Disney has now responded to a lawsuit filed in late December 2025 by a woman who alleges she tripped over a trolley track and is seeking damages from the company. In our previous coverage, we outlined the specific allegations in the complaint and what the potential legal outcome could be.
The lawsuit attracted attention since it centers on the park’s iconic trolley tracks that many guests are familiar with. Keep reading for this update on the lawsuit, including Disney’s response. At Mickey Visit, we report on important Disney news, including updates to the Rise of the Resistance refurbishment and a transportation shuttle shutdown impacting Disneyland.
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Woman Suing Disney After Tripping on Trolley Tracks
The lawsuit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts was filed on December 22, 2025, in the Florida Circuit Court in Orange County, Florida. Rhonda Smith of Frankfort, Kentucky, filed a lawsuit for $50,000 claiming that the trolley tracks do not “adequately have marked steel rails and flangeways near a castle attraction,” which caused her to trip and fall, resulting in “permanent injuries and substantial medical expenses.”
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In her complaint, Smith alleged that Disney failed to uphold its responsibility to maintain reasonably safe walkways for guests. She claimed the company allowed hazardous conditions, including uneven surfaces and gaps that could pose a tripping risk, to remain in place. The filing also asserted that Disney did not conduct adequate inspections, correct the alleged dangers in a timely manner, or provide sufficient warnings about the condition.
Smith further alleged that the incident resulted in lasting injuries. She claimed she suffered permanent physical harm, ongoing pain, emotional distress, disability, reduced enjoyment of daily life, and a worsening of a pre-existing medical condition, along with other related damages.
Disney Responds to Trolley Track Lawsuit
Disney has now responded to the trolley track lawsuit. In its response, Disney characterizes the trolley tracks as “open and obvious” and argues that plaintiff Rhonda Smith bears responsibility for the incident. The company contends that Smith “owed a duty to use reasonable care for her own safety” and that she “breached her duty by failing to pay adequate attention to her surroundings.”
Disney further maintains that the condition described in the complaint was plainly visible and therefore does not require additional warnings. According to the filing, because the tracks were “open and obvious,” Walt Disney World had no obligation to provide signage or further notice to guests about their presence.
The company has formally requested that a jury decide the matter. Court records indicate the current case management schedule lists a trial date of November 22, 2027, at the Orange County Courthouse.
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Disney likely requested a jury trial because this is a “fact-driven premises liability case” that centers on personal responsibility. So, in other words, this type of case comes down to common sense and personal responsibility. Under Florida’s comparative negligence law, if a jury finds the guest was mostly at fault, she could recover little or nothing.
Disney’s argument that the trolley tracks were “open and obvious” aligns with that strategy, as jurors may be more inclined to view a visible, embedded track as something a reasonable person should notice. A jury would also decide how serious the injuries really were, which directly affects how much money could be awarded.
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