This morning’s visit to EPCOT didn’t begin with the usual magic. Guests arriving bright and early at Walt Disney World’s experimental prototype park were met not with the smells of freshly baked pastries in World Showcase or the hum of Spaceship Earth — but instead with confusion, delays, and silence from Disney itself.
According to firsthand guest reports, EPCOT experienced a park-wide power outage early this morning, affecting transportation, park entry systems, and security screening, just as guests were arriving for rope drop. The incident, which unfolded quietly but quickly spread online, left many feeling frustrated, especially considering how much planning and money goes into a Walt Disney World day.
What Happened?
Details began trickling out on Reddit around 9 a.m., where several users shared nearly identical stories: massive backups at security, a disabled monorail system, and non-operational ticket scanning equipment. One post, which has since gained traction in Disney forums, described an eerily empty parking lot paired with impossibly long lines that extended all the way back to the transportation area.
What exactly caused the outage is still unclear. Disney has not released an official statement as of publication time, but it appears the power issue affected not the ride systems, but rather the infrastructure responsible for getting guests into the park — possibly internal servers, entry touchpoints, and transit power.
In practical terms, that meant:
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Security checkpoints were non-functional, forcing guests through slower, manual bag checks.
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The EPCOT monorail was entirely shut down, leading to transportation delays for those staying on the Monorail loop or transferring from the Transportation and Ticket Center.
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Ticket scanning systems at the front gates were offline, meaning even those who made it through security found themselves stuck outside the park for extended periods.
For guests who woke up early, fought I-4 traffic, paid for parking, and trekked across the parking lot, the experience was less than magical.
The App That Didn’t Speak
One of the most repeated criticisms from guests was that Disney offered little to no real-time communication during the outage. The My Disney Experience app, which is used to manage Lightning Lane Multi Pass, mobile food orders, park maps, and more, did not display any warning, delay notifications, or alert about the incident at the gate.
This lack of communication left guests to speculate amongst themselves or rely on social media to figure out what was going on. It’s a particularly glaring omission given how central the app has become to nearly every aspect of the Disney experience. From finding out when Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has a short wait time to pre-ordering your lunch at Connections Café, the app is supposed to be a guest’s lifeline in the parks.
This morning? It was silent.
Transportation Troubles: Monorail Down
Perhaps the most surprising piece of the puzzle was that the monorail went completely offline. EPCOT’s monorail line is one of the resort’s most iconic forms of transportation, providing a direct connection between Magic Kingdom and EPCOT — and for many resort guests, it’s the preferred way to start the day.
While occasional downtime due to lightning or maintenance is normal, a complete early-morning shutdown, seemingly tied to a park power issue, is not typical. This sent guests scrambling to use resort buses or footpaths — options that were, predictably, overwhelmed.
What About the Rides?
By late morning, the picture had improved. Wait times began appearing again in the app, suggesting that most attractions were operational by that point. EPCOT’s headliners — including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Frozen Ever After, Soarin’, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — all appeared to be accepting guests by noon.
This indicates that the outage was largely front-of-house, rather than affecting the ride systems themselves. But for guests hoping to score a virtual queue spot or beat the midday crowds by arriving early, the moment had passed. Lightning Lane Multi Pass bookings and strategies were thrown off, and the benefit of a rope-drop arrival was completely erased.
Yet Another Disruption in an Increasingly Pricey Park Day
This kind of hiccup might have felt more tolerable ten years ago, when guests weren’t being asked to pay extra for nearly every convenience. But in 2025, Disney is charging more than ever — and the pressure on the guest experience is high.
From the elimination of complimentary services like Magical Express and FastPass+ to the widespread implementation of paid Lightning Lanes, the cost of a Disney World visit continues to climb. Even basic in-park extras like PhotoPass downloads and stroller rentals now feel more like premium charges than standard amenities.
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal earlier this year, even Disney insiders are expressing concern that the company’s constant upcharging may be alienating average families. The report claimed the company has become “addicted to price hikes” and may be nearing the tipping point of what middle-income guests can realistically spend.
This morning’s event only underscores that tension. When a family of four has spent hundreds of dollars on tickets — not to mention flights, hotels, and Lightning Lane Multi Pass fees — the expectation is that the park will be ready and running when they arrive.
Silence Is Not Golden
To make matters worse, Disney hasn’t publicly acknowledged the outage, at least not in the hours since the disruption occurred. There were no in-app alerts, no signage at the parking entrance, no apology emails, and no tweets from the Disney Parks account.
For a brand that prides itself on storytelling and service, it’s a disappointing oversight. If a technical glitch brings down your park’s entry systems, guests are more likely to be understanding if they’re told what’s going on — or at least given a courtesy notification.
A Wake-Up Call for Disney?
For many fans, Disney is still the most magical vacation you can take. But that magic is built on trust — and trust depends on communication, reliability, and value. When power goes out at one of the most technologically advanced parks in the world, and no one tells you why or how long you’ll be waiting, the illusion starts to crack.
This morning’s power failure at EPCOT may be a one-off, but it left a lot of guests standing in long lines, missing their breakfast reservations, and burning park hours without compensation or explanation.
And in a world where you’re paying extra for every added perk — including “early entry” and “shorter waits” — that lost time isn’t just frustrating. It’s expens
