A shadow has fallen over the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida following the confirmation of a fifth guest death within a single month. The latest tragedy occurred at the property's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, casting a pall over the iconic vacation destination known for its magical atmosphere.
Details of the Latest Incident
The Orange County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed to the New York Post that an unidentified guest was pronounced dead on November 8 at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa in Lake Buena Vista. The location is situated near the popular Disney Springs shopping mall.
In a statement, the medical examiner's office revealed they declined jurisdiction over the case, noting the body was turned over to the individual's personal physician. This suggests the death was from natural causes and did not require further investigation.
The news was first reported by a Disney World-focused social media account on X called "Walt Disney World: Active Calls," which tracks real-time activity across the massive theme park complex. According to the account, a person was first reported "down" at the Saratoga Springs property at 3:18 p.m. Minutes later, a follow-up post indicated the individual was deceased.
A Month of Tragedies at the Orlando Resort
This marks the fifth death at the Orlando-area Disney World resort in a troubling series of events that began in mid-October.
The first tragedy occurred on October 14, when Summer Equitz, 31, a Disney superfan from Illinois, was found dead at the Contemporary Resort in an apparent suicide hours after she vanished from her home.
Days later, on October 21, police confirmed another guest, identified only as a man in his 60s, died from a pre-existing medical condition at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. The incident happened at the Cottontail Curl campsite.
Another apparent suicide struck the Contemporary Resort on October 23, when Matthew Alec Cohn, 28, an aspiring football referee from Los Angeles, leapt from the 12th floor of the hotel.
On November 2, a woman in her 40s was found unresponsive at Disney's Pop Century Resort, a budget hotel connected to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. She was later pronounced dead.
About Saratoga Springs Resort
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Victorian-style property nestled between manicured golf-course greens. The resort features pools, a spa, and various accommodation options including studio and multi-bedroom villas with living and dining areas, in-room laundry, and full kitchens.
According to its website, some stays at the resort can cost as much as $2,300 US. No further details about the circumstances surrounding the November 8 death have been released by authorities.
Disney and the Orange County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the New York Post regarding this latest incident.
The resort complex, which first opened 54 years ago in the Orlando area, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic vacation destinations in the world. This series of unfortunate events represents a significant departure from the joyful experiences typically associated with the theme park giant.
