News Guest dies, found unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers

[cjkeating]

I've done Hulk in the rain at IOA, I suppose SR must be faster?

Hulk and Velocicoaster are both closed as well right now. I think the rain has been quite heavy and constant today.

 

[mergatroid]

The same reason cars can skid in the rain. Water can change how things function. Coasters have prescribed operating conditions that include not just rain but also other weather conditions such as temperature to ensure that everything is working as designed.

It’s also just painful for riders.

Strangely it seems that some operate and I've done Hulk in the rain, I suppose individual factors must apply. It seems odd they build new coasters in Florida where it's a known rain problem that can't operate whilst some others do. I suppose if you want the high speeds or shorter braking distances that it's a sacrifice they'll willing to make though. You should come to England and try some of ours, rain lashing in your face can be a regular occurrence

 

[hopemax]

Maybe once you'll have experienced a coaster running at 70 miles an hour with the rain in your face, you will understand why. I can assure you, I experienced it once, it's a torture. It really hurts.

We have a "wet" rating scale for water rides.

Splash Mountain wet
Jurassic Park wet
Bluto's wet
Big Thunder Mountain wet

The last is based on an ill-advised ride on BTMRR to close out a MNSSHP. I really wanted an evening ride, and herding family and friends had not gone well. Earlier in the evening I ended up with ice cream dripping all over my hands and everyone did not think they should help me... So even though the people leaving the train were telling everyone it wasn't worth it, we boarded anyway. I ruined a Dooney & Bourke purse in the process.

One of September Stardust rides was just as it was starting to rain, and the 2nd half was also not pleasant.

 

[celluloid]

Heavy rain will shut down Hulk. It takes a lot, but it happens.

 

[JT3000]

Why do coasters not run in the rain, is it only if there's lightening near or does rain just automatically mean a shut down?

It's lightning. They don't close if it's merely raining, although I don't recommend the experience.

 

[DCBaker]

Stardust Racers has reopened:

 

[flynnibus]

Factually true

But retaining counsel is in all practicality the exact same thing in this context. Expect demand payment/“negotiaions” any day here prior to a filing.

The significance here is the conversation was about they delaying the availability of the info due to the lawsuit - there is no lawsuit yet.

What they want to come out in discovery is a very important point in such cases and a big motivator for parties to settle prior. So, no it's not 'practically the exact same thing' in this conversation's context. If UNI didn't want the info out, lack of a lawsuit isn't going to change that.. it's the inverse, it would eventually force it... which is why parties often settle before that point is reached.

Here, the gun is pointed, but it's not even loaded yet.

 

[celluloid]

It's lightning. They don't close if it's merely raining, although I don't recommend the experience.

Not sure since Hulk reopened after retrack. In heavy downpour it will close for safety.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Some coasters can run in light rain. Basically all will shut down in heavy rain.

 

[My95cobras]

The significance here is the conversation was about they delaying the availability of the info due to the lawsuit - there is no lawsuit yet.

What they want to come out in discovery is a very important point in such cases and a big motivator for parties to settle prior. So, no it's not 'practically the exact same thing' in this conversation's context. If UNI didn't want the info out, lack of a lawsuit isn't going to change that.. it's the inverse, it would eventually force it... which is why parties often settle before that point is reached.

Here, the gun is pointed, but it's not even loaded yet.

If someone is pointing a gun, do you want to find out if it is loaded the hard way?

 

[flynnibus]

The fact Crump has not done any grandstanding since UNI’s move could be very telling…

 

[FoodRockz]

From personal experience I know that Universal Orlando runs some of their coasters in the rain. Can confirm it hurts but also is good for a laugh at the end when you're soaked. Lightning in the area shuts all the outdoor stuff down.

 

[mkt]

The fact Crump has not done any grandstanding since UNI’s move could be very telling…

It takes a little bit of time to schedule a presser. However, I am inclined to believe he had hoped that he could've kept this in the press for longer than our current distraction cycle allows.

 

[drkarcher22]

The fact Crump has not done any grandstanding since UNI’s move could be very telling…

I believe he put out a statement about them reopening it, mentioning seeing them in court, and if I’m remembering correctly he has another press conference scheduled for tomorrow.

He (obviously) wants to keep this in the public eye so Universal will just pay out whatever settlement the family wants to make him go away

 

[mkt]

Update. Friend in media heard back from Medical Examiner. Orange County Sheriff's Office has rejected the request for the autopsy report stating the active investigation.

 

[mkt]

His loved ones probably do, seems a disrespectful thing to post as a joke really.

I didn't see it as disrespectful - but a valid criticism on how fast our news cycles go.

 

[Comped]

Update. Friend in media heard back from Medical Examiner. Orange County Sheriff's Office has rejected the request for the autopsy report stating the active investigation.

I don't know enough about OCSO to say if it's just a technicality or if they are taking the investigation seriously.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I didn't see it as disrespectful - but a valid criticism on how fast our news cycles go.

I feel similarly toward many of the more violent deaths we hear about in the media for one whole 24-hour news cycle then never again. They’re probably all worthy of more attention. I did not realize criticism of how quickly we forget, for example, a mass shooting somehow makes light of the lives lost. Quite the opposite is the intention. But, if we mourn a 10-year old for one day at most, I’m not sure what was expected here.

 

[mkt]

I don't know enough about OCSO to say if it's just a technicality or if they are taking the investigation seriously.

I'd assume it's just a neutral process.

 

[flynnibus]

I believe he put out a statement about them reopening it, mentioning seeing them in court, and if I’m remembering correctly he has another press conference scheduled for tomorrow.

He (obviously) wants to keep this in the public eye so Universal will just pay out whatever settlement the family wants to make him go away

Yup - I didn’t see it covered… but it’s here

Attorney Ben Crump Condemns Universal Decision to Reopen Stardust Racers Amid Ongoing Death Investigation - Ben Crump

Attorneys and the family will hold a Monday news conference in Orlando ORLANDO, Fla. (October 3, 2025) – Nationally renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, issued the following statement after Universal announced it will reopen the Stardust...

bencrump.com

Clearly uni is moving w/o buy in from the family… so no settlement at this point.