Roller coaster injuries top state's quarterly report for theme parks
The majority of theme park injuries in the first quarter of 2025 were related to big roller coasters, according to a state report, although less intense rides and attractions also made appearances.
Coasters at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando were listed six times for the January-March period by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The state's major theme parks self-report about visitors who are injured on their rides and require at least 24 hours of hospitalization.
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventures, a coaster that launches into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area at Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, appeared three times on the latest report. On Feb. 3, a 33-year-old man had a seizure after experiencing the attraction. On March 8, a 53-year-old man had chest pains after the Hagrid ride, as did a 26-year-old man on March 18. The men in the March incidents had pre-existing conditions, the report says.
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On March 28, a 49-year-old woman fainted after riding the Manta coaster at SeaWorld Orlando.
At Walt Disney World, a 73-year-old woman felt nauseated after leaving Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a spinning indoor coaster at Epcot, on Jan. 21, and a 14-year-old female had abdominal pain after Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios on March 24.
A 78-year-old woman felt faint after Star Tours, a simulator attraction, at Hollywood Studios on Jan. 29. A 25-year-old woman had 'seizure-like symptoms' after being on Alien Swirling Saucers in that park's Toy Story Land on March 27, the report said.
Less intense-appearing attractions also were in the report. On Jan. 17, an 82-year-old woman fell and injured her ankle as she exited Epcot's Frozen Ever After water ride. At Magic Kingdom, a 51-year-old man felt shortness of breath after Peter Pan's Flight at Magic Kingdom on Jan. 24, and a 68-year-old woman fell and injured her leg after exiting Mad Tea Party (a.k.a. the teacups) at the same park on March 31.
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No injuries were reported from Disney's Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, Legoland Florida or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme parks.
The state does not receive health updates after the initial assessments.
Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
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