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Is Disney World Losing Its Magic? Ride Breakdowns and Resort Problems Signaling Bigger Issues

2025, 2026 Deemed 'Worst Times to Visit'

A recent social media post has sparked a wave of reactions among Disney World fans, as a guest shared their less-than-magical experience during a two-week trip to the parks last month.

Donald Trump laughs in front of a picture of Mickey Mouse in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.
Credit: Disney Fanatic

A Frustrating Trip to Disney World in 2025: Is the Magic Fading?

User u/Puffin_ErEh described a series of ride breakdowns, hotel issues, and minor annoyances that left them feeling that Disney World might not be running at its best. Could this be a warning for future guests, or is this just a one-off trip gone wrong?

Disney World Feels Off—Are These the ‘Skip Years’ Everyone Warned About?
byu/Puffin_ErEh inWaltDisneyWorld

The user’s account begins with a detailed recount of major ride breakdowns. The post notes that several of Disney World’s headliner attractions, including Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Rise of the Resistance (RoTR), Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Cosmic Rewind, and Tron: Lightcycle Run experienced lengthy downtime during the trip. In particular, Smugglers Run was down for two-thirds of the day, RoTR was essentially out of service for an entire day, and Cosmic Rewind and Tron both experienced outages for half a day.

These interruptions led to constant reshuffling of Lightning Lane (LL) reservations, dashing between parks, and a frantic rush to ride attractions as soon as they came back online, only for them to break down again.

Mickey Mouse at the Town Square Theater in the Magic Kingdom
Credit: Disney

While technical glitches and maintenance issues are not uncommon at theme parks, the sheer number of ride stoppages during a single trip raised questions about the reliability of some of Disney’s newer attractions. As u/Puffin_ErEh said, “Maybe I hit a bad week, but it was almost comical how unreliable the big rides were.”

Constant Ride Stoppages Impacting the Experience

The issues didn’t stop with just ride breakdowns. The guest described being on continuously moving attractions, like Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid, Spaceship Earth, and Nemo, only for them to stop multiple times during the ride. These pauses ranged from 30 seconds to five minutes, with the user feeling that the frequent interruptions broke the immersion for themselves and their children.

“It really ruined the immersion for the kids as well,” the user commented, pointing out that frequent stops for mobility assistance might be necessary but could also affect the ride’s overall experience. For many Disney World guests, uninterrupted flow is a key part of the magic, and these constant interruptions may be dampening the overall experience.

The Magic Kingdom Cinderella Castle at Disney World on a bright, sunny day.
Credit: Scott Smith, Flickr

Hotel Issues and Resort Concerns

The frustrations didn’t end in the parks. The user also had complaints about their stay at Bay Lake Tower, a flagship Disney hotel. According to the post, the sky bridge was down for renovations, half of the elevators were non-functional, and the escalators in the main building were “iffy.” To make matters worse, the Wi-Fi in their room was unreliable, running at speeds of just 10mbps.

“$450+ a night and getting this? Quite a letdown,” the guest commented. For a luxury hotel at Disney World prices, guests expect seamless service, but this experience seemed far from what many would expect from a premium resort. These issues, combined with unreliable internet, left the user unable to work or enjoy their usual entertainment options in the room, further adding to the frustration.

u/Puffin_ErEh’s post quickly garnered attention, with many other Disney World guests sharing similar concerns. From ride breakdowns to hotel maintenance problems, a growing number of reports from guests indicate that Disney World may be facing a “bumpy ride” in 2025. As some users on Reddit noted, “The magic isn’t quite there,” and “It feels like Disney is ‘under construction’ both literally and figuratively.”

A grand castle with blue and gold accents is set against a bright blue sky. Disney fireworks burst in the background, and several colorful characters stand in front, including fairytale figures and performers, creating a festive atmosphere.
Credit: Disney

Reports from other guests on Reddit and social media echo similar experiences: unreliable attractions, park cleanliness issues, and maintenance delays. Disney World’s reputation for providing a seamless, magical experience may be starting to wear thin for some visitors, leading to concerns about whether the parks can still live up to their promises.

What Does This Mean for Future Visitors?

As the post from u/Puffin_ErEh suggests, there might be reason for some guests to reconsider their 2025 or 2026 Disney World trips. If this trend of ride breakdowns, maintenance problems, and underwhelming hotel stays continues, it could impact guests’ expectations and willingness to pay a premium for the experience.

For those planning their trips, it may be worth looking into recent guest reports, checking ride and hotel status updates, and setting expectations accordingly. While Disney World remains a popular destination, ensuring a magical experience might require some extra planning and flexibility in the near future.

The Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom with a closed sign.
Credit: Inside The Magic

Conclusion: Is Disney World Still the Happiest Place on Earth?

While some guests continue to report positive experiences, the mounting concerns shared by users like u/Puffin_ErEh highlight that Disney World may not be running at 100% in 2025. From ride breakdowns to resort issues, it seems that Disney’s signature magic might be a bit harder to find these days.

For those planning to visit, it’s important to keep expectations in check and be prepared for the possibility of ride downtime, hotel maintenance issues, and other inconveniences. With Disney World constantly evolving, there’s hope that these issues will be addressed, but for now, it’s clear that a little patience will be needed for anyone visiting the parks in the near future.

Are you planning a Disney World trip soon? Have you experienced similar issues? Let us know in the comments below!

Emmanuel Detres

Since first stepping inside the Magic Kingdom at nine years old, I knew I was destined to be a theme Park enthusiast. Although I consider myself a theme Park junkie, I still have much to learn and discover about Disney. Universal Orlando Resort has my heart; being an Annual Passholder means visiting my favorite places on Earth when possible! When I’m not writing about Disney, Universal, or entertainment news, you’ll find me cruising on my motorcycle, hiking throughout my local metro parks, or spending quality time with my girlfriend, family, or friends.

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