In a tragic series of events, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, has witnessed three deaths in less than two weeks. The latest incident occurred at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, near the Magic Kingdom Park, as confirmed by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause and exact time of death have not been disclosed by officials.
A video posted on TikTok last Thursday showed a flurry of police and emergency workers in the hotel’s courtyard, cordoned off with police tape. Some guests reported being asked by Disney staff not to look out of their balcony windows. One guest shared on Facebook that the back of the building was surrounded by crime scene tape, with staff stationed at every window to prevent guests from looking out.
The Contemporary Resort was the scene of another tragic incident last week when a devoted Disney fan fell to her death from the hotel’s iconic A-frame tower. The woman, Summer Equitz from the Chicago area, had recently married and honeymooned at Disney World. She had also announced her pregnancy two months after her honeymoon. It remains unclear whether she had given birth before her death.
Earlier in the week, a man in his 60s collapsed at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and later died in the hospital. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the man experienced a medical episode and was transported to a local hospital, where he unfortunately passed away. No signs of foul play were reported.
The Contemporary Resort, a luxury hotel within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom park, has gained a grim reputation for suicides. In July 2023, a man reportedly took his own life at the property. The hotel, one of over 25 on the Disney World property, is known for its monorail that connects it to the Magic Kingdom and other hotels.
Jim Hill, host of the “Disney Dish” podcast, spoke about the disturbing trend of suicides at the Contemporary Resort in 2022. He noted a phenomenon where severely depressed individuals seeking one last happy family memory would book a room at the Contemporary Resort and then tragically end their lives.