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Credit: Inside The MagicIf you’re someone who keeps up to date with all the news that comes out of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, or if you’re an avid parkgoer who’s almost always on site, then you’ll have known about the supposed “shooting” incident that took place there last summer.
The Incident at Walt Disney World in 2024
In August 2024, chaos erupted in Magic Kingdom after an incident involving a popping balloon and an altercation at the monorail, forcing the park to initiate lockdown procedures.
The incident led to a massive scare among Disney Park guests as they scrambled to evacuate. Naturally, hundreds of people were scared, confused, and understandably upset as their magical night came to an abrupt ending.
Following the incident, NBC News shared the below report which revealed there was no active shooter on the property, along with a statement from Orlando law enforcement.
The report read:
A fight and a “popping” sound led to a stampede at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on Thursday after park guests believed the noise was caused by an active shooter, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
In a post on X, the sheriff’s department confirmed that there was no active shooter present at the Orlando theme park.
“A fight occurred, and a ‘popping’ sound was heard that we believe was a balloon,” it said. “Guests began running, and that’s how the active shooter rumor started.”
Although it turned out there was no shooter, that doesn’t mean Disney isn’t prepared with how to handle emergency situations like this. Given today’s social culture, gun violence awareness remains a topical subject.
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Disney has extensive security measures in place to keep guests safe at all times, which include metal detectors, additional security officers, and protocols.
The Walt Disney World Resort even has a statement on its website for any concerned parties still hesitant about making their next Disney trip:
“Walt Disney World Resort takes a comprehensive approach to security across our property that includes some measures that are visible and others that are not. This includes the presence of uniformed police officers, specially trained hazard detection canines, security screening technology, bag checks and other measures.”
It adds, “Please note that we do not broadly discuss the specifics of our security procedures to avoid compromising their effectiveness.”
Disney’s commitment to security and safety is reassuring. In the highly unlikely event of a violent emergency, the resort has the “A, B, C Plans” laid out should the need arise.
That said, it’s still important for guests to know what to do in emergency situations like this. Disney has an admirable dedication to guest satisfaction and safety, but there are some steps guests can take to stay safe without giving into mass hysteria.
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What Disney Guests Can Do
Although there was no actual shooter on the property, last summer’s report demonstrated the dangers of mob mentality. Hundreds of guests rushed to the exit, trampling one other on their way, which only added fuel to the fire.
This is how how people get hurt, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Should guests find themselves in a hazardous situation like the one that happened last August, they can still take action to exit the park safely.
The first step is to remain calm. Disney has protocols in place in the event of an emergency, and they have trained professionals. They plan for any sort of disaster; let them handle it.
Second, Disney Parks guests should proceed to the exits as directed. While a full park evacuation or accelerated closure is a rarity, they have happened in the past. As such, guests should still use common sense.
Rushing towards the exit helps no one, and it could end with someone getting seriously hurt.
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Above all, the most important thing any guest can do in the event of an emergency is listen to the cast members. Disney has a team of trained staff who know exactly what to do should a dangerous situation arise, and it’s their job to ensure guest safety.
The phrase “keep calm and carry on” might have become an internet meme some time ago, but it could come in handy one day.
Were you at the parks when the false shooting occurred? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!