Over the years that we’ve been in the parks, we’ve seen some pretty strange and wild things!
We’ve seen animatronic malfunctions, ride pieces replaced by plants, and tons of other random incidents. However, even these things aren’t the MOST ridiculous occurrences in the parks — today we’re sharing the list of the most bizarre disasters in Disney World!
Lightning Striking Rise of the Resistance
Last fall, lightning struck Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in a freak accident. A guest caught the strike on video and it was big enough to rival a blast from Darth Sidious himself!
However, the lightning strike came with consequences — it caused Rise of the Resistance to close down for an entire day. It would have to be something BIG for Disney to shut down their most popular ride, so this was certainly pretty bizarre!
Skyliner Crash Shortly After Opening
Only a few days after the Disney Skyliner officially opened in 2019, two gondolas crashed into each other at the Riviera Resort’s station and caused a massive shutdown of the transportation system. Many guests were stuck suspended in the air for multiple hours!
The stuck gondolas had to be evacuated with the help of the fire department. During the incident, guests were asked to open up the emergency kits (so we got to see what was inside!) and afterward, they were given gift cards and Park Hopper tickets for their troubles. What a crazy night that probably was!
And just a few weeks ago…the Skyliner crashed again.Â
John Progress Lost a Hand
Speaking of things you don’t see every day, last year there was a MAJOR malfunction on Carousel of Progress. During the final scene of the show, the father character (affectionately known as John) seemed to have an accident in the kitchen, because his hand was missing!
We’ve seen glitches before, but this is like a whole new level of weirdness. Don’t worry, John got the care he needed because he was good as new the next time we saw him!
Disney Ducks Move Into Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain is one of those rides in Disney World that seems to go down more often than others. We’ve seen it closed for a variety of reasons (mostly weather-related), but in 2019 the attraction closed for a day thanks to some ducks!
A family of ducks decided to take up residence on the ride, causing it to be shut down and evacuated for the safety of the birds. The guests removed from the queue were given FastPasses to enjoy another ride and the ducks were safely removed!
Maleficent Caught On Fire During Festival of Fantasy
One of the most iconic floats in Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy parade is the giant fire-breathing dragon version of Maleficent. This thing is beastly, impressive, and apparently sometimes dangerous!
In 2018, instead of breathing fire like normal, the float CAUGHT fire during the parade one day!
It was quite the spectacle and it has been one of Disney World’s most memorable “disasters” to this day.
Merida’s Horse Spooked by a Balloon
One of the more recent incidents in the parks happened during the Royal Princess Processional a few days after the parks reopened. If you’ve seen the cavalcade, you know that Merida leads the way on her trusty steed Angus.
During this particular run, a child ran out into the path of the cavalcade. Even though the child was pulled to safety, a balloon that the child was carrying flew out in front of the horse and spooked it, causing it to buck around. Thankfully, Merida was able to jump down to safety quickly and Cast Members were able to calm the animal.
Fire at Disneyland Park
And if you thought Maleficent catching on fire was crazy, then just wait until you hear about the massive fire at Disneyland! The flames were flying up behind (ironically) the Fire Station on Main Street, U.S.A.
The fire affected a fairly sizable chunk of the park, even causing the power to go out in Adventureland. Cast Members were able to get the emergency lights on and no injuries or damages were reported. While this one didn’t happen at Disney World, we think it’s bizarre enough to make the list!
A Jungle Cruise Boat Sank
On Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise, your skipper often jokes about the crazy antics that you’ll get up to during your trip, but for one group of guests, this turned out to be pretty true. Last year, a boat sank…while passengers were in it!
As water filled the main seating area, guests were forced to climb up onto the benches and outside edges of the boat. The boat was removed from circulation, and the ride reopened later that day. What a story that would be to tell your friends!
There you go — a list of some of the most strange, weird, bizarre disasters from Walt Disney World! Stay tuned to DFB for more details on all the crazy happenings in the parks, we’ll make sure to keep you updated on all the news!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today!
Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 🙂
Have you ever witnessed something crazy in Disney World? Tell us in the comments!
TRENDING NOW

We're here with the TOP restaurants from Disney Springs! Find out where you'll find the...

We're ranking ALL of the Disney World hotels!

We're sharing ALL the closures that are happening in Disney World in 2023. Get the...

Can't decide where to eat in Magic Kingdom? We can help! Here are the BEST...

EPCOT is one of the best Disney World parks to grab a bite to eat....

There are so many great options for restaurants in Disney World, so how do you...

Warning! You need to know THIS about these Disney World hotels before you book a...

We've got a FIRST LOOK at the 'Princess and the Frog' makeover coming to Splash...

Could the Disney Dining Plan finally return to Disney World in 2023? We're breaking it...

One of the most popular rides in Disney's Hollywood Studios is closing for a lengthy...

NEW Happy Meal toys are coming to McDonald's!

How can you celebrate Disney's 100th Anniversary at Disney World? We've got the details!

We've dined at every Disney World character meal and now we've ranked them all for...

Sex, drugs, and...Disney? These words may not seem to fit together, but you'd be surprised...

Bob Chapek was almost replaced as Disney CEO by someone other than Bob Iger.

Where should you eat at Disney World in 2023? We're sharing our picks for the...

Want to know the very BEST snacks to get in Disney World in 2023? We've...

We're in Disney World every single day, and we've eaten at EVERY restaurant. That means...

Welcome to Florida! Here are the laws you NEED to know before visiting.

See the delicious Mickey-shaped snack that's finally back at Disney World!
Disney Parks you never know what can happen there is a a lot of people working and going to the parks all the time. Things are going to happen that is the way life goes . Disney always comes to the rescue big or small .Thing malfunction s it is all machines controlled by computers.
I was at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween one year. My group decided to go on Pirates of the Caribbean one last time before we left the park for the night. We got stuck in the middle of the ride, at the part where they’re singing “Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life For Me” and with the guy sleeping with the pigs. At one point, the music stopped but the animatronics kept moving! It was so creepy!!! Cast members had to wade in the water to pull the boat back to an emergency exit. My friends and i got a little bit of a bts look at Magic Kingdom at night! Since it was MY idea to go on Pirates, my friends still tease me about it to this day! Regardless, Pirates is still one of my favorite rides in all of Walt Disney World!
Shari, what an experience!