegleria fowleri, traces of which were found in the water.[242]
On August 9, 1982, a 14-year-old boy fromErie, North Dakota, drowned at River Country. He was pulled from the water at the River Country Cove about five minutes after the sliding down a 60 foot (18 m) slide into slightly less than 6 feet (1.75m) of water. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.[243]
On October 10, 1986, an 8-year-old boy fromBristol, New Hampshire, was attacked by an alligator when he and his siblings were wandering near the lake's edge while watching ducks.[244][245]
On May 23, 1987, a 6-year-old boy fromCooper City, Florida, drowned in a swimming pool. The family later sued, stating that the resort should have had more than one lifeguard on duty to monitor the crowded pool and that the pool should have had a safety line between the shallow and deep ends.[246]
On July 10, 1989, a 13-year-old boy fromLongwood, Florida, drowned at River Country. He was swimming with eight classmates and two counselors. Fifteen minutes later, another swimmer felt the boy under his feet in about five feet (1.52 m) of water and dragged him out. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Sand Lake Hospital.[247]
On October 21, 2025, a 60-year-old man from an unannounced location was found unresponsive at the Cottontail Curl loop near the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Police were called, and an automated external defibrillator was used at the scene. He was transported to AdventHealth Celebration, where he was pronounced dead after arrival at 8:26 a.m. ET that morning. Police ruled that the man died from a medical-related emergency.[248]
On October 9, 1989, a 33-year-old woman fromGlen Cove, New York, was killed when a small speedboat collided with a ferry boat. She and her eight-year-old son were broadsided by the ferry while trying to videotape friends and family members who were water skiing in theSeven Seas Lagoon. A crew member and a visitor on the ferry dove into the water and rescued her son. The boy was not hurt in the accident.[249] The family sued Disney for $240 million, claiming that the ferry's operators should have seen the speedboat before it came so close.[250]
On June 14, 2016, Lane Graves, a 2-year-old boy fromElkhorn, Nebraska, was attacked by an alligator at 9:15pm on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon. His parents unsuccessfully tried to intervene and the boy was pulled into the water. His body was found 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.[251][252] Themedical examiner ruled that the child died of "drowning and traumatic injuries."Reuters reported that the resort would put up signs around warning guests about alligators.[253] Since the incident, Disney has added warning signs and rope-barriers to waterways around the entire resort. For a short time, references to alligators were removed from a number of attractions, including theJungle Cruise.[254] A lighthouse sculpture paying tribute to Lane Graves was unveiled in 2017 at the resort near the incident's location.[1]
On April 6, 1982, a 2-year-old girl fromSunrise, Florida, died after being injured outside a park restaurant. She was standing in line with her family outside the Coral Isle Coffee Shop when she and her 12-year-old sister were playing with a rope tied to a large menu board. The girls pulled on the rope and the board fell on top of the toddler, killing her. She was pronounced dead on arrival at Orange Vista Hospital.[255]
On March 12, 2013, a 13-year-old fromSpringfield, Missouri, drowned while swimming at the resort's "Hippy Dippy" pool. The boy drowned in the 4 foot (1.2 m) deep section of the pool and was pulled out by a paramedic who tried to revive him by CPR, but he later died at a hospital. There were no lifeguards on duty when the incident occurred.[256]
On July 3, 2016, a 7-year-old boy reported that he was groped by a youth baseball coach fromWisconsin in a resort pool. The coach was arrested and charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious molestation.[257]
On July 9, 2018, a 33-year-old cast member died in an industrial accident near the Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts. AToro utility cart crushed the employee, knocking him unconscious. Workers could not lift the cart. Officials pronounced him dead at the scene.[258][259]
On September 4, 2018, a 56-year-old man fromBrick, New Jersey was arrested for making a false bomb threat after telling Disney World employees that an “evil organization sent him to blow the place up" on July 21 of that same year at Saratoga Springs Resort. According to authorities, the incident happened as employees were asking guests about their day, and then told them he wasn’t joking. According to Orange County officials, the man later admitted to saying something about the threat when deputies spoke to him while being both remorseful and apologetic, but he said he didn’t remember exactly what he said. Authorities searched through his hotel room, where no bomb-making materials were found.[260]
On April 2, 2025, a 36-year-old intoxicated man fromSt. Marys, Georgia was arrested after being accused of strangling his girlfriend’s child in a hotel room at Saratoga Springs. The child spoke to an Orange County deputy that he grabbed the child around the neck and choked the child with his forearm for 10 to 15 seconds, thinking that he was playing around. The man denied trying to hurt the child and said he had been playing around. After being taken into custody, he pleaded not guilty to child abuse and battery by strangulation, which are both third-degree felony charges.[261]
