I know that all of us Disney lovers can sit back, close our eyes and picture a fun-filled day and the wonderful, classic ride the Jungle Cruise. Stacey Holdorff, 41, and her husband and daughter were enjoying one of many magical days at their favorite place, Walt Disney World. This family of annual passholders were regulars at Disney World having visited hundreds of times in the past several years.
“Disney was a place we celebrated many milestones. It was her favorite,” Holdorff said. “Watching her mom being carted away in an ambulance was devastating to her. She doesn’t want to go back.”
Unfortunately, on January 8th, while celebrating her daughter’s sixth birthday party she was injured on the Jungle Cruise Ride while attempting to disembark the boat. We all know accidents can happen everywhere and getting on and off rides can sometimes be a challenge, but this time it seems was even more harmful.
Holdorff, was forced to file suit in Orange County against Walt Disney World after learning she would need two surgeries stemming from the injuries and informal talks with Disney stopped, her lawyer, Brad Greer stated.
The injuries happened when they were standing to disembark and another boat full of passengers hit the back of their boat causing Holdorff to be thrown backward. Her daughter, Tiffany Johnston, also was affected as she fell into her father’s chest. The lawsuit also mentions a Disney Cast Member was also injured.
Holdorff, was taken to a hospital and, as a result of neck and spinal injuries, has been unable to work in her field as a licensed medical aesthetician, said her attorney, Brett Geer, during a news conference Monday. She can’t sit or stand for extended periods of time and can’t carry heavy weight. Holdorff also claims limited neck movement and sleeping problems due to the chronic pain.
“It’s a daily nuisance to do menial tasks that I used to take for granted, and it’s getting worse,” she said.
Unfortunately, Disney officials said they could not comment specifically on the lawsuit or discuss maintenance of the ride. Disney has said there is no surveillance video of the incident.
With this, Disney is always upgrading their attractions and rides and it seems safety is a very important aspect of the ride maintenance. Most people tend to feel safe on Disney property…after reading this story I will definitely hold on better getting off the Jungle Cruise Ride. With that said, who do you think is responsible for paying the medical bills and the lost wages (as well, as maybe some pain and suffering?) Do you feel safe on Disney property? Let me know in the comments below:
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Very sad when someone gets hurt at Disney. But too many people see Disney as dollar signs! There are always risks involved when getting on any boat or any attraction for that matter, those are risk you are willing to take when you step aboard. It is easy for me to say that, if the roles were reversed I don’t know what I would do!
Yes Disney should pay, but how much and for how long? I don’t know for sure what Disney corporation has attempted to do, but Holdorff is probably is asking for more than Disney feels is reasonable. Most corporation would rather give a settlement than have the expense of going to court.
This is so difficult to judge. Most theme parks, in the fine print state that personal injuries are not covered while inside the park (Six Flags have it printed right on their tickets). However, because the Cast member caused the accidental harm to the Guest, that seems a little more “at fault” to me.
But someone didn’t rock the boat, another Cast Member hit their boat. If you were in cars, you would call this a car accident and the person at fault would have to pay (via their car insurance). Disney has so few injuries, they have insurance for these things, i think that if she can prove she is still struggling w/ this some monetary compensation for the surgeries is the only right thing to do.
I love Disney- but have to agree they are responsible in this case. If it was an injury due to the guest riding something when they already had health issues specified in the warning, or obviously ignoring instructions, that would be different. However, this injury is due to a CM in the boat behind hers hitting the boat, causing her to fall & have brain/spinal injuries. It’s horrible. I would think Disnwy would be honorable & pay for the requires surgeries & associated costs.
Looking at it from all angles, I think Disney’s insurance should have to cover it, because one of their employees was at fault in this case. I’m assuming Disney had some things to say to the driver of the second boat. They go through so much training before they are allowed behind the wheel like that, that there is no excuse for striking another boat.
Personally, I feel very safe at Disney. Yes, there have been accidents on property, but when you consider how many people are there on a daily basis, the number of injuries is EXTREMELY low. Things do happen. I was rear ended on the freeway with my kids in the car. Had just left the house in Michigan, moving semi had all of our stuff, taking it to Alabama. There I was mid way between the two, declining medical care, because there was no one to take care of my kids and it was 10 o’clock at night. Unexpected things happen, but I still drive on freeways, and chances are it will never happen again.
Um…she was on a boat. Someone up front could have rocked the boat and knocked her off balance. I don’t think that Disney should have to pay for this.