Walt Disney World Provides Update After Monorail System Shutdown at Magic Kingdom

If you’ve been anywhere near the Transportation and Ticket Center lately, you’ve probably heard guests swapping stories about the recent monorail chaos. It’s been a wild few days for one of Walt Disney World’s most iconic transportation systems, and Disney has now provided an update after an electrical fire temporarily shut the entire thing down.

The incident occurred on Sunday on the Disney Monorail line and immediately sent ripple effects across Magic Kingdom-area transportation, with the effects continuing for days afterward.

So here’s everything we know right now.

The Latest From the Disney Monorail Electrical Fire

The trouble began when guests spotted an electrical fire on Monorail Silver near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Firefighters and maintenance crews quickly arrived, and the entire system shut down shortly after for safety. Video captured at the scene later showed the train being slowly pushed back along the track so work could continue behind the scenes.

With the Resort Monorail offline, everything from Magic Kingdom arrivals to hotel-return routes shifted. As you can imagine, demand for alternatives skyrocketed. Boats across the Seven Seas Lagoon were instantly flooded with guests trying to get to and from the Magic Kingdom, and transportation lines began to significantly increase.

Disney Monorail Service Restored

By late afternoon, the Resort Monorail officially reopened to guests, and trains were once again sliding into stations around the lagoon. However, Cast Members were still telling guests that the boats were the more reliable option for the time being.

One train, Monorail Red, was even spotted running at an unusually slow pace as the Express Line continued testing, a sign that everything wasn’t quite back to normal yet.

@MarleneBorrego3 took this photo at 9:30! I think the fire department got there in less then 5 min https://t.co/2Jns8lrxi5 pic.twitter.com/tfGhGZCjaw

— CHRIS in the Concierge Lounge (@CHRIS_MAGIC_DCL) November 23, 2025

Even after service resumed, boat transportation remained packed well into the day because many guests chose to avoid the monorail altogether — especially after hearing directly from Cast Members that the boats were the better bet. This is rare advice at Walt Disney World, and it’s likely why so many guests took it seriously.

Days After the Incident, Issues Are Still Arising

While the monorail is technically running again, there have still been some periods where it goes down temporarily, days after the incident. These stops haven’t been confirmed to be connected to the electrical fire, but the timing has definitely raised some questions.

Disney hasn’t said whether the continued hiccups have anything to do with the earlier incident or if they’re part of standard testing and safety resets that typically follow a major shutdown.

For now, all Disney is saying is that the monorail is back in service — but they’re also being cautious, which explains why Cast Members continue pushing guests toward boats rather than the monorail.

What Guests Should Expect Right Now

If you’re heading to Magic Kingdom this week, here’s the best approach based on what Cast Members are advising and what we’ve seen:

• Be prepared for intermittent monorail downtime. Even though the trains are running, there may be short pauses or delays as operations stabilize.

• Expect longer-than-normal boat lines. With so many guests shifting away from the monorail, the boats have been extremely busy.

• Give yourself extra time to get to Magic Kingdom or back to your resort, especially during peak transportation hours.

• Check loop status before committing — sometimes the Express Line may be moving while the Resort Line is not, or vice versa.

While this isn’t the kind of excitement guests hope for on a Magic Kingdom day, it’s at least reassuring to see that Disney moved quickly, restored service the same afternoon, and is making transportation recommendations that err on the side of guest safety.

Will More Disruptions Happen?

It’s tough to say. Electrical issues with the monorail are always treated with extreme caution, especially given the age of certain elements of the system. Disney tends to prioritize safety over speed — and that’s a good thing — but it also means that the days following an incident like this can feel a little unstable as each line is tested and retested. This, coming during one of the busiest weeks of the year, doesn’t necessarily help, either.

Until Disney makes a more formal announcement (and it’s possible they won’t, since the system is technically “running”), the boats will likely continue being the most consistent option for guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

For anyone visiting soon: plan ahead, expect delays, and keep an eye on operational signs before committing to the monorail platform.

If more updates roll in, especially regarding continued downtime or possible scheduled maintenance, we’ll be keeping a close eye on it. This is an ongoing story that will be updated.