Magic Kingdom’s PeopleMover at center of two injury lawsuits

A pair of lawsuits from Disney World guests allege they were injured while riding on PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom.

The first suit, filed in Orange County in February by Heather and John Tregidgo of New Jersey, deals with the couple’s visit along with their two children in June 2015. According to the suit, the Tregidgo family’s ride “suddenly came to an abrupt stop” while on the portion of the PeopleMover track that goes through Space Mountain, and their ride vehicle was struck from behind by another cart.

The complaint does not detail Heather Tregidgo’s alleged injuries. Their attorney, Robert Hemphill of Winter Park, told The Orlando Sentinel that she needed two orthopedic surgeries that cost more than $175,000. The suit is only asking for $15,000 in damages.

The second suit, filed on March 1, lists the plaintiff as Kristie Deieso of New York. According to her complaint, she was permanently injured on the PeopleMover during a February 2017 trip “when the ride malfunctioned causing the passenger cars to crash into one another.” Her suit is also seeking $15,000 in damages.

Disney did not comment on the ongoing litigation.

The PeopleMover is one of the more gentle rides at Disney World, offering a leisurely-paced, 10-minute tour around Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. It allows riders of all ages without a height requirement.

The ride has been listed on the quarterly reports of theme park injuries in the past. Disney and other major park operators in Central Florida are required to disclose any guest injury or illness that results in at least a 24-hour hospital stay to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to avoid state inspections.

The PeopleMover was listed on the injury report four times between March 2013 and September 2015, involving guests with pre-existing conditions, dizziness, and an August 2015 incident where a 68-year-old male fell while exiting the ride and fractured his shoulder.

No incidents included in the FDACS quarterly reports match the time frame and descriptions of the alleged injuries detailed in the two lawsuits.

Central Florida’s theme parks are no strangers to being sued by guests. Universal Orlando was recently sued by a Brazilian family alleging an 11-year-old got his left foot stuck between the ride vehicle and exit platform on the E.T. Adventure in January, crushing his foot and toes.

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