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List of incidents at Disney parks

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This is a summary of notable incidents that have taken place at various Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

The term incidents refers to major accidents, injuries, deaths and significant crimes. While these incidents are required to be reported to regulatory authorities for investigation, attraction-related incidents usually fall into one of the following categories:

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

According to a 1985 Time magazine article, fewer than 100 lawsuits are filed against Disney each year for various incidents.[1]

Disneyland Paris

Main article: Disneyland Paris

Walt Disney Studios Park

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

  • On June 26, 2007, a 14-year-old girl lost consciousness on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Though paramedics attempted to revive her, she died before the ambulance arrived. A ride inspection showed no mechanical problems.[2]

Disneyland Resort

Main article: Disneyland Resort

As of December 2006, 13 guests and one employee have died inside the parks. A greater number of guests have been injured. While the California Department of Safety and Health (CDSH) has ruled that some incidents are Disney's fault, the majority of incidents were due to negligence on the guests' part.[3]

Disney's California Adventure

California Screamin'

Main article: California Screamin'
  • On July 29, 2005, 25 guests were injured when one train rear-ended another and 15 guests were transported to local hospitals for treatment of minor injuries.[4] An investigation determined that the cause was a faulty brake valve installed by Disney a few days earlier.[5]

Disneyland

America Sings

Main article: America Sings
  • On July 8, 1974, an 18-year-old employee from Santa Ana, California was crushed to death between a revolving wall and a stationary platform inside the America Sings attraction. She was in the wrong place during a ride intermission; it was unclear whether this was due to inadequate training or a misstep. The attraction was subsequently refitted with breakaway walls.[6]

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Main article: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • On September 5, 2003, a 22-year-old man from Gardena, California died after suffering severe blunt trauma and extensive internal bleeding in a derailment of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster that also injured 11 other riders.[7] The cause of the accident was determined to be improper maintenance and training of Disney employees.[8] Investigation reports and discovery by the victim's attorney confirmed the fatal injuries occurred when the first passenger car collided with the underside of the locomotive. The derailment was the result of a mechanical failure which occurred due to omissions during a maintenance procedure. Fasteners on the left side upstop/guide wheel on the floating axle of the locomotive were not tightened and safetied in accordance with specifications. As the train entered a tunnel the axle came loose and jammed against a brake section, causing the locomotive to become airborne and hit the ceiling of the tunnel. The locomotive then fell on top of the first passenger car, crushing the victim.[9]

Columbia

Main article: Sailing Ship Columbia
  • On December 24, 1998, a heavy metal cleat fastened to the hull of the Sailing Ship Columbia tore loose, striking one employee and two park guests. One of the guests, a 33-year-old man from Duvall, Washington, died of a head injury. The normal tie line, an inelastic hemp rope designed to break easily, was improperly replaced for financial reasons by an elastic nylon rope which stretched and tore the cleat from the ship's wooden hull. Disney received much criticism for this incident due to its alleged policy of restricting outside medical personnel in the park to avoid frightening visitors, as well as for the fact that the employee in charge of the ship at the time had not been trained in its operation.[10] After this incident, Disney reinstated lead foremen on most rides and the Anaheim police department placed officers in the park to speed response.[11] This accident resulted in the first guest death in Disneyland's history that was not attributable to any negligence on the part of the guest. California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health investigated the incident and found fault with the training of the park employee who placed the docking line on the cleat. The cleat was not designed to help brake the ship and the employee should have been trained to recognize when the ship was approaching too fast. Ride procedures called for the ship's captain to reverse the ship if it overshot the dock and re-approach the dock at the correct speed. Disney was fined US$12,500 by Cal/OSHA and settled a lawsuit brought by the victim's survivors for an estimated US$25,000,000.[12]

Frontierland

Main article: Frontierland
  • On May 6, 2001, 29 people suffered minor injuries when a tree in Frontierland fell over. The tree was over 40 years old, one of the park's original plantings.[13]

