List of incidents at Walt Disney World

• On April 22, 2010, a 61-year-old woman from Celebration, Florida, suffered a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and back pain due to a boating accident near the Treehouse Villas. The rented Sea Raycer that her husband was driving collided with a Disney ferryboat. The Orange County Sheriff's report states that the Sea Raycer crossed in the ferry's right-of-way.[4]

• On March 23, 2010, a Disney transportation bus rear-ended a private charter bus near the entrance to the Epcot parking lot. Seven guests aboard the Disney bus received minor injuries, while the bus driver was reported to have received critical injuries.[5]
• On April 1, 2010, a 9-year-old boy was crushed to death by a Disney transportation bus at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground while he was riding his bicycle with an 11-year-old girl.[6] A report from the Florida Highway Patrol says that the victim appeared to turn his bike into the road and ran into the side of the bus, subsequently being dragged under the bus's right-rear tire.[6] The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.[7] A preliminary report stated that the bus driver, who has 30 years' experience with Disney, was not impaired or driving recklessly and that charges probably would not be filed, pending a full investigation of the incident.[6] In October 2010, Disney World was sued for $15,106 by the boy's mother.[8] Disney settled out of court in 2012 with the boy's mother.[9]
• On December 26, 2010, a 69-year-old man died after stepping in front of a moving Disney transportation bus in the parking lot of Disney's Port Orleans Resort.[10]

• On October 5, 2019, a gondola became jammed while exiting the Riviera Resort station. A subsequent backlog of gondolas got stuck behind the jammed gondola inside the station causing the entire system to stop. There were no known injuries. [11] [12] [13]

• On February 12, 1974, the Mark IV Monorail Blue rear ended the Mark IV Monorail Red due to driver error. One driver and two passengers were injured.[14]
• On June 26, 1985, a fire engulfed the rear car of the six-car Mark IV Silver monorail train in transit from the Epcot station to the Transportation and Ticket Center.[15] This fire pre-dated onboard fire detection systems, emergency exits and evacuation planning. Passengers in the car kicked out side windows and climbed around the side of the train to reach the roof, where they were subsequently rescued by the Reedy Creek Fire Department.[16] Seven passengers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation or other minor injuries.[17] The fire department later determined that the fire started when a flat tire was dragged across the concrete beam and was ignited by the frictional heat.[18]
• On August 30, 1991, Monorail Red collided with a diesel maintenance work tractor near the Contemporary Resort as the tractor drove closely in front of the train to film it for a commercial. Two employees were treated at a hospital for injuries.[19]
• On August 12, 1996, an electrical fire occurred on a train pulling into the Magic Kingdom station. The driver and the five passengers on board exited safely. Two bus drivers who witnessed the fire and assisted were overcome by smoke and treated at a nearby hospital.[20]
• On July 5, 2009, during a failed track switchover from the Epcot line onto the Magic Kingdom express line, Monorail Pink backed into Monorail Purple at the Transportation & Ticket Center station, killing the 21-year-old Monorail Purple pilot.[21] One employee and six guests who were also on the trains were treated at the scene and released.[22] OSHA and park officials inspected the monorail line and the monorail reopened on July 6, 2009, after new sensors and operating procedures were put in place.[23][24] An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) showed no mechanical problems with the trains or track but did find that the track used in the switchover was not in its proper place for the track transition. The NTSB also noted that Purple's pilot attempted to reverse his train when he saw that there was going to be a collision. Disney placed three monorail employees on paid administrative leave as a result of the incident.[25] On October 31, 2011, the NTSB issued its findings on this incident, citing the probable cause as the shop panel operator's failure to properly align the switch beam before the monorail train was directed to reverse through it. As a result of this incident, cab riding for guests was discontinued.[26]
• On July 13, 2014, due to a power failure possibly caused by a lightning strike, the monorail system was temporarily disabled. Most trains were restarted and returned to stations safely.[27] Disney cast members were unable to restart Monorail Gold, which had been heading toward Epcot when it broke down. Reedy Creek emergency personnel successfully evacuated 120 people from that train. Fire officials confirmed that the malfunction was weather-related.[28]
• On October 10, 2015, a mechanical failure stranded guests aboard Monorail Yellow traveling between the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Contemporary Resort. Firefighters were able to rescue all the passengers about two hours after their arrival. No injuries were reported, although a number of the riders reported on social media that they had been stranded for hours.[29]
• On November 18, 2015, Monorail Coral was being towed by a monorail tug for an unknown reason. The monorail separated from the tug, then crashed into it, causing damage to the body of the monorail and shattering the windshield. All monorail lines were shut down after the accident and resumed operations the next day.[30][31]

