Tragedy at Disneyland: Visitor Dies After Riding Haunted Mansion Attraction
On the evening of October 6, 2025, a tragic event unfolded at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, when a female visitor in her 60s was found unresponsive after riding the Haunted Mansion. Emergency responders were called to the scene around 6:30 p.m., and Disneyland security personnel administered CPR until paramedics arrived. The woman was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
About the Haunted Mansion Ride
The Haunted Mansion, which opened in 1969, is one of Disneyland’s most iconic attractions. It features:
A slow-moving “doom buggy” ride through a haunted estate
Special effects and characters from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas during seasonal overlays
A reputation for being family-friendly, with minimal physical intensity
At the time of the incident, the ride was operating under its Haunted Mansion Holiday theme, combining Halloween and Christmas elements.
Cause of Death and Investigation
According to the Anaheim Police Department, there was no indication of any malfunction or operational issue with the ride. The incident is being treated as an unfortunate medical episode, possibly a heart attack, though the official cause of death will be determined by the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office.
Officials have not released the woman’s name or city of residence, citing respect for the family’s privacy.
Expert Commentary on Theme Park Safety
Theme park consultant Dennis Speigel noted that deaths at major parks like Disneyland are extremely rare, especially on low-intensity rides like the Haunted Mansion. He emphasized:
Disney’s rigorous safety inspections (daily, weekly, monthly)
Oversight by the California Department of Industrial Relations
Comparisons showing it’s safer to ride Disneyland attractions than drive on a freeway
This incident follows another fatality at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe, where a man died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster in September 2025. While both cases are unrelated, they have prompted renewed scrutiny of theme park emergency protocols and guest health awareness.