A 54-year-old man died in April after suffering a cardiac emergency while riding the 'It's a Small World' attraction at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, according to a report from the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. The man was transported to a local hospital where he later passed away. He had a pre-existing heart condition, the report stated.
It's a Small World is a boat ride known for its depiction of different continents and animatronic dolls singing the attraction's theme song in various languages. The ride was originally created for the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair before moving to Disneyland in 1966 and then to Disney World in 1971, where it remains an opening-day attraction.
This incident follows a series of recent events at Disney parks that have raised safety concerns.
Recent Incidents at Disney Parks
Earlier in the month, a fire broke out on the It's a Small World ride, prompting the evacuation of guests. Footage showed smoke rising as a Disney employee used a fire extinguisher. The fire was reportedly caused by a guest's portable phone charger. The ride was temporarily shut down but reopened later that afternoon, with no reported injuries.
Additionally, on June 21, a 13-year-old boy fell approximately 50 feet down a drop on Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, after exiting the ride vehicle mid-attraction. While the boy was not critically injured and was released from the hospital after evaluation, the incident sparked online discussion regarding the lack of restraints on the ride. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health inspected the attraction and approved its reopening the following day. Many park-goers expressed concern over the absence of seatbelts or lap bars on the ride, comparing it to other attractions that do feature such safety measures.