• On June 12, 1982, a 1-year-old girl from Muscatine, Iowa, was killed when she fell from a tram in a parking lot.[32]

• On April 30, 2005, a 30-year-old man from Mooresville, Indiana, lost consciousness shortly after exiting the ride and died from a heart attack moments later. An investigation showed the ride was operating correctly and was not the cause of his death; he had an artificial pacemaker.[33]

• On December 18, 2007, a 44-year-old man from Navarre, Florida, lost consciousness while riding the coaster. He was given CPR on the ride's loading platform and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.[34] An autopsy by the Orange County medical examiner's office concluded that the victim died of dilated cardiomyopathy and that the death was considered natural.[35]

• On May 29, 2007, five guests and one cast member were injured when an emergency exit platform malfunctioned. The guests were exiting a Kali River Rapids raft during a ride stoppage triggered by a monitoring sensor. The raft was on a steep incline and the emergency exit platform was designed to allow guests to easily access the emergency stairs from the incline. After an investigation determined that the platform "disengaged and slid", it was removed and an alternative evacuation procedure was adopted.[36] The six people were taken to local hospitals for minor injuries and were later released.[37]

• In February 2008, a small fire broke out at the front of a ride vehicle. A woman was taken to the hospital after jumping from the truck and three other people suffered minor injuries.[38]

• On November 27, 2007, a 63-year-old employee died from a brain injury sustained four days earlier when she was hit by a ride vehicle after falling from a restricted area of the ride platform.[39] On May 23, 2008, OSHA fined Walt Disney World US$25,500 and charged the company with five safety violations. The fines were: $15,000 for three serious violations; $7,500 for still missing a handrail that had been reported; and $3,000 for not responding to OSHA requests within the requested time period.[40]
• On March 13, 2011, a 52-year-old employee sustained head injuries while working on the ride and was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he later died. The ride was undergoing maintenance and was closed to the public at the time of the incident.[41]

• On March 21, 2016, a small electrical fire originating from beneath one of the puppet floats broke out during a performance of Festival of the Lion King. The fire was quickly extinguished and no one was hurt in the incident. The show resumed performances the next day.[42]

• Several instances of visitors losing consciousness on the ride were reported, leading to the installation of warning cards for riders before entering the ride. The cards are similar to those on Mission: Space and warn riders about fear of heights, motion sickness, and the seating restraints.[43]

• In October 2016, a 67-year-old man from Memphis, Tennessee, died after riding Star Tours. The rider had a pre-existing heart condition along with other contributing factors. The incident was described as part of a quarterly report filed with the Florida Department of Agriculture, which oversees the safety of the state's amusement parks.[44][45]
• On August 19, 2019, a 40-year-old man with a pre-existing medical condition had a seizure and fell after riding.[46]

• On June 29, 2006, a 12-year-old boy visiting from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was found to be unresponsive after the ride came to an end. Though his father administered CPR until paramedics arrived, he was declared dead on the way to Celebration Hospital.[47] The ride was shut down for the investigation and reopened a day later after inspectors determined that the ride was operating normally. The victim had died as a result of a congenital heart defect.[48]

• On July 12, 2005, a 16-year-old girl from Kibworth, Leicestershire, United Kingdom, complained of a severe headache and other symptoms after riding the Tower of Terror. She was taken to Celebration Hospital in nearby Orlando in critical condition,[49] where she underwent surgery for intracranial bleeding. On August 6, 2005, she returned to the United Kingdom via air ambulance. While she had reportedly ridden the attraction several times during her visit with no ill effects,[50] she had been in pain for a few days prior to the incident. She had a massive stroke leading to cardiac arrest. After an examination by both Disney and state inspectors showed no ride malfunction, the ride was reopened the next day. The girl returned home safely after spending six months in the hospital due to two heart attacks and surgery.[51] On February 13, 2009, the victim's family sued Disney for negligence in the ride design, failing to adequately warn riders, and not providing proper safety restraints. They were seeking at least US$15 million.[52] The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed in 2012.[53]

A number of incidents involving the show's performers have occurred since the live-action show's premiere in 1989. In 1990, OSHA fined the resort $1,000 after three performers were injured in three separate incidents.[54]

• In one incident, a performer fell 30 feet (9.14 m) when a restraining cable failed.
• In another, a performer fell 25 feet (7.62 m) when a prop ladder collapsed unexpectedly.
• A third performer was pinned by a malfunctioning trap door.[54] At the time, OSHA cited Disney for failing to provide adequate fall protection, including padding and other equipment.[54]
• Later, while rehearsing a new, safer routine, another performer fell 25 feet (7.62 m) onto concrete.[54]
• In a rehearsal on August 17, 2009, a 30-year-old male performer died after injuring his head while performing a tumbling roll.[55] Performances for the next day were canceled out of respect for him.[55]

