Woman Passes Away After Riding Disneyland Haunted Mansion

Disney has been sued from time to time for injuries in their parks. Most lawsuits arise from negligence on the part of the guest, the ride operators, maintenance, generic accidents, or unknown guest health issues. The most recent infamous Disney lawsuit occurred in 2024 when Disney attorneys argued that the estate of a woman who passed away from food allergies at Disneyworld could not sue Disney because of a waiver in her Disney+ account.

An unidentified woman in her 60s passed away while riding Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion ride. The woman was unresponsive when her car got to the end of the ride. Disneyland security performed CPR until paramedics arrived. She was transported to Orange County Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Investigation is still underway, though the cause of death may be a heart attack unrelated to the operation of the ride itself.

Did the Haunted Mansion Contribute to the Woman’s Death?

It will be difficult to establish a connection between the woman’s death and the ride she was on. The primary questions for Disney from an operational standpoint would be whether the cast members checked that she was secured when she got in the vehicle. Due to the sheer volume of guests and the lack of lighting in the ride, it would be difficult for any Disney cast member to check whether she was healthy enough to ride. However, unlike rides like Space Mountain or Splash Mountain, the Haunted Mansion is not a particularly risky one.

The Haunted Mansion is a slow-moving ride, which transports guests in two-person vehicles that move about one mile per hour. The ride is not a roller-coaster; there are no drops, sudden stops, or any other feature that would induce a heart attack. Young children and great-grandmothers could safely ride it. Since the ride moves so slowly and takes place in an air-conditioned building in the dark, guests could easily fall asleep on the ride (I have personally taken a nap from time to time while riding the Haunted Mansion).

The only element of the ride that could contribute to the woman’s death is that it uses visual projections to show “ghosts” throughout the mansion to scare guests.

Even if the “thrills” of the Haunted Mansion contributed to the woman’s death, it is arguable that she assumed the risks when she entered the ride. The name “Haunted Mansion” and the exterior and interior of the ride, which is a haunted mansion, all indicate that the ride is intended to resemble a haunted house. If the woman experienced a moment of surprise or mild discomfort, it could be considered part of the intended thrill of the ride. Just like watching a horror movie and feeling a little scared, it’s all part of the entertainment. Nevertheless, this is not the intended outcome for a guest, and it is incredibly unfortunate.

Do I Need the Help of a Personal Injury Attorney?

If you have sustained a personal injury through the unlawful act of another, then you should contact a personal injury attorney. A skilled personal injury lawyer near you can review the facts of your case, go over your rights and options, and represent you at hearings and in court.