Even Disney's gentlest rides can experience unexpectedtrouble, as proven by a recent incident at one park.
Boat attractions have been part of Disney's theme parks for decades, offering guests a relatively relaxed alternative to roller coasters and other thrill rides. However, several have made headlines in recent years after unexpected incidents disrupted their journeys.
In February 2020, a Jungle Cruise boat began taking on water at Magic Kingdom. Guests were forced to abandon the vessel after water flooded its interior, with emergency responders attending the scene. Nobody was injured, and the attraction reopened later that day.
Three years later, Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean experienced a similar problem when a boat began filling with water. Passengers reportedly remained stranded for around an hour before firefighters helped them disembark using a temporary walkway.
Other incidents have involved fire alarms and emergency evacuations. In July 2026, a portable charger caught fire aboard Magic Kingdom's “it's a small world,” prompting the evacuation of guests and a temporary closure.
The latest disruption, however, unfolded very differently, with passengers reporting a sudden noise before smoke began surrounding their Disney boat.
Disney Guests Evacuated as Smoke Surrounds Boat
The incident occurred shortly after noon on Sunday (October 25) at Shanghai Disneyland, where guests were riding Voyage to the Crystal Grotto.
According to Chinese news outlets, the boat had only recently left the attraction's loading dock when passengers heard an unusually loud noise.
At first, some reportedly assumed the sound was part of the attraction. However, smoke soon began emerging from the vessel, growing increasingly thick as the journey continued.
Passengers also reported a strong, unpleasant smell.
Footage circulating on Chinese social media showed the boat surrounded by white smoke, with several adults and children visible onboard. The videos attracted widespread attention, particularly as some viewers suspected that the attraction had caught fire.
Disney Cast Members quickly brought the boat back to shore and helped guests disembark safely. Meanwhile, employees began clearing the attraction's queue, evacuating visitors who were still waiting to board.
Voyage to the Crystal Grotto was subsequently closed while the park investigated the incident.
The Fantasyland attraction has operated since Shanghai Disneyland opened in June 2016. Unlike traditional Disney boat rides such as Jungle Cruise or Pirates of the Caribbean, it takes guests through a collection of outdoor scenes inspired by the company's animated films.
These include sculptures and fountains representing The Little Mermaid (1989), Aladdin (1992), Mulan (1998), Beauty and the Beast (1991), and Tangled (2010).
The journey concludes beneath Enchanted Storybook Castle, where boats enter an underground chamber filled with illuminated crystals. Voyage to the Crystal Grotto was the first Disney attraction to take guests inside one of its theme park castles.
According to Disney's official website, the attraction is classified as a slow ride with no height restrictions, making it suitable for guests of all ages.
Sunday's incident brought that normally leisurely experience to an abrupt halt.
Disney Reveals Cause of Smoke Incident
Despite the alarming footage, Shanghai Disneyland subsequently confirmed that no fire had broken out.
A park representative told Chinese newspaper The Beijing News that the attraction's fire protection system had been accidentally activated, triggering the evacuation.
The park also confirmed that no injuries had been reported and apologized to guests for the inconvenience.
Voyage to the Crystal Grotto resumed operations later that afternoon. According to local reporting, the attraction was running again by approximately 4:20 p.m., just a few hours after the evacuation.
Guests affected by the closure reportedly received complimentary Disney Premier Access passes, allowing expedited entry to another attraction. The system serves a similar purpose to Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.
Disney has not publicly detailed what caused the fire protection system to activate unexpectedly.
The incident also marks another unusual chapter in Voyage to the Crystal Grotto's history. In June 2025, footage surfaced of a Rapunzel-themed boat submerged in the attraction's waterway.
That boat was part of the attraction's decorative scenery rather than a passenger vessel, meaning no guests were onboard.
Sunday's incident, meanwhile, involved an operational boat carrying visitors. Although the footage initially raised fears of a fire, Disney has confirmed that the evacuation was prompted by the unexpected activation of the ride's safety system.
Have you ever experienced an unexpected evacuation at a Disney theme park?