• On August 7, 2016, a cast member playing Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs fell under the railing on the top level of a steamboat down onto the level below during the show's finale. During the fall, he landed on another cast member playing Goofy. Both cast members were later checked at the scene by paramedics and released.[56] [57]

• In October 2014, a 64-year-old woman lost consciousness on the ride and died. The death was not believed to be related to the ride.[58]

• On May 16, 1995, a 4-year-old girl from Galveston, Texas, with a known heart condition passed out during a ride on the Body Wars attraction in the Wonders of Life pavilion. The ride was stopped immediately and paramedics airlifted her to Orlando Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy was inconclusive as to whether the ride had aggravated her condition.[59]

• From June 2005 to June 2006, paramedics treated 194 Mission: Space riders. The most common complaints were dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Of those 194 guests, 25 people passed out, 26 suffered difficulty breathing, and 16 reported chest pains or irregular heartbeats.[60]
• On June 13, 2005, a 4-year-old boy from Sellersville, Pennsylvania, died after riding Mission: Space. An autopsy by the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office, released on November 15, 2005, found that the boy died as a result of an existing, undiagnosed idiopathic heart condition called myocardial hypertrophy. On June 12, 2006, a lawsuit was filed against Disney by his parents, claiming that Disney should have never allowed a 4-year-old child on the ride and did not offer an adequate medical response after he collapsed.[61] On January 11, 2007, the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice.[62]
• On April 12, 2006, a 49-year-old woman from Schmitten, Germany, fell ill after riding Mission: Space and died at Celebration Hospital in nearby Celebration, Florida. An autopsy determined that she died from a brain hemorrhage caused by longstanding and severe high blood pressure; there was no evidence of trauma attributable to the ride.[63]

• On November 21, 1984, a husband and wife, along with their 1-year-old daughter, were killed and two other children were injured when the single-engine plane they were flying in crashed while attempting an emergency landing in the Epcot parking lot. The Piper aircraft was approaching an empty section of the parking lot when it clipped a light pole, shearing off the right wing, and crashed into several parked cars. The family was flying from Greer, South Carolina, to Kissimmee, Florida, for a vacation at Disney World.[64][65]
• On January 14, 1986, the bodies of a 33-year-old man and a woman were discovered floating in a retention pond after they drove their car down an embankment and into the water during a heavy rainstorm several days earlier. Authorities speculate that the two attempted to escape from the vehicle through the driver's side window as it sank into the six-foot deep water. The vehicle's lights and windshield wipers were found in the "on" position, leading authorities to believe that the driver lost visibility during a rainstorm, jumped a curb and slid down an embankment into the pond.[66]

• On August 14, 1999, a 5-year-old boy was seriously injured after exiting a ride car at Spaceship Earth. He was treated for an open compound fracture at the Orlando Regional Medical Center.[67]

• On January 29, 2018, a 20-year-old man from Venezuela was accused and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior after he molested an 8-year-old boy on the ride. As the boy and his mother were waiting in line, they were seated next to a man who put one of his arms around the boy's chest, his hand on his knee and touched his groin during the ride. He was then arrested shortly thereafter according to the police although he claimed it was an accident.[68]

• On August 1, 1987, a 27-year-old employee was killed when the ultralight plane he was flying crashed during a show rehearsal. He was practicing for Epcot's "Skyleidoscope" show at an altitude of 500-1000 feet when the ultralight suffered catastrophic structural failure, nosediving into the ground about 150 yards from Disney's airfield and 1.5 miles from Epcot. [69]
• On September 12, 1992, a 37-year-old man entered Epcot after park closing and brandished a shotgun at three security guards, demanding to see his ex-girlfriend who worked at the park. He fired four blasts at the guards and took two of them hostage in a restroom near the Journey Into Imagination pavilion. As Orange County sheriff's deputies surrounded the area, the man released his hostages and emerged from the restroom with the shotgun held to his chest. After exchanging words with deputies, he put the gun to his head and fired. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Investigators attributed his actions to a recent breakup with his long-time girlfriend.[70]
• On November 5, 2017, a runner in the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon collapsed and died near the finish line in the Epcot parking lot. No other details were initially disclosed.[71]
• On August 18, 2018, a person was found dead inside of a burning car near Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course at the park.[72]
• On March 12, 2019, a worker died in an industrial incident behind the France Pavilion. No details are available on the cause of death, but it is believed he fell off of the roof of the upcoming attraction Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.[73]
• On November 1, 2019, a runner died while participating in the Disney's Wine & Dine Weekend 5 km race. The victim collapsed while running on the course.[74]