Indiana Jones Adventure

Main article: Indiana Jones Adventure
  • On June 25, 2000, a 23-year-old woman from Barcelona, Spain exited the Indiana Jones ride complaining of a severe headache. She was hospitalized later that day where it was discovered that she had a brain hemorrhage. She died on September 1, 2000 of a cerebral aneurysm.[14] Her family's subsequent wrongful death lawsuit against Disney stated that the victim died due to "violent shaking and stresses imposed by the ride." In an interlocutory appeal (an appeal of a legal issue within the case prior to a decision on the case's merits), the California Supreme Court held that amusement parks are considered "common carriers" similar to commercially operated planes, trains, elevators and ski lifts. This ruling imposes a heightened duty of care on amusement parks and requires them to provide the same degree of care and safety as other common carriers.[15][16] Disney settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum after the interlocutory appeal but before a decision was rendered on the case's merits. The victim's medical costs were estimated at more than US$1.3 million.[17]

Matterhorn

Main article: Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • In 1964, a 15-year-old boy from Long Beach, California, was injured after he stood up in the Matterhorn Bobsleds and fell out. It was reported that his restraint was undone by his ride companion. He died three days later as a result of these injuries.[18]
  • On January 3, 1984, a 48-year-old woman from Fremont, California was killed when she was thrown from a Matterhorn Bobsled car and struck by the next oncoming bobsled.[19][20] An investigation found that her seatbelt was not buckled. It is unclear whether the victim deliberately unfastened her belt or if the seatbelt malfunctioned.[21]

Monorail

Main article: Disneyland Monorail System
  • On a Grad Nite in 1966, a 19-year-old-man from Northridge, Los Angeles, California was killed attempting to sneak into the park by climbing onto the monorail track. Ignoring the shouted warnings of a security guard, he was struck by the train and dragged 30 to 40 feet down the track.[18]

PeopleMover

Main article: PeopleMover
  • In August 1967, a 17-year-old boy from Hawthorne, California was killed while jumping between two moving PeopleMover cars as the ride was passing through a tunnel. He stumbled and fell onto the track, where an oncoming train of cars crushed him beneath its wheels and dragged his body a few hundred feet before it was stopped by a ride operator. The attraction had only been open for one month at the time.[22]
  • On June 7, 1980, an 18-year-old man from San Diego was crushed and killed by the PeopleMover while jumping between moving cars. The accident occurred as the ride entered the SuperSpeed tunnel.[23]

Rivers of America

Main article: Rivers of America (Disney)
  • In June 1973, an 18-year-old man from Brooklyn drowned while attempting to swim across the "Rivers of America". He and his 10-year-old brother stayed on the island past closing time by hiding in an area that is off-limits to guests. When they wanted to leave the island, they decided to swim across the river even though the younger brother did not know how to swim. The victim attempted to carry his younger brother on his back and drowned halfway across. His body was found the next morning. The younger brother was able to stay afloat by "dog paddling" until a ride operator rescued him.[22]
  • On June 4, 1983, an 18-year-old man from Albuquerque, New Mexico drowned in the Rivers of America while trying to pilot a rubber emergency boat from Tom Sawyer's Island that he and a friend had stolen from a "cast members only" area of the island.[24]

Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin

Main article: Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
  • On September 22, 2000, a 4-year-old boy fell out of the ride vehicle, was dragged underneath the car, causing serious internal injuries, cardiac arrest and brain damage.[25] On October 7, 2000, Disneyland changed its emergency policy and began instructing ride operators to call 911 first, instead of the Disney security center, in order to speed emergency staff to any incident on park property. Records showed that more than five minutes passed between the time the victim fell out of the ride vehicle and emergency personnel were contacted. A Disney spokesman claimed that the timing of this policy change and this incident were coincidental.[11] An investigation ending in December 2000 concluded that a lap bar had malfunctioned and the victim was placed in the wrong seat in the ride vehicle, too close to the opening.[26] Three months after the incident, the Permanent Ride Amusement section of California's Division of Occupational Safety ordered Disney to install additional safety features on the ride.[27] In January 2002, Disney settled with the victim's family, based on the cost of the victim's continuing medical care and suffering; Disney was not required to accept blame.[26] The victim never fully recovered from his injuries and died in January 2009.[26]

Space Mountain

Main article: Space Mountain (Disneyland, Anaheim)
  • On August 14, 1979, a 31-year-old woman became ill after riding Space Mountain. At the unload area, she was unable to get out of the vehicle. Although employees told her to stay seated while the vehicle was removed from the track, other ride attendants did not understand that her vehicle was to be removed and sent her through the ride a second time. She arrived at the unloading zone semi-conscious. The victim was subsequently taken to Palm Harbor Hospital where she remained in a coma and died seven days later. The coroner's report attributed the death to natural causes: a heart tumor had dislodged and entered her brain. A subsequent lawsuit against the park was dismissed.[28]

