A 54-year-old man died after experiencing a cardiac emergency while riding the popular "It's a Small World" attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The incident occurred in April, according to a report from the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. The man, who had a pre-existing heart condition, was transported to a local hospital where he later passed away.
"It's a Small World" is a boat ride known for its animatronic dolls singing the eponymous song in various languages and is described as a whimsical and gentle attraction. The ride was originally created for the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair and was later brought to Disney World in 1971.
This incident follows other recent safety-related events at Disney parks. Earlier in July, a fire broke out on the "It's a Small World" ride, causing guests to evacuate. The fire was reportedly caused by a guest's portable phone charger, and no injuries were reported. The ride was shut down temporarily but reopened later the same day.
In late June, a 13-year-old boy fell approximately 50 feet down a drop on Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disneyland in California after exiting the ride vehicle mid-attraction. The boy was transported to a hospital as a precaution and released without critical injuries. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health inspected the attraction and approved its reopening the following day. The incident prompted online discussion regarding the lack of restraints, such as lap bars or seatbelts, on the attraction, with some users expressing surprise and concern, noting that other rides, including log flume rides, are equipped with such safety features.