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2026-08-25 02:40 UTC → 2026-08-28 22:14 UTC ·
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A severe thunderstorm caused widespread operational disruptions Severe thunderstorms at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, on August 23. have caused widespread operational disruptions and exposed infrastructure vulnerabilities. The storm brought storms, characterized by intense lightning, heavy rainfall, and strong winds, leading led to the temporary closure of numerous outdoor attractions for safety. In Magic Kingdom, lightning strikes were reported near Tiana’s Bayou General, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, the central hub near Cinderella Castle, and the Seven Seas Lagoon. Affected rides included attractions, including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Train, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Other parks saw closures at Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest, EPCOT’s Test Track, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Railroad, Slinky Dog Dash. The weather also impacted transportation and indoor facilities, with guests reporting being stranded on the Disney Skyliner gondola system Dash, Expedition Everest, and a fire alarm triggering an evacuation at EPCOT. No injuries were reported. Recent reports confirm that the Test Track. In addition to ride closures, heavy rainfall also caused flooding at the Frontier Trading Post in Magic Kingdom, resulting Kingdom. Recent reports have highlighted specific issues at EPCOT, where footage from the ‘Living with the Land’ attraction showed rainwater pouring through the ceiling and into the indoor boat ride. This incident has raised concerns regarding the structural integrity of older pavilions at the park, some of which have been in its closure. operation since 1982. While Disney protocols require closures during lightning and thunder, visitors have noted that outdoor rides often continue to operate during rain. No injuries have been reported following these weather events.