Guest altercations

  • On March 7, 1981, an 18-year-old man from Riverside, California was fatally stabbed with a knife during a fight in Tomorrowland. His family sued the park for US$60 million. The jury found the park negligent for not summoning outside medical help and awarded the family US$600,000.[29]
  • On April 19, 1995 Robin Paulson and her four kids were fatally beaten kicked and shaken around by five disneyland guards.[30]
  • On August 17, 1995 Billie Jean Matay and her daughter Denise Bennett with three children where leaving the park and going inside their sport- utility van and ready to go home. then she felt what she later realized was a gun pointing to her neck. Matay said the two robbers who were not caught got away with jewelry, credit cards, $165 and driver's licenses after holding the family captive as long as 10 minutes.[31]

Walt Disney World Resort

Several people have died or been injured while riding attractions at Walt Disney World theme parks.[32] Since 2001, Disney has been required to report incidents to state authorities. For example, from the first quarter of 2005 to the first quarter of 2006, Disney reported four deaths and nineteen injuries at its Florida parks.[33] More statistical information is available at Amusement park accidents.

Resort-wide transportation system

Buses

  • On July 16, 2009, two buses carrying a total of 50 people collided near the Contemporary Resort. 12 guests reported minor injuries.[34]
  • 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.[35]
  • On April 1, 2010, a nine-year-old boy was run over by a Disney transportation bus at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground while he was riding his bicycle with an 11-year-old friend.[36] A report from the Florida 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' right-rear tire.[36] The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.[37] 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.[36]
  • On April 3, 2010, a Disney transportation bus crashed into the back of a private van pushing it into a Disney van on Buena Vista Drive & World Drive near the entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios. No injuries were reported. The driver of the bus was charged with careless driving.[38]

Monorail

Main article: Walt Disney World Monorail System
  • In February 1974, a monorail train crashed into the train ahead. One driver and two passengers were injured.[39]
  • On June 26, 1985, a fire engulfed the rear car of the six-car Mark IV Silver monorail train in transit from the Epcot station to the Transportation and Ticket Center.[40] 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 the Reedy Creek Fire Department.[41] Seven passengers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation or other minor injuries.[42] The fire department later determined that the fire started when a flat tire was dragged across the concrete beam and ignited by the frictional heat.[43]
  • On August 30, 1991, a monorail train collided with a diesel maintenance work tractor near the Contemporary Resort as the tractor drove closely in front of the train to film it for a commercial. Two employees were treated at a hospital for injuries.[44]
  • On August 12, 1996, an electrical fire occurred on a train pulling into the Magic Kingdom station. The driver and the five passengers onboard exited safely. Two bus drivers who witnessed the fire and assisted were overcome by smoke and treated at a nearby hospital.[45]
  • On July 5, 2009, during a failed track switchover from the Epcot line onto the Magic Kingdom express line, Monorail Pink backed into Monorail Purple at the Transportation & Ticket Center station, killing the 21-year-old pilot of Monorail Purple.[46] One employee and six guests who were also on the trains were treated at the scene and released.[47] 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.[48][49] An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board showed no mechanical problems with the trains or track but did find that the track used in the switchover was not in its proper place for the track transition. The NTSB also noted that Purple's pilot attempted to reverse his train when he saw that there was going to be a collision. Disney has suspended three monorail employees as part of the investigation process.[50]

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Dinosaur

Main article: Dinosaur (Disney's Animal Kingdom)
  • On April 30, 2005, a 30-year-old man from Mooresville, Indiana lost consciousness shortly after exiting the ride and later died. An investigation showed the ride was operating correctly and was not the cause of his death; the victim had a known heart condition for which he wore a pacemaker.[51]

Expedition Everest

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Main article: Expedition Everest
  • On December 18, 2007, a 44-year-old man from Navarre, Florida lost consciousness while riding the coaster. He was given CPR on the ride's loading platform and was pronounced dead at the hospital.[52] An autopsy by the Orange County medical examiner's office concluded that the victim died of dilated cardiomyopathy and that the death was considered natural.[53]

