Police responded to an incident in Magic Kingdom at Disney World as the park was closing this evening.
Magic Kingdom gate
Multiple posts on social media starting at about 10:15PM on August 29th indicated that Magic Kingdom visitors were being guided through stores to backstage areas and in some instances being held backstage before they could exit the park. Those traveling to the Ticket and Transportation Center were being led to buses — the monorail was shut down briefly, and there are conflicting reports about whether ferry boats were shut down or continued to operate during the incident.
Donna Vivino, who was visiting Magic Kingdom at the time of the incident, told us she was escorted through a backstage exit, and there were “tons of cops” on the scene.
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 said there was a fight at the Magic Kingdom, as well as a “popping sound” that caused guests to start running, believing there was potentially a shooting incident. The Sheriff’s Office said in a Tweet that “there is no active shooter” at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
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
Vivino said that Disney World Cast Members were keeping people away from an area in front of the Main Street Confectionery, and that some people were “very shaken up” because they believed they heard gunshots. Again, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has said this was not a shooting incident.
Vivino went to the Contemporary Resort to wait for an Uber, and she said that all the music was turned off in the park and is turned off at the resort — making the whole scene more eerie feeling.
Another DFB reader in the park tonight said they were walking near Tomorrowland Terrace when they encountered “a herd of people running for their life.” They said that many people did not know what they were running from — they just started running because others were.
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Behavior in the parks is definitely getting worse. People are not only breaking rules but they are defiant and aggressive when cast members try to address it. The idea that someone may have had a gun in the parks is petrifying. We try to avoid being caught up in big crowds, which means planning and small compromises that sometimes make others in my party roll their eyes, but this incident is proof that doing what you have to do in order to not get caught up in crowds and potentially thrown in with confrontational people is worth it.
“They said that many people did not know what they were running from — they just started running because others were”
Annnnnnnnnnnnd that’s why crowd control is important and should be implemented
STOP FIGHTING WHILE VISITING AT WDW. What is wrong with people. If you are having a disagreement…WALK AWAY.
Me and my family were actually on the monorail that was about to take off when the fight began. The herd of people running and jumping the gates onto the grass scared everyone and caused others to run as well. The popping sound did go off and people started yelling gun. I had to throw my children, as well as other kids around me to the floor and basically shield them not only from a possible shooting but by a stampede of people seeking cover inside the monorail. Everyone was screaming to keep our heads down. The panic was crazy, everyone was crying and screaming. Extremely traumatizing! Disney needs to do better at crowd control. Police did arrive at the scene but they did nothing to check on all of us stuck inside the monorails. They need better protocol
disneyworld is getting out of hand, letting too many people in.def doesnt feel safe-the he crowds are too hard to contain. . we were in the after hours even earlier this year and had people jumping lines then 15 people would follow. then had people try to act they were talking on the phone and saying im coming hold on ill be up there soon. people hiding the wrist so they couldnt see that they didnt have a wrist band on. my dtr is there currently, waited on street for 2 hours holding a spot for her 6 and 2 year old to watch the fireworks and castle show. she stood up and people moved right to where she was standing at wouldnt move back. more of a security presence needs to e there. there make enough money to hire to cover their parks. with whats going on at our boarders, places like this are an easy target for families to be attacked
There was no gun in the park, so I’m wondering why the comment on thought being petrifying. If people would just just stop for a moment. So many people react so quickly without thinking. Why start to run? From a balloon!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣I’ve heard balloons pop in Disney before and have it no concern, why? Because it’s a BALLON!! The days of people walking away from disagreements is long gone. To much hate, selfishness, arrogance, pride, and lack of compassion.
People, start having some common sense, common decency and self control! STOP FIGHTING and STOP breaking WDW rules! This is suppose to be a happy place for people, leave all your anger and garbage away from the parks and let families enjoy their time. And please respect not only others in the park but also the cast members! If people don’t think they can do that …. then do NOT come to the park! PLEASE everyone let’s work together to make this happen!!
Disney security >>> airport security. I’d be utterly shocked if someone could actually get a gun in there.
So often these days at Disney, so many problems ae caused by guests that have been drinking. I don’t know if this fight was a result of that, but too many instances are. I wish they had never started serving alcohol in the parks. I can see a drink or two with meals, but just serving wine or beer is a problem.
Just a guess. Disney is NO LONGER THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. People are disgusted with price increases and inconvenient changes. My family and I have been going to Disney World over 30 times since 1984. FOUR GENERATIONS. I noticed that the changes that Disney has made since the Pandemic has caused some guests to have SHORTER FUSES. I have NEVER SEEN THIS BEHAVIOR BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. Disney, change is inevitable but Disney YOUR CHANGES WERE TOO DIFFERENT AND TOO QUICK.
Waiting to see the official report of what happened.
Randi they don’t “just serve wine and beer” in MK. You have to have a reservation at a TS to get either of those things in MK
But in general people are crazy now days because they think everything is about them. Absolutely a little grace from everyone would improve not just WDW but the world.
People need Jesus
So wonderful that a dad protected his family and others around him. The popping sounds they must have been disturbing and I understand and I appreciate his reaction.
In the final analysis, Disney does a wonderful and successful job evaluating each person entering the park via screening. We have been searched for having penny tokens left in a dipper bag. There is little chance that a serious weapon can enter the park. I remain confident that the Disney screening process, Orange County Police, and the K-9 surveillance teams have everything under control.
Has WDW released a statement about what happened and concerns about their response? I expect better of WDW. With SO MANY people inside, they have a HUGE responsibility for public safety. With mass shootings being a near weekly occurrence in the US, I think this incident shows that Disney needs to up their game around safety. Maybe this means fewer people in the parks? Maybe it means less alcohol? Maybe it means a stronger plain-clothes security presence? I hate to say that because I don’t want my ‘happiest place on earth’ to become a police state. But, I do also want it to be the ‘happiest (safest) place on earth.’ Hopefully there will be some improvements that come out of this incident.
What is wrong with people?! Disney has always been a safe & happy place. Looks like we all will need to be vigilant & start working together with DW staff!
They need to limit crowds, add more security for the safety of cast members and guest alike. I have to agree with Randi above. Alcohol seems to be fueling much of the aggressive and rude behavior.
I agree with having more security presence in the parks. I also think that a lot of the people I see look really young an act unauthoritative. I don’t want to go to Disney World and feel like I’m dealing with a bunch of kids right out of high school. I want to deal with a professional person because the trips are extremely expensive. And, I expect the respect I give to Disney with my thousands of dollars to be given back to me with their employees. I don’t want to walk into a jewelry store to buy a $3000 watch and feel the merchant is an idiotic kid with a no professionalism. A person can wear a costume uniform and still be professional. Furthermore , I hope that whoever the people were that caused this incident or completely banned from Disney World and there are charges brought against them.
It’s about Disney making money thus eliminating crowd control.
The overall morals and respect for each other has changed over the last 8 years in the entire country.
Have to agree with Will. A country looks to its leadership and unfortunately since 2016 all we hear are insults and self indulgence and that permeates to its citizens.
@Danielle,
The CMs are trained. They aren’t just hired and put on a job. They go through training to work there such as the Disney Internship Program or Disney College Program. It’s not like a regular job where they do a quick training and you are put in the job.