Credit: DisneyNew details have been shared about a guest who sadly passed away at Disney’s Contemporary Resort this week.
What We Know Now
Authorities identified the guest as Matthew Cohn, who died Thursday at the Contemporary’s Bay Lake Tower.
The Orange County Medical Examiner confirmed his death, with cause and manner still pending. Officials described the situation as a reported medical emergency, and investigations remain ongoing.
Emergency crews and law enforcement quickly responded to the scene. The outdoor area near Bay Lake Tower was taped off, and a heavy presence of first responders was visible, as shown on TikTok.
@aiotfamily We woke up to a VERY large law enforcement outside our balcony this morning at Disney’s Bay Lake Tower. We were told it was a “medical emergency”. Prayers to the family & those involved! 🙏 #disneyworld #baylaketower
As we reported earlier this week, guests were allegedly told by cast members not to look out from their balconies during the response.
Disney has not issued a detailed statement about the incident. Operations at the resort continued throughout the day, though the immediate area remained restricted while the investigation and emergency response were underway. Further information will be released once examinations are complete.
Recent Deaths at Walt Disney World
This is the third guest death reported at Walt Disney World this month.
On October 14, 31-year-old Summer Equitz died at the Contemporary in an incident ruled a suicide after Equitz booked a last-minute flight to the Orlando theme park resort. Officials clarified that online speculation about a monorail strike was incorrect, confirming instead that blunt-force injuries caused her death.
A separate case was reported on October 21 at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. A man in his 60s – who had a history of hypertension and end-stage liver disease – died after a medical episode. The man was staying with his wife, who spoke to him just after 7 a.m. However, when she returned to the room, he was unresponsive.
The Contemporary events occurred near Bay Lake Tower, a Disney Vacation Club property attached to the main resort building by a skybridge. The tower is steps away from Magic Kingdom and is known for its prime location and frequent security patrols, which allowed for a rapid emergency response.
Guests also have access to the resort’s popular restaurants, including California Grill with its panoramic castle views and Chef Mickey’s, a character dining favorite.
Guests visiting Walt Disney World may notice visible emergency procedures during such incidents, including temporary closures, visual barriers, and staging areas for first responders. Disney typically reopens affected areas only after law enforcement clears the scene and resort staff complete safety checks and cleanup.
Our thoughts are with Matthew Cohn’s family at this time.