In 2022, the fatalities at Disney World in Orlando numbered more than 60 since the Florida resort first opened in 1971. Disney Parks are brimming with rides, attractions, and hotels to accommodate massive crowds.
These death tallies include a multitude of categories including, but not limited to, employee and guest fatalities, accidents, pre-existing medical conditions not attributed to the park features and equipment failures.
The first death occurred at Magic Kingdom in 1974.
On November 4th of that year, an Orlando man was killed while employed as a carpenter. The small explosion happened in a maintenance area. He and another employee worked on a 66 ft aluminum boat two hours after the park had closed.
Orange County officials speculated that fumes from the glue being used may have ignited by the filament of a fluorescent lamp. The explosion also injured a coworker.
In 1977, a four-year-old boy climbed over the fence surrounding Cinderella's Castle. He drowned in the moat.
A 37-year-old man from St. Petersburg, Florida was fatally injured on November 5, 2000. The guest fell sick while riding on Splash Mountain and tried to get off the attraction. Unfortunately, the ride was still moving as he attempted to reach an emergency exit.
He was struck by the vehicle behind him and died at Celebration Hospital.
Garnering much media coverage were two horrific incidents involving your children. The first tragedy was when a two-year-old boy was attacked by an alligator in an area where Disney was informed of the presence of gators.
Though the small boy did not die from alligator wounds, he ultimately drowned.
Another devastating death involved a young boy. The 11-year-old was swimming at Disney's River Country where he contracted a rare and deadly disease from amoeba in the water. The consequences were fatal.
As awful as these stories are, the leading cause of death for Disney World fatalities is "Natural Causes."
Many guests have preexisting conditions (they may or may not be aware of) which result in fatal heart attacks or strokes. Intense ride activity and just walking around the expansive park grounds may stimulate a reaction.
The second most common reason for death-related incidents is guest accidents.
Whether the deaths occurred on rides, or kids were left unattended in swimming areas, they were not attributed to Disney.
Lastly, there are the fatalities involving negligence, whether by Disney World or a third party. Lawsuits citing wrongful death are filed against the park. Success in a lawsuit depends on proving negligence. One example could be if Disney did not react quickly enough to render emergency services.
Disney displays warning signs around dangerous attractions and trusts that guests will safely enjoy the park, know the risks, and keep a watchful eye on their children.
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