Kali River Rapids

Main article: Kali River Rapids
  • On May 29, 2007, five guests and one employee were injured when an emergency exit platform malfunctioned. The guests were exiting a Kali River Rapids raft during a ride stoppage triggered by a monitoring sensor. 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 alternate evacuation procedure was adopted.[54] The six people were taken to local hospitals for minor injuries and were later released.[55]

Primeval Whirl

  • On November 27, 2007, a 63-year-old employee died from a brain injury suffered four days earlier when she was hit by a ride vehicle after falling from a restricted area of the ride platform.[56] On May 23, 2008, OSHA fined Walt Disney World US$21,500 and charged the company with five safety violations. The fines were: $15,000 for three serious violations; $7,500 for a still missing handrail that had been previously reported; and $3,000 for not responding to OSHA requests within the requested time period.[57]

Blizzard Beach

Main article: Blizzard Beach
  • On March 16, 2007, a 51-year-old man from Pulaski, Mississippi collapsed near the Downhill Double Dipper water slide. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy showed that the victim died due to a heart attack.[58] His family says that he had a pre-existing heart condition.[59][60]

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

Main article: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
  • On June 29, 2006, a 12-year-old boy visiting from Fort Campbell, Kentucky was found to be unresponsive after the ride came to an end. Though his father administered CPR until paramedics arrived, he was declared dead en route to the hospital.[61] The ride was shut down for the investigation and reopened a day later after inspectors determined that the ride was operating normally. The victim had died as a result of a congenital heart defect.[62][63][64]

Tower of Terror

Main article: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
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  • On July 12, 2005, a 16-year-old girl from Kibworth, Leicestershire, U.K. complained of a severe headache and other symptoms after riding the Tower of Terror. She was taken to an Orlando hospital in critical condition,[65] where she underwent surgery for intracranial bleeding. On August 6, 2005, she returned to England via air ambulance. While she reportedly had ridden the attraction several times previously during her visit with no ill effects,[66] she had been in pain for a few days prior to the incident. She had suffered a massive stroke leading to cardiac arrest. After an examination by both Disney and state inspectors showed no ride malfunction, the ride was reopened the next day. The girl returned home after spending six months in the hospital due to two heart attacks and surgery.[67] On February 13, 2009, the victim's family sued Disney for negligence in the ride design, failing to adequately warn riders, and not providing proper safety restraints. They are seeking at least US$15,000.[68]

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

Main article: Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

A number of incidents involving the show's performers have occurred since the live-action show's premiere in 1989. In 1990, OSHA fined the resort $1,000 after three performers were injured in three separate incidents.[69] In one incident, a performer fell 30 feet when a restraining cable failed. In another, a performer fell 25 feet when a prop ladder collapsed unexpectedly. A third performer was pinned by a malfunctioning trap door.[69] At the time, OSHA cited Disney for failing to provide adequate fall protection, including padding and other equipment.[69] Later, while rehearsing a new, safer routine, another performer fell 25 feet onto concrete.[69]

  • On August 17, 2009, a 30-year-old performer died after injuring his head while rehearsing a tumbling roll.[70] Performances for the next day were canceled out of respect for the performer.[70]

Downtown Disney

  • On April 22, 2010, a 61-year-old woman from Celebration, Florida suffered a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and back pain due to a boating accident near the Treehouse Villas. The rented Sea Raycer that her husband was driving collided with a Disney ferryboat. The Orange County Sheriff's report states that the Sea Raycer crossed into the ferry's right-of-way. [71]

Epcot

Body Wars

Main article: Body Wars
  • On May 16, 1995, a four-year-old girl with a known heart condition passed out during a ride on the Body Wars attraction in the Wonders of Life pavilion. The ride was stopped immediately and paramedics took her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy was inconclusive as to whether the ride had aggravated her condition.[72]

