Wild Bear Found in Magic Kingdom, Half of Park Shut Down

Wild animals sometimes show up on Walt Disney World property. Central Florida is home to some genuinely amazing yet dangerous creatures. Alligators have caused shocking and heartbreaking incidents at the theme park, and bears have been sighted around the grounds on multiple occasions. However, an extremely dangerous and imposing animal has never reportedly been found INSIDE a Magic Kingdom attraction until now.

Tom Sawyer Island

Almost half of Walt Disney World has been shut down this morning due to an issue surrounding Tom Sawyer Island. The classic attraction is nestled within the heart of Frontierland. This rustic, wooded oasis transports visitors to the fictional world of Mark Twain’s iconic characters, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

To reach the island, guests board a raft that ferries them across the waters of the Rivers of America. As they disembark, they enter a bygone era of American frontier life. The island itself is a sprawling playground of adventure and exploration, with various winding paths, secret caves, and bridges leading to hidden treasures. Who would have guessed this would also be the perfect hiding spot for a wild bear?

Bear at Magic Kingdom

According to multiple sources across various social media outlets, a bear was reportedly found inside Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park. This has closed down almost the entire left section of the theme park and over ten attractions surrounding Tom Sawyer Island. According to SirBrayden on Twitter, a cast member walking through Tom Sawyer Island discovered the bear this morning.

According our source, a BEAR was found this morning inside Magic Kingdom Park. Want to know how this discovery was made? A cast member walked the caves in Tom Sawyer’s Island and there it was. CAN YOU IMAGINE?

According our source, a BEAR was found this morning inside Magic Kingdom Park. Want to know how this discovery was made? A cast member walked the caves in Tom Sawyer's Island and there it was. CAN YOU IMAGINE? 😳 https://t.co/oD1IhqMyiX

— Brayden (@SirBrayden) September 18, 2023

Scott Gustin also reported on Twitter that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is aware of the report and is on the scene at Magic Kingdom.

NEW: In a statement, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it is aware of reports of a black bear spotted in a tree at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World. “Biologists with the FWC’s Bear Management Program, as well as FWC officers, are on scene.”

Statement continued: “In most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own, but given this situation, staff are working on capturing and relocating the bear.

NEW: In a statement, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it is aware of reports of a black bear spotted in a tree at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World.

"Biologists with the FWC’s Bear Management Program, as well as FWC officers, are on scene."

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 18, 2023

However, this isn’t the only source for the information. Park guests on Reddit have been wondering why the entire left section of Magic Kingdom has been shut down all morning. Visitors have shared reports of a wild bear in a tree near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Guests say the theme park is in absolute chaos as everyone has shifted away from Frontierland and Adventureland. The section has been closed since the park opened and remains closed at the time of this writing.

The entire left side of magic kingdom has been closed since opening.
byu/snowdude1026 inWaltDisneyWorld

The My Disney Experience app lists the following attractions as closed down:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Country Bear Jamboree
• The Hall of Presidents
• Haunted Mansion
• Jungle Cruise
• Liberty Square Riverboat
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Swiss Family Tree House
• Walt Disney World Railroad
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Hopefully, Disney can address the situation and remove the bear soon. While this is a shocking incident, it is not entirely unbelievable. Bears are great swimmers and climbers. It wouldn’t be impossible for the animal to enter the park at night when many aren’t around to see it. Trash cans in the park are also not bear-proof, providing an easy food source if the creature is desperate enough. Furthermore, black bears are the common species found in Central Florida. These are some of the smaller types of bears and have been known to get into places they shouldn’t be in easily.

@insidethemagic.com

Unconfirmed reports say Adventureland and Frontierland are closed because of a bear sighted in the area. (Some say in a tree, while others report in a cave on Tom Sawyer Island…nothing confirmed.) – Follow Inside The Magic for your Disney news and entertainment! – #insidethemagic #itm #disneyworld #disneyrides #disneyparks #disneynews

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Disney Fanatic will keep you up to date on the situation. Disney has yet to officially confirm the bear’s presence but will likely relocate the animal to an appropriate area with the help of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Luckily, it doesn’t seem anyone or the bear has been injured in this crazy situation as of now, but Disney is definitely being careful with this one.