On Thursday morning, emergency personnel responded to yet another serious incident at Walt Disney World Resort, this time near Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Guests described a heavy emergency presence as police and medical teams arrived on the scene, with rumors spiraling about a possible third death at a Central Florida Disney Resort hotel this month.
Emergency Response at Bay Lake Tower
According to reports, law enforcement and emergency responders arrived at Disney’s Contemporary Resort near Bay Lake Tower early Thursday, October 23. Witnesses described police taping off large areas outside the Magic Kingdom-area hotel as responders worked behind temporary barriers.
WDWNT reported that several entrances to Bay Lake Tower were closed to guests while dozens of emergency vehicles, including police cruisers, an ambulance, and a fire truck, were stationed nearby. The sight of flashing lights and activity around one of Disney’s most recognizable resorts quickly drew attention from nearby visitors.
One TikTok user, @aiotfamily, shared a video showing the restricted area below their room at the Contemporary. The clip revealed yellow police tape, emergency crews, and large props such as towel carts and scaffolding used to obstruct the view. The guest described being told that the situation was a “medical emergency.”
@aiotfamily We woke up to a VERY large law enforcement outside our balcony this morning at Disney’s Bay Lake Tower. We were told it was a “medical emergency”. Prayers to the family & those involved! 🙏 #disneyworld #baylaketower
Guests Told to Stay Away From Windows
Multiple visitors reported being asked not to look outside their rooms as officials and Disney cast members worked to maintain privacy around the response area. Social media posts from guests at Bay Lake Tower described cast members standing guard near certain windows and entry points to keep guests from seeing the scene below.
One of those guests, Cindy Harriman Alford, shared her experience on Facebook, posting a photo of what she said were “dozens of emergency vehicles parked outside Disney’s Contemporary Resort.”
“Well, I’m staying here at Bay Lake Towers in Disney World. And there are over 40 security cars, an ambulance, a firetruck out front. All entrances have been blocked to Bay Lake. Something happened in the back of the building with crime scene tape surrounding the water fountain. I don’t know if somebody jumped or accidentally fell to their death, but something happened. And they have an employee at every single window to shield you from looking out the back so you can’t view. Not to mention about 30 executives and employee employees standing around. Someone jumped from the contemporary last week. This is craziness.”
Authorities Remain Silent
Neither Walt Disney World Resort nor local law enforcement has issued public statements about Thursday’s emergency. However, by approximately 1:00 p.m. EST, emergency vehicles had reportedly cleared the area.
The cause of the incident has not been confirmed. It follows two other tragic events at Walt Disney World Resort hotels in recent weeks: the death of a 31-year-old woman, believed to have intentionally fallen at the same resort, and the death of a male guest from natural causes at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds.
Has a police response impacted your Walt Disney World Resort vacation? Share your story with Disney Fanatic in the comments.
