Power Surge Knocks Out Over 40 Attractions at Walt Disney World

A sudden power surge swept through Walt Disney World on the afternoon of August 29, 2025, shutting down more than 40 attractions across all four theme parks and suspending the resort’s monorail service. Guests were evacuated safely, and operations gradually resumed by early evening following thorough safety checks.

Widespread Outages Across All Four Parks

At approximately 5:00 p.m. local time, a severe storm rolling in over Central Florida caused a significant electrical surge that left rides and shows offline at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Indoor and outdoor attractions alike-typically on separate power circuits-were affected, prompting speculation that the storm, rather than routine maintenance, triggered the outage.

Magic Kingdom saw classics such as Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Pirates of the Caribbean go dark, although a handful of rides including Peter Pan’s Flight and “it’s a small world” remained operational. EPCOT lost headline experiences like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Soarin’ Around the World, while Hollywood Studios’ marquee attractions, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash, were also interrupted. Animal Kingdom was limited to Pandora - The World of Avatar and Kilimanjaro Safaris until power returned.

Monorail Service Halted, Transportation Strains

The resort’s iconic monorail system came to a standstill as circuits tripped under the surge, leaving many guests stranded at stations and forced to seek bus or ferry alternatives. Disney cast members worked to manage growing crowds and guide visitors to temporary shuttles, amid reports of extended waits at the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Guest Evacuations and Safety Measures

Reports indicate that several rides stopped mid-operation, necessitating on-ride evacuations. No injuries were reported, and guests were led to safety following Disney’s established emergency protocols. Cast members provided real-time updates via the My Disney Experience app, although some visitors noted delays in status changes.

Gradual Restoration and Disney Response

By 6:00 p.m., many attractions had begun to restart, with full park operations largely back online by nightfall. A Disney spokesperson confirmed that engineering teams isolated the affected circuits, conducted detailed safety inspections, and methodically brought rides back into service. An official statement is expected to address preventive measures and infrastructure enhancements to minimize future disruptions.

Looking Ahead

This incident marks one of the largest system-wide outages in Walt Disney World’s history, raising questions about the resort’s power resilience amid increasingly volatile weather patterns. As guests prepare for Labor Day weekend, Disney faces pressure to ensure uninterrupted experiences during peak visitation periods. Continuous monitoring of forecasted storms and potential upgrades to redundant power supplies may be critical to safeguarding the “most magical place on Earth.”

This story is developing and will be updated as more details emerge.