• On February 11, 2004, a 38-year-old employee dressed as Pluto, who had worked at the park for eight years, died at the Magic Kingdom when he was run over by the Beauty and the Beast float in the Share a Dream Come True Parade. Disney representatives commented that no incident of these circumstances had ever happened before to a cast member and that no guests had seen the incident.[75] This led OSHA to fine Disney US$6,300 for having employees in restricted areas.[76]

• In February 2017, a 54-year-old man died after riding the attraction. His cause of death is believed to be natural causes, as he had a pre-existing medical condition. Sheri Blanton, from the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office, stated in an email that "the death did not appear to be one of its cases, so the man likely had an attending physician who agreed to sign out the death certificate due to natural causes." She further said, "If he had been under a doctor's care and there was no trauma indicated, the medical examiner's office would not be notified." A Disney spokesperson said the ride was operating as normal.[77][78]

• On March 18, 2019, a 75-year-old man fell and fractured one of his legs while getting inside one of the ride vehicles.[79]

• On August 18, 1994, a 6-year-old girl from Miami, Florida, fell out of one of the ride's boats while it was in the loading area. Orange County authorities believe an incoming boat then struck her after the fall. The girl suffered a broken hip, a broken arm and a collapsed lung. Paramedics took her to a hospital and she was able to recover fully from her injuries successfully. The ride was closed for an inspection and re-opened the following day.[80]
• On December 25, 2014, a 22-year-old woman lost consciousness after riding the attraction. She later died. The woman had a pre-existing condition.[58]

• On August 11, 1977, a 4-year-old boy from Dolton, Illinois, drowned in the moat surrounding Cinderella Castle. The family sued Disney for US$4 million and won; however, the jury found the parents 50% liable for allowing the boy to climb over a fence while playing and reduced the settlement amount to US$2 million.[81]

• On February 27, 2020, one of the Jungle Cruise boats started to sink with passengers on board, causing the ride to be shut down for nearly 2 hours. Videos and images that began to spread on Twitter showed passengers standing inside the boat and climbing on the railings as the water slowly rose around their legs. The Reedy Creek Fire Department responded to the incident, with all passengers safely evacuated from the ride. No injuries were reported, and the ride reopened shortly after.[82][83]
• On March 11, 2020, a 74-year-old woman fell and fractured her leg while trying to get into one of the boats. The incident occurred nearly two days before all theme parks were temporarily shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[84]

• On February 14, 2006, a 70-year-old man was injured as he became pinned underneath one of the ride's vehicles after falling from the conveyor belt. He was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center by helicopter with his injuries being considered life-threatening. The ride temporarily shut down operation that same evening.[85]

• In February 2005, a 77-year-old woman from Minnesota lost consciousness and died after riding the Pirates of the Caribbean. A medical examiner's report said the victim was in poor health and she had several ministrokes. The report concluded that her death "was not unexpected."[86]
• On August 6, 2009, Mark Priest, a 47-year-old employee playing the role of a pirate in the "Captain Jack's Pirate Tutorial" show, accidentally slipped on a puddle on the stage and hit his head on a wall. He was taken to Florida Hospital in Orlando, with injuries including a broken vertebra in his neck and severe lacerations on his head that required 55 stitches. He died four days later due to complications from the fall.[87][88]
• On July 10, 2014, a 12-year-old boy from the United Kingdom was hospitalized after losing the tips of his ring and pinky fingers on his right hand while riding the Pirates of the Caribbean. The guest had his hand outside of the ride vehicle at the time of the incident. The ride was shut down briefly for inspection and later reopened after it was deemed safe.[89]
• In June 2015, a woman from Clay County, Florida, accidentally slipped and fell in one of the boats that had water on the floor's surface. She suffered body injuries and twisted her ankle. After the incident, she sued the park for more than $15,000 for her injuries.[90]

• On December 12, 2010, a 77-year-old woman with pre-existing conditions collapsed after exiting. She later died due to the incident.[91]
• On January 30, 2019, a 69-year-old man fractured his hip while getting off the ride.[79]

