Walt Disney World News - August 29, 2025

Lake Buena Vista, FL - A series of unexpected operational disruptions and high-profile events marked the Walt Disney World Resort on Friday, August 29, 2025.

Widespread Attraction Closures Due to Power Outage Shortly after 5:00 p.m., the My Disney Experience app began reporting a massive shutdown of attractions across all four theme parks. Nearly 45 rides and shows-including marquee experiences such as Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train-were listed as “Temporarily Closed” amid what Disney officials later confirmed was a resort-wide power surge and outage. Both indoor and outdoor attractions were affected, as were the Monorails. By around 6:00 p.m., operations returned to normal, with most rides reopening following technical inspections and system resets.

Destination D23 Fan Expo Kicks Off Disney’s fan celebration, Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney, officially opened at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort on August 29. The sold-out, three-day event features exclusive presentations from the Walt Disney Archives, special panels, behind-the-scenes stories, and previews of upcoming films and attractions. Members were treated to the first look at new experiences and several surprise announcements throughout the evening.

Pirates-Themed Lounge “The Beak and Barrel” Debuts Magic Kingdom welcomed its latest dining venue when The Beak and Barrel, a Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired lounge, opened its doors on Friday. Guests queued early to sample the lounge’s themed cocktails and menu items, making the opening a popular stop during the busy Labor Day weekend kick-off.

EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Draws Weekend Crowds The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival entered its second day, drawing heavy foot traffic as local and visiting guests seized the holiday weekend to explore global marketplaces and limited-time culinary offerings. Festival operators noted particularly long lines at popular booths, reinforcing forecasts of peak attendance for the first festival weekend.

Disney officials have indicated that more updates regarding operational resiliency and upcoming park enhancements will be shared during the remainder of Destination D23 and across the holiday weekend.