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Family Pleads for Help as Elderly Disney World Guest Stuck in Florida

A little girl scanning her MagicBand and fingerprint to enter EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort.
Credit: Disney

An elderly guest is trapped in Orlando, Florida, after taking ill on a trip to Walt Disney World Resort.

A scenic view of the Cinderella castle at Disney World

Credit: Inside the Magic

A vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Central Florida, is meant to be a momentous, magical, and celebratory occasion. However, while Disney aims to get the real world out of the magic, unfortunately, reality does creep in. For one family, this meant leaving one of their own behind.

76-year-old Patricia Bunting, who hails from Wigan (Greater Manchester) in the United Kingdom, took ill while on a dream trip with her children and grandson at Disney World. After saving for years, Bunting collapsed while on her Disney trip and has been in hospital in Florida for the last seven weeks.

Bunting has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and atrial fibrillation (AF), and after contracting coronavirus and flu on vacation in November 2024, has been bedridden in the U.S. Her family, including daughter Emma, has been raising money to get their matriarch home. They have raised £40,000 so far, according to Bristol Live.

The entrance sign to Disney World showcases Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The archway, highlighted by colorful flags, stands proudly against a backdrop of palm trees and a cloudy sky, perfectly capturing the enchanting spirit of Walt Disney World.

Credit: rickpilot_2000, Flickr

However, a bright spark was recently quashed after the planned medical transport to bring Ms. Bunting home was canceled. “I’m afraid mum isn’t coming home yet due to complications, so she’s in hospital in the US,” Emma said, via Bristol Live. “I haven’t got an exact date as of yet when she will be returning I’m afraid. It’s a massive blow and shock to all our family as we are eagerly waiting for Mum’s safe return.”

The outlet explained how Bunting “spent two years saving up for the family holiday but couldn’t afford the £3,000 travel insurance quoted to her for the trip due to her pre-existing conditions.”

Upon contracting the illnesses on November 23 and being transferred to the hospital, Ms. Bunting initially spent “five days in intensive care at Orlando’s Dr P Phillips Hospital.” The report shares how her other children and grandson had to take their planned flight home on November 28, with Emma stating that the British Embassy in Miami was unable to assist in her mother’s case.

Crowds on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom at Disney World

Credit: Marada, Flickr

Even without travel insurance, Ms. Bunting wanted to take her family to her “happy place” in the United States, deeming it to be her last chance to do so.

While there is no confirmation on where, when, or how Ms. Bunting contracted coronavirus and flu, the Disney World parks in late November are notoriously busy due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Disney saw major crowds, as did other high-traffic areas like Orlando International Airport, during the latter weeks of November. It is also worth noting that flu season, which has recently been deemed “very high” in Florida, runs from October to May.

Disney Tips will continue to update this developing story.

About Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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