Disney Cast Members Save the Day After Toddler Loses Consciousness During Theme Park Show

When a medical crisis struck during a recent visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, a family from the United Kingdom witnessed firsthand the level of care and professionalism Disney cast members bring to emergency situations. Their two-year-old daughter’s frightening health episode became a testament to the training and compassion of Walt Disney World Resort staff.

Reddit user u/52weektransformation took to social media this week to share the harrowing experience and express profound gratitude for the cast members who stepped up during an unimaginable moment for any parent.

Celebration Turns to Crisis at Festival of the Lion King

The medical emergency occurred while the family attended Festival of the Lion King, the theatrical spectacular featuring puppetry, acrobatics, dancers, and singers performing numbers from the 1994 animated film. The approximately thirty-minute production takes place within Harambe Theater’s unique theater-in-the-round setup. Disney cast members and performers occupy the entire space throughout the show, creating complex exit challenges for guests in certain sections.

The young girl had been enthusiastically enjoying the performance when everything changed in an instant.

“She was up clapping and dancing during the show,” the Disney Park guest recalled. “Then suddenly, she collpased in my wife’s arms, she was unresponsive, stopped breathing and turned blue. We picked her up and urgently ran down our row, through the doors and to the front of the attraction. I caught the attention of a cast member who promptly called 9-1-1.”

Walt Disney World Resort provides extensive training for cast members on proper evacuation protocols and safe passage routes, particularly for the most difficult-to-access seating locations within the Harambe Theater.

Immediate Action

Once alerted to the situation, Disney cast members launched into a coordinated response that addressed both immediate medical needs and the family’s emotional state throughout the ordeal.

“They held their phone to my ear while I performed first aid,” the guest wrote. “They formed a human wall around us as hundreds of people were leaving the show. They directed [the] Fire Department to a back entrance so they could reach us quickly. When my daughter woke up they gave her a Simba stuffed animal for comfort. They located my belongings we left in the show such as my wife’s bag and phone and our stroller.”

The Disney cast members’ actions protected the family from crowds while ensuring emergency responders could access them efficiently. As the situation stabilized and the toddler regained consciousness, staff members gave the child a Simba plush toy to bring to the hospital.

While the mother accompanied their daughter in the ambulance, Disney cast members arranged private transport for the father via a Kilimanjaro Safaris vehicle, allowing him to retrieve his car and follow his family. The Guest Experiences team later refunded the family’s Lightning Lane purchases and provided additional complimentary passes.

Recovery and Recognition

Doctors determined the two-year-old had experienced a febrile seizure, which occurs when body temperature spikes suddenly. The family has confirmed their daughter is now on the road to recovery.

The experience left such an impression that the father made special efforts to acknowledge the Disney cast members involved, both through official channels and in person.

“It was a horrible experience for parents to go through,” the Reddit user concluded. “I emailed Disney and named the staff to thank them, and also went back to the attraction the next week to thank them personally. Disney hasn’t lost the magic and their business model is to make sure you make happy memories with your family and come back for more. I will continue to happily pay to travel to Disney World in the future. Thank you to all the hard-working cast members who make it the happiest place on earth.”

Has a Disney cast member made a difference for your family? Share your story with Disney Dining in the comments!