Portable Charger Sparks Brief Fire on Magic Kingdom’s ‘it’s a small world’ — and Fans Are Talking
A guest’s portable phone charger caught fire aboard a boat on Walt Disney World’s "it’s a small world" on July 1, prompting a brief evacuation before cast members extinguished it. No one was hurt, and the classic Magic Kingdom attraction reopened the same day.
A quiet cruise turned briefly dramatic at the Happiest Place on Earth. On Wednesday, July 1, guests were evacuated from Walt Disney World’s "it’s a small world" at Magic Kingdom after a guest’s portable phone charger caught fire inside one of the ride’s boats near the boarding area. Disney cast members quickly extinguished the small blaze, no one was hurt, and the attraction reopened later the same day.
What Happened on ‘it’s a small world’
According to reporting from FOX 35 Orlando, a guest’s personal lithium-ion charger ignited while inside a boat near the load area. Cast members — Disney’s term for its employees — halted the ride, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and put the fire out before the fire department arrived. A Disney spokesperson confirmed the ride shut down and reopened the same day, and that no injuries were reported.
‘Everyone Parted Like the Red Sea’
Kate Braggs, visiting Florida from Kilgore, Texas with her family and friends, witnessed the moment unfold. "We rope-dropped Magic Kingdom yesterday, and we’re doing all the things, and we said, ‘hey, let’s go ride ‘small world,’ and the queue was a little bit more eventful than usual," she said.
Her group had just settled into their boat when the guests ahead of them suddenly stood up. "Right when we sat down, that’s when everybody in front of us popped up real quick. Then we saw the quick fire – quick fire – and the smoke. And then everyone kind of parted, kind of like the ‘Red Sea.’ Some went back to the queue and some went to the exit way," she recalled. Braggs added that the fire wasn’t large and praised the cast members, who stayed "super calm and collected and did a really good job with all of that."
The Buzz
The story took off across Disney fan-news outlets after FOX 35 Orlando shared guest video of the scene. A fire — however small — breaking out on the wholesome, sing-along "it’s a small world" is exactly the kind of only-at-Disney moment that spreads fast, and it doubles as a timely reminder about the hazards of aging or damaged portable chargers.
The History of One of Disney’s Most Iconic Rides
Few attractions are as instantly recognizable as "it’s a small world." The boat ride was originally created for the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair — the same showcase that debuted Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. After two years at the fair, it moved to Disneyland, where it opened on May 28, 1966. In 1971, the concept was recreated at Walt Disney World in Florida as one of Magic Kingdom’s original opening-day attractions.
And that famously unforgettable theme song? It was written by Disney legends Richard and Robert Sherman — the same duo behind the iconic songs of Mary Poppins.
What This Means for Fans
The takeaway for guests is reassuring: Disney’s cast members handled a potentially scary situation swiftly and safely, and a decades-old fan-favorite was back in service within hours. It’s also a practical nudge for anyone heading to the parks this summer — keep an eye on your portable chargers, and don’t pack a swollen or damaged battery in your park bag.