Earthquake Shakes Florida, Disney Parks Hit by Closures

On Monday afternoon, several popular attractions at Magic Kingdom experienced temporary closures following tremors felt across Central Florida. These included major rides such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, TRON Lightcycle Run, and Space Mountain. The disruptions occurred around 2 p.m. after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake, originating near northwestern Cuba, was detected hundreds of miles away in Florida.

While some rides, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain, were later reopened, others remained unavailable for an extended period. It was not immediately confirmed if the ride shutdowns were a direct response to the earthquake or part of Disney's standard operating procedures for such events. Officials confirmed no tsunami threat associated with the unusual seismic activity, which was reported as the strongest in the Gulf waters since 1959. The unexpected ride interruptions quickly became a topic of conversation among park visitors and on social media platforms. Guests reported the sudden suspension of operations, with many speculating that Disney was conducting safety checks on attractions before allowing guests to resume riding. This cautious approach was deemed understandable by some given the rarity of such an event in the region.