A woman in her 60s died this week following a medical emergency at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, after riding one of the park’s most well-known attractions, the Haunted Mansion.
According to city officials, emergency crews were called to the park around 6:30 p.m. on Monday after reports that a guest had become unresponsive during the ride. Disneyland security personnel began administering CPR before Anaheim Fire and Rescue arrived. The woman was taken to a hospital and was later pronounced dead. Authorities described the situation as an apparent medical episode.
The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office is investigating the death and will determine the official cause. Officials have not released the woman’s name, precise age or hometown.
The Haunted Mansion, a slow-moving attraction with lighthearted ghostly scenes, first opened in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square in 1969. Known for its elaborate effects and “happy haunts,” the ride is promoted by the park as family-friendly, featuring friendly spirits and mild scares suitable for most visitors.
Anaheim officials said there was no indication of any malfunction or operational problem with the ride. After the incident, the attraction briefly closed and later reopened the same evening.
Representatives for Disneyland confirmed that a guest required medical attention and was transported to a local hospital. No additional details were provided, and the park did not comment further pending the coroner’s findings.
News of the incident drew condolences from theme park visitors and fans online, including from community figures such as Matt Desmond, known as “Disney Scoop Guy,” who shared messages of sympathy for the woman’s loved ones.
The tragedy comes as theme park safety remains under public attention. In a separate, unrelated case, a man in his 30s died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park in Florida. Authorities there also attributed the incident to a medical emergency.
While such events are rare, both incidents highlight how sudden medical complications can occur even on attractions designed for broad audiences. Theme parks typically maintain strict emergency protocols, with security and paramedics trained to respond within minutes to any guest in distress.
The Haunted Mansion continues to operate as normal, including its annual seasonal transformation into the “Haunted Mansion Holiday,” inspired by “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Despite the somber circumstances, officials emphasized that the woman’s death appeared to be the result of a health issue rather than any issue with the attraction itself.
Sources: NBC News, KTLA (1), KTLA (2)
