A devoted Disney fan from Illinois tragically lost her life at Walt Disney World in Orlando this week.
Summer Equitz, 31, was discovered at the Contemporary Resort Hotel on Tuesday evening, with authorities confirming her death as a suicide.
Family and Friends Raise Alarm
Before the devastating news broke, a relative of Equitz created a missing persons post on a Disney-focused Reddit forum, urging anyone who spotted her at the resort to contact the police immediately.
The post revealed that she had left her home in Naperville and booked a flight to Florida without informing anyone.
One commenter inquired about when she had checked into the hotel, and the relative responded, “I believe early afternoon.
She booked a flight there without telling us, unfortunately.”
The post was later removed after news of her passing spread online.
The Contemporary Resort and Circumstances
The Contemporary Resort, known for its expansive interior and high balconies, as well as the monorail running through its lobby, became the site of this heartbreaking incident.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Equitz’s death as a suicide, emphasizing that she was not struck by the monorail, dispelling online rumors.
A Life Full of Disney Magic
Equitz had long been connected to the world of Disney.
She celebrated her honeymoon at Walt Disney World exactly a year ago with her husband, Nico Danilovich.
In December 2024, she joyfully shared an ultrasound image, announcing her pregnancy.
Equitz had also shared memorable moments at Disney parks, including a photo with Disney CEO Bob Iger in April 2021, captioned, “My life has peaked.”
In the photo, she wore a Disney T-shirt and Mickey Mouse baseball cap, visibly emotional during the encounter.
Career and Passion for Performance
Professionally, Equitz worked most recently as a nanny and had experience as a social media consultant.
She also had a history in entertainment, performing at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, as a character performer and host from 2012 to 2015.
Her love for theater began in fourth grade, and she expressed a particular fondness for Disney musicals, naming Beauty and the Beast as her favorite and hoping to play Ursula from The Little Mermaid.
Emergency Response and Support
Authorities were called to the hotel shortly after 6pm on Tuesday, and the area was quickly swarmed by police.
Online images showed a white tent near the observation deck along the monorail pathway.
Disney confirmed that the monorail was not involved in the incident.
For anyone struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, support is available through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988.