Multiple Disney World visitors took to social media to report that around 10:15PM on August 29th, a large police presence was spotted at Magic Kingdom.
Reports began to circulate online that people at Magic Kingdom were directed to exit the park via backstage areas, and those nearby were sent away from the Monorail.
According to the calendar on the Disney World website, Magic Kingdom was set to close at 10PM on August 29th, and the incident reportedly took place around the time that the park was closing for the night.
At the time of writing, the Monorail was closed, and people exiting the park were instead directed to Disney’s boat transportation. Donna Vivino, a Magic Kingdom guest on the evening of August 29th, reported that there were “tons of cops” in the area. Vivino was escorted through a backstage exit.
BREAKING: Police respond at Magic Kingdom. Guests were sent out through backstage exits. pic.twitter.com/Ku2BbtnFHD
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 30, 2024
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office shared a post on X to explain the situation, stating that “There is NO active shooter,” amid speculation online over an “active shooter rumor.” The Orange County Sheriff’s Office explained that a “popping sound” was heard in the area at the time of the incident.
ALERT: There is NO active shooter at @WaltDisneyWorld’s Magic Kingdom. A fight occurred, and a “popping” sound was heard that we believe was a balloon. Guests began running and that’s how the active shooter rumor started. There is no active shooter. pic.twitter.com/TRKLs3NglC
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) August 30, 2024
According to Vivino, Magic Kingdom Cast Members kept visitors back from an area on Main Street, U.S.A. by the front of the Main Street Confectionery. Vivino also stated that some people were “very shaken up” by the incident. Vivino then went to Disney’s Contemporary Resort and noted that all the music was turned off in the area.
Instagram user @mtngirl81 shared a comment about their experience, explaining, “We just got evacuated from there. They brought us all into the stores and then through the back into private employee area where we had to stay for a while.”
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more information.
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I pray that people would act better in this world. After this gets sorted out it may be a great idea to do training for cast members to be plug-in for quick response to guests questions.