Bear in a tree at Magic Kingdom closes more than 10 Walt Disney World rides and attractions

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Posted: Monday September 18, 2023 10:12am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Almost half of the Magic Kingdom is closed this morning, and according to accounts, it is due to a bear inside the park.

Multiple reports from WDWMAGIC sources indicate a bear is in a tree near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland. Disney has not yet made any official comment regarding the ongoing situation.

Cast Members are located at the Liberty Square and Adventureland entrances, preventing guests from entering the park's western side.

Adventureland is currently closed to all guests

Disney's official 'My Disney Experience' app lists all of the attractions as "Temporarily Closed." As of 10:00 am, the following Magic Kingdom rides are closed:

Country Bear Jamboree
Big Thunder Mountain
Hall of Presidents
Haunted Mansion
Jungle Cruise
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Pirates of the Caribbean
Swiss Family Tree House
Walt Disney World Railroad
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room

Most rides are closed on the western side of the park, including Big Thunder Mountain.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, bears can be found almost anywhere in Florida, they prefer a mixture of flatwoods, swamps, scrub oak ridges, bayheads, and hammock habitats. The area they roam in search of food, water, and adequate cover.

Today's bear sighting would not be the first time unexpected wildlife has been encountered in Magic Kingdom. Over the years, there have been numerous alligators hanging out by Splash Mountain as logs pass by, and even one in a restroom stall.

Disney has a comprehensive animal control program, which is well equipped to handle most situations with local wildlife.

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Jambo DadOct 25, 2023

The rumor that it as actually Chapek in a fuzzy sweater has been denied.

SingleRiderOct 24, 2023

I didn’t realize it either. After you posted that it took me a minute to get my bear-ings on how long it had been.

Vinnie MacOct 23, 2023

Holy cow this was already a month ago??? 😭

DobergeOct 23, 2023

My favorite part is the mention of Disney cast members stationed at end of rail road tracks and armed with air horns, paintball guns, and *slingshots.* 😄

DCBakerOct 23, 2023

WKMG News 6 has obtained video of state wildlife officials trying to capture the black bear at Magic Kingdom.

DrdcmSep 21, 2023

This made me spit out my coffee. Good job!

zbaby2Sep 21, 2023

Disney should leave Florida and relocate to Puerto Rico. A good place to run their cruise operation from.

LAKid53Sep 20, 2023

Like these hideous things?

LAKid53Sep 20, 2023

Or the French fries guests constantly feed the ducks.

Smiley/OCDSep 20, 2023

So was the bear…

Smiley/OCDSep 20, 2023

ALLIGATOR SPOTTED IN NEW JERSEY PARK FINALLY CAPTURED AFTER MORE THAN A WEEK By Eyewitness News Friday, September 8, 2023 A concerned citizen called the police Thursday night to report that they spotted an alligator in the roadway near Second Avenue in Piscataway. Darla Miles has the story. PISCATAWAY, New Jersey (WABC) -- An alligator that caused a New Jersey park to close last week has been captured. A concerned citizen called the police Thursday night to report that they spotted an alligator in the roadway near Second Avenue in Piscataway. When authorities responded, Piscataway Patrol Officer Ian Paglia put a leash around the 4-foot-long gator's neck. "The officers were able to kind of surround and corral it, one officer was able to put his foot on top of the head of the alligator to keep its mouth from opening," said Deputy Chief Michelle Pilch. "They used a dog snare that we have here, wrapped it around the alligator's neck." Like all captured fugitives, the gator was placed in the back seat of the patrol car and taken to the station house and placed behind bars. It was eventually relocated to the Cape May County Zoo. The Middlesex Borough Police Department first received a report of a small alligator seen at Victor Crowell Park last Wednesday afternoon.