Theme parks thrive on adrenaline. From towering drops to high-speed launches, rides are designed to push limits while still feeling safe. Yet even at the world’s most visited destinations, thrills can sometimes blur into danger.
Universal Orlando Resort, home to some of Florida’s most popular attractions, is no exception. Like Disney World and SeaWorld, it’s required to file reports with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services whenever an incident leads to a hospitalization lasting more than 24 hours.
The latest quarterly report, covering July through September 2025, paints a sobering picture. In addition to the highly publicized fatality at Epic Universe’s signature roller coaster, Stardust Racers, seven other cases were recorded across Universal Orlando’s theme parks and water park.
A Fatal Accident and Two More Coaster Hospitalizations at Universal
The most serious entry in the third-quarter report involved 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who suffered “multiple blunt impact injuries” on Stardust Racers in September. He died after the accident. Universal quickly updated ride restrictions, now requiring guests to walk onto the attraction without assistance.
But Rodriguez Zavala’s case was not the only coaster-related medical emergency in the report. According to officials, a 40-year-old woman with a pre-existing condition lost consciousness while riding the Harry Potter-themed roller coaster Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Islands of Adventure.
Just over two weeks later, another guest — a 66-year-old man — experienced chest pain while on The Incredible Hulk Coaster. Like the earlier case, his medical history played a role. In a separate incident, a 56-year-old man complained of a headache following a ride on the same attraction.
A Pattern Across Parks
Beyond those headline-making roller coasters, other incidents rounded out the quarter. At Volcano Bay, a 38-year-old woman reported severe neck pain after the Krakatau Aqua Coaster. Meanwhile, a 32-year-old woman experienced both motion sickness and neck pain on Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Florida.
Even the Hogwarts Express — a family-friendly train linking the Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas — was not without issue. A 78-year-old woman was hospitalized after suffering dizziness during her journey.
The second quarter of 2025 also revealed concerns. Three incidents occurred at Epic Universe, including chest pain on the Isle of Berk ride, and two separate health crises aboard Stardust Racers. Additional reports included a woman feeling dizzy on the Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon simulator and a man experiencing chest pain, again on The Incredible Hulk Coaster.
Theme Park Risks and Precautions
Medical incidents in theme parks are not uncommon. They range from minor dizziness to life-threatening emergencies. Universal Orlando’s staff are trained to respond quickly, with paramedics often arriving within minutes. In one recent case inside Epic Universe’s Dark Universe land, paramedics treated a guest on-site while the entire area was evacuated for safety.
Walt Disney World Resort isn’t immune to incidents either. The same report cited hospitalizations after medical emergencies at three of its parks.
Still, experts say visitors can lower their own risks by taking precautions — staying hydrated, heeding attraction warnings, and avoiding rides that may strain existing conditions. Florida’s heat and humidity only heighten the physical toll of a day spent at a theme park.
As Universal continues expanding, including with its ambitious Epic Universe park, these reports highlight the balance operators must strike between pushing boundaries and maintaining safety. The thrills will keep drawing millions, but the costs of those thrills are also becoming harder to ignore.
Have you ever experienced an emergency incident at a theme park?
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