Gabrielle Russon
Three people ended up hospitalized after riding a Harry-Potter themed roller coaster at Universal Islands of Adventure, according to the new state theme park injury report.
On Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure, a 33-year-old man had a seizure Feb. 3, followed by a 53-year-old man and a 26-year-old man who felt chest pains March 8 and March 18, respectively, the report said.
The two men who suffered chest pains both were listed as having a “pre-existing condition” but the report doesn’t provide more details on what that conditions were.
Since the coaster first started operating in late 2020, a handful of people reported having seizures, headaches and back pain, with one person complaining of a medical device being dislodged, according to the state report.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released the quarterly theme park injury report this week. The report is one of the few ways the public can find out when someone is hurt at Florida’s biggest theme parks.
A 49-year-old woman passed out March 28 after riding SeaWorld Orlando’s Manta roller coaster, which takes riders face down on some parts of the ride.
At Disney World, an 82-year-old woman fell while climbing off Epcot’s Frozen Ever After water ride. A 68-year-old woman also fell while getting off the iconic Mad Tea Party spinning ride at the Magic Kingdom.
A 25-year-old woman had “seizure-like symptoms” after riding Aliens Swirling Saucers in Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Land. At the same park, a 14-year-old girl “experienced abdominal pain” after riding Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, which reportedly goes from 0 to 57 mph in less than 3 seconds and goes upside down.
A 51-year-old man “felt shortness of breath’ after he rode the Magic Kingdom’s classic Peter Pan’s Flight. The report added he also had an unknown preexisting condition.
Millions visit Florida’s theme parks but a handful of people every quarter get hurt or sick on a ride, needing at least 24 hours of hospitalization. The theme parks are required to self-report incidents to the state, but occasionally, the accounts are vague or inaccurate and the state report only provides limited details.
6 comments
Kai
April 18, 2025 at 6:39 pm
They literally have signs that are posted don’t ride if you’re prone to seizures, chest pain, etc. These theme parks shouldn’t be held as the problem, respectfully those who don’t listen or follow rules are the problem.
Sue
April 18, 2025 at 9:15 pm
Don’t people read the signs that posted all over the park? If you have any medical problem, seizures, cardio or any other medical issues and you go on the rides you have no one to blame but yourself. Any lawyer who attempts to sue a theme park needs his or her license taken away.
Reed Mulligan
April 18, 2025 at 11:15 pm
OMG! As a former paramedic and emergency nurse you put that many people in that tight of space in any other place than those and there would be exponentially more hospitalizations. Besides, a lot of that was about medical issues and 51-year-old men get shortness of breath at home or driving and 14-year-old girls sometimes get cramps, I mean abdominal pain, 33-years sometimes have seizures and sometimes while driving, history not mentioned? I saw very fer reports of injuries, falls of people who are considered to be a fall risk and might not should have been on a Frozen after boat, I am 68 and I find getting in and out of those boats. What is the agenda here? Besides, if you get ill or injured at any of these parks, Disney I know for a fact, get you aid and care and out of the parks fast and are dealing with guests that will literally let their unattended child swim in the presence of a warning sign that there are gators!
Jerry Attricks
April 19, 2025 at 5:13 am
You’re such a dumba##. Please read everything before you get your panties in a wad, then get your facts right, and finally learn to proofread before you post.
DCat327
April 19, 2025 at 12:33 am
Those weren’t ” injuries”, they were health issues from pre existing conditions. Bad journalism.
Dua Battah
April 19, 2025 at 1:38 am
This article is such a reach and the title is very miss leading . It’s not fair to people who haven’t had this experience. Let’s do better “Florida Politics” in the content you approve and the headlines you share.