A fire inside one of Walt Disney World’s signature dining locations prompted an evacuation at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort on Thursday, June 25, after smoke was seen pouring from the building.
The incident occurred at Bourbon Steak, the upscale restaurant located inside the EPCOT-area resort. While dramatic images shared online showed thick smoke rising from the hotel, resort officials say the situation was far less severe than it appeared.
According to a statement provided by a public relations official to WKMG ClickOrlando, the fire was contained to the restaurant’s kitchen and was relatively minor. “Pictures make it seem the fire was much larger than it was, as the ventilation system is meant to push smoke outside,” the statement reads. The spokesperson also confirmed there was “no damage to the hotel and only in the restaurant.”
Photos circulating on social media, including a Reddit post, captured smoke venting from the building and quickly drew attention from guests across the resort area.
As emergency crews responded, the Dolphin Resort evacuated its lobby along with several guest room floors as a precaution. Once the situation had been evaluated and the area deemed safe, guests were permitted to return to the building. Resort officials also confirmed that no injuries were reported.
Although many visitors consider the Walt Disney World Dolphin part of Disney’s hotel collection, the property is actually owned and operated by Marriott through a long-standing partnership with Disney. Together with the neighboring Swan Resort, the hotels have served guests in the EPCOT resort area since 1990.
Created by architect Michael Graves, the Dolphin stands out thanks to its teal exterior, towering fish sculptures, and colorful design. While the hotel is not owned by Disney, guests staying at both the Swan and Dolphin still receive several Disney resort benefits, including early theme park entry and convenient access to Disney’s Skyliner transportation system.
As for Bourbon Steak, the restaurant has earned a reputation as one of the area’s premier dining destinations. The restaurant is part of celebrity chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak brand and specializes in premium beef selections, including prime and Wagyu cuts, paired with an extensive bourbon, whiskey, and cocktail menu.
The restaurant has become a favorite for guests looking to enjoy an upscale meal close to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios without leaving the resort district. Annual Passholders, convention attendees staying at the Dolphin, and visitors celebrating special occasions have helped make it one of the area’s best-known signature restaurants.
Bourbon Steak has closed until further notice while the kitchen undergoes an assessment following Thursday’s fire. Because resort officials confirmed the damage was confined to the restaurant, guests are hopeful the closure will only be temporary. Anyone with an upcoming reservation is encouraged to contact the Swan and Dolphin directly to verify its status before arriving.
The remainder of the Dolphin Resort continues to operate as normal, and guests still have access to the Swan and Dolphin’s wide selection of restaurants while Bourbon Steak remains unavailable. We will continue monitoring updates from the resort and share more information once a reopening date is announced.
Have you ever been evacuated from a Disney World location? Let us know in the comments down below!