• On May 23, 1982, a 20-year-old worker was standing near the ledge of the Fantasyland station when the Skyway started up; she grabbed onto a seat and traveled 100 feet (30 m) before a staff member stopped the ride. Some visitors climbed onto the roof of a nearby building, but could not reach her. She fell 15 feet (5 m) to the roof, slid off, and dropped another 20 feet (6 m) to the ground; she injured her back but survived.[92][93]
• On February 14, 1999, 65-year-old part-time custodian Raymond Barlow was killed when he fell off a seat. He was cleaning the Fantasyland Skyway station platform when the ride was accidentally turned on by staff not knowing he was there. He was in the path of the ride vehicles and grabbed a passing seat in an attempt to save himself. He lost his grip, fell 40 feet (12 m), and landed in a flower bed near the Dumbo ride. He was dead on arrival at Orlando Regional Medical Center. The Skyway ride, which had been scheduled to be closed before the accident occurred, was permanently closed on November 10, 1999.[94] As a result of the accident, OSHA fined Walt Disney World US$4,500 for violating federal safety codes in that work area.[95] The incident echoed a similar incident at Disneyland Resort in 1994, when a 30-year-old man fell 20 feet (6 m) out of a Skyway cabin and subsequently tried to sue Disney. In that case, however, the man later admitted that he had in fact jumped out of the ride, and the case was dismissed.[95]

• On August 12, 1980, a 10-year-old girl from Caracas, Venezuela, became ill while riding Space Mountain.[96][97] She later died of a pre-existing heart condition from a lack of oxygen.[98]
• In 1998, a 37-year-old man was hit on the head by a falling object. His left arm was paralyzed, and he suffered from short-term memory loss (losing his job as a result). Two objects were discovered at the bottom floor of Space Mountain: a camera and a candle from Frontierland.[99]
• On August 1, 2006, a 6-year-old boy fainted after riding Space Mountain and was taken to Celebration Hospital where he died. The victim was a terminal cancer patient visiting the Magic Kingdom as a part of the Give Kids the World program. The medical examiner's report showed that he died of natural causes due to a metastatic pulmonary blastoma tumor.[100]
• On December 7, 2006, a 73-year-old man lost consciousness while riding Space Mountain. He was transported to a hospital and died three days later. The medical examiner found that the man died of natural causes due to a heart condition.[101]
• On July 7, 2015, a 55-year-old woman from Kingsport, Tennessee, died of cardiopulmonary arrest and septic shock at Florida Hospital Celebration after losing consciousness while on the ride. According to the medical examiner, her medical history showed a history of hypertension and congestive heart failure.[102][103]

• On November 1, 2014, falling embers from the Wishes fireworks show landed on the artificial grass exterior of the ride, causing a fire near the bridge that the coaster travels on just before entering the mine. This caused the ride and the area around it to be evacuated.[104] There were no injuries reported and the ride reopened later that evening.[105][106]

• On November 5, 2000, a 37-year-old man from St. Petersburg, Florida, was fatally injured while trying to exit the ride vehicle while it was moving. He told fellow passengers that he felt ill and attempted to reach one of the attraction's marked emergency exits.[107] He was struck by the following ride vehicle and died at Celebration Hospital.[108]
• On August 2, 2020, one of the log flume boats began to sink underwater. In a video shown on Twitter, a cast member can be heard telling guests not to exit the vehicle because standing on a platform on the side of the ride poses a "safety hazard."[109]

• On October 19, 1991, a 15-year-old girl from Sarasota, Florida, was critically injured after she fell onto the tracks of the ride. According to witnesses, she was jumping from car to car and fell onto the track, where she was dragged under a moving car for at least 50 feet (15.24 m) before the ride stopped. She was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center where she underwent emergency surgery for head and facial injuries.[110][111]
• In February 2007, an 89-year-old woman fell and broke her hip while exiting a ride vehicle.[112]
• On July 31, 2018, then 24-year-old Patrick Spikes from Winter Garden, Florida, who was a former Disney World employee entered inside a restricted area of the attraction and stole various costumes, props, and other items that were worth over $7,000. Apparently, someone caught him in the act while taking a photo. The photos of the items that were stolen were released according to the authorities. One of the photos showed a pink costume, which was possibly taken from an audio animatronic character. Another showed a woman, who Spikes recognized, wearing the outfit. Security investigators said that the Spikes had the photos taken from his phone and they had a conversation with him upon the whereabouts of the stolen artifacts. On April 26, 2019, investigators contacted someone who apparently said that Spikes was able to get the items with permission. Spikes was arrested on May 17 and charged with burglary, grand theft, and dealing in stolen property.[113]

• On July 23, 2019, a 75-year-old man suffered injuries after falling into one of the ride's vehicles.[46]

• On July 21, 2019, a 69-year-old woman who had a pre-existing medical condition suffered a seizure after experiencing the attraction.[46]

• In March 2010, a 4-year-old boy from San Diego, California, suffered severe burns to his face and neck after being scalded by a tray of hot nacho cheese. The accident occurred when the boy sat down to dinner in an unstable chair and grabbed a food tray to prevent himself falling, resulting in the cheese falling off of the food tray and into his lap. The parents of the child sued Disney, with their attorney claiming that "the cheese should not have been that hot" and that Disney made no effort "to regulate and monitor the temperature of the nacho cheese which was being served to young children." A Disney representative commented on the incident: "It's unfortunate when any child is injured. We just received notice of the lawsuit and are currently reviewing it."[114] The family settled out of court in 2011.[115]

