Black Bear on the loose at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom spurs temporary closures — Here’s what happened

A reported sighting of a black bear in a tree at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on Monday morning led to the temporary closure of several attractions and lands within the theme park. This unusual event created a stir at the "Happiest Place on Earth." Here's the story.

Black Bear Encounter at Disney World

Sightings of a black bear within the enchanting realm of Disney World in Florida led to unexpected closures on Monday. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed the presence of a black bear reported to be in a tree at Disney's Magic Kingdom in Orlando.


The FWC, in coordination with Disney staff, is taking action to address this uncommon situation. While in most cases it is best to allow bears to move along on their own, the circumstances prompted staff to work on capturing and relocating the bear. The FWC suggested that the bear was likely in search of food as part of its preparations for the upcoming winter hibernation season.

Coordinated Response to the Bear Sighting

Biologists from the FWC's Bear Management Program and law enforcement officers were deployed to Disney's Magic Kingdom to handle the situation. The FWC emphasized the importance of giving bears space and allowing them to proceed independently.

However, due to the unique circumstances, efforts are being made to capture and relocate the bear safely.

Temporary Closures at Magic Kingdom

Details about how the bear entered Disney's property, its specific location within the Magic Kingdom, and the bear's condition remain undisclosed.

Nonetheless, the closures primarily affected areas on the west side of the park, including Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square.

Initially, several attractions and rides within these areas were temporarily closed. This development occurred shortly after the theme park's opening hours, which is relatively unusual. While it's not uncommon for individual attractions or rides to close temporarily for various reasons, such widespread closures are rare.

Reopening and Impact on Guests

Walt Disney World issued a statement confirming their collaboration with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and announced the reopening of Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park.

The closure of multiple attractions caused long wait times, as indicated on the "My Disney Experience" app. While some rides had initially been closed, it was reported that they began to reopen shortly before 1 p.m., as they were no longer listed as temporarily closed.

Here is a list of the rides that were temporarily closed shortly after 11 a.m.:

Under The Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid
Walt Disney World Railroad - Fantasyland
Walt Disney World Railroad - Frontierland
Walt Disney World Railroad - Main Street, U.S.A.
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The Hall of Presidents
Haunted Mansion
Jungle Cruise
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Pirates of the Caribbean
Swiss Family Treehouse
Country Bear Jamboree
Liberty Square Riverboat
Tom Sawyer Island

Nature's Intrusion at Disney

This isn't the first time an uninvited creature has made its way into the Magic Kingdom. In July, a squirrel found its way onto the park's classic Carousel of Progress attraction. However, the presence of a black bear adds a unique twist to the park's history of unexpected guests.

In addition to this intriguing wildlife encounter, Disney's Magic Kingdom recently unveiled a new roller coaster inspired by the Tron film series, providing visitors with yet another thrilling adventure within this magical world.

FAQs

Why is Magic Kingdom famous?
Among the Disney World parks, the Magic Kingdom holds a special place as the first one constructed. It's renowned for its iconic Cinderella Castle and features some of the most famous rides, including Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Dumbo.

Is Magic Kingdom the same as Disney World?
Disney World has a diverse array of attractions, including the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom theme parks. It also features the water parks Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, as well as Downtown Disney (home to DisneyQuest) and ESPN Wide World of Sports. Moreover, Disney World includes all the Disney resorts, making it a comprehensive destination for visitors.