Lightning struck Cinderella Castle at approximately 6:01 PM on August 5th, sending a loud boom resonating through Magic Kingdom.
Cinderella Castle
The noise shocked Disney World guests, and sent a few scattering. People reported seeing the lightning bolt hit the highest spire of the castle and then seemingly “radiate” down to other spires before dissapating.
Florida is famously the “lightning capital of the United States,” and Disney World is equipped with many lightning rods throughout the property. A DFB reporter happened to be filming at the time of the strike and captured the startling sound on video.
Lightning has struck Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/2TVQ6mnmAt
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 5, 2025
Our reporter said they could feel the impact of the strike and their hair “tingled.”
According to WKMG, the area including Disney World averages about 56 lightning strikes per square mile each year. Most of the strikes occur from May to October, between noon and midnight.
Lightning strikes in the Disney World area are not unusual — but this one did not occur during a thunderstorm. The National Weather Service says that many people believe a “weather myth” that lightning cannot strike under clear skies. In fact, lightning can travel 10 to 12 miles from the location of a thunderstorm.
Tips from the National Weather Service
Disney World has a staff that watches the weather — particularly during Florida’s rainy season which brings late afternoon thunderstorms almost daily. Outdoor rides are shut down proactively if lightning is in the area. A few minutes after the lightning strike, it began storming, and outdoor rides including Astro Orbiter, The Barnstormer, Dumbo, Jungle Cruise, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Swiss Family Treehouse, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Tomorrowland Speedway were shut down until the lightning threat moves away from the area.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
The storm produced at least one other Disney World lightning strike, which our reporter witnessed at the Ticket and Transportation Center. This lightning strike occurred on the Porte Cochere that wraps around the entrance.
So what should you do when it storms and you’re at Magic Kingdom? We recommend finding somewhere indoors to go and wait it out! Many other guests will decide to call it a day, and you’ll likely be treated to lower crowds immediately following the storm. Some other rainy day tips:
- Magic Kingdom can be the best park to choose for a rainy day because it has many indoor attractions — and those will stay open.
- You can also take the time during the rain to mobile order a meal, or get on the walk-up waitlist at a nearby restaurant.
- And if you’re headed to Disney World, always bring rain gear! You just never know when some clouds may gather.
We’ve got lots more rainy day in Disney World info here!
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Sounds more like a sonic boom than a lightning strike sound but I could be wrong.
I keep playing that video but can’t see or hear anything.
Hi Louise! Are you sure your volume is turned up or that you don’t have videos muted? I just tried it and I can hear it just fine so it might be your device giving you issues.
So, the Villain’s Land marketing rollout has begin. Bwa-ha-ha-ha.
Thanks Gigi. Sound is on but there is no sound until the very end as the camera turns away from the castle and it sounds like wind blowing. I certainly can’t see any lightning though.
All those people and photographers taking pics and videos of the castle, and that’s the best video of a lightning strike ? I saw no strike.