Kitchen Fire at Disney World's Dolphin Hotel Forces Evacuation, Shutters Bourbon Steak Indefinitely
A kitchen fire at the Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel sent smoke over the resort Thursday, prompting a brief evacuation of the lobby and several guest-room floors. The blaze started in Bourbon Steak, celebrity chef Michael Mina's year-old steakhouse, which is now closed until further notice.
A kitchen fire sent smoke pouring over the Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel on Thursday, prompting a brief evacuation of the lobby and several guest-room floors. The blaze started in Bourbon Steak, the resort's celebrity-chef steakhouse, which is now closed until further notice.
The Buzz
Video of heavy smoke rising from a Walt Disney World hotel spread quickly online, and Disney fans rushed to find out what happened. FOX 35 Orlando confirmed the details with a resort spokesperson — a kitchen fire, a precautionary evacuation, and a popular restaurant shuttered indefinitely.
Key Details
- What: A kitchen fire at the Bourbon Steak restaurant
- Where: The Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel at the Swan and Dolphin Resort
- When: Thursday
- Impact: Lobby and many guest-room floors briefly evacuated; guests later returned
- Status: Bourbon Steak closed until further notice
What Happened at the Dolphin
According to a resort spokesperson, the fire broke out in the kitchen of Bourbon Steak, and the building's ventilation system pushed the smoke outside — which is why it was so visible from the exterior and quickly turned up in videos shared on social media. As a precaution, the hotel cleared the lobby and many guest-room floors before allowing guests back once the building was deemed safe.
"In the interest of guest and cast member safety, the hotel evacuated the lobby and many guest room floors," a spokesperson said. "Once they were assured of no safety concerns, guests were allowed to return to their rooms."
The spokesperson's statement did not mention any injuries. Bourbon Steak will remain closed until further notice.
What Is Bourbon Steak?
Bourbon Steak is a high-end restaurant from celebrity chef Michael Mina. Opened in 2025, it offers a modern take on the American steakhouse with premium cuts of beef, seafood and an extensive wine list. It is one of the "signature" dining rooms at the Swan and Dolphin, alongside Il Mulino, Todd English's Bluezoo and Amare.
About the Swan and Dolphin Resort
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort sits in the heart of the EPCOT resort area, within walking distance — or a short boat ride — of both EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Though it carries the Walt Disney World name and offers many Disney resort perks, the convention-focused property is operated under Marriott rather than by Disney itself, and it has long been a favorite of both park-goers and business travelers.
What This Means for Guests
The disruption appears to have been short-lived, with guests returning to their rooms the same day. The bigger impact falls on diners: anyone holding a Bourbon Steak reservation will need to make other plans while the steakhouse stays closed. With Il Mulino, Bluezoo and Amare still operating, the Swan and Dolphin's signature-dining lineup remains largely intact in the meantime.