A vehicle fire that startled Walt Disney World Resort guests in an EPCOT parking lot on Monday morning has been explained by the couple whose car burned.
Fire Reported Before 9:00 a.m.
The first indication that something was wrong at EPCOT came at 8:49 a.m. on Monday, May 18, when scanner monitoring account @WDWActiveCrime logged a fire response on X (formerly known as Twitter):
🔥 Fire Alert – 05/18/26 08:49 am
🔥: Fire at 📍: Disney’s EPCOT
#WaltDisneyWorld #Disney
🔥 Fire Alert – 05/18/26 08:49 am
🔥: Fire at 📍: Disney's EPCOT#WaltDisneyWorld #Disney pic.twitter.com/7bd5rCZnLP— Walt Disney World: Active Calls (@WDWActiveCrime) May 18, 2026
The initial report offered only the park’s general address, leaving the exact location of the blaze unclear. That picture filled in quickly as guests on the ground began sharing what they were seeing. X user @DrewTheDude123 posted shortly after:
A car exploded in the Epcot parking lot. Praying all are ok
A car exploded in the Epcot parking lot. Praying all are ok
— Drew TheThemeParkDude (@DrewTheDude123) May 18, 2026
Video footage posted to TikTok by @arianed_01 eventually surfaced, showing the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Fire Department actively hosing down a burning vehicle in the Moana parking lot at EPCOT.
@arianed_01 Car on fire at Epcot 5/18/2026
Disney cast members are visible in the clip, keeping other guests away from the area while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.
The Car’s Owner Speaks Out
In the comments of the TikTok video, a woman named Jaqueline Hill identified herself and her boyfriend as the owners of the 2020 Toyota RAV4 that burned in the Moana parking lot. She also shared a photo of the vehicle’s condition after the fire was put out — including a shattered windshield — and explained what caused the blaze:
“It was an airbag malfunction we literally checked into Epcot in about six minutes later we got a phone call when we came out we thought someone hit our car, but it turns out an airbag malfunctioned and deployed, causing it to go on fire. No one was hurt. We’re just a little turned upside down it was supposed to be a magical day as it was only my third time ever in the park. So yeah not so great but Disney was utterly amazing and helping us they made sure we were OK. They made sure everything was straight, but it has 100% confirmed the airbag malfunction.”
No Injuries, No Operational Impact
Despite the dramatic visuals, no one was hurt in the incident. EPCOT’s attractions and experiences continued operating normally throughout the morning, and Walt Disney World Resort did not issue a public statement about the fire.
Has a law enforcement response ever impacted your Disney Parks vacation? Disney Fanatic would love to hear from you in the comments!
