A rare emergency brought the Walt Disney World transit system to a halt this weekend. A fire, reported to be electrical in nature, broke out on the monorail tracks near the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. The incident occurred on Sunday morning, November 23, 2025. Officials quickly identified the involved train as Monorail Silver. As a precautionary measure, resort management closed the entire monorail system immediately.
Eyewitness Reports Detail Electrical Failure
The incident unfolded on the Monorail Express line, which runs directly to Magic Kingdom. Eyewitnesses near the resort platform reported seeing black smoke rising between two of the monorail cabins. They also noticed a very strong odor. Guests described the smell as burning electrical insulation, suggesting an electrical malfunction caused the fire. Social media quickly circulated photos and videos of the unusual scene on the tracks.
The safety protocols of the monorail system worked effectively. Emergency crews addressed the small fire quickly. Reports indicate that the Monorail Silver train was either empty or mostly empty at the time of the incident. This greatly minimized the potential impact. Crucially, the electrical fire caused no immediate reported injuries to guests or Cast Members. Video shared online show fire crews responding as you can see below:
Monorail in front of the Grand Flo this morning around 9:30am with a small fire pic.twitter.com/AOSqoXSqUq
— Marlene Borrego (@MarleneBorrego3) November 23, 2025
Widespread Transportation Disruption
The incident required a full suspension of the Walt Disney World monorail service. This closure affects all three major lines: the Express line, the Resort loop, and the EPCOT line. Management also temporarily closed the pedestrian walking path between the Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom. Management took this action to secure the area and allow emergency services clear access to the disabled train.
The immediate shutdown caused significant disruption to guests traveling between the Magic Kingdom area resorts and the park itself. Resort operators quickly redirected guests relying on the service to alternate transportation options. Guests are currently utilizing buses and watercraft, primarily boats, to reach their destinations. Travelers should expect delays and allow extra travel time to avoid missing dining reservations or park openings.
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