Disneyland: Child falls down Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride at California theme park
The 13-year-old was on the log ride when the incident happened.
A teenager’s trip to the happiest place on earth became the scariest after he fell more than 15 metres off a water ride.
The 13-year-old was visiting Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and was aboard the log ride called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure when the incident happened.
In video footage shared on social media, the child can be seen exiting the boat at the end of the water ride before the 15.2 metre (50 ft) drop and falling behind the log as it went down the steep waterslide.
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A visitor at the theme park described the incident to NBC News.
He said he heard a scream and his grandson said he saw the teenager fall down the ride’s drop “like a rag doll”.
Disneyland officials immediately stopped the ride after the fall.
The 13-year-old was taken to hospital as a precaution and was released soon after.
An investigation into the ride by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health said they “did not find any operational issues” after the incident.
The ride was back up and running on Tuesday.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure was originally called Splash Mountain and was closed for refurbishments in 2023 before it reopened with its new name in November, 2024.
The revamp happened as a way for Disney to cut ties with the 1946 film Song of the South, which was regarded as racist.
Now the film is based on the 2009 animated film The Princess and The Frog.
“The new concept is inclusive — one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year,” a spokesperson said, reported by CBC.
The change came after an online petition was launched.
“Disney parks should be a home for all to enjoy regardless of race, age, whatever your background may be,” the petition said.
“While the ride is considered a beloved classic, its history and storyline are steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes from the 1946 film Song of the South.”
