Fight and 'popping noise' sparks panic at Disney's Magic Kingdom as cops forced to issue statement

A fight and a "popping noise" sparked panic at Disney's Magic Kingdom as police were forced to issue a statement to deny false rumors.

The incident unfolded at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida , as the park was closing at around 10pm on Thursday. A witness said the chaos unfolded just after the "Happy Ever After" fireworks show ended. He said he was with his family in a store, when all of a sudden, many people rushed into it.

He told Fox 35 Orlando that security instructed the family to take cover inside the store and while he didn't feel that his life was "totally endangered", he said several people were "quite upset" and some of them were praying. Rumors of an active shooter soon spread, with people sharing posts on social media.

• Disney argues wrongful death suit should be tossed because plaintiff signed up for Disney+ trial

• Every new ride announced by Disney at D23 as huge expansions planned for Orlando and California

One wrote: "Went to Magic Kingdom today and there was literally a stampede because of a suspected shooter I thought that was actually going to be my last day." Another added: "There was just a f–king stampede in Magic Kingdom. I think people thought there was a shooter that was the scariest thing I've ever been in in my entire life."

However, the Orange County Sheriff's Office soon denied the rumors and blamed the chaotic scenes on a fight, followed by a balloon pop. They wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "ALERT: There is NO active shooter at @WaltDisneyWorld's Magic Kingdom.  A fight occurred, and a 'popping' sound was heard that we believe was a balloon. Guests began running and that's how the active shooter rumor started. There is no active shooter."

Join the Mirror's SMS news service to get the biggest breaking stories delivered straight to your phone. Click here to subscribe.

The park guests who ran into stores were asked to stay inside while police patrolled the streets. They were eventually let out after 15 minutes and exited to the parking lot via the "ferry boats" or buses as the monorail was closed.

In a statement issued at around 11.30pm, Walt Disney World said normal operations had resumed and the park had closed for the evening. The statement read: "We appreciate the immediate response of the Orange County Sheriff's Office to quickly assess and clear the situation. Normal operations have resumed and the park is now closed for the evening."