If you’ve ever visited Disney World, you know that ride closures happen.
But yesterday, October 2, 2024, took things to a whole new level. With 22 attractions going offline across the parks, many guests found themselves scrambling for backup plans. While some might chalk it up to an unlucky day, it certainly felt like the magic was a bit harder to find!
Magic Kingdom Takes a Hit
Magic Kingdom is the heart of Disney World, and when its rides go down, it’s felt across the entire park. Early in the day, The Barnstormer closed temporarily, signaling the start of a pattern that continued for much of the day.
As the afternoon progressed, more attractions like Enchanted Tales with Belle and Mad Tea Party joined the list of rides needing a break. These closures happened just when guests were looking to hop on some of their favorite family-friendly rides.
But it didn’t stop there. Even Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, one of the most popular rides in Fantasyland, faced downtime. Add to that Prince Charming Regal Carrousel and Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, and you had some disappointed families. By the time Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Astro Orbiter went offline, guests were really starting to feel the struggle.
In a particularly rough stretch around 5:00 p.m., a series of closures left fans scrambling. Pirates of the Caribbean, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and TRON Lightcycle / Run—one of the most anticipated rides in Magic Kingdom—were all temporarily closed. It was enough to make anyone’s Mickey ears droop just a bit!
EPCOT Faces Downtime, Too
Over at EPCOT, the situation wasn’t much better. Several attractions, including Frozen Ever After, saw multiple closures throughout the day. Guests hoping to enjoy the Norwegian adventure were left disappointed, and the issues didn’t stop there. Both Living with the Land and The Seas with Nemo and Friends went offline temporarily, causing ripple effects across the park.
Even Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure faced downtime, which had a big impact as guests shifted their attention to rides like Soarin’ Around the World and Spaceship Earth—which resulted in longer lines at these rides.
Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Aren’t Spared
Animal Kingdom, which typically offers a more laid-back experience, also faced struggles. TriceraTop Spin went down temporarily in the afternoon, and DINOSAUR had issues as well. For those who were hoping to enjoy some classic Animal Kingdom thrills, it was a bit of a letdown.
Finally, even Disney’s Hollywood Studios had its fair share of struggles. The ever-popular Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash both closed temporarily, leaving Star Wars and Toy Story fans disappointed.
Managing the Unexpected
While Disney World is known for its smooth operations, even the most magical place on Earth can have an off day. While 22 rides going down is certainly unusual, it’s important to remember that these closures were temporary. By the end of the day, most attractions were back online, and guests were able to enjoy their favorite rides.
If you’re planning a trip, the best advice is to keep an eye on the My Disney Experience app, which will show you real-time updates for ride statuses. And remember, even on the toughest days, there’s always something magical around the corner at Disney World!
