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Gina Bakey
Mitchell Smith
RPTM 390
25 February 2024
L07 Risk Management Project
Introduction
Effective risk management is essential for all facilities in order to mitigate potential threats or
unforeseen circumstances that could impact the facility. The objective of risk management is to
reduce negative outcomes such as financial losses and potential injuries, resulting from incidents.
All facilities should be able to identify potential risks, evaluate the situation, remove, or treat the
risk to prevent liability issues, and be able to implement risk management strategies around the
facility. Effective risk management involves continuing to monitor and reassess potential risks
to ensure constant assessment to ensure the continued efforts of risk management strategies.
Implementing a risk management strategy not only safeguards against immediate threats but
promotes the long-term resilience of the facility.
The Walt Disney World Resort, located in Orlando, Florida, is home to four theme parks,
two water parks, and a shopping district, making the resort a popular tourist destination for
families worldwide (16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Orlando, FL, 2023). The resort features
ride attractions, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment shows such as fireworks and parades,
making the resort a favorite among guests who return year after year.
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Figure 1 Photo retrieved from the resort's admission tickets website.
Identification
A resort, as huge as the Walt Disney World Resort, poses various risks that families
especially with young children may encounter at any moment. One potential risk that anyone
may face at the theme parks is a ride-related incident. Despite regular inspections and daily
monitoring, ride-related incidents can still occur. As a ride manager, one of the ways to become
aware of the risk is for a ride operator to notice the risk and immediately call for an evaluation.
For example, if a ride door closes more rapidly than other ride vehicles in the attraction, the door
can potentially lead to the pinching of a guest’s finger or arm while they are seated, especially if
the ride door is close to the bench seat or armrest. Another method for the manager to become
aware of the risk is by personally experiencing the ride during a break or off hours, as well as
managing the ride operators and observing the door closing too quickly. Lastly, a ride inspector
could identify the risk during a daily routine inspection of the ride.
The risk could fall under public liability caused by negligence, as the ride door could
accidentally pinch guests when closing. Additionally, the risk may also fall under public liability
for causes other than negligence, such as employment practices, if the ride operator fails to
inspect the ride properly or install the door correctly.
Evaluation
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Each day, the Magic Kingdom Park, the primary park at the resort, hosts over 35,000 guests a
day (Orr, 2024). However, the number could increase during weekends, holidays, and summer
breaks when a larger number of children are out of school. The frequency of a guest injuring
themselves on a ride door is possible when a ride operator fails to properly monitor guests during
their entry and exit from the ride vehicle. Although Disney is deemed as being very safe, the
chances of an injury on a ride are very low (Heather, 2023). The severity of the risk increases if a
guest injures themselves on one of the ride doors, as they will likely suffer pinching of their skin.
If the door closes too quickly as the guest is trying to come off or go on the ride, it can cause
them to fall, leading to potential injuries such as bruises, sprains, or more severe harm. The risk
can be a factor for ride operators and inspectors, influencing the inspection and cleaning of the
ride.
Treatment Strategy
The correct treatment strategy for a broken attraction door is retention and reduction. Disney
ride operators are trained to operate the rides properly and assist guests on and off the ride
vehicles. The risk treatment table provides high-frequency and low-severity claims that the risk
is low to moderate risk (Smith, 2024). By implementing a safety key, Disney ensures that its cast
members prioritize the safety of attractions, guests, and employees (Disney’s Four Keys to a
Great Guest Experience – Disney Insights, n.d.). The ride operators can be trained to watch the
ride door to reduce the likelihood and severity of incidents as well as keep regular maintenance
on the attraction.
One limitation that may be encountered with the risk associated with attraction vehicle
doors is the frequency of the attraction to be closed for ride operators to perform continued
maintenance. Guests traveling to the resort specifically for a particular ride may become
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frustrated upon discovering that the attraction is closed for maintenance. Similarly, a guest
already in the park who has waited in line for almost an hour to experience the attraction may be
disappointed if it has to close due to safety concerns with the vehicle door.
Implementation Strategy
As a manager, I would implement the treatment plan by ensuring that all employees
regardless of whether they operate the ride or are involved in managing the associated risks, are
well-informed and trained. Additionally, I would assign ride operators and management to
reassess the risks daily to identify any new issues and update the safety protocols and procedures
to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the attraction. Consistent assessment will enhance the
ongoing effectiveness of the treatment plan, in hopes of reducing potential risks that are linked to
the attraction vehicle door.
Conclusion
In conclusion, safety should be the top priority, serving as the fundamental framework for
theme park operations. Risk management strategies are important with attraction vehicle doors to
ensure the safety and satisfaction of guests in an amusement park setting. When implementing a
treatment plan, employees must go through training, regular assessments, and response
procedures to limit the severity of incidents. To exceed guests’ satisfaction, theme park managers
can prioritize safety measures and stay alert of potential risks. With continuous evaluation, theme
parks can maintain a proactive approach to risk management ensuring the safety of its guests and
employees.
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References
16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Orlando, FL. (2023, December 25). PlanetWare. Retrieved
February 22, 2024, from https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/orlando-us-fl-
orlando.htm.
Disney’s Four Keys to a Great Guest Experience – Disney Insights. (n.d.).
https://disneyinsights.com/disneys-four-keys-to-a-great-guest-experience/
Heather. (2023, September 18). How safe are Disney World Rides really? WDW Travels.
https://wdwtravels.com/disney-world-tips/how-safe-are-disney-world-rides-really/
Orr, R. (2024, February 17). How many people really visit each day? 2024 Guide to Disney
World crowds. Disney Park Advisor.
https://disneyparkadvisor.com/planning-logistics/crowds/
Smith, M. (2023). Lesson 07: Risk Management. L07 Risk Treatment. RPTM 390: Political and
Legal Aspects of Recreation Services. Penn State University.
https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2315232/pages/l07-risk treatment?
module_item_id40170297
Disney World. (n.d.). Disney World Theme Park Tickets. Walt Disney World Resorts.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/admission/tickets/
