Christine Tagle has shared an update regarding the actions taken by Cast Members and Disney guests that saved her five-year-old son’s life after riding Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind on September 21, 2024.

Boy’s Life Saved on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

On September 21, as a one-day-only offering, “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire was playing on repeat for guests riding Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. This created a lot of excitement around the already popular attraction, and EPCOT park reservations sold out for the day.

However, on the 21st of September, the ride unexpectedly shut down. Our team first noticed that it wasn’t operating just before 2 p.m. There were reports of medical services getting involved, but we never received confirmation. When we asked Cast Members why the ride was down nearly one hour later, we were told that the attraction was experiencing “technical difficulties.” Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind eventually reopened shortly before 4 p.m. after a closure of over two hours.

Now, thanks to a heartfelt message shared by Christine Tagle in the Walt Disney World Tips and Tricks Facebook group, we know the real reason why the attraction was closed for an extended period on September 21.

Hi Everyone!

I have a long post here, but I’m looking for some pixie dust!

On Saturday 9/21 at 1pm my family and I boarded Guardians of the Galaxy (our favorite ride)

About 20 seconds in I noticed my 5 year old old son passed out, through the whole ride I couldn’t get him to wake up.

When the ride was over I pulled him out screaming for help, the staff directed me to a hallway where I laid my son down and I began CPR – a few seconds later the staff shocked him with the AED.

My husband ran out to find help and found a Couple – a nurse and an EMT – who continued cpr, kept him stable as he began to have seizures until EMT services came.

My Son is alive, my son lived because when his (now we know) genetic heart disease presented itself we were at Disney where there is an AED everywhere. My son is alive because we were at Disney with trained staff. My son is alive because of this couple. My son is alive because I was a trained in CPR (parents PLEASE PLEASE get trained if you aren’t)

Please help me find them. Disney is helping me find the amazing staff member but I don’t have this couples names. Are you here? Can you share this story in your Disney groups?

Disney always had my heart, but now they own it , they have my thanks, and I am in debt to them forever and ever

Shortly after posting, Tagle shared the following development:

Update! Because of this group we have been able to locate and talk to the amazing Nurse and EMT who helped us, as well as cast members who were there, firefighters who helped on site and in the ER, Ambulance drivers and EMT, and Drs who were at our first ER.

We are overwhelmed by the love and support from our Disney community. Our plans are to go and visit these amazing people and give them hugs and love and say our thanks face to face. On Saturday one of the EMTs told me they rarely ever get to know the outcome of their patients- my prayer is that they know on this day a little boy lives to do great things because of all they did

What an incredible job by all those who were involved in saving this young boy’s life. It’s great to know that we’re all in capable and experienced hands should anything ever go wrong while at Disney Parks.

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