UPDATE: As of the next day, December 15th, Magic Kingdom is back to normal. The small fire was quickly and safely extinguished, and now the Cinderella Castle and surrounding area are open again for guests to visit. Cinderella’s Royal Table (which was evacuated during the emergency) is also open again now.
Things don’t always go according to plans in Disney World!
Cinderella Castle
Whether it’s an unexpected ride evacuation, technical issues with the My Disney Experience app, or even a parade float catching on fire, you never quite know what can happen when you’re visiting. And, today there were reports that a popular spot in Magic Kingdom caught fire.
According to DFB reader, @Rosieredsara83 on Instagram, Cinderella’s Royal Table was evacuated and emergency response vehicles were sent to Cinderella Castle this evening after a Cast Member reported a fire. The area surrounding the castle is also being evacuated with another reader, @ptolley sharing a video from Main Street, U.S.A. on Twitter.
‼️ There is an active fire alarm at Magic Kingdom. Fire Trucks and Ambulances driving down Main Street.
Video Credit to: @ptolley__ pic.twitter.com/UaQAMrRdEl
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 15, 2021
More Disney World guests have since shared photos of the evacuation taking place including this one taken from near Cinderella Castle by Stacey on Twitter (@StaySeeGo).
Two ambulances and a firetruck at Magic Kingdom, parked and disembarked at the left side of the Hub. No word on what's happening of course, I left to area to try and give them space and be respectful. pic.twitter.com/jOnNEkWM0l
— Stacey (@StaySeeGo) December 14, 2021
@thepirateadventuerer also posted a video on TikTok explaining that there is visible smoke coming from the bridge under Cinderella Castle and multiple emergency vehicles are on-site as Cast Members clear the area.
@thepirateadventuerer Disneyworld Castle Smoke and maybe Fire? #Disneyworld #Firetruck #Scary #Intense #Panic #WTF #Castle
Here’s a look at the evacuation from the back of the castle where you can see the smoke as well.
🚨Cinderella Castle EVAC video.
Credit to @ rosieredsara83 on IG pic.twitter.com/2X8iYXUsBr
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 15, 2021
Now, about 30 minutes after reports first came in, Cast Members have moved guests away from the castle, and a large portion of Main Street, U.S.A. is currently blocked off as fire trucks remained on scene.
Image from DFB reader @ptolley_ on Twitter
Most of the emergency vehicles appear to be near the bridge connecting Main Street, U.S.A. and Liberty Square in the park.
Emergency vehicles in Magic Kingdom
Guests have not completely been evacuated from the park, however. Instead, many have congregated in the hub area or down Main Street as they wait for further instruction. According to a reader inside the park, they have blockades of Cast Members everywhere preventing people from getting close.
Crowds in the hub area in Magic Kingdom
Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours is scheduled to take place this evening, however, guests are currently being held at the main entrance as shared by DFB reader @Rosieredsara83.
Guests arriving for Very Merriest After Hours are being held at the entrance
Photo Credit to @ rosieredsara83 on IG pic.twitter.com/C6wxknkCnM
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 15, 2021
Disney has since issued a statement on the reports of a fire, according to theme park reporter Scott Gustin on Twitter (@ScottGustin), stating that “There was a small fire in Magic Kingdom. The fire was quickly extinguished by fire extinguishers. No one was hurt.” Gustin also shared, “Update: The small fire happened in a mulched area near the castle moat. A single fire extinguisher put out the fire.”
UPDATE: According to The Orlando Sentinel, the president of the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association (Jon Shirey) said that the call initially came in as an “electrical fire on a junction box outside the castle.” When they arrived, the firefighters “saw a tree on fire next to the structure.” Reportedly firefighters told Shirey that a “firework appeared to have caught the tree on fire.” The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Fire Marshal.
Evening in the Magic Kingdom
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Shirey indicated that “fire personnel treated a security guard who inhaled dry chemicals from a fire extinguisher.” The Sentinel also shares that an unidentified Disney spokesperson said a Cast Member was “transported from the park for non-emergency treatment. No other injuries were reported.”
A DFB reader reached out and let us know that they were issued a full refund for their meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table last night and were told they could possibly get a new reservation, due to the situation that transpired with the fire.
Cinderlla’s Royal Table
This is a developing situation and we’ll be bringing you all the latest updates, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
I was there. It was Monday night about 7:30 smoke started little at first and grew much more quickly coming for the top of the Castle above Be our Guest.
All togeather 3 trucks and 2 aid crews responded code down main street. The fire was near the Fireworks and it was feared that it would spread before it could be put out, so out of caution a “Code run” lights and sirens down main street livened up the end of the night before the start of the after hours party.
The fire was put out by cast members using hand held fire extingusers. But it was a sight to see for sure.