A Walt Disney World guest died earlier this year after suffering a cardiac emergency while riding one of the park’s most famous attractions, according to a newly released state report.
The guest, a 54-year-old man with a pre-existing heart condition, went into cardiac arrest on April 2 while riding It’s a Small World at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services’ latest theme park injury report.
The man was taken to a local hospital. He later died.
The incident was not publicly reported at the time. It only became known after the agency released its second-quarter report on Wednesday.
It’s a Small World has been part of Walt Disney World since the Florida resort opened in 1971. The gentle boat ride, located in Fantasyland, is one of the most recognizable attractions in the park and is known for its music, colorful sets, and animatronic dolls from around the world.
The April death marks at least the second time a park guest has died after riding the attraction.
In December 2014, a 22-year-old woman with a pre-existing health condition lost consciousness after riding It’s a Small World and later died, according to a previous Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services report.
Walt Disney World has seen around 70 reported deaths since opening more than five decades ago, according to outside estimates and media reports. Many of those deaths have been linked to natural causes or pre-existing medical conditions, rather than the rides themselves.
Disney World did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
The new report adds a somber note to one of the park’s most beloved rides, a slow-moving, family-friendly attraction that millions of guests have experienced for generations.
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