Disney Guests Awoken to Late Night Explosions at Walt Disney World

in Featured, Walt Disney World

A group of six young adults posing for a selfie at night in front of a large, illuminated geodesic sphere at Epcot during Disney After Hours 2025. The group is smiling and making playful gestures, with one person wearing Minnie Mouse ears. The background is dark with the sphere brightly glowing.

Credit: Disney

Guests near EPCOT were surprised early this morning when fireworks lit up the sky at an unexpected hour—12:55 a.m., to be exact. The late-night display, which woke some nearby residents and hotel guests, has sparked speculation about the reason behind the unusual timing.

One guest, sharing their experience online, wrote, “We were woke up last night at 12:55 a.m. to a bunch of fireworks going off at EPCOT. Anyone know what they were doing or why? My guess was they might have been testing a new show, but I have no idea.”

Related: Disney Park Announces New Year’s Eve Closure, 4-Day Shut Down Approved

EPCOT New Years Fireworks
Credit: Disney

Speculation Surrounding the Fireworks

The timing of the display suggests it may have been part of a show rehearsal or technical testing for EPCOT’s upcoming New Year’s Eve fireworks show. Testing for Disney’s fireworks shows often takes place in the early hours to minimize disruptions for park guests and operations during regular hours.

Late-night pyrotechnic tests are not uncommon as Disney Imagineers and technicians fine-tune elements like timing, choreography, and synchronization with music. However, these tests can sometimes catch unsuspecting nearby residents and guests off guard.

Epcot fireworks at 12:55 am?
byu/dmcgrew inWaltDisneyWorld

Disney Remains Silent on the Incident

As of now, Disney has not provided any official explanation for the late-night fireworks. Testing for new shows often requires extensive planning and may include several unannounced runs in the early hours leading up to a show’s debut.

If the fireworks were indeed a test for New Year’s Eve, the unexpected display hints at the intricate preparations underway for the highly anticipated show. The New Year’s Eve nighttime festivities promise to blend stunning pyrotechnics with music and storytelling, bringing an exciting new chapter to EPCOT’s entertainment lineup.

A night scene showing the back view of a family wearing Mickey Mouse hats, gazing at the illuminated Spaceship Earth at EPCOT.
Credit: Disney

While some guests may have been startled by the surprise display, the late-night fireworks serve as a reminder of the meticulous effort Disney puts into creating magical experiences for its guests. With this exciting celebration just around the corner, these tests could signify something truly spectacular in the making.

in Featured, Walt Disney World

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