A new lawsuit has named Walt Disney World Resort over an alleged incident at Disney Springs.
Court documents allege the incident happened at Vivoli il Gelato inside Disney Springs – Disney World's shopping and dining district – on June 4, 2024, when Laura McDonald and Brandon Kilbourne were seated outside the location as customers.
According to the lawsuit, Kilbourne stood up from a table with interconnected chairs before the allegedly unsecured furniture suddenly flipped over. Attorneys claim both plaintiffs suffered “serious injuries” during the incident.
Filed in Orange County on May 15, the complaint accuses both Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. and Vivoli Orlando LLC of negligence tied to the outdoor seating setup.
Vivoli il Gelato has operated at Disney Springs for years as one of the shopping district’s best-known dessert locations, serving Italian-style gelato, milkshakes, and sundaes in The Landing section of the complex. The venue regularly draws large crowds, particularly during peak vacation seasons and late-night hours.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs allege the companies failed to properly inspect, maintain, and secure the table and chairs involved. Court filings further claim the allegedly dangerous condition remained in place for “an unreasonable length of time.”
Damages exceeding $50,000 are now being sought, with the lawsuit citing alleged “pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, and aggravation of a previously existing condition” connected to the Disney Springs incident.
Other Lawsuits Filed Against Walt Disney World Resort
Disney World is no stranger to legal battles.
Another lawsuit was filed against Walt Disney World in December 2025 after a guest allegedly slipped near the Samawati Springs Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village.
Florida resident Luisa Hanfling filed a complaint seeking more than $50,000 in damages, alleging Disney failed to maintain safe conditions at the resort after she reportedly fell on a wet substance believed to be water in March 2025.
And in January 2026, a judge dismissed with prejudice a complaint that claimed Walt Disney World Resort failed “to warn of the inherent dangers presented” on its Humunga Kowabunga slide at Typhoon Lagoon, where a guest allegedly suffered “severe and permanent” injuries after experiencing a “painful wedgie.”
That same month, Disney filed a response to a separate complaint over the trolley tracks on Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom.
Kentucky resident Rhonda Smith alleged she suffered permanent injuries after tripping on the tracks, accusing Disney of failing to keep the area reasonably safe and properly warn guests about the potential hazard. Disney, however, argued that the tracks were “open and obvious.”
Have you ever experienced a safety issue at Disney World?
SORRY AND SAD PEOPLE NEED TO GO AFTER COMPANIES/DISNEY FOR THE ALMIGHTY BUCK. MOST OF US ARE A LITTLE CLUMSY AND NEED TO LAME OTHERS. THINGS HAPPEN….GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON.