Orlando drivers, tourists, and anyone who’s ever waited at a long red light, this one’s for you. A new video shows a Waymo self-driving van appearing to creep into a busy intersection near Universal Orlando Resort while the light was still red. Nobody was hurt and no cars were hit, but the clip is making the rounds and people have questions.
It’s a story that matters to anyone who drives, walks, or rides around the tourist district, and it’s especially relevant if you’re planning a Disney trip and wondering how you’ll get around.
The Video Everyone’s Talking About
A Threads user named @melisaunfiltered posted the clip on Sunday, October 4, saying it happened at Kirkman Road and Carrier Drive. In the footage, the van inches into the intersection while the light is red. By the time the light turns green, the Waymo is about halfway through. No cars were hit.
View on Threads
The poster tagged the company and wrote, “@Waymo One of your cars ran a red light today at a major intersection near Universal Orlando. This is a serious safety concern.”
One important note. This is one video from one social media user. The information we have doesn’t include a response from Waymo or an explanation for why the vehicle entered the intersection that way, so we’re only reporting what the clip shows. Until there’s more information, it’s best not to draw big conclusions from a few seconds of footage, even if the moment looks alarming at first glance.
Waymo’s Big Orlando Plans
Waymo vehicles arrived in Orlando earlier this year, and the service is also running in other cities, including Dallas and Houston. The company has big goals. Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said, “Waymo is serving more riders than ever, as we are on track to serve over one million rides per week by the end of this year.”
She added, “Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando are critical to our plans, as we lay groundwork for service in 20+ cities. Each community has its own unique charm and transportation needs, and we’re eager to provide a safe, reliable, and magical way for locals and visitors to travel.”
The company has also worked with Lighthouse Central Florida, which supports people with vision loss, to make sure the service meets a variety of needs.
Does Waymo Go to Disney Yet?
Here’s where it gets interesting for Disney fans. Waymo’s map of Orlando service includes Universal Orlando Resort, parts of Walt Disney World Resort, and Orlando International Airport. But public rides don’t currently serve the Walt Disney World theme parks or resorts.
Waymo operates in parts of the Orlando tourist district and downtown. Test vehicles have been spotted mapping and operating near Disney areas, but full commercial service for riders hasn’t launched at Walt Disney World. That could change down the road, so it’s worth keeping an eye on future announcements if you like the idea of a driverless ride to the parks.
Why This Kind of Clip Spreads Fast
Intersections near big resorts are some of the busiest in Central Florida. You’ve got rental cars, shuttles, pedestrians, and drivers who don’t know the area all squeezed into the same space. So when a self-driving car appears to make a questionable move, people notice, and the video travels fast on social media before anyone has the full story.
A single clip doesn’t tell us how Waymo performs overall, and it doesn’t prove a pattern. But it’s a reminder that visitors are watching, and that questions about how any driver, human or automated, handles a busy intersection are fair to ask.
Your Ride Plan for a Disney Trip
If you’re headed to Walt Disney World, don’t count on a Waymo to take you to the parks or your resort right now. Public rides don’t serve those locations. Disney’s buses, boats, monorails, and Skyliner, along with rideshare, rental cars, and taxis, are your reliable options, and they’re worth mapping out before you arrive.
If you’re splitting your trip between Disney and Universal, check Waymo’s service area in its app before you rely on it, since coverage can change. And no matter how you get around, stay alert at crosswalks. Wait for the signal, look both ways, and don’t assume any vehicle will stop. If a ride ever makes you uneasy, you can contact the service or end the trip when it’s safe.
It’s a conversation that’s only going to grow as more self-driving cars show up on Orlando roads. Would you ride in a self-driving car on your next Orlando vacation? Tell us in the comments, and share your own experiences getting around the tourist areas.
