BREAKING: Bear Apparently Found Inside Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom experienced some difficulties this morning. Half of the park was shut down including Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square.
Adventureland Closed
We were unsure why these parts of the park were closed, but we may have just found our answer.
Bear in Magic Kingdom
According to some unconfirmed reports, a bear was apparently found inside Magic Kingdom this morning. Mickey Views posted the story over on their website and Twitter.
BREAKING: Bear Found Inside Disney’s Magic Kingdom — Lands Closed Around Tom Sawyer’s Island
— Mickey Views (@MickeyViews) September 18, 2023
Another tweet says that their source informed them that a bear was found INSIDE the caves on Tom Sawyer Island. Yeah, that sounds absolutely terrifying!
According our source, a BEAR was found this morning inside Magic Kingdom Park. Want to know how this discovery was made? A cast member walked the caves in Tom Sawyer’s Island and there it was. CAN YOU IMAGINE? 😳 https://t.co/oD1IhqMyiX
— Brayden (@SirBrayden) September 18, 2023
Spectrum News 13 reporter Ashley Carter said that Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists with its Bear Management Program are on the scene. They mentioned that the reports were of a black bear in a tree.
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has confirmed that biologists with its Bear Management Program are on the scene after reports of a black bear in a tree at Magic Kingdom. https://t.co/zKBLmoRCS2
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) September 18, 2023
Scott Gustin shared more of statement on Twitter, which said the following:
Statement continued: “In most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own, but given this situation, staff are working on capturing and relocating the bear.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 18, 2023
Gustin also shared a statement from Disney, which said that they’re working with the FWC and are reopening the lands that were previously closed. They’re working on capturing and relocating the bear.
So, it looks like these rumors have been confirmed according to the statement from Disney.
NEW statement from Disney: “We are working with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and have made the decision to reopen Frontierland, Liberty Square and Adventureland.”
“As shared by the FWC, staff are on site and working on capturing and relocating the bear.” https://t.co/yQAFHEbuaI
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 18, 2023
UPDATE: According to pictures and video from WESH, it looks like the bear has been captured. You can see officials carrying a large black figure on a white sheet.
Photo: WESH
WESH also said that “according to wildlife officials, FWC Law Enforcement officers have safely captured the adult, female bear and will be relocating the bear out of the park to an area in or around the Ocala National Forest.” Yay for a happy ending!
We’re used to seeing the Country Bears or Winnie the Pooh in Disney World, but a real-life bear is a whole different story!
Personally, I’m more scared of this guy than a real bear 😂
Around 11:30AM, we saw a helicopter flying over the park.
Adventureland and Liberty Square both re-opened around 12:30PM, with Frontierland following around 1PM. Tom Sawyer Island remains closed.
There have been bears at Disney World before — recently, there was one spotted over at Fort Wilderness.
PHOTO: Fort Wilderness guest Monique
Black bears are found in Florida. In fact, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are over 4,000 black bears around the state.
We’ll keep you updated on this story as it continues to develop, so stay tuned.