Mission: SPACE

Main article: Mission: Space
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  • On June 13, 2005, a 4-year-old boy died after riding Mission: SPACE. An autopsy by the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office, released on November 15, 2005, found that the boy died as a result of a pre-existing, previously undiagnosed idiopathic heart condition called myocardial hypertrophy. On June 12, 2006, a lawsuit was filed against Disney by his parents, claiming that Disney never should have allowed a 4-year-old child on the ride and didn't offer an adequate medical response after he collapsed.[73] On January 11, 2007, the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice.[74]
  • On April 12, 2006, a 49-year-old woman from Schmitten, Germany fell ill after riding Mission: SPACE and died at Celebration Hospital in nearby Celebration, Florida. An autopsy determined that she died from a brain hemorrhage caused by longstanding and severe high blood pressure; there was no evidence of trauma attributable to the ride.[75]
  • From June 2005 to June 2006, paramedics treated 194 Mission: SPACE riders. The most common complaints were dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Of those 194 guests: 25 people passed out, 26 suffered difficulty breathing and 16 reported chest pains or irregular heartbeats.[76] In May 2006, Disney altered the ride by offering a less-intense ride experience that did not include the centrifuge. Statistics reported to the state of Florida since then have shown a decrease in the number of health complaints filed by riders.

Soarin'

Main article: Soarin'
  • On January 15, 2007, a 67-year-old man from New York suffered from slurred speech and right-side weakness after riding Soarin'. He died two days later. The medical examiner ruled that the victim had a stroke, but did not perform an autopsy.[58]

Magic Kingdom

Backstage

  • On February 11, 2004, a 38-year-old employee died when he was accidentally run over by a parade float in a backstage area. The victim was dressed as Pluto at the time.[77] This led OSHA to fine Disney US$6,300 for having employees in restricted areas.[78]

Main Street

  • On August 11, 1977, a 4-year-old boy from Dolton, Illinois drowned in the moat surrounding Cinderella Castle. The family sued Disney for US$4 million and won; however, the jury found the plaintiffs 50% liable for allowing the boy to climb over a fence while playing and reduced the award to US$1.5 million.[79]

Pirates of the Caribbean

Main article: Pirates of the Caribbean (theme park ride)
  • A 77-year-old woman from Minnesota lost consciousness and died after riding in February 2005. A medical examiner's report said the victim was in poor health from diabetes and she previously had several ministrokes. The report concluded that her death "was not unexpected."[80]

Skyway

Main article: Skyway (Disney)
  • On February 14, 1999, a 65-year-old part-time custodian was killed when he fell off a gondola. He was cleaning the Fantasyland Skyway station platform when the ride was accidentally turned on. He was in the path of the ride vehicles and grabbed a passing gondola in an attempt to save himself. He lost his grip, fell 40 feet, and landed in a flower bed near the Dumbo ride. He died shortly after arrival at a local hospital. The Skyway ride, which had been scheduled to be closed before the accident occurred, was permanently closed on November 10, 1999.[81] As a result of the accident, OSHA fined Walt Disney World US$4,500 for violating federal safety codes in that work area.

Space Mountain

Main article: Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
  • A 7-year-old boy fainted after riding Space Mountain on August 1, 2006 and was taken to Florida Hospital Celebration where he later died. The victim was a terminal 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 of natural causes due to a metastatic pulmonary blastoma tumor.[82]
  • 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.[83]

Splash Mountain

Main article: Splash Mountain
  • On November 5, 2000, a 37-year-old man from St. Petersburg, Florida was critically 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.[84] He was struck by the following ride vehicle and died at a local hospital.[85]

Tomorrowland Speedway

Main article: Tomorrowland Speedway
  • On March 14, 2010, a park employee was struck by one of the ride vehicles being driven by a guest. The employee was taken to the hospital with apparently non-life-threatening injuries. The attraction was closed for about three hours before re-opening.[86]

