UPDATE: Disney Monorail Suspended With Guests Trapped Aboard

A routine trip aboard one of Walt Disney World’s most recognizable forms of transportation turned into a stressful ordeal after guests found themselves stranded high above the resort.

The Walt Disney World Monorail System carries guests between several major destinations, including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, the Transportation and Ticket Center, and nearby Disney Resort hotels. For many visitors, riding the monorail has become almost as much a part of the Disney World experience as entering the theme parks themselves.

But an incident earlier this month showed what can happen when that transportation system suddenly loses power.

Guests reportedly spent approximately 90 minutes trapped aboard a monorail after a lightning strike affected the line. During the prolonged stoppage, passengers were even given instructions on how to remove a window if circumstances required it.

Lightning Strike Brings Disney Monorail to a Stop

As we reported at the time, the incident occurred on September 8, 2026.

Guest Tanya Lee was traveling aboard the monorail toward EPCOT when the train suddenly stopped because of a power outage. The outage followed a lightning strike involving the monorail line.

Disney informed the passengers that crews were working on the problem and attempting to arrange for a tow that could push the disabled train.

That process wasn’t immediate.

Instead, the passengers remained aboard the stopped monorail for roughly an hour and a half.

“We were on there for one and a half hours, and during that time the driver talked us through how to take out the window,” Lee said, according to an interview from WFLA.

That detail gives some perspective on just how unusual the situation became.

Disney’s monorails operate on elevated beams, meaning passengers cannot simply step outside if a train stops between stations. Guests generally have to remain aboard while Cast Members and emergency personnel determine the safest way to handle the situation.

For Lee, that was particularly uncomfortable because she already had concerns about getting stuck aboard a monorail.

“I was nervous as I do not like heights, and I have always been worried about being stuck on one of those [monorails] when I ride them,” Lee said.

Despite those concerns, she said the atmosphere inside her car remained relatively calm.

“Everyone was in good spirits, as there is not much you can do at that point,” Lee continued. “The people in the car I was in were upbeat despite the situation.”

Disney Responds After Guests Finally Exit

The passengers eventually made it off the monorail after the lengthy delay.

Once they exited, Disney Guest Relations reportedly met with those affected by the incident.

According to Lee, Disney provided passengers with bottled water as well as additional compensation for the disruption. Each guest received a $50 Disney gift card and Lightning Lane passes.

While those extras could help make up for some lost theme park time, a 90-minute monorail stoppage can have a considerable impact on a Disney World day.

Guests traveling to EPCOT may have dining reservations, Lightning Lane return windows, entertainment plans, or other experiences scheduled around their expected arrival time. Losing an hour and a half while stranded between destinations can quickly change those plans.

The situation becomes even more difficult because passengers aboard a stopped monorail have very few options. Unlike a delayed bus or boat, guests cannot simply choose another transportation method once they’re already aboard.

They have to wait for Disney to resolve the problem and safely get them off the train.

Severe Weather Can Complicate a Disney World Vacation

Lightning and thunderstorms are nothing unusual in Central Florida, particularly during the warmer months.

Disney World visitors frequently see outdoor attractions temporarily stop operating when severe weather moves through the area. Transportation can also face interruptions depending on conditions around the resort.

This particular situation, however, went beyond a normal weather delay because guests were already aboard the monorail when the power outage occurred.

The fact that the driver discussed how passengers could remove a window shows how seriously Cast Members were treating the extended stoppage.

Fortunately, Lee’s account indicates that the passengers around her remained calm despite spending approximately 90 minutes aboard the stopped train.

Disney also addressed the situation once guests were finally able to leave, providing water, gift cards, and Lightning Lane passes.

For Disney World visitors, though, the incident is another reminder that even the resort’s most established transportation systems can experience unexpected interruptions.

A monorail ride to EPCOT normally represents one of the easiest ways to move around Walt Disney World. On September 8, it became a much longer journey than anyone aboard expected.

Keep in mind that this isn’t a normal occurrence at Walt Disney World and that this is a world-class resort that takes guest safety seriously.

What’s your craziest story when taking a visit to Walt Disney World Resort? Let us know in the comments below!