Bear’s shocking visit to Disney World results in the closure of several rides
“The Most Magical Place in the World” briefly lost some of its magic.
An adult black bear spotted at Disney World forced the closure of several rides on Monday.
The bear was spotted hanging in a tree near the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland on Monday morning, local authorities said Fox 35 said in Orlando.
The popular ride closed along with several others including Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, the Hall of Presidents, Liberty Square Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island, Jungle Cruise and the Walt Disney World Railroad with its Fantasyland, Frontierland and Main Street areas is temporarily closed.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and local law enforcement responded to the scene and “safely captured” the black bear several hours later at the Magic Kingdom, both the FWC and Disney World Resorts told The Post in statements.
Aerial footage of Orlando’s WESH train station seemed to show that of the great beast eventual capture.
As of 3 p.m., all rides had reopened except for the Walt Disney World Railroad.
However, no details were released about where the bear was caught, its size or condition, or how it got onto the property.
The FWC told the Post that the bear was likely foraging before hibernation and was probably looking for more than the bare minimum “to build up fat reserves for the winter” — black bears eat nearly 20,000 calories each day in the fall.
“In most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move around on their own, but given this situation, staff are working to capture and relocate the bear,” the FWC statement continued.
The commission announced plans to relocate the animal in or around the Ocala National Forest in Marion County, Florida – about 90 minutes north of Walt Disney World Resort.
