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At least half of Magic Kingdom Disney Park had to close down after an unfortunate incident occurred this morning. This has now been updated, thanks to guest safety being the top priority.
Credit: Disney
Half of Magic Kingdom Disney Park Closes Down Due To Unfortunate Incident
A sewage spill of unknown origin forced the closure of significant portions of Liberty Square and Frontierland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on the morning of August 3. This disrupted the plans of many guests and resulted in the cancellation of at least one scheduled entertainment offering. The spill was first reported early in the morning, prompting Disney’s maintenance and custodial teams to respond immediately.
Cleanup efforts are underway in Magic Kingdom after what Cast Members have described as a “problem” in the area. pic.twitter.com/k1xuf5kjGq
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 3, 2024
Cleanup efforts are underway in Magic Kingdom after what Cast Members have described as a “problem” in the area.
At 11:21 a.m., Liberty Square and Frontierland remained closed to guests, with several key attractions in the affected areas out of operation. The Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, a popular mini-parade, was among the casualties of the incident, with its 10:30 a.m. performance canceled. Cast Members confirmed that the 11:45 a.m. performance would also be canceled as crews continued to work on containing and cleaning up the spill.
Cast Members are working to clean up behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/Lcj55EmfoU
— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) August 3, 2024
Cast Members are working to clean up behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom.
Despite the disruptions, Disney officials expressed optimism that the situation could be resolved before the 3:00 p.m. Festival of Fantasy Parade, one of the park’s most beloved events. However, they could not provide an exact timeline for when Liberty Square and Frontierland might reopen.
In the meantime, guests were encouraged to use the My Disney Experience app to stay informed about the status of attractions and entertainment schedules.
Credit: Disney
The sewage spill and subsequent closure of Liberty Square and Frontierland directly impacted several significant attractions. The Country Bear Musical Jamboree, Hall of Presidents, and Liberty Square Riverboat were listed as temporarily closed attractions.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, a popular dining location, remained open despite the proximity of the spill, providing guests with a place to eat while waiting for the affected areas to reopen. Guests could still access certain attractions within Frontierland, including the Frontierland station for the Walt Disney World Railroad, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Looks like the poop river in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom has overflowed too high. And now ITS CLOSED RIDES ???????????? https://t.co/PajXA392wj
— RideRover (@riderover_) August 3, 2024
Looks like the poop river in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom has overflowed too high. And now ITS CLOSED RIDES
However, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was also temporarily closed for unrelated reasons earlier in the day, further complicating the situation. Disney temporarily closed Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square to facilitate the cleanup. The closure allowed Disney’s maintenance crews to open a backstage access gate, enabling pump trucks to enter the area and address the sewage issue.
The quick response from Disney’s team highlighted the company’s commitment to guest safety and minimizing disruption in the park. This is not the first time Magic Kingdom has faced a sewage-related issue. On September 3, 2023, almost eleven months to the day, a ruptured sewage line forced the closure of most of Frontierland, including the Country Bear Jamboree.
Credit: Disney
While the previous incident was resolved relatively quickly, it affected a smaller portion of the park than the current spill. The recurrence of such an event within a year has raised questions among some guests about the integrity of the park’s infrastructure. In response to the 2023 incident, Disney implemented several preventative measures designed to mitigate the risk of future sewage spills.
These included regular inspections of the park’s sewage systems, enhanced training for maintenance teams, and additional safeguards in particularly vulnerable areas. Despite these efforts, the cause of the August 3 spill remains under investigation. Walt Disney World Resort has a well-established protocol for handling incidents that may impact guest safety and experience, including sewage spills.
The sad part is this isn’t the first time this exact thing has happened. Recently happened in the same spot. Had to close the lands off and bring in pumper trucks to drain the lines. Shitty way to start the weekend at the Magic Kingdom! ???? https://t.co/muEgLljAwN
— ResortEars (@ResortEars) August 3, 2024
The sad part is this isn’t the first time this exact thing has happened. Recently happened in the same spot. Had to close the lands off and bring in pumper trucks to drain the lines. Shitty way to start the weekend at the Magic Kingdom!
The incident reminds us of the challenges faced by large theme parks in maintaining complex infrastructure while providing a seamless experience for millions of visitors each year. While Disney’s rapid response and efforts to manage the spill have been commendable, the recurrence of a similar issue within a year highlights the importance of continued vigilance and investment in the park’s systems.
Guests planning to visit Magic Kingdom on August 3 are advised to continue checking the My Disney Experience app for updates and to be prepared for possible further disruptions.
Please be advised that. as of 5:45 p.m., things might have changed at the Magic Kingdom. The situation might have already been remedied, and the previously closed areas have reopened to guests this evening. Thank you.
