Walt Disney World just can’t seem to catch a break lately, and this time it’s one of Disney Springs’ most beloved restaurants caught in the middle of it.
On the evening of July 29, guests dining at Morimoto Asia were told to drop their utensils and head for the exits after a fire alarm went off inside the restaurant. It’s the latest in a string of evacuations that have hit the resort over the past several weeks.
What Happened at Morimoto Asia
According to Kenny the Pirate, the fire alarm sounded at approximately 9:00 p.m., sending cast members into action to clear the building. Guests were escorted outside while the situation was assessed, a scene that’s become increasingly familiar to anyone following Walt Disney World news this summer.
The good news? It looks like it was all for nothing. No injuries were reported, and once everything got the all clear, the restaurant reopened for business as usual.
For the uninitiated, Morimoto Asia is kind of a big deal. Located in The Landing at Disney Springs, the restaurant is led by Iron Chef America star Chef Masaharu Morimoto and serves up an expansive menu blending Chinese, Japanese, and Korean flavors. It’s a go-to spot for both vacationing families and locals looking for an upscale night out, so an evacuation there definitely got people’s attention.
Disney Evacuations Are Becoming a Theme
If this feels like déjà vu, that’s because it kind of is. This is far from the only evacuation Walt Disney World has dealt with recently.
Earlier this month, riders were pulled off “it’s a small world” at Magic Kingdom after the attraction stopped running mid-operation. Similarly, the park’s newest Pirates of the Caribbean-themed hangout, The Beak and Barrel, also got clearedout following a similar incident.
And it didn’t stop at the parks. Just last week, guests staying at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort found themselves evacuated, too, adding two more hotels to the growing list.
Why Disney Handles Things This Way
Disney runs on what’s known as the Five Keys: Safety, Courtesy, Inclusion, Show, and Efficiency. Safety sits at the very top of that list, which is exactly why cast members don’t hesitate to clear a building the second something seems off, even if it turns out to be nothing.
Most of these recent situations have ended up being precautionary rather than actual emergencies, but Disney treats every alarm the same way regardless of how things play out. That consistency is by design.
What This Means for You
If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World this summer, it’s worth keeping in mind that evacuations, while rare on any single visit, have been happening more frequently across the resort lately. Whether you’re riding an attraction, checking into your hotel room, or settling in for dinner at Disney Springs, there’s a chance you could be asked to step outside while cast members do their thing.
The upside is that Disney’s response system is built to prioritize your safety above all else, so even an inconvenient evacuation is a sign the system is working the way it’s supposed to. With the busy summer season still in full swing, don’t be surprised if this pattern continues, at least until things cool down heading into fall.
Have you ever been evacuated during a Walt Disney World visit? Let us know your experience in the comments.
