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Credit: Inside the MagicWalt Disney World is known for being one of the most carefully engineered and meticulously maintained vacation destinations in the world. But even in a place where everything is designed to feel smooth, magical, and effortless, there are still real-world hazards that can create major problems.
And now, one of the most iconic features of Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, U.S.A. is at the center of a legal battle that could raise serious questions about safety, guest responsibility, and how far Disney should go to protect visitors from potential injuries.
That feature is the trolley tracks.
The steel rails embedded into the pavement on Main Street have been part of the park’s design for decades, adding to the vintage atmosphere that sets the tone for Magic Kingdom the moment guests walk through the gates. But according to a new lawsuit, those same tracks allegedly caused a guest to suffer “serious injuries” after she tripped while walking through the area.
Now Disney is pushing back, and the company is making it clear that it believes the tracks should remain exactly where they are.
Lawsuit Claims Guest Was Permanently Injured
According to court documents referenced in a report by PEOPLE published on February 17, 2026, Kentucky resident Rhonda Smith filed a lawsuit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts after an alleged incident on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom.
Smith’s complaint was filed on December 22, 2025, in the Florida Circuit Court in Orange County.
Readers first reacted to this story on Inside the Magic when the lawsuit was reported, and the possibility of the tracks being removed for safety reasons was openly discussed.
In her filing, Smith claims she suffered “serious injuries” after her foot became caught in the trolley track area. The lawsuit describes the walkway as containing “embedded steel rails and flangeways” that created gaps and uneven changes in the pedestrian surface. Smith argues that these gaps contributed directly to her fall.
Her lawsuit accuses Disney of negligence, alleging that the company failed to maintain the area in a reasonably safe condition and failed to properly warn guests of the dangerous conditions, despite what she describes as Disney’s “non-delegable duty” to keep the premises safe.
Smith’s filing claims she sustained “bodily and terminal injury including a permanent injury to her body as a whole.” She also claims the incident caused physical and mental pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and even impacted her ability to work.
The lawsuit states she experienced lost wages and diminished earning capacity, and claims the losses will continue into the future.
Smith is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 and has requested a jury trial.
Disney’s Response: The Tracks Are “Open and Obvious”
Disney filed its official response to the lawsuit on January 20, and the company’s defense strategy is already clear.
According to Disney, the trolley tracks on Main Street, U.S.A. are “open and obvious,” meaning they are visible and should be easily noticeable to guests walking through the area. In other words, Disney is arguing that the tracks are not a hidden hazard and that guests have a responsibility to watch where they are going.
In its filing, Disney claims Smith was negligent and had a duty to use reasonable care for her own safety.
The company argues that she failed to pay adequate attention to her surroundings and failed to observe or appreciate the conditions that she claims caused her injury. Disney’s response also states she assumed the risk of injury and failed to take precautions to avoid the incident.
Disney’s legal team further argues that Smith is “more than 50% responsible” for her injuries, suggesting that even if Disney shares some blame, the guest herself carries the majority of fault.
Disney also claims that Smith’s alleged injuries may have been caused by other medical issues or conditions, and not necessarily the incident involving the trolley tracks.
Like Smith, Disney is also requesting the matter be decided through a jury trial.
Why the Trolley Tracks Matter to Magic Kingdom
While this lawsuit may sound like a standard slip-and-fall case, it touches on something bigger than one guest’s complaint.
Main Street, U.S.A. is one of the most photographed and recognizable spaces in all of Walt Disney World. It’s the entryway into the park. It’s where guests take their first family photos. It’s where parades roll through. It’s where Cinderella Castle first comes into view.
And the trolley tracks are a major part of the street’s design.
They are not just decoration. They are part of the atmosphere Disney has built since Magic Kingdom first opened. The tracks help sell the illusion that you’ve stepped into an early 1900s American town, complete with old-fashioned transportation and a nostalgic vibe that feels timeless.
From Disney’s perspective, removing the tracks would mean altering one of the park’s most iconic areas in a very visible way. It would also raise a difficult question: if Disney were forced to remove these tracks due to injury claims, what else could eventually be removed? That kind of precedent matters.
Even though Smith’s lawsuit is seeking damages exceeding $50,000, the broader implications could be far more expensive for Disney if similar claims continue.
Disney World welcomes tens of millions of visitors per year. If trolley track-related injuries become a growing legal issue, Disney could face mounting legal costs, reputational damage, and pressure to redesign the walkway.
And if a court ever determined that the tracks were unreasonably dangerous, Disney might be forced to make changes that could permanently alter the look and feel of Main Street, U.S.A.
It’s also worth noting that Disney’s defense includes the argument that Smith may have been suffering from other medical conditions unrelated to the fall. That’s a common strategy in personal injury cases, but it suggests Disney is prepared to aggressively challenge the severity and cause of her injuries.
This looks like a case Disney is willing to fight.
What Happens Next
As of now, no final ruling has been made, and both sides have requested a jury trial.
Smith alleges Disney failed to warn her about the danger posed by the tracks and failed to maintain the area safely. Disney argues that the tracks are obvious, that Smith failed to use reasonable care, and that she is primarily responsible for what happened.
In the coming months, the case could develop into a high-profile legal dispute, especially given how frequently Disney is discussed in the national media.