• On May 29, 2007, a 34-year-old woman from Clermont, Florida, was attacked by a 51-year-old park guest from Anniston, Alabama, as they waited in line at the Mad Tea Party attraction.[116] The attacker was convicted on charges of battery[117] and sentenced to 90 days in jail, nine months' probation and an anger management course.[118] The victim and her husband later filed two separate lawsuits against Disney. Her lawsuit claims, among other things, that: Walt Disney World provided inadequate staff and security at the ride; there was a lack of adequate training to recognize security threats, that the park did not anticipate the attack and have the attacker removed before anything happened and that the following investigation was mishandled. His lawsuit against Disney is claiming the loss of his wife's support and companionship due to the attack.[119] In 2011, a jury found in favor of Disney.[120]
• On October 17, 2019, James Anthony Jones, a 50-year-old man from Orlando with an annual Disney Pass, was arrested for lewd and lascivious molestation after groping two underaged girls the previous evening in two separate incidents. He has since been held in jail without bond awaiting trial. Meanwhile, in November 2019, more lewd and lascivious molestation charges were filed against him after he was connected to two further incidents involving groping underaged girls at Disney World in July 2019 and September 2019. Five months later in April 2020, he was charged with third-degree felony battery after he was connected to one more incident involving groping an adult woman at Epcot in October 2019 in front of her husband and daughter. Other investigations may be pending.[121]
• On December 10, 2019, a small fire occurred inside Big Top Souvenirs. No one was harmed during the incident and the shop was closed for several days and meet-and-greets moved from Pete's Silly Sideshow to outside.[122]
• On January 2, 2020, a minuscule fire broke out on the Speedramp leading to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover in Tomorrowland. Guests were evacuated off the ride, and the ride, as well as Astro Orbiter were closed for approximately an hour. Reedy Creek fire department responded to the incident.[123]

• On December 8, 2018, a 44-year-old man was seriously injured when his arm got caught in the conveyor belt. Employees' attempts to free the man were unsuccessful. After being freed by fire rescue personnel, the man was flown to a hospital by helicopter to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The ride was closed the following day pending further investigation.[124][125]

• In May 2018, an 83-year-old man fractured his ankle while going down Mayday Falls.[3]

• On August 4, 2005, a 12-year-old girl from Newport News, Virginia, felt ill while using the wave pool. Lifeguards talked with her after noticing her lying down on the side of the pool; she said she felt fine, but passed out shortly after standing up. Though lifeguards performed CPR on her until paramedics arrived, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Celebration Hospital.[126] The autopsy showed that she died due to arrhythmia caused by an early-stage viral heart infection.[127]

• On July 3, 2009, a 51-year-old man from Farmington, New York, was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation after allegedly attempting to remove swimsuits from five teenage girls while all were in the wave pool. Disney security was notified and they called for Orange County deputies.[128]
• On July 10, 2009, a 51-year-old Connecticut man was charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition after he allegedly fondled himself in front of a teenage girl near the park's wave pool. One eyewitness, a visitor who worked with paroled sex-offenders in Missouri, confronted the man who then fled the scene. As he attempted to leave the parking lot, he ran a stop sign and was stopped by an Orange County deputy and detained on charges of driving with a suspended license. The man denied the lewd conduct charges, claiming his European-style swimsuit was too small. This was the fifth sexual-related reported incident to occur at a Central Florida water park in 2009; the other parks aside from Typhoon Lagoon were Blizzard Beach, Aquatica, and Wet 'n Wild.[129] The charges were dropped in August 2009 after prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence in the case.[130]
• On July 16, 2009, a 29-year-old man from Washington was arrested and charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a 13-year-old boy.[131] He was sentenced to two years in prison.[132]
• On July 3, 2016, a 27-year-old Indian national was arrested and charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child over 12 years old but under the age of 16, and two counts of battery on accusations of groping six people in the wave pool.[133] The man was released on bond a few days later.[134]

• On November 2, 2019, a 51-year old sex offender was charged with battery after groping a cast member playing Ariel during a meet-and-greet.[135]

• A 27-year-old woman from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, filed a lawsuit in August 2010 against the Disney corporation, claiming that the Donald Duck character groped her during a photo and autograph session in May 2008 while she and her family were visiting Epcot. The lawsuit is for US$200,000 in damages to compensate the alleged victim for negligence, battery, negligent infliction of emotional distress and intentional and reckless infliction of emotional distress. The woman claims to suffer from severe physical injury, emotional anguish and distress, acute anxiety, headaches, nightmares and flashbacks, and other emotional and physical ailments. Part of the lawsuit's basis is a report from the Orange County Sheriff's Office that alleged similar acts by costumed characters have been reported to them 24 times since 2004. The woman did not file a complaint at the time of the incident.[136] Disney settled the lawsuit with the claimant for an undisclosed amount in 2011.[137]

