Disney World attracts unexpected visitor as wild bear breaks into theme park
Unsplash: Guillermo GR / Unsplash: Pete NuijA wild bear’s adventure at Disney World has come to an end after several park areas had to be temporarily closed to accommodate the unexpected visitor.
Known as “the most magical place on Earth”, Disney World promises to be “where dreams come true”. And with slogans like that, it’s no surprise the theme park attracts an average of 62 million visitors each year.
However, some attendees cause more of a stir than others — and we’re not talking about the parade of all your favorite characters.
We’re talking about a bear… a wild black bear.
NEW: In a statement, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it is aware of reports of a black bear spotted in a tree at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 18, 2023
"Biologists with the FWC’s Bear Management Program, as well as FWC officers, are on scene."
Disney World in Orlando had to temporarily close multiple park areas earlier this week after guests reported spotting a black bear in a tree.
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The wild animal was near one of the rides, resulting in a section of the theme park being shut down. Affected rides included:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Jungle Cruise
- Haunted Mansion
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- The Walt Disney World Railroad train
Luckily, all fun was shortly resumed after the FWC were called in to capture and relocate the bear. A statement to CBS News read, “In most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own, but given this situation, staff have captured the animal.”
NEW: The FWC safely captured the adult, female bear spotted in a tree earlier today at Magic Kingdom Park. The bear was captured in a backstage area northeast of the Rivers of America. pic.twitter.com/mxXYCvYOHm
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 18, 2023
The bear, an adult female, was then relocated to “an area in or around the Ocala National Forest”. It is likely the bear was led to Disney World in her search for food ahead of the hibernation season.
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