Guest altercations

  • On May 20, 2007, five guests from Shirley, New York, ages 14 to 20 years old, were arrested for allegedly attacking a sheriff's deputy. They were accused of spitting on and harassing other guests and were detained by Disney security near Space Mountain. When an Orange County sheriff's deputy arrived, the deputy stated that he was "Punched in the face with closed fists... by all the defendants." During the melee, the deputy used a stun gun on an unnamed 17-year-old female guest. All five guests, including 19-year-old Brian Guilfoil and 20-year-old Rose DiPietro, were arrested on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and for resisting arrest with violence. The 17-year-old guest was also cited for battery on a uniformed officer.[87]
  • On May 29, 2007, a 34-year-old Clermont, Florida woman was attacked by a 51-year-old park guest visiting from Anniston, Alabama as they waited in line at the Mad Tea Party attraction. Disney security interviewed witnesses on the day of the attack but Orange County police did not take any sworn statements. The victim stated that the sworn statements were not taken due to a delay in the arrival of the deputies.[88] On July 17, 2007, an arrest warrant was issued for the alleged attacker.[89] The victim claims that due to the incident, she has been diagnosed with a concussion and a herniated disc in her cervical spine and suffers from post-traumatic seizures.[90] The case went to trial on April 14, 2008. The attacker was convicted on charges of battery[91] and sentenced to 90 days in jail and nine months probation and will have to take an anger management course.[92] After the trial, the victim's lawyer stated that his client intended to sue Disney to force them to address their security issues.[93][94] On May 9, 2008, the victim and her husband filed two separate lawsuits against Disney. Her lawsuit claims, among other things, that: Walt Disney World provided inadequate staff and security at the ride; there was a lack of adequate training to recognize security threats, that the park did not anticipate the attack and have the attacker removed before anything happened and that the following investigation was mishandled. His lawsuit against Disney is claiming the loss of his wife's support and companionship due to the attack.[95]

Typhoon Lagoon

Main article: Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
  • On August 4, 2005, a 12-year-old girl from Newport News, Virginia felt ill while using the wave pool. Lifeguards talked with her after noticing her sitting on the side of the pool; she said she felt fine, but passed out shortly thereafter. Though lifeguards performed CPR on her until paramedics arrived, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the local hospital.[96] The autopsy showed that she died due to arrhythmia caused by an early-stage viral heart infection.[97]

Guest altercations

  • On July 3, 2009, a 51-year-old man from Farmington, New York was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation after allegedly attempting to remove a teenager's bathing suit while both were in the wave pool. Disney security was notified and they called for Orange County deputies. In the arrest report, both Disney security and the deputies report observing the man attempting to do the same to at least five girls.[98]
  • On July 10, 2009, a 51-year-old Connecticut 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 in Missouri, 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 detained on charges of driving with a suspended license. 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 were Blizzard Beach, Aquatica, and Wet 'n Wild.[99] The charges were dropped in August 2009 after prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence in the case.[100]
  • On July 16, 2009, a 29-year-old man from Washington was arrested and charged with one count of lewd molestation of a teenager.[101]

Characters

  • In 2005, Walt Disney World reported 773 injuries to OSHA for employees portraying one of 270 different characters at the parks.[78]
  • Of those injuries listed, 282 (roughly 36%) were related to costuming issues, such as costume weight affecting the head, neck, or shoulders.
    • 49 injuries (6%) were specifically due to the costume 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 employee.
  • 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.

Goofy

  • In September 2004, a Disney employee who had been accused for a different act previously was suspended for allegedly shoving two Kodak employees while he was dressed as Goofy at Animal Kingdom on August 29, 2004. The two photographers believed that Goofy was a different employee who was joking around until they were relaxing backstage and saw it was not their friend. The cast member's attorney stated that the two photographers shoved back as part of routine horseplay among employees meant to entertain. The sheriff's office was considering misdemeanor charges.[102] During the investigation, two Animal Kingdom employees came forward saying the cast member had touched their breasts. The lawyer claimed that the cast member was merely looking at their lanyards containing lapel trading pins.[103]

Minnie Mouse

  • On June 7, 2009, a 60-year-old man from Cressona, Pennsylvania allegedly touched Minnie Mouse's breasts while he was visiting the Magic Kingdom. He was convicted of misdemeanor battery on August 11, 2009.[104]

Pirate

  • On August 6, 2009, a 47-year-old employee playing the role of a pirate in the Pirate Training Academy show slipped on a puddle of water on the stage and hit his head against the scenery. He was taken to the hospital with a broken vertebra in his neck and a cut that required 55 stitches. He died four days later due to complications.[105]

Three Little Pigs

  • In 1976, a woman filed a lawsuit claiming one of the Three Little Pigs ran up to her at the "it's a small world" attraction, grabbed at and fondled her while exclaiming "Mommy! Mommy!" She claimed to have gained 50 pounds as a result of the incident and sued Disney for $150,000 in damages for assault and battery, false imprisonment and humiliation. The plaintiff dropped charges after Disney's lawyers presented her with a photo of the costume, which had only inoperable stub arms.[106]

