Okay, we need to talk about what’s been happening at Universal and Disney because the latest state injury report just dropped and it’s honestly pretty alarming.
We’re not trying to freak anyone out here, but when you see the numbers of people ending up in hospitals after riding roller coasters during just a three-month period, it raises some serious red flags. And now there’s been another death at Universal, this time on Revenge of the Mummy, which already has a history that’s kind of dark if you know the backstory. Look, we love theme parks as much as anyone. We’re literally here writing about them all the time. But when a 70-year-old woman dies after what should have been a fun attraction experience, we need to dig into what actually happened and what it means for everyone planning their next Orlando vacation. Because this isn’t an isolated incident, and the timing right before Thanksgiving makes it hit even harder.
What Happened on Revenge of the Mummy
Here’s what we know from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services report that came out this week. On November 25, a 70-year-old woman rode Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Florida. At some point during or right after the ride, she became unresponsive. Medical personnel transported her to a hospital where she later died. The report doesn’t give us her name, and Universal isn’t talking about it beyond acknowledging the incident occurred.
The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office can’t release details without having the victim’s identity, so we’re kind of left with limited information about what specifically caused her death. Was it a heart attack? A stroke? We don’t know yet, and we may never know publicly.
But here’s the thing that’s really unsettling. This is the SECOND death connected to Revenge of the Mummy since it opened back in 2004. The first one happened just months after the ride debuted when a guy from Apopka fell from the loading platform onto the tracks and died. That was ruled an accident at the time, but still. Two deaths on one attraction over 20 years is not a great track record.
For anyone who hasn’t ridden it, Revenge of the Mummy is an indoor coaster based on those Brendan Fraser movies. It hits about 45 mph, which isn’t crazy fast compared to something like VelociCoaster, but it’s got a lot of surprises. You’re flying through pitch-black sections, animatronic mummies are jumping out at you, and there are some pretty sharp turns and sudden movements. No loops or anything, but it’s definitely intense in its own way.
Universal’s Having a Really Bad Year
This death is the second one at Universal in just the past few months, which is beyond concerning. Back in September, a man with disabilities died from blunt head force trauma after riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe. Universal settled with his family, though we don’t know the terms because that stuff stays private.
Two deaths in a matter of months at the same resort? That’s going to raise questions from regulators and definitely from guests who are now wondering if they should be second-guessing their park plans. Universal’s got some of the best attractions in Orlando, but safety has to come first, full stop.
The State Report Is Wild Right Now
The quarterly injury report covering October through December shows 15 serious medical incidents at Disney and Universal combined. Fifteen people who went to a theme park and ended up in the hospital for at least 24 hours. That’s during the busiest time of year when everyone’s trying to squeeze in holiday vacations and the parks are absolutely packed.
And get this: a bunch of these cases involved people in their 70s. Stardust Racers alone had two more incidents beyond that September death. A 78-year-old man had chest pain on October 6. Then on October 14, a 61-year-old guy went into cardiac arrest on the same ride. Both ended up hospitalized.
Over at Disney, things weren’t much better. A 75-year-old man had stroke-like symptoms on Slinky Dog Dash at Hollywood Studios. That’s literally a family coaster that little kids ride. A 72-year-old man got disoriented after Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot. The report mentions he had some pre-existing condition but doesn’t say what.
At Magic Kingdom, a 42-year-old had a seizure on the Mad Tea Party. Yes, the teacup ride. A 19-year-old woman had an “altered mental status” after Mario Kart at Epic Universe. A 49-year-old felt chest pain on VelociCoaster in November. And a 35-year-old woman straight up passed out at The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot.
Let’s Break Down What This Actually Means
First off, age is clearly a major factor here. If you’re over 70 and you’re thinking about hitting up intense roller coasters, maybe have a real conversation with your doctor first. Your heart and cardiovascular system just don’t handle rapid acceleration and G-forces the same way they did when you were younger. That’s not being ageist, that’s just biology.
Second, pre-existing conditions are coming up repeatedly in these reports. The problem is that a lot of people either don’t know they have a condition or they convince themselves it’s not serious enough to skip a ride. But theme park attractions put legitimate physical stress on your body. If you’ve got heart issues, high blood pressure, or anything else that could be aggravated by sudden movements, you need to take those warning signs seriously.
Third, and this is important: even mild rides can trigger medical emergencies in the wrong circumstances. Mad Tea Party isn’t exactly a thrill ride, but someone still had a seizure on it. The Seas with Nemo and Friends is basically a gentle aquarium tour, but someone passed out. This tells us that it’s not just about how intense the ride is. It’s about your individual health status and whether your body can handle ANY physical stress in that moment.
The holiday crowds probably aren’t helping either. You’ve got people walking miles and miles in the Florida heat, standing in hour-long lines, probably not drinking enough water, skipping meals to maximize ride time. All of that compounds the physical stress your body’s already dealing with from the attractions themselves.
Real Talk About Theme Park Safety
Look, nobody wants to be the person who skips rides because they’re worried about safety. We get it. You paid a lot of money to be there, you want to experience everything, and you don’t want to feel like you’re missing out. But you know what’s worse than missing a ride? Ending up in a Florida hospital or worse.
Those warning signs at ride entrances aren’t suggestions. They’re there because people have literally died or gotten seriously hurt when they ignored them. If it says don’t ride if you have heart problems and you have heart problems, DON’T RIDE. It’s that simple.
Before you book your next Universal or Disney trip, especially if you’re older or have any health issues, talk to your actual doctor. Not Google. Not Reddit. Your real doctor who knows your medical history. Show them videos of the rides you want to go on and ask if it’s safe for you specifically. They’ll give you honest answers.
And when you’re at the parks, listen to your body. If you’re feeling dizzy, overheated, chest pain, shortness of breath, or anything else that seems off, sit down in the shade, drink some water, and skip the next ride. Your body is trying to tell you something important.
We’re not trying to scare you away from theme parks. We love these places and we want everyone to have amazing experiences there. But we also want everyone to go home safely at the end of the day. Make smart choices, be honest about your limitations, and don’t let peer pressure or FOMO put your health at risk. There will always be another trip, but you only get one life. Protect it.
