Credit: Joe Schlabotnik, FlickrDisney World suffered a power surge on September 23, 2025, which caused numerous rides to shut down and heavily impacted vacations.
Disney World Suffers Resort-Wide Power Surge: Multiple Rides Go Down, Vacations Halted
You could almost feel the tension ripple through the parks tonight. Guests huddled under ponchos and darted for cover as lightning streaked across the Florida sky. Then came the news no one expected—rides that usually remain open during storms suddenly went dark.
For Walt Disney World, closing an outdoor ride during a thunderstorm is business as usual. But when fan-favorite indoor attractions start going offline, it’s a very different story. Guests who had been in line for some of Disney’s most iconic rides were left staring at “temporarily unavailable” screens, wondering what exactly was happening behind the scenes.
That’s where things got even stranger: this wasn’t just a weather delay. It was another possible power surge across the resort, affecting not just outdoor rides but indoor thrillers, family favorites, and headliners that rarely shut down.
So what exactly happened—and more importantly, what does it mean for your next Disney trip? Let’s break it down.
What Just Happened at Walt Disney World?
On September 23, 2025, heavy thunderstorms swept across Central Florida, and by 7:20 p.m., reports began pouring in of unusual attraction closures.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, nearly half the park’s top rides were impacted. Guests reported downtime for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and others—all attractions that usually stay open during bad weather.
Huge power outage at Hollywood Studios tonight. Lightning in the area effecting things big time. Only 3 rides currently operating. – @Dr_GrantSeeker on X
Huge power outage at Hollywood Studios tonight. Lightning in the area effecting things big time. Only 3 rides currently operating. pic.twitter.com/QGV1Ix9uAq
— Dr. Grant Seeker (@Dr_GrantSeeker) September 23, 2025
Over at Magic Kingdom, even Space Mountain and TRON Lightcycle Run went down. EPCOT wasn’t spared either, with both The Seas with Nemo & Friends and Journey into Imagination with Figment experiencing issues.
There was definetly a power surge. Multiple screens were broken and ALL of the lights in the aquarium were off. Some of the work lights in SeaBase were on and Turtle Talk is down. – @ThatDisneyBoi on X
There was definetly a power surge. Multiple screens were broken and ALL of the lights in the aquarium were off. Some of the work lights in SeaBase were on and Turtle Talk is down. https://t.co/nV7jvCnzJ5 pic.twitter.com/uRz8ZgIoz2
— Ethan 💫 (@ThatDisneyBoi) September 23, 2025
Disney has not confirmed the exact cause, but guest reports point to grid-related power surges—a problem that also hit the resort in late August when more than 40 attractions went offline. Last night’s event, while smaller in scale, left plenty of fans rattled.
How to Navigate Disney During Sudden Ride Closures
When power-related issues hit, it can feel chaotic—but savvy visitors know how to make the most of the situation.
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Use the My Disney Experience app: Refresh the app often for real-time ride status updates. Closed attractions sometimes reopen within the hour.
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Pivot to shows and walkthroughs: Stage shows, character meet-and-greets, and walkthrough attractions often stay open when rides are down.
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Keep an eye on Lightning Lane refunds: If your booked ride is closed, Disney typically converts your reservation into a “multi-experience pass” valid for other attractions.
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Stay put in line (sometimes): If you’re already queued when a ride closes, you might get priority access when it reopens.
Insider Hacks: What Frequent Visitors Do
Here are a few pro-level strategies locals and regulars swear by during unexpected shutdowns:
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Head to less-impacted parks: EPCOT’s World Showcase, Animal Kingdom trails, and Hollywood Studios dining spots can soak up downtime.
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Look for hidden food gems: These moments are perfect for grabbing cult-favorite snacks like the school bread in Norway or a Ronto Wrap in Galaxy’s Edge.
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Photograph the rare quiet moments: Closed attractions mean lower crowd density in certain areas—an opportunity for once-in-a-lifetime photos without massive crowds.
Why This Matters to Disney Fans
For hardcore fans, the significance runs deeper than a missed ride. Disney’s reliability is part of the magic—the promise that even in storms, the show goes on. Tonight’s closures disrupted that promise, and the ripple effect was clear on social media as hashtags like #DisneyDown began trending.
This wasn’t the mass shutdown of August, but the déjà vu has many fans concerned. Will grid issues become the new normal during Florida’s unpredictable storm season? For now, the closures highlight just how much Disney relies on its behind-the-scenes infrastructure to keep the magic alive.
The Bottom Line
Disney was able to reopen the rides safely after everything was checked and looked at. Outdoor rides resumed once the storms cleared, but for indoor favorites, downtime lasted longer thanks to those technical resets.
If you’re heading to the parks soon, always prepare for flexibility. Download the app, plan backups, and embrace the chance to explore hidden corners of Disney you might otherwise miss.
Because at Walt Disney World, even when the rides stop, the magic never fully shuts down.