A woman in her 40s died after being transported from Disney’s Pop Century Resort to a nearby hospital, marking reports of the fourth death at Walt Disney World in recent weeks, authorities confirmed.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office stated that the woman was taken to the hospital on Sunday, November 2, where she later passed away. Officials indicated there were no signs of foul play in the incident at the Pop Century Resort, one of Disney’s value-tier hotels located near Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
The death follows a series of fatalities at Disney World properties in recent weeks. According to sources, reports indicate the incidents began on Tuesday, October 14, when Summer Equitz, a 31-year-old visitor, died at the Contemporary Resort near Magic Kingdom in what authorities described as an apparent suicide.
Days later, a man in his 60s died from a medical episode at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
Matthew Alec Cohn, a 28-year-old from Los Angeles, also died at the Contemporary Resort in what authorities reportedly called an apparent suicide. The aspiring football referee and musician’s death on October 23 occurred at the same location where Equitz had died weeks earlier.
The Contemporary Resort, a 14-story hotel located near Magic Kingdom, has been the site of multiple incidents. Disney historian Jim Hill discussed similar occurrences in a 2022 interview, explaining a pattern he had observed over the years at the resort property.
The Pop Century Resort, where the most recent death occurred, is connected to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios by the Disney Skyliner gondola system. The resort caters to budget-conscious visitors seeking accommodations within the Disney World property.
Beyond Walt Disney World in Orlando, Disneyland in Anaheim, California, also experienced a recent fatality. A woman in her 60s was found unresponsive on the Haunted Mansion ride and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 7, according to reports.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office stated: “A woman in her 40s was transported to the hospital, where she passed away. There were no signs of foul play.”
Disney World opened in 1971 and has since become one of the world’s most visited theme park destinations. The resort encompasses multiple theme parks, hotels, restaurants, and other facilities across a vast property in Central Florida.
The Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, where one of the deaths occurred, offers campsites and trails for guests seeking outdoor accommodations within the Disney World property. The resort provides a different experience from the traditional hotel options available at the theme park complex.
Representatives for Disney World did not respond to requests for comment regarding the recent deaths at various resort properties. The company has not issued public statements addressing the series of incidents that occurred over the span of several weeks.
The Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland, where the California incident occurred, is one of the park’s classic rides that has operated for decades. The attraction features animatronic characters and special effects in a dark ride format.
Summer Equitz, described in reports as a Disney superfan, had traveled from Illinois to visit the resort. Matthew Cohn was identified as an aspiring sports official and musician from Los Angeles.
Further details about the death at Pop Century Resort have not been released by authorities. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, though officials have indicated no suspicious circumstances were observed.
Update: On November 8, it was reported that a fifth person had died at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa.
