Just in case you were wondering how seriously to take the warnings outside of the thrill rides at Walt Disney World, I wanted to share a story that will bring the potential fear these rides might generate into perspective.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of those thrill rides that displays the typical warning sign at the attraction’s entrance stating that people with heart conditions or other medical problems should not ride. However, warnings are not posted suggesting that people with weak stomachs might want to avoid Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. I’ve seen more than one person vomit after riding Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or other thrill rides at Walt Disney World (particularly, Mission Space). Heck, I was in line for The Seas with Nemo and Friends ride in Epcot a few weeks ago and a child vomited before he even got on the ride.
While vomiting on a ride might not be that unusual, it’s not every day that someone gets so frightened or ill while on a thrill ride that he literally has the cr*p scared out of him. Well, that’s exactly what happened on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster today. As my family waited in the Fast Pass line, riders came running out of the ride holding their mouths and noses as if they were going to be sick themselves. A few minutes later, a Disney cast member informed everyone waiting on line that the ride would have to be shut down for 1-3 hours for cleaning because someone defecated while on the ride and it would require some serious cleaning.
Luckily, the ride reopened in about an hour, so I guess it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
So remember, take those warning signs seriously. You never know what might happen.
And one more thing, it’s now been proven, that getting the cr*p scared out of you is not just a saying.