A recent incident at Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park gave guests a behind-the-scenes look at the lengths Disney cast members go to ensure safety during ride malfunctions. Video footage captured a Disney employee wading through the water of the iconic “it’s a small world” attraction to assist stranded riders.
“it’s a small world” Rescue Effort Captured on Video
Magic Kingdom guests aboard “it’s a small world” experienced an unexpected delay when their boats stalled during the ride. TikTok user @amiedoubled shared footage of the incident, showing Disney cast members carefully wading through the shallow water to manually push the ride’s boats to an evacuation area.
@amiedoubled What an experience 🤣. Stuck on It’s a Small World for 45min, I at least got a nice 20min nap in 🤣#disneyworld #itsasmallworld #worstnightmare
“We’ve trained for this, but I’ve never had to do it,” one Disney cast member reportedly said.
The employees wore protective rubber waders to shield themselves as they navigated the water and avoided the ride’s mechanical elements.
Guests Stranded for Nearly an Hour
Guests on the ride reported being stuck for an extended period. According to the TikToker, the delay lasted 45 minutes–they even took a “20-minute nap” while awaiting rescue.
Despite the disruption, the Fantasyland attraction reopened shortly after the incident and has since operated normally. Walt Disney World Resort has not disclosed the reason for the ride’s malfunction, as is customary for the company.
A Storied Attraction
“it’s a small world” is one of the most beloved and recognizable attractions in Disney Park history. With versions at Disneyland Park, Magic Kingdom Park, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland, the ride has delighted generations of visitors with its whimsical design, cheerful animatronics, and earworm-worthy theme song. Originally designed for the 1964 New York World’s Fair by Disney legend Mary Blair, the attraction continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Disney Parks fans worldwide.
Safety Reminders for Disney Park Guests
Disney cast members are extensively trained to handle unexpected situations like this, ensuring that guests are safely evacuated from stalled attractions. However, Disney advises riders to avoid interacting with the water or ride mechanics during such incidents. While cast members are trained to navigate these situations safely, untrained individuals could face serious injury or worse.
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