During construction on August 14, 1989, at around 9 a.m., a 30-year-old male construction worker fromUmatilla, Florida was connecting a scaffolding when he lost his balance, falling seventeen stories from the twenty-third floor and landed on the roof of the sixth floor of the Dolphin Hotel. He was pronounced dead an hour later after being taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center.[262]
On November 5, 2008, a 54-year-old Reedy Creek Energy Services electrician power technician fromRockledge, Florida, sustained major injuries in a power maintenance accident while working at one out of the two substations at the Swan Hotel. He was later pronounced dead from his injuries twenty days later. Two years later on November 15, 2010, the estate worker filed a wrongful death lawsuit against several of Disney entities or partners on its operation.[263]
On October 21, 2014, a suspicious object was found by a construction worker at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts. While in response, Orange County deputies replied that the device was specifically made to look like a bomb and was found in a room under construction. Deputies evacuated the seventh floor of the resort building, which at the time is under construction, as well as two floors below it and two above. Investigators replied that it was quickly determined that the device was a hoax and was only made to look like an explosive. No arrests were made following investigation.[264]
On June 19, 2010, a man's dead body was discovered hanging in a tree next to the hotel's entrance. The manner of death was originally unknown but was later declared a suicide.[265][266]
On August 16, 1992, a 10-year-old girl fromYoungstown, Ohio drowned in the hotel pool after taking a dive. Orange County deputies confirmed that the girl knew how to swim when the incident happened. Her parents also witnessed her dive before her death.[267]
On August 22, 1989, a double suicide occurred at theHoward Johnson's at Walt Disney Village. According to Orange County authorities, a 17-year-old boy fromTipp City, Ohio and an 18-year-old girl fromKettering, Ohio jumped from the 14th floor of the Howard Johnson hotel to the first floor restaurant around 45 minutes before midnight. Police later confirmed that both victims had a history of suicide attempts several years beforehand.[268]
On July 2, 1991, a 25-year-oldMiami man and owner ofHollywood, Florida-based Universal Credit Services Corporation died in an apparent suicide in a hours-long standoff between Secret Service agents and the Orange County SWAT inside a room at the Island Resort Suites nearPleasure Island at Disney World property. Authorities confirmed that Secret Service agents received a call about a credit card fraud during the afternoon hours. As agents went inside and engage the suspect, the man attempted to grab one of the agent's guns before running off to the second floor where agents heard one gunshot being fired. The man shouted that he'll not be taken alive before agents immediately called the Orange County SWAT. Returning to his room, a SWAT unit tried to get the man on the phone for almost two hours. When officers moved inside the room, officers immediately found the man deceased with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Orange County authorities ruled his death as a suicide.[269]
On August 29, 2018, two workers on the site of a hotel that was under construction fell to their death when scaffolding around the building collapsed.[270]
On the morning hours of November 22, 1999, a 26-year-old man fromHawley, Pennsylvania, who was a member of the American World Cup rugby team, sparked a brawl with a 24-year-old man fromBanksmeadow, Australia in the parking lot leading toPleasure Island after the rugby player spat at the 24-year-old man's wife. The Orange County Sheriff's Office broke up the battle and placed the two men in handcuffs for disorderly conduct. They later confirmed that the 26-year-old man was intoxicated after drinking with other U.S. teammates including players from Italy and Lebanon.[271]
Shortly after midnight on July 2, 2007, a homemade device similar to a pipe bomb exploded inside a trash can at the parking lot of Downtown Disney. The Orange County Sheriff's Office received the call from Disney Security, and recovered the device shortly after arrival. Despite no injuries or damages being reported,Homeland Security chiefMichael Chertoff reported on national television saying that there was no known link between a pipe bomb exploding near Downtown Disney and terrorism.[272]
On December 25, 2015, a fight broke out at Bongo's Cuban Cafe between a 70-year-old man fromGeorgetown, Florida 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 the nearbyStarbucks. At some point during the fight, someone falsely reported hearing gunshots at the restaurant. The rumor immediately spread quickly, leading into a mass panic including a stampede. The suspect was found without a weapon and was charged with battery.[273]
