On Monday afternoon, Walt Disney World Resort cast members suddenly blocked Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park, locking out thousands of guests.
Though Disney cast members would only cite “technical difficulties” for the unexpected shutdown, a cleanup truck spotted by Disney Park guests was similar to one spotted after a sewage backup shut down Frontierland earlier this year. Custodial crews were also seen wearing protective gear and using large mops.
While it’s common for Disney Park attractions to break down occasionally, it’s rare for an entire land to close. Sewage leaks have previously shut down Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort areas, but the most memorable closure in recent years also impacted Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park.
On the morning of September 18, 2023, Frontierland didn’t open alongside the rest of Magic Kingdom Park. News broke Disney cast members spotted a black bear in a nearby tree, sparking an immediate response from wildlife officials. The bear was tranquilized and later released.
Monday’s Frontierland closure certainly wasn’t the result of a rogue black bear, but it caused similar repercussions throughout Magic Kingdom Park. Unable to access attractions like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disney Park guests overwhelmed other popular rides like Space Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Redditor u/MoreBoobzPlz shared this photo of thousands of guests cramped into Adventureland, home to Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and more attractions. The picture was taken around 2:30 p.m. EST.
Adventureland, WDW, 12/2/24, 1430.
Adventureland, WDW, 12/2/24, 1430.
byu/MoreBoobzPlz inDisneyWorld
The Frontierland closure extended partially into Liberty Square near Liberty Tree Tavern. Other Liberty Square attractions, like the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents, remained open and accessible to guests.
According to @COWKID1 on X (formerly Twitter), the Frontierland and Liberty Square closures also impacted the Festival of Fantasy Parade, which starts near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure:
Cast members asking guests to not take photo or video of the sewage leak that has closed Frontierland @WaltDisneyWorld. They have cancelled the parade, caused congestion and not offered any comps for all the troubles.
Cast members asking guests to not take photo or video of the sewage leak that has closed Frontierland @WaltDisneyWorld. They have cancelled the parade, caused congestion and not offered any comps for all the troubles. pic.twitter.com/uJpM261TxX
— Brad Connell (@COWKID1) December 2, 2024
Has a Walt Disney World Resort attraction or area shut down unexpectedly during your vacation? Share your experience with Inside the Magic in the comments.