A morning in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter turned a bit less magical on Friday when a ride at Universal Orlando Resort stalled, drawing an Orlando Fire Department response and leaving some guests feeling sick.
The stoppage happened mid-morning, around 11:09 a.m., according to officials. Staff was able to get the attraction running again and evacuate riders, but several guests reported feeling ill and were taken to the park's medical room for evaluation. Some fire units stayed at the scene to help out as needed.
Officials' account
According to WFTV Channel 9, an Orlando Fire Department spokesperson confirmed that the situation did not turn into a full-scale rescue operation.
"A Universal ride was stuck but, staff were able to get it going again so, the high angle rescue was canceled," the spokesperson told the station. While the ride was stopped, WFTV reports that a few riders called dispatch to say they felt ill, and Universal's medical team evaluated those guests after they got off the attraction.
Past stoppages and legal scrutiny
Mechanical hiccups are not unheard of at Universal attractions, and some have brought firefighters out before. For instance, WPTV previously reported on riders being assisted off the Rip Ride Rockit coaster after a technical glitch paused the ride.
Coverage has also followed what can happen after the fact. Hoodline reported in February that two Orlando residents filed lawsuits alleging injuries on a Harry Potter attraction, a reminder that ride malfunctions can invite scrutiny long after the park gates close for the night.
Parkgoers and updates
WFTV says its crew is working to gather more details and will share updates on Eyewitness News as they learn more about what went wrong.
Guests headed to Universal Orlando are encouraged to check the park's official channels or the Universal Orlando app for real-time information on ride status, especially if a trip to the Wizarding World is high on the day's to-do list.