Omar Mateen, the perpetrator of thePulse nightclub shooting and a formerNew Hyde Park, New York native, planned to attack Disney Springs by hiding a gun in a stroller. He visited Disney Springs four hours before the shooting, but was deterred by the heavy security and police presence. His wife testified that he had asked her “What would make people more upset, an attack at Disney or a nightclub?”[274]
On April 16, 2022, a 42-year-old severely intoxicated woman fromClearwater, Florida was arrested and charged with child neglect after she abandoned her child at T-Rex Cafe before being hospitalized several minutes later. According to evidence, she drank a total of five double Grey Goose vodka drinks several hours beforehand. The child's mother left her credit card in the car, so she asked an employee to take care of her son. Restaurant employees became concerned about the child and contacted law enforcement, who tracked down his missing mother at the Lime parking lot in her car mostly asleep. She was immediately taken to AdventHealth Celebration by Reedy Creek, and was later arrested for a single count of child neglect.[275]
On May 27, 2022, a 35-year-old man fromPalm Beach County, Florida was both arrested and banned from entering Disney World property after he was caught carrying apocketknife and aGlock handgun with two magazines and 48 rounds of ammunition while attempting to enter Disney Springs. According to a Disney Security guard, the man told the guard that he had the folding knife in his bag. He told him to show the guard where the knife is, and demands to search his bag. After looking through his bag, the guard recovered the gun right next to the knife. As he replied that there "is more than just a knife", the man turned around and walked away, leaving the property. He was quickly arrested a short time afterward.[276]
On May 31, 2023, a 22-year-old man fromSt. Cloud, Florida was arrested after being accused of grabbing two young girls at theWorld of Disney Store at Disney Springs within two days apart. In the first report which happened on May 30, a witness chased the man out of the store, but the man was able to get away, and the incident was immediately reported to Disney security. The second report happened the following day, where he grabbed the second victim while looking for keychains in one aisle of the store. Deputies were able to locate the man in the Orange garage, where he was arrested, taken into Orange County Jail, and charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation.[277]
On October 5, 2023, a 42-year-old woman fromPlainview, New York (who worked as a doctor forNYU Langone Health) went into anaphylactic shock and died after consuming a meal at Raglan Road Irish Pub due to elevated levels of both dairy and nut in her system. The doctor's husband, Jeffrey Piccolo, alleged in awrongful death lawsuit in February 2024 that she alerted the waitstaff at the pub multiple times to her severe nut and dairy allergies and they inaccurately assured her that her food would be free of such allergens.[278] Disney responded by filing a motion to compelarbitration and tostay the action pending arbitration. Disney argued that the husband had agreed to clauses broadly requiring mandatory arbitration of any kind of dispute with the company when he signed up for a trial of theDisney+ streaming service in 2019 and again when he boughtEpcot tickets in 2023.[279] The husband's attorney opposed the motion by attacking Disney's "surreal" interpretation,[279] which was covered by numerous news outlets includingThe New York Times[280] andBBC News.[281] On August 19, 2024,Josh D'Amaro, Chairman ofDisney Experiences announced that Disney would "waive [their] right to arbitration", stating that, “At Disney, we strive to put humanity above all other considerations."[282]
On August 24, 2025, a 26-year-oldJacksonville, Florida woman was arrested for robbery, battery on both a uniformed security officer and a law enforcement officer, and criminal mischief after being accused of snatching a Disney Security radio while fighting in a physical altercation with a Disney security manager at the Watermelon parking lot. According to the arrest report, she struck or intentionally touched both a sheriff’s deputy and a Disney investigator before being placed in handcuffs.[283]
The runner-up of the1996 Indianapolis 500 and former1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver,Davy Jones ofLake Tahoe, Nevada, finished his racing career after he sustained an internal head and neck injury in a crash during practice at Walt Disney World Speedway when his car hit the wall twice on January 24, 1997. He was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center and the incident led to his brief retirement from racing.[284]
On April 12, 2015, a 36-year-old driving instructor was fatally injured and the driver was hospitalized with minor injuries after a crash during a run as part of the Exotic Driving Experience. The instructor was riding in the passenger seat of aLamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera, when the driver lost control and crashed into a metal guardrail.[285] TheFlorida Highway Patrol investigated and announced that, while the decision to run vehicles clockwise (instead of counter-clockwise as the track was designed for) may have been a factor in the incident, it was an accident and no charges were filed against the driver since it occurred on private property.[286]
