UPDATE: These three Magic Kingdom lands have now reopened.
In Disney World, you have to be prepared for the unexpected.
Transportation can get delayed, technology will sometimes malfunction, and rides can close temporarily for technical difficulties. If you go into your trip knowing this, you can have a backup plan that might make it a little easier to deal with these things. But occasionally, bigger challenges than a small ride closure can pop up in the parks. This morning, Magic Kingdom is having a lot of challenges.
Today, Magic Kingdom wasn’t just having trouble with one ride — whole lands were closed!
We noticed on the My Disney Experience App that all of the attractions listed in Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square were temporarily closed. The Walt Disney World Railroad and Under the Sea — Journey of The Little Mermaid were also closed.
Cast Members were stationed at the entrances to these lands, redirecting guests away from the area. First, we noticed that the Main Street, U.S.A. train station was closed off. A Cast Member confirmed that because they can’t take guests to certain areas of the park, the railroad will remain closed for the time being.
Once we got over to the affected lands, we noticed that Adventureland was blocked off.
A little farther down, Liberty Square was closed off as well.
Magic Kingdom is going THROUGH it this morning. Only Tomorrowland, Fantasyland and Main Street U.S.A. are open to guests while the remainder of the park is closed. pic.twitter.com/viMzLa40uo
— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) September 18, 2023
Because only some of the areas of Magic Kingdom are open, a few bottlenecks have developed around the park.
According to a Cast Member, Disney is not allowing guests to book Lightning Lane selections for attractions in these sections of the park.
Later in the day, it was confirmed that these closures were due to a bear sighting in the park. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) has been called in to help deal with the situation.
The FWC said, “The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is aware of a black bear reported in a tree on Walt Disney World property at the Magic Kingdom. Biologists with the FWC’s Bear Management Program, as well as FWC Law Enforcement officers, are on scene.”
While the majority of these areas have since been reopened, Tom Sawyer Island is still closed at the time of writing while Cast Members verify that the area is safe.
Cast Members have not confirmed whether rain checks will be issued, but guests can head to City Hall to request one. Stay tuned to AllEars for more.
ALERT! A Fan Favorite Spring Roll Flavor Is BACK in Magic Kingdom
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Have you encountered a situation like this one in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!
It’s a bear. Maybe the Country Bears are upset about their playlist getting updated?