• In September 2004, a Disney employee who had been accused of a different act was suspended for allegedly shoving two Kodak employees while he was dressed as Goofy at Animal Kingdom on August 29, 2004. The two photographers believed that Goofy was a different employee who was joking around until they were relaxing backstage and saw it was not their friend. The cast member's attorney stated that the two photographers shoved back as part of routine horseplay among employees meant to entertain. The sheriff's office was considering misdemeanor charges.[138] During the investigation, two Animal Kingdom employees came forward saying the cast member had touched their breasts. The lawyer claimed that the cast member was merely looking at their lanyards containing lapel trading pins.[139]

• On June 7, 2009, a 60-year-old man from Cressona, Pennsylvania, touched a cast member dressed as Minnie Mouse while he was visiting the Magic Kingdom. The case went to trial on August 11, 2009. The victim claims that the man groped her in the photo. The man pleaded guilty to the incident. He was convicted of charges of misdemeanor battery,[140] and was sentenced to 180 days of probation and 570 hours of community service.[141]

• In April 2004, a 36-year-old Disney employee was arrested for allegedly fondling a 13-year-old girl and her mother while he was dressed as Tigger during a photo opportunity at the Magic Kingdom in February 2004. He was charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child between 12 and 15 years old and one count of simple battery.[142] The case went to trial, during which the defense produced the Tigger costume itself to demonstrate the difficulties of maneuvering the costume's oversize gloves and the limited line of sight of the actor in the costume. The jury deliberated less than one hour before acquitting the employee of all charges. The employee returned to work at Disney.[143]
• On January 5, 2007, a 14-year-old boy from Greenville, New Hampshire, was allegedly punched in the head by a Disney employee dressed as Tigger during a photo opportunity at Disney's Hollywood Studios.[144] The family felt that the act was deliberate and filed a police report of battery against the cast member from Kissimmee, Florida.[145] The cast member was suspended pending the results of the investigation.[146] In the cast member's statement to the sheriff's office, he claimed that he was acting in self-defense as the child was pulling on the back of the costume and causing him to lose his breath.[147] A lawyer for the employee accused in the 2004 case against Tigger released his own opinion on the situation. He believed the child instigated the situation and that the cast member's movements were an involuntary reaction to pain. The lawyer was not representing the accused cast member at the time of this statement.[148] On February 15, 2007, the State Attorney General's office announced that no charges would be filed against the cast member.[149]

• On July 14, 2015, a 3-year-old child was found at the bottom of a resort pool after becoming separated from his parents. Officials with the Orange County Sheriff's Office reported the child was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.[150]
• On June 25, 2017, a 5-year-old boy became separated from his parents while at the resort. The Reedy Creek Improvement District and the Orange County Sheriff's Office eventually found him drowning at one of the pools. The boy was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children where he was reported to be in critical condition and later recovered.[151]

• On June 29, 2000, a waiter and a child were held hostage by the child's father in a hotel room over domestic issues. During the hostage situation, other guests were evacuated and given alternative accommodations in the resort. The man released the hostages and handed himself over to authorities in the early hours of June 30, 2000.[152]

• On November 12, 1992, an off-duty cast member fell off the ledge outside the Top of The World restaurant on the 15th floor of the Contemporary. The cast member had been sitting on the ledge when a swarm of wasps appeared. Trying to swat them away, the cast member lost his balance and fell to his death 11 stories below.[153]
• On March 22, 2016, a death occurred at Disney's Contemporary Resort. The monorail's service was temporarily suspended while Orange County Sheriff's Office investigated. Investigators announced that they believe that the person committed suicide. According to multiple sources, the person jumped to their death inside the central A-frame tower.[154][155][156][157]
• On May 28, 2018, an intoxicated man was arrested at Disney's Contemporary Resort after he falsely told other guests an active shooter was in the resort. Panic soon followed and the resort was placed on lockdown until police could arrive. The reports were traced back to the man, who was found hiding in bushes outside of the resort. In questioning the man claimed he did it to get reactions from people for a class and his YouTube channel.[158]
• On March 4, 2020, a woman died in an apparent suicide at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Office responded to the resort around 4 p.m. after receiving a call that someone may have jumped off of the building. Upon arrival, and with help from the Reedy Creek Improvement District, they found an unresponsive woman who was later pronounced dead at the scene.[159]

