by Lonnette Harrell

Created on: November 19, 2008

I would like to focus on Disneyland Theme Park deaths in this article, but the injuries and deaths that have occurred there, are indicative of the need for a national system of regulation for all theme parks. While visitors to theme parks have an obligation to act responsibly, they also have a right to expect that a ride is designed with safety in mind, and will not cause harm to them or their families.

Visiting Disneyland is a dream come true for children and adults alike, but for some, the Disneyland fantasy ends in tragedy. The safety record at Disneyland theme park was apparently excellent from 1955 through 1963. But according to John Marr, in his article, Waiting In Line To Die, in May of 1964, the first Disneyland theme park death occurred on a ride known as the Matterhorn, a bobsled roller coaster ride. The victim was 15 year old, Mark Maples, of Long Beach, California.

Apparently, he had argued with a girlfriend, earlier in the day, about going steady, and rumors indicate that he was depressed. But by evening, he was in good spirits, as he stood in line with friends at Disneyland, to ride the Matterhorn. As the ride neared the peak of the mountain, for some unexplainable reason, Maples stood up, and was thrown head first onto the track below. Disneyland theme park officials said he was "catapulted from the speeding car." The fall crushed his skull, and he experienced internal injuries, remaining in a coma for several days, until he died.

While there are many urban legends about deaths at Disneyland, it is true that many have been injured there, and some have met their death. It is very difficult to get specific accurate facts, and to separate the rumor from the truth. But in most cases, according to Snopes.com, the majority of the deaths at Disneyland theme park, have been due to rider negligence in following safety instructions, or patrons who tried to "defeat" the Disneyland rides' safety mechanisms.

In January, 1984, another fatal accident occurred at Disneyland, on the Matterhorn. Dollie Young, a 48 year old Fremont, California mother, was visiting the Disneyland theme park with friends, when they decided to ride the Matterhorn. Young was riding in the rear car alone, so facts are difficult to come by, but Disneyland workers were sure they buckled her seat-belt. About 2/3 of the way through the ride, she fell out of her car, onto the tracks. As she tried desperately to recover from the fall, she was hit by another sled, and became tangled beneath its

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