A TikTok user recently captured a mother lifting her toddler over the fence enclosing a ride at Disney to retrieve a toy that had fallen onto the ride’s track. The fences are obviously placed around rides to keep guests, and especially small children, safe, and people were utterly shocked that a mom would do such a thing. As many TikTok users pointed out, this could have quickly turned into a tragic and heartbreaking moment — it’s fortunate the child was not hit by the ride. Disney cast members can also be notified if you accidentally drop something, notes Inside The Magic, so many say, there was really no reason for this.
The Tomorrowland Speedway is the ride the boy’s toy somehow ended up on, and he could have easily been hit) by one of the cars racing by, the site noted. In 2019, there were 1,299 reported injuries from amusement park accidents and 18% of those were caused by being hit by something on a ride, per BMW Law.
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The boy appeared to be retrieving a small toy from the tracks.
TikToker @disneyparksdi wrote in the text over the video: “When you just want to watch paint dry at Disney / But some mom dropped her kid on the ride path / What did I just witness?” The caption reads, “Not sure who needs to hear this but do not place your kids into a ride path.”
Who knows what was going through that mother’s mind at that moment. Maybe the toy was expensive, or very special to the toddler as some users pointed out. But regardless of the reason for retrieving it, it wasn’t safe and a horrible accident could have resulted.
Following park safety rules is critical to ensure everyone's safety.
The Tomorrowland Speedway ride at the Walt Disney World theme park in Buena Vista, Florida, has restrictions and guidelines intended to keep guests and their families safe. The ride features guest-operated vehicles, meaning while employees supervise the ride, individuals are operating them, making crossing the tracks and jumping the fence a dangerous stunt to pull, especially for a small child.
Amusement park accidents can be devastating.
There have been 22 fatal accidents at Disney World between 2006 and 2020, according to BMW Law. Although accidents and deaths associated with Disney theme parks and rides typically occurred in guests with pre-existing conditions, others occurred from a fall or being hit by something, the site reported.
Another incident of a guest trying to retrieve a personal item off the tracks occurred in 2008, but unlike this toddler, that person had a devastating ending. A teenager jumped a fence to retrieve a hat at a Six Flags amusement park and was appallingly decapitated by the ride and killed instantly, per BMW Law. Fences and signs are posted at theme parks for the guests’ safety and need to be followed explicitly to prevent such accidents.
TikTok users were shocked that the mom in the video did something so unsafe with her child — especially over a toy.
While most parents understand how quickly an outing with a toddler can go south, many TikTok users pointed out that there was no way that toy was worth the danger the child was in when he was placed over the fence.
“So dangerous!” one user wrote. “As a mom, I would never put my children in any danger! Especially over a toy.”
Another commented: “Omg and on that ride too. Just ask the CM they’ll walk out themselves and get it for you. That’s the only ride they can do that without stopping it.”
“Bro I literally work speedway,” wrote another. “This is ridiculous that her mom did this. The damage those cars can do …”
“When you lose something on a ride its not that difficult to get a cast member to help you, instead of using your child,” another commented.
