Fire, Evacuation, and BIG Reopening News in Disney World This Week!

NOTE: This post is from 2022. For news on the EPCOT fire in March 2025, click HERE.

Fire, Black Smoke Seen Rising Behind EPCOT in Disney World

This might not have been the most smooth-sailing week in Disney World. 😬

Magic Kingdom

A fire AND an evacuation all in one week?! You never know what might happen in Disney World! Plus, a lengthy refurbishment has come to an end. Learn about it all here!

Mexico Evacuation

Things go wrong in Disney World all the time, and sometimes evacuations are necessary. This week, while we were in the Mexico pavilion in EPCOT, Cast Members began directing guests out of the building. Disney later announced that the Mexico pavilion would reopen but the ride inside the pavilion (the Gran Fiesta Tour) would remain temporarily closed.

Evacuation in Progress

The evacuation appeared to be ride-related, but Cast Members would not release further details. Later that day the Gran Fiesta Tour ride reopened with seemingly no changes or problems!

Check out photos and videos of guests being evacuated from the Mexico pavilion!

Fire in EPCOT

In other odd Disney World news this week, a fire broke out in EPCOT on the evening of April 11th. The fire occurred during the nighttime show Harmonious, and it appeared to be located near the Friendship Boat loading dock. It’s possible that it was caused by debris from the fireworks.

Harmonious in EPCOT

The fire was extinguished quickly by Cast Members and no injuries were reported. We’re grateful that everyone is okay!

Check out this video of a fire reported in EPCOT!

Expedition Everest

Reopening Date

Expedition Everest has been closed in Disney’s Animal Kingdom since January 4th, and we weren’t totally sure whether it would reopen as scheduled in mid-April. But we got an update this week!

Expedition Everest is reopening soon!

Expedition Everest reopened on April 16th, 2022.

Genie+

Expedition Everest will now be included in your Genie+ purchase for a limited time! As a recap, Genie+ costs $15 per person, per day in Disney World, and before Expedition Everest closed for refurbishment, it was not included in the standard list of Genie+ rides. Instead, it required the extra cost of an Individual Lightning Lane.

©Disney

After it reopens, Expedition Everest will be included in the standard Genie+ service through August 7th, 2022, so you might want to take advantage of this opportunity while it’s still available!

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