Nighttime Panic: 6,000 Guests Evacuated From Packed Arena at Disney World
On July 24, 2025, as many as 6,000 Walt Disney World Resort guests were evacuated from the packed Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the popular Fantasmic! show. The nighttime spectacular, known for its thrilling water effects and pyrotechnics, was abruptly cut short after a technical malfunction disrupted the performance.
Fantasmic! has been an iconic part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios since it debuted in 1998, six years after Disneyland Resort premiered the original version of the show. Tokyo Disney Resort later reimagined the show for Tokyo DisneySea, but that iteration closed in 2020.
In a recent performance at Walt Disney World Resort, Fantasmic! viewers were left stunned as water spray effects malfunctioned, causing the show to stop just four minutes into its run. Nick Harris (@nickharris53 on TikTok) shared a video that captured the moment the operational collapse occurred.
@nickharris53 Fantasmic show fails leaving a whole lot of people upset!! #disney #mickeymouse #hollywoodstudios #disneyparks #disneytiktok
According to Harris, “There was water sprayed into the air and they couldn’t turn it off.” This malfunction led to an immediate pause in the show, with Disney cast members quickly stepping in to manage the situation.
Disney cast members were forced to evacuate the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, which seats over 6,000 but can hold up to 10,000 people when fully packed. A pre-recorded announcement informed the guests of the situation: “Good evening, and may I have your attention, please? Due to unforeseen circumstances, this performance of Fantasmic! has been stopped.”
The arena was quickly emptied, and thousands of disappointed Walt Disney World Resort guests were left confused by the abrupt end to the show. Several other guests shared their experience in the comments section of Harris’ video.
“I was there. It was something,” @grogumom77 commented. “Something I never [expected] or experienced.”
“People got soaked,” @monasramblings replied.
Walt Disney World Resort did not release an official statement on the cause of the technical failure. However, the Fantasmic! show resumed as scheduled in the days following the incident, suggesting that Disney cast members quickly addressed the problem behind the scenes.
Have you ever seen an attraction malfunction at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!
