Parks

Over a Dozen Injuries Linked to Disney, Universal and SeaWorld Rides

Over a dozen guests received injuries at Disney and Universal theme parks in the last quarter of 2024.

Three children are riding a roller coaster with looks of excitement and surprise on their faces. The roller coaster cart, reminiscent of Expedition Everest, is surrounded by rocky terrain, and the sky is clear in the background. They are seated with safety bars across their laps.
Credit: Disney

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Throughout the tail end of 2024, multiple guests reported injuries at Florida’s renowned theme parks, including both Disney and Universal locations. Reports indicated a rise in incidents linked to various rides and attractions, leading to a total of 14 injuries being logged during this period. The state of Florida, through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, monitors these occurrences, and the parks have committed to self-reporting injuries that require hospitalization for a minimum of 24 hours. The string of incidents underscores the vital nature of safety measures in ensuring a secure environment for all visitors.

A deep dive into Disney’s injury reports revealed a variety of incidents that occurred on its attractions. Many guests experienced common issues like nausea, shortness of breath, and even chest pains. A 54-year-old woman reported nausea after riding the popular Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a ride known for its intense motions that can trigger discomfort, particularly for those prone to motion sickness. In other cases, a 67-year-old woman felt shortness of breath following the same ride, while a 55-year-old man experienced chest pains after enjoying Expedition Everest.

In addition to these cases, falls seemed to be another prevalent source of injuries. A 79-year-old woman suffered a hip injury at Under the Sea—Journey of the Little Mermaid, and another older guest hurt her hip after exiting the Prince Charming Regal Carousel. The demographic of the guests reporting injuries featured a mix of ages, but it was noticeable that older adults often experienced more severe symptoms, indicating a potential need for heightened caution for this group when visiting.

Universal Park Incident Overview

Velocicoaster
Credit: Photo by Kenny Sabugo on Unsplash

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Universal Orlando also saw several incidents that contributed to the overall injury report. The Jurassic World VelociCoaster was frequently mentioned in guest reports, with three individuals reporting issues over a span of six weeks.

Notably, a 43-year-old described experiencing nausea, while a 63-year-old female guest complained of shortness of breath. Perhaps most alarming was the case of a 44-year-old man who fainted after disembarking from the ride.

Further incidents at Universal included a guest who experienced a seizure after riding on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and another man who reported severe head pain following the Incredible Hulk Coaster. A 48-year-old woman who experienced chest pain after riding Revenge of the Mummy and a 76-year-old woman who fainted during the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride added to the list.

Further implications extend into the realm of state regulations concerning injury reporting. The transparency offered by the required reporting mechanisms allows guests to be informed about potential risks associated with specific rides. This system can lead to necessary policy adjustments that enhance safety guidelines across all attractions within the parks. Continued dialogues between theme parks and regulatory bodies may foster improved safety standards that ensure both the magical experience and well-being of guests are upheld.

Luke Dammann

When at Disney world, Luke will probably be found eating with his favorite animatronic, Sonny Eclipse at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. When not at Disney World, Luke will probably be found defending Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe to people who claim "there are better restaurants"

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