A guest at Disney World's Contemporary Resort was found dead on Tuesday at the Florida-based hotel. The cause of death has been confirmed as a suicide, according to a representative from the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
The local sheriff’s office confirmed that the cause of death was a suicide, correcting earlier reports that had mistakenly stated the individual was struck by the resort’s monorail.
A representative from the Orange County Sheriff's Office clarified the situation, stating per EW, “The person was NOT struck by the monorail,” after erroneous claims spread across social media.
The police spokesperson added that they would not release further details due to the sensitive nature of the incident. “We don’t release additional information in cases of suicide,” the representative said.
What happened at the Contemporary Resort?
The Contemporary Resort, a well-known Disney World hotel, is distinguished by its unique A-frame architecture, with a monorail running directly through the building’s lower floors. The hotel is located near Magic Kingdom Park, a major attraction at the resort.
The body was found at the property, leading to a heavy police presence and an online buzz that the monorail had been involved in the incident. However, as confirmed by authorities, the earlier reports were false, and the death was a suicide, with no link to the monorail.
While the sheriff's office did not release specifics, this is not the first such incident at a Disney property. In 2016, a guest reportedly jumped from one of the resort’s balconies, raising similar concerns about safety and well-being at the theme parks.
Additionally, a woman in her 60s died in early October after riding Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion attraction. Disney World’s Contemporary Resort and other locations within the Disney parks are often filled with guests seeking enjoyment, but these tragedies serve as a reminder of the challenges the resort must navigate in managing guest safety.
A history of incidents at Disney parks
The news comes on the heels of a series of other tragic events at Disney properties. In 2025, a 32-year-old guest died while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal's Epic Universe theme park near Disney World. While such events remain rare, they have sparked discussions on the safety measures at amusement parks and the responsibility of these large entertainment companies to safeguard their visitors.
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