Loud Popping Sound at Disney World Elicits Panic

Rumors of an active shooter led to a wild stampede of visitors out of the park.

By Ashley Turner

On a typical Thursday at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, an unexpected incident transformed the "happiest place on earth" into a scene of momentary chaos and confusion. What began as a routine day at the iconic theme park quickly spiraled into a flurry of panic when parkgoers mistakenly believed they were in the midst of an active shooter situation.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office later clarified the true nature of the events. "A fight occurred, and a 'popping' sound was heard that we believe was a balloon," the department stated in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Guests began running and that's how the active shooter rumor started."

The misinterpretation of this seemingly innocuous sound triggered a chain reaction of fear and urgency among visitors. Eyewitness accounts paint a vivid picture of the ensuing pandemonium. Breanna Horton, a Disney World visitor, described the scene to Click Orlando via WKRC: "I've never experienced something like that at Disney and we go quite frequently. It was like the stampede scene from 'The Lion King,' like everyone was running toward us."

The rapid spread of misinformation amplified the situation, with rumors of an active shooting quickly circulating among the panicked crowd. This led to a mass exodus from various areas of the park, with guests seeking shelter wherever they could find it.

Glenn Brady, a visitor from Kansas, recounted his experience to FOX 35 via WKRC: "Some had to leave their strollers and their carts. We were there like 15 minutes, and then we were ushered to another location behind the store where we still remained for another 30 minutes or so until we were finally ushered out of the park."

Brady further elaborated on the initial moments of panic, per TMZ: "I was in a shop on Main Street browsing with my fam when people rushed in." He expressed disappointment with the park's communication during the crisis, lamenting "Disney's lack of communication to guests."

The aftermath of the incident was captured in several videos shared on social media platforms. One particular clip, posted by the X account HorrorMann67, depicted a large crowd hastily exiting the park while police vehicles and officers were visible in the vicinity. Another video, shared by X user anxrosa, revealed the interior of a gift shop in disarray – merchandise scattered across the floor, people concealing themselves behind shelves, and an abandoned stroller serving as a reminder of the panic that had ensued.

In response to the incident, park security implemented measures to manage the situation and prevent further panic. They guided visitors out of the park in a controlled manner to avoid a potentially dangerous rush towards the exits. The Orange County Sheriff's Office swiftly assessed the situation and worked to restore order.

Despite the intensity of the moment, it appears that no serious injuries resulted from the incident. However, one individual involved in the initial altercation reportedly requested medical attention and was transported to a local hospital, according to WKRC.

Related:

Walt Disney World addressed the incident in a statement released late Thursday evening, more than an hour after the park's closing time. The company affirmed that business operations had been restored and expressed gratitude for the prompt response of local law enforcement. 

"We appreciate the immediate response of the Orange County Sheriff's Office to quickly assess and clear the situation," the statement read. They further noted that "normal operations had resumed. By Friday morning, the Magic Kingdom had returned to its usual state of enchantment, with the park operating as usual. 

Trending Now: