Credit: DisneySome Disney guests are experiencing some unexpected changes this week.
Disney vacations are known for meticulous planning, but sometimes that planning doesn’t hold. Guests at Walt Disney World have seen last-minute ride closures, sudden entertainment cancellations, and even entire experiences altered overnight due to a whole range of unexpected factors.
For example, Haunted Mansion unexpectedly shuttered in September at Magic Kingdom after an oil spill. A separate oil spill closed parts of Disneyland Resort back in 2024, while a sewage spill closed parts of Magic Kingdom – namely in Liberty Square and Frontierland – that same year.
In an even more unexpected turn of events, the appearance of a black bear temporarily closed several areas of Magic Kingdom back in 2023. The wild animal had made its way into Disney World’s OG theme park overnight, but was safely removed and released back into the wild without incident.
The Disney Cruise Line is particularly vulnerable to last-minute adjustments. Unlike theme parks, cruise ships are at the mercy of the sea. Weather conditions, technical issues, and port closures can instantly rewrite an itinerary, leaving guests facing major changes with little more than a printed notice left in their staterooms.
Thousands of Guests Hit By Unexpected Change on Disney Treasure
That’s exactly what happened aboard the Disney Treasure this week. Guests were informed of significant changes after Tropical Storm Melissa began moving toward the Caribbean. The storm is predicted to strengthen into a hurricane, forcing Disney to act quickly to protect travelers and crew onboard.
In a letter distributed to guests (shared via Reddit), Disney Cruise Line wrote: “We have been closely monitoring the storm’s forecasted track. Due to the possible impacts in the Caribbean, we have made the decision to change your itinerary. Instead of visiting Tortola and St. Thomas, you will now visit Cozumel, Mexico on Tuesday (Day 4) and an additional Castaway Cay call on Thursday (Day 5).”
The letter added, “We appreciate your understanding regarding this necessary itinerary change. The safety and well-being of our guests and crew members is our highest priority.” This unexpected adjustment instantly shifted thousands of vacations, demonstrating just how quickly Disney Cruise Line itineraries can be rewritten.
This is only the latest disruption for Disney Cruise Line. Earlier this year, the company confirmed it would conduct one final sailing season in Australia before withdrawing from the region. The sudden move sparked disappointment among international Disney fans who had hoped the brand would maintain a long-term presence there.
Other problems have included plumbing issues on certain voyages, which left guests reporting flooded state rooms and unpleasant odors onboard, plus multiple complaints of bed bugs. On top of that, Disney recently pushed back the maiden voyage of the Disney Adventure from Singapore, originally scheduled for December 2025, until sometime in 2026.
Have you been impacted by Tropical Storm Melissa?