Tigger

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  • In April 2004, a 36-year-old Disney employee was arrested for allegedly fondling a 13-year-old girl and her mother while he was dressed as Tigger during a photo opportunity at the Magic Kingdom in February 2004. He was charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child between 12 and 15 years old and one count of simple battery.[107] The case went to trial, where the jury's deliberation lasted less than one hour. The employee was acquitted of all charges and returned to work at Disney.[108]
  • On January 5, 2007, a 14-year-old boy from Greenville, New Hampshire was allegedly punched in the head by a Disney employee dressed as Tigger during a photo opportunity at Disney's Hollywood Studios.[109] The family felt that the act was deliberate and filed a police report of battery against the cast member from Kissimmee, Florida.[110] The cast member was suspended pending the results of the investigation.[111] In the cast member's 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.[112] A lawyer for the employee accused in the 2004 case against Tigger released his own opinion on the situation. He believed the child instigated the situation and that cast member's movements were an involuntary reaction to pain. The lawyer was not representing the accused cast member at the time of this statement.[113] On February 15, 2007, the State Attorney General's office announced that no charges would be filed against the cast member.[114]

Winnie the Pooh

  • A 1981 case tried a cast member who was playing Winnie the Pooh in 1978. It was alleged that he slapped a child and caused bruising, recurring headaches and possible brain damage. The cast member testified that the girl was tugging at his costume from behind. When he turned around, he accidentally struck the girl in her ear. At one point, the cast member entered the courtroom in the Pooh costume and responded to questions while on the witness stand as Pooh would, including dancing a jig. Appearing as Pooh showed the jury that the costume's arms were too low to the ground to slap a girl of the victim's height. The jury acquitted the cast member after deliberating for 21 minutes.[106]

Various characters

  • In October 2006 at Disneyland Paris, amateur video was filmed showing Disney employees backstage, pantomiming various indecent acts while they were wearing their character costumes. The video clip[115] was later posted on various video-sharing websites, often using the term "mouse orgy."[116] In an official statement, Disney said "The video was taken in the backstage area not accessible to guests. Appropriate action has been taken to deal with the cast members involved."[117]

