A sudden Walt Disney World power outage on August 29, 2025, brought large portions of the resort to a standstill, with more than 40 attractions across all four theme parks experiencing unexpected shutdowns. Guests were left in confusion as rides, shows, and even transportation systems came to a halt during one of the busiest times of the evening.
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When the Outage Began
The disruption started just after 5 p.m., when multiple rides across Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom simultaneously went offline. The park’s digital systems showed ride closures one after another, sparking speculation among visitors about the scale of the issue.
Unlike routine weather-related pauses, this outage affected both indoor and outdoor rides. That detail signaled to many that a broader electrical failure or surge was the likely cause.
Parks and Attractions Impacted
The outage was widespread, stretching across every park:
- Magic Kingdom: Rides such as Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Pirates of the Caribbean went down.
- EPCOT: Guests were unable to board popular attractions like Test Track and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
- Hollywood Studios: Crowd favorites including Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster were temporarily closed.
- Animal Kingdom: DINOSAUR and Kali River Rapids were among the rides impacted.
Adding to the frustration, the Monorail system was suspended during the outage, complicating transportation to and from the parks.
Guest Experience During the Outage
Visitors reported long waits, uncertainty, and limited communication as staff worked quickly to manage the situation. Many families sought shelter in shops and restaurants while waiting for attractions to reopen. Despite the disruption, cast members worked to keep guests calm and informed, offering assistance and ensuring safety across crowded areas.
Restoration Efforts
By around 6 p.m., most attractions had gradually returned to operation. Guests saw ride reopenings announced through the park’s mobile app, with transportation systems also resuming shortly afterward. While the issue was resolved within roughly an hour, the incident highlighted how a single disruption could ripple across the entire resort experience.
Why This Matters
Disney prides itself on efficiency, reliability, and world-class guest service. A Walt Disney World power outage of this scale is rare but serves as a reminder of the challenges large resorts face during unexpected infrastructure disruptions. The rapid restoration underscored Disney’s ability to respond quickly, but the brief chaos revealed the heavy reliance on uninterrupted electrical systems to keep the “Most Magical Place on Earth” running smoothly.
Looking Ahead
While normal operations have resumed, many guests will remember the moment when the lights went out and magic briefly paused. Incidents like this are uncommon, yet they prompt important questions about infrastructure resilience as the parks continue to welcome tens of thousands of visitors each day.
Key Takeaways (Quick SEO Snippets)
- A Walt Disney World power outage on August 29, 2025, shut down more than 40 attractions.
- All four theme parks—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom—were affected.
- The Monorail system was also suspended during the outage.
- Most operations were restored within about an hour.
- The event highlights the challenges of maintaining seamless operations in massive theme parks.