Disney Pushes for Jury Trial in Main Street Trolley Track Trip-and-Fall Lawsuit

Walt Disney World is pushing for a jury trial in response to a guest lawsuit involving a trip-and-fall incident on the Main Street U.S.A. trolley tracks at the Magic Kingdom. Usually, Disney pushes for dismissal or a settlement, but this time, they are asking for a panel of jurors to decide whether Disney bears any legal responsibility.

A case against Disney was filed late last year by a guest who alleges she was injured after tripping near the trolley rails that run through the center of Main Street. The lawsuit claims the tracks and surrounding pavement created a dangerous condition and that Disney failed to provide adequate warnings or protective measures.

Not excusing Disney, but who hasn’t rolled an ankle or at least seen people trip on the trolley tracks? They are plainly visible, but if it was very busy and a guest was just looking ahead at Main Street and Cinderella Castle, I could understand why they didn’t see it, but it would be hard to miss.

But in its formal response, Disney is not only disputing the allegations, but it is also requesting that the matter be resolved through a jury trial rather than a quick settlement or dismissal.

Disney Wants a Jury to Hear the Case

This move suggests Disney believes the case hinges on broader questions of personal responsibility and whether the tracks constitute an “open and obvious” condition that guests should reasonably notice while walking through the park.

Rather than agreeing that the embedded rails represent a hidden hazard, Disney argues that the trolley tracks are a long-standing and clearly visible feature of Main Street’s design.

By pushing for a jury trial, Disney appears prepared to argue in court that the guest’s injuries were not caused by negligence on Disney’s part — but instead by circumstances outside the company’s control.

Disney Argues Guest Is Responsible

In its response, Disney maintains that the trolley tracks are not a defect, but an intentional part of the themed environment that has existed for decades.

The company’s legal position is that the risk of tripping over embedded rails is something guests should reasonably anticipate, especially in a heavily trafficked pedestrian area like Main Street.

Disney is essentially arguing that additional warnings or barriers would be unnecessary because the tracks are already visible and obvious. (Which they really are.)

Where the Case Goes From Here

With Disney requesting a jury trial, the lawsuit will now move forward through the Florida court system unless the parties reach a resolution beforehand.

A jury would ultimately be asked to decide whether Disney failed in its duty to maintain safe walkways — or whether the guest bears responsibility for navigating an obvious feature of the park.

For now, Disney has not indicated any plans to modify or remove the trolley tracks, and the company appears prepared to defend the case in court.

I don’t think Disney would push it this far unless they offered a settlement and were denied, or Disney knows it can win.

What do you think? Comment and let us know!