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Tragic Incident at Disney: Child Injured by Firework, Mother Files Lawsuit

A fireworks display went awry at Walt Disney World Resort, as per the account of one family.

Fireworks have been an intrinsic part of Disney Park tradition for decades, with Fantasy in the Sky proving a fan favorite upon its launch at Disneyland Park in 1958.

A vibrant fireworks display illuminates the night sky above a brightly lit, fantasy-themed castle adorned with blue and purple hues during the Disney Halloween Party, attended by an excited crowd.
Credit: Disney

Related: All Fireworks Axed at Disney Parks Until September, Effective Immediately

While Fantasy in the Sky may now be a relic of Disney’s past (with the exception of a few sporadic returns at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom), we’ve had plenty of other fireworks displays to keep us busy in the meantime. In recent years, Disneyland Resort has hosted the likes of Together Forever: A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular, Mickey’s Mix Magic, and Wondrous Journeys—the show created for Disney100 that was, for some reason, axed despite its overwhelming popularity.

Nowadays, Disneyland doesn’t perform its fireworks displays every night. Because Disneyland is located in Anaheim, a very residential area, some shows are now hosted sans-pyrotechnics, instead relying on projections to entertain guests. This is one of the many reasons why some have feared that Disney will eventually one day embrace technology (such as projections and drones) as a cheaper, more sustainable alternative to fireworks.

Coco fireworks during Pixar Fest at Disneyland
Credit: Disney

Walt Disney World Resort, however, doesn’t have that problem. The Central Florida theme park resort hosts a nightly fireworks display above Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. This is currently Happily Ever After, one of the most popular shows in Disney Parks canon, thanks to its skillful blend of nostalgic references, music, impressive projection mapping, and pyrotechnics.

From now until the end of October, this is alternated some nights with Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular on days where the park hosts Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Meanwhile, at EPCOT, guests can enjoy nightly performances of Luminous: The Symphony of Us.

Regardless of what show is playing at the park, Disney fireworks are axed on occasion. Rainy or windy weather may mean that Disney either scraps the show or delays it for a significant amount of time.

A group of people watches a vibrant fireworks display at night, with one person wearing glowing mickey mouse ears. they are standing by a railing, illuminated by the colorful bursts in the sky.
Credit: Disney

While this may upset some guests, the reality is that Happily Ever After costs Disney anywhere between $40,000 and $50,000 a night, and it only cancels shows as a last resort. High winds can pose a risk to guests as they may blow sparks and debris in their direction or ignite fires in nearby buildings.

As per some guests, however, Disney isn’t diligent enough when it comes to canceling its fireworks. One mother recently filed a lawsuit against Walt Disney World Resort, alleging that a firework ember hit her child in the eye – all because Disney didn’t cancel the fireworks during windy weather.

Nicole Ufie’s seven-year-old son was allegedly standing near Cinderella Castle on March 13, 2023, when he was caught by the stray ember. Ufie, who was on a Disney World vacation from New Jersey, is now suing Disney in Orange Circuit Court for over $50,000.

A couple stands on a building terrace at night, watching fireworks explode brightly above Magic Kingdom.
Credit: Disney

“Our lawsuit alleges that he continues to have eye problems and permanent scarring and that Disney World failed in their responsibility to maintain a safe environment at their park,” said Morgan & Morgan attorney Roman Diveev (via Florida Politics). “We will hold Disney and other parties involved accountable for their negligence to get justice for this family and hopefully prevent another child from getting injured by Disney’s fireworks.”

This isn’t the first time Disney World fireworks have caused trouble. In 2014, Kathleen Willis was also hit in the eye by “smoldering fireworks debris falling from the sky” during a fireworks show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. She later filed a lawsuit, and Disney settled for an unknown amount after she claimed that she was left permanently blind from her injuries.

magic kingdom crowds during fireworks at disney world
Credit: Brett Kiger, Flickr

In November 2023, a theme park guest filmed themselves seemingly being struck by debris while riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom Park during the fireworks. That same month, another guest claimed on Reddit that something had fallen in their eye during the Halloween fireworks at Disneyland Park (although, fortunately, it didn’t cause any damage).

Have you ever witnessed fireworks go wrong at Disney?

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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