Man Dies After Medical Emergency On Disney’s Frozen Ever After Ride
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on August 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM EDT
A 53-year-old man has died after suffering a medical emergency on Disneyland’s Frozen Ever After ride at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. The tourist reportedly lost consciousness during the attraction on Friday, August 29, and despite CPR and being rushed to North Lantau Hospital, he was later pronounced dead. Officials confirmed the incident was unrelated to ride safety and said the Disney guest had pre-existing health conditions.
Disneyland Guest Dies On Frozen Ever After Ride
According to a Disneyland spokesperson who spoke to PEOPLE, the man, described as a foreign guest, “suddenly lost consciousness” at around 10 a.m. local time on Friday, August 29, as the boat ride was preparing to dock. Cast members immediately rushed to help, performing CPR before the man was transported by ambulance to North Lantau Hospital. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at around 11:30 a.m.
The guest’s wife later told police that he had a history of heart disease and high blood pressure, conditions that required regular treatment and check-ups. Park officials confirmed that the man’s death was unrelated to ride safety.
“The resort deeply regrets the passing of the guest and will do its utmost to provide necessary assistance to his family,” Hong Kong Disneyland said in a statement, adding that an initial investigation determined the incident was tied to health issues, not the attraction itself.
Medical Emergencies At Disney Parks Are Rare, But Not Unheard Of
Though tragic, medical incidents at Disney parks worldwide are rare. In 2024, a family trip to Disneyland Paris turned into a nightmare when 53-year-old grandfather Rob Fishpool, from New Marske, North Yorkshire, suffered a cardiac arrest while celebrating his granddaughter’s third birthday, per The Mirror.
Fishpool, a father of six, collapsed during the family vacation and was rushed to intensive care, where he has remained on a ventilator. His situation was made even more complicated by the fact that he was unable to secure travel insurance before the trip due to a pre-existing medical condition. As a result, his loved ones have been left facing staggering costs to bring him home to the UK for further treatment.
The cost of a medical transfer overseas was estimated at £18,000 ($23,000 USD), prompting family and friends to launch a GoFundMe campaign to cover expenses. Fishpool’s wife, Michelle, and their children have remained by his side in France, while family friend Chloe Jones-Lunn organized the fundraiser to help.
Disneyland Anaheim Guest Criticizes Post-Emergency Support
Medical scares have also surfaced stateside. At Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, a family’s Christmas Day trip in December 2024 turned frightening when a father suffered a heart attack while waiting in line for the Storybook Land Canal Boats attraction.
His wife, posting on TikTok under the handle @realktalktiktok73, shared that her husband suddenly began feeling unwell before collapsing in the queue. Cast members quickly called in paramedics, who arrived “within minutes” and transported him to UCI Medical Center. “That was a great place for him to be,” she praised, noting how efficient Disney’s on-site first responders were.
Former Employee Claims 'No One Ever Dies' Inside The Parks
While Disney parks worldwide have dealt with tragic medical emergencies, a viral TikTok from a former Disney World employee claims the company has a shocking protocol when it comes to death on property.
Tom Cruz, who worked at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, said he was once on duty during a sweltering summer day when an elderly guest collapsed in line for a go-kart attraction. A doctor in the crowd rushed forward to perform CPR, but despite continued efforts, it became clear the man wasn’t responding.
Ex Disney Worker Reveals Alleged Death Policy
What struck Cruz was how long paramedics continued trying to resuscitate the guest. “This entire time, my man was not breathing. They were doing CPR on him, trying to revive him, no luck,” he recalled. “I was like, ‘Man, this guy is dead, why are they still trying to bring him back?’”
When he asked his manager, he says he learned about an unspoken policy. “No one has ever or will ever die inside of a Disney park, or property," they allegedly said. "It is the happiest place on Earth and you can’t have your guests dying there.”
According to Cruz, Disney ensures that no guest is officially declared dead on its property. Instead, paramedics must continue life-saving measures until the individual is transported off park grounds. Only then can they be formally pronounced dead. It is unclear if this is actually true or just an alleged rumor.