References

  1. ^ "No Mickey Mousing Around". Time magazine. 1985-03-11. Retrieved 2006-12-18.
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  3. ^ Snopes article detailing Disneyland deaths
  4. ^ Driscoll, Gwendolyn (2005-07-30). "'You could hear it coming'". The Orange County Register. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  5. ^ "Thrill ride lawsuits". Courier-Journal. 2007-06-22. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  6. ^ Koenig, David. "Why we'll never forget the tragedy of 30 years ago today". MousePlanet. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
  7. ^ "Theme Park Accident, 11 Injured" (date=2003-09-07). KABC-TV. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |format= (help)
  8. ^ "Big Thunder Railroad Death Brings Big Admission From Disney". InjuryBoard.com. 2004-12-05. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  9. ^ Verdict settlement for BTMRR
  10. ^ OSHA Press Release on Columbia findings
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  12. ^ "Husband Killed And Wife Disfigured By Disney's Sailing Ship Columbia (2000)". Aitken, Aitken, Cohn. Retrieved 2006-10-18. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ "27 Disneyland visitors injured when tree topples". Amarillo Globe-News. 2001-05-06. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
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  30. ^ "Dldhistory.com Injury Report". ?. 1995-04-19. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  31. ^ Template:Cite webstie
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  33. ^ Report on 2005-2006 incidents
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  72. ^ SNOPES article on Body Wars death
  73. ^ Autopsy report on Mission:SPACE rider
  74. ^ "Bamuwamye vs Disney court record (Document #20070045734)". Orange County Comptroller Official Records. 2007-01-22. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  75. ^ "Woman who died after Disney ride suffered stroke". CNN. 2006-04-14. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  76. ^ Mission: Space statistics according to Reedy Creek Fire Department records
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  79. ^ "Compensation needed in Disney case: Juror". Ocala Star Banner. 1985-03-10. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
  80. ^ Article mentioning PotC incident
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  83. ^ Orlando Sentinel - Quarterly state reports cite "natural" death, injuries - Jan 30, 2007
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  85. ^ "Man Dies On Disney's Splash Mountain". WESH News. 2000-11-06. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
  86. ^ Jason Garcia (2010-03-14). "Disney employee struck, injured by guest at Tomorrowland Speedway". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
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  88. ^ "Woman Says Disney Bungled Case Of Tempest In Tea Cups". Central Florida News 13. 2007-05-30. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  89. ^ "Woman Accused Of Choking, Beating Disney Rider Over Place In Line". Local 6. 2007-07-17. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  90. ^ "Disney teacup tussle leads to mom's arrest". Orlando Sentinel. 2007-07-18. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
  91. ^ "Anniston Woman Convicted Of Battery For Disney World Beating". NBC13. 2008-04-14. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
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  93. ^ "Tea Cup Beating Victim To Sue Disney". WBDO NewsRadio 580. 2008-04-23. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  94. ^ Zack Stein (2008-04-23). "Audio clip of lawyer's statement from WBDO news report on Tea Cup trial". WBDO NewsRadio 580. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  95. ^ "'Teacups' beating victim sues Disney". Orlando Sentinel. 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  96. ^ "12-Year-Old Dies After Collapsing At Disney Park". Local6. 2005-11-15. Retrieved 2006-07-17.
  97. ^ "Heart Issues Caused Disney Deaths". AP. 2005-11-15. Retrieved 2006-07-17.
  98. ^ Jessica Pierce (2009-07-09). "Disney Groping Suspect is Youth Minister". Daily Messenger (MPNNow.com). Retrieved 2009-07-13.
  99. ^ Walter Pacheco (2009-07-13). "Man blames tight swimsuit for exposing himself at Typhoon Lagoon". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
  100. ^ Walter Pacheco (2009-08-19). "Typhoon Lagoon: Charges dropped against alleged flasher at Typhoon Lagoon". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  101. ^ |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-bk-another-waterpark-incident-071609,0,4271540.story |title=Man arrested at Disney water park on lewd molestation charge |publisher=Orlando Sentinel |author=Keith Kohn |accessdate=2009-07-16 |date=2009-07-16}}
  102. ^ "Tigger Character Suspended By Disney Again, This Time As Goofy". Local 10. 2004-09-16. Retrieved 2007-01-06.
  103. ^ "Disney Character Faces More 'Touching' Accusations". Local 6. 2004-09-22. Retrieved 2007-01-12.
  104. ^ Bianca Prieto and Walter Pacheco (2009-08-11). "Man guilty of groping Minnie Mouse at Disney". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
  105. ^ Willoughby Mariano and Jason Garcia (2009-08-11). "Disney performer dies days after 'freakish' fall during staged sword fight". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  106. ^ a b Koenig, David (1994). Mouse Tales: A Behind-the-Ears Look at Disneyland. Bonaventure Press. pp. 206–207. ISBN 0-9640605-6-6.
  107. ^ "'Tigger' Arrested On Molestation Charges". Local 6. 2004-04-02. Retrieved 2007-01-06.
  108. ^ "'Tigger' Found Not Guilty Of Molesting Girl". Local 6. 2004-08-04. Retrieved 2007-01-06.
  109. ^ "Home Video Shows 'Tigger' Character Apparently Punching Boy's Face (article with video of incident)". Local 6. 2007-01-06. Retrieved 2007-01-06.
  110. ^ "PDF of filed police report of alleged Tigger assault" (PDF). Local 6. 2007-01-05. Retrieved 2007-01-12.
  111. ^ "Disney suspends accused Tigger". Orlando Sentinel. 2007-01-06. Retrieved 2007-01-06.
  112. ^ "Videotaped 'Tigger' Whack At Disney World Grabs National Attention". Local 6. 2007-01-08. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
  113. ^ "Lawyer: 'Tigger' Swat Was Instigated". Local 6. 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-01-11.
  114. ^ "No charges to be filed after 'Tigger' complaint". Orlando Sentinel. 2007-02-15. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
  115. ^ video of computer screen showing original "mouse orgy" video available as of 2008-02-14
  116. ^ "Mickey, Minnie and Goofy in Disney 'orgy' video". Daily Mail. 2006-10-12. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
  117. ^ "World's too small for Goofy-on-Chip sex video". Reuters. 2006-10-12. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
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