• On August 22, 1980, an 11-year-old boy from New York City died after swimming in the River Country water park next to the campground. The cause of death was amoebic meningoencephalitis, traces of which were found in the water.[160]
• On April 16, 1982, a 36-year-old woman from Little Silver, New Jersey, collapsed and died while walking away from the Water Flume ride in River Country.[161]
• On August 9, 1982, a 14-year-old boy from Erie, North Dakota, drowned at River Country. He was pulled from the water at the River Country Cove about five minutes after the youth slid down a 60-foot slide into five feet of water. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.[162]
• On October 10, 1986, an 8-year-old boy was attacked by an alligator when he and his siblings were wandering near the lake's edge while watching ducks.[163][164]
• On May 23, 1987, a 6-year-old boy drowned in a swimming pool. The family later sued, stating that the resort should have had more than one lifeguard on duty to monitor the crowded pool, and that the pool should have had a safety line between the shallow and deep ends.[165]
• On July 10, 1989, a 13-year-old boy from Longwood, Florida, drowned at River Country. He was swimming with eight classmates and two counselors. 15 minutes later, another swimmer felt the youth under his feet in about 5 feet (1.52 m) of water and dragged him out. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Sand Lake Hospital.[166]

• On October 9, 1989, a 33-year-old woman from Glen Cove, New York, was killed when a small speedboat collided with a ferry boat. She and her 8-year-old son were broadsided by the ferry while trying to videotape friends and family members who were water skiing in the Seven Seas Lagoon. A crew member and a visitor on the ferry dived into the water and rescued her son. The boy was not hurt in the accident.[167] The family sued Disney for $240 million, claiming that the ferry's operators should have seen the speedboat before it came so close.[168]
• On June 14, 2016, a 2-year-old boy from Elkhorn, Nebraska, was attacked by an alligator at 9:15pm on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon. His parents unsuccessfully tried to intervene and the boy was pulled into the water. His body was found at approximately 1:45 PM the following afternoon, in the vicinity of where he went missing; he was found 12 to 15 yards (11 to 14 m) from the shore in about 6 feet (1.8 m) of water[169][170] The medical examiner ruled that the child died of "drowning and traumatic injuries." Reuters reported that the resort would put up signs around warning guests about alligators.[171] Since the incident, Disney has added warning signs and rope-barriers to waterways around the entire resort. For a short time, references to alligators were removed from a number of attractions, including The Jungle Cruise.[172]

• On April 22, 2010, a 61-year-old woman from Celebration, Florida, suffered a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and back pain due to a boating accident near the Treehouse Villas. The rented Sea Raycer that her husband was driving collided with a Disney ferryboat. The Orange County Sheriff's report states that the Sea Raycer crossed into the ferry's right-of-way.[173]

• On April 6, 1982, a 2-year-old girl from Sunrise, Florida, died after being injured outside a park restaurant. She was standing in line with her family outside the Coral Isle Coffee Shop when she and her 12-year-old sister were playing with a rope tied to a large menu board. The girls pulled on the rope and the board fell on top of the toddler, killing her. She was pronounced dead on arrival at Orange Vista Hospital.[174]
• On May 29, 2019, a woman in her early 30s from Celebration, Florida, sued the park after being injured in 2017. As she was walking on the dock of the Seven Seas Lagoon, a seasonal nesting bird apparently dive-bombed and struck her in the head. She then suffered a traumatic brain injury and sought unspecified damages of $15,000 following the incident. The resort was also accused of not keeping the dock safe by warning visitors of the potential hazard.[175]

• On March 12, 2013, a 13-year-old boy from Springfield, Missouri drowned at one of the pools in the resort. He was swimming in the Hippy Dippy pool with some other guests and there were no lifeguards on duty at the time when the incident occurred. The boy drowned in the 4 feet section of the pool and was pulled from the water by a paramedic who tried to revive him by performing CPR, but he later died after being taken to the hospital.[176]
• On July 3, 2016, a 7-year-old boy claimed that he was groped by a youth baseball coach from Wisconsin in one of the resort's pools. The coach was arrested and charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious molestation.[177]
• On July 9, 2018, a 33-year-old cast member died in an industrial accident near the Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts. A toro utility cart crushed the employee, causing him to fall unconscious. Workers who were unable to lift the cart, along with officials, pronounced him dead at the scene.[178][179]

• On June 13, 2010, a dead body was discovered at the hotel. The manner of death was originally unknown, but was later declared a suicide.[180][181]

• On August 29, 2018, two workers on the site of a hotel that was under construction fell to their death when scaffolding around the building collapsed, a third worker sustained minor injuries and a fourth escaped unharmed.[182]