By Marie E. Matyjaszek
Walt Disney World is known as the “most magical place on earth,” with its brand having infiltrated almost every market you can contemplate. Its four theme parks, fanciful characters, and ability to seamlessly blend fantasy and reality draws millions each year to the Orlando, Fla. area to experience the pixie dust.
For Emma McGuinness, her 2019 Disney experience was anything but happy. She reportedly was visiting the park to celebrate her 30th birthday with loved ones when she sustained serious injuries while riding the Humunga Kowabunga, three side-by-side slides with a nearly five-story drop. The attraction, which she rode with her mother and daughter, sends riders down a 204-foot enclosed slide at speeds approaching 40 mph before propelling them into a pool of water.
Sounds fun, right? Unfortunately, the abrupt stop at the end of the slide caused McGuinness to experience the not-so-fun phenomenon of a “wedgie.” Her situation turned serious when she suffered immense pain, bleeding, and lacerations that damaged internal organs. As a result, McGuinness filed a lawsuit against Disney in 2023, alleging a minimum of $50,000 in damages.
According to the lawsuit, “the slide caused her clothing to be painfully forced between her legs and for water to be violently forced inside her. She experienced immediate and severe pain internally” and “severe vaginal lacerations” to such a degree that the cuts caused her bowel to protrude from her abdomen.
Riders of the Humunga Kowabunga were advised to cross their legs at their ankles, which McGuinness did, but the force of the ride caused her ankles to become uncrossed. She alleged that no reason was given as to why crossing your legs was a good idea. Two others riders had experienced similar injuries in 2017, but Disney officials said that thousands have enjoyed the slide without incident. Disney denied any wrongdoing and suggested that McGuiness did not use reasonable care and willingly got on the ride. Interestingly, the ride closed January 20, 2026, for refurbishment.
The July 2025 mediation with Disney was unsuccessful, so the case was set for trial on January 5, 2026. Surprisingly, McGuiness dismissed her lawsuit in August 2025, and even more shocking, the voluntary dismissal was with prejudice, barring her from filing the same complaint again.
A voluntary dismissal, especially one with prejudice, is highly suggestive that a settlement was reached, or that perhaps the Disney magic really does exist.
(The author is a Judicial Attorney at the Washtenaw County Trial Court; however, the views expressed in this column are her own. She can be reached by emailing her at matyjasz@hotmail.com.)
Walt Disney World is known as the “most magical place on earth,” with its brand having infiltrated almost every market you can contemplate. Its four theme parks, fanciful characters, and ability to seamlessly blend fantasy and reality draws millions each year to the Orlando, Fla. area to experience the pixie dust.
For Emma McGuinness, her 2019 Disney experience was anything but happy. She reportedly was visiting the park to celebrate her 30th birthday with loved ones when she sustained serious injuries while riding the Humunga Kowabunga, three side-by-side slides with a nearly five-story drop. The attraction, which she rode with her mother and daughter, sends riders down a 204-foot enclosed slide at speeds approaching 40 mph before propelling them into a pool of water.
Sounds fun, right? Unfortunately, the abrupt stop at the end of the slide caused McGuinness to experience the not-so-fun phenomenon of a “wedgie.” Her situation turned serious when she suffered immense pain, bleeding, and lacerations that damaged internal organs. As a result, McGuinness filed a lawsuit against Disney in 2023, alleging a minimum of $50,000 in damages.
According to the lawsuit, “the slide caused her clothing to be painfully forced between her legs and for water to be violently forced inside her. She experienced immediate and severe pain internally” and “severe vaginal lacerations” to such a degree that the cuts caused her bowel to protrude from her abdomen.
Riders of the Humunga Kowabunga were advised to cross their legs at their ankles, which McGuinness did, but the force of the ride caused her ankles to become uncrossed. She alleged that no reason was given as to why crossing your legs was a good idea. Two others riders had experienced similar injuries in 2017, but Disney officials said that thousands have enjoyed the slide without incident. Disney denied any wrongdoing and suggested that McGuiness did not use reasonable care and willingly got on the ride. Interestingly, the ride closed January 20, 2026, for refurbishment.
The July 2025 mediation with Disney was unsuccessful, so the case was set for trial on January 5, 2026. Surprisingly, McGuiness dismissed her lawsuit in August 2025, and even more shocking, the voluntary dismissal was with prejudice, barring her from filing the same complaint again.
A voluntary dismissal, especially one with prejudice, is highly suggestive that a settlement was reached, or that perhaps the Disney magic really does exist.
(The author is a Judicial Attorney at the Washtenaw County Trial Court; however, the views expressed in this column are her own. She can be reached by emailing her at matyjasz@hotmail.com.)
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