Walt Disney World and the Disney+ streaming service are currently grappling with significant technical difficulties following a widespread outage impacting one of the world's largest cloud computing services. Guests at the parks are reporting issues with digital experiences, while subscribers are unable to access the streaming platform.
The problems appear to stem from an issue with Amazon Web Services (AWS), a platform used by countless major companies for their online infrastructure. The disruption began in the early morning hours, causing a ripple effect across the internet that has now reached Disney's operations.
Key Takeaways
- A major outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS) is causing widespread technical problems for numerous companies, including Disney.
- At Walt Disney World, guests are experiencing issues with the park's mobile app and other digital services like bus wait time displays.
- The Disney+ streaming service is also unavailable for many users as a direct result of the outage.
- Travelers at Orlando International Airport (MCO) are seeing an unusually high number of flight delays, which may be related to broader airline system issues.
The Source of the Disruption
The technical issues plaguing Disney are not isolated. They are part of a much larger internet outage affecting dozens of major online services. The root cause has been traced to Amazon's cloud computing division, Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Early this morning, around 3 AM, AWS began experiencing significant problems. This service acts as the digital backbone for a vast portion of the internet, providing server space, computing power, and other essential services. When it falters, the impact is felt immediately and across many industries.
Companies such as Zoom, Roblox, and even McDonald's reported operational troubles. Popular video games like Fortnite and social media apps like Snapchat were also taken offline. Disney, which relies on AWS for many of its digital experiences, was not immune to the cascading failure.
What is Amazon Web Services?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing platform that provides on-demand services to companies and individuals. Instead of owning and maintaining their own physical servers, businesses can rent computing power from AWS. This is used to host websites, run mobile apps, store data, and stream content. Its scale is so massive that an outage can disrupt services for millions of users worldwide.
While Amazon reported it was beginning to recover from the problem around 6 AM, the process of restoring full functionality to all affected services is often slow. Complex digital ecosystems like Disney's require time to stabilize after such a significant disruption.
Impact Felt Across Disney World
For guests currently at Walt Disney World, the outage has created tangible challenges to their park experience. The My Disney Experience app, a critical tool for navigating the parks, has been directly affected.
Disney has sent push notifications to guests acknowledging the problem, stating, "we are currently experiencing intermittent technical issues that may affect some of our digital experiences." The company confirmed it is actively working to resolve the situation and apologized for the inconvenience.
One of the most noticeable effects is at the resort bus stops. The electronic screens that normally display real-time bus arrival information are currently blank. This forces guests to wait without knowing when their transportation will arrive, adding an element of uncertainty to travel between parks and hotels.
Digital Dependence in Modern Parks
A modern visit to Disney World heavily relies on digital tools. Guests use the mobile app for:
- Making and managing Genie+ and Lightning Lane selections.
- Placing mobile food and beverage orders.
- Checking attraction wait times.
- Accessing park maps and show schedules.
- Making dining reservations.
An outage can significantly disrupt the flow of a guest's day, making planning difficult.
Guests relying on the app for managing their Lightning Lane return times, dining reservations, and mobile orders may face significant hurdles. The reliance on this single digital platform means that when it falters, many core park functions become difficult to manage.
Problems Extend Beyond the Parks
The technical issues are not confined to the physical boundaries of Walt Disney World. The popular streaming service, Disney+, has also been hit by the outage. Subscribers attempting to log in have been met with error messages, finding the service completely unavailable.
This indicates that the AWS infrastructure supporting Disney's streaming content delivery is also compromised. For a global service with millions of users, any amount of downtime can be significant.
"We are actively working to resolve any outstanding issues and apologize for delays these may cause." - Official Disney Notification
Furthermore, travelers heading to or from the region are encountering issues. A check of the Orlando International Airport (MCO) flight schedule shows an unusually high number of delays and some cancellations. While daily flight disruptions are normal, the current volume suggests that airlines, which also rely on complex computer systems, may be exercising extra caution or dealing with their own related technical problems.
Travelers with flights scheduled today are advised to arrive at the airport earlier than planned and to be prepared for potential delays. It is always a good practice to check directly with your airline for the most current information regarding your flight status.
Navigating the Parks During an Outage
For those currently at Disney World, patience is essential. When technology fails, it's important to know the available workarounds.
Here are some practical steps guests can take:
- Take Screenshots: Before heading to the parks, it's always wise to take screenshots of important information like dining reservation confirmation numbers, park tickets, and Lightning Lane selections. This provides an offline backup.
- Visit Guest Experience Teams: Disney has Cast Members stationed under blue umbrellas throughout the parks. These Guest Experience Team members are equipped to help with technical issues, troubleshoot problems, and make necessary adjustments to reservations or plans.
- Use Physical Resources: Rely on printed park maps and times guides, which are available at the entrance of each park. Ask Cast Members for directions or show times if the app is unreliable.
- Be Flexible: Technical outages require a change in plans. Be prepared to be flexible with your schedule and understand that Cast Members are working to resolve the issues as quickly as possible.
As Disney and other companies work to recover from this major AWS outage, services should gradually return to normal. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
