Haunted Disney World

Posted: 05.23.2025 | Updated: 05.23.2025

Since opening its park doors in October 1971, Disney World in Orlando, Florida, has boasted about being the happiest place on earth. However, what they are less inclined to tell the public is that it is also one of the most haunted places on the planet. 

From the spirits of former employees to phantom children, the ghosts of Disney World create a chilling image of the Magic Kingdom that will change your childhood memories forever.

Looking for the full scoop on the hauntings at Disney World and Orlando? Be sure to book a spine-tingling ghost tour with Orlando Haunts today!

Is Disney World Haunted?

While it’s not something Disney World openly advertises, countless staff members and guests have encountered ghosts at the iconic theme park. Some of the most haunted locations include the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride, the Haunted Mansion, the Tower of Terror, and, oddly enough, It’s A Small World, just to name a few. 

The ghosts who haunt these attractions are typically employees or guests who died at the park due to accidents. The spirits that haunt Disney World ensure that these oftentimes grizzly stories are never forgotten. 

Pirates of the Caribbean

The most famous ghost at Disney World is a spirit simply known as “George.” George was reportedly a young welder who fell and died during the construction of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. 

Since this tragic event, George has been blamed for the ride malfunctioning and breaking down. He is known for making calls from the empty control booth, and his apparition has even been caught on camera.

George is seen throughout the ride, but most commonly in the section with the burning city. This is the spot where George allegedly suffered his fatal fall decades ago. 

George has also been spotted near the pirate surrounded by pigs, underneath the bridge, and near the door guarded by a dog with keys. In fact, the door has been nicknamed “George’s Door” since he is so often seen there. 

Staff have learned to show George the respect he deserves to keep his restless spirit at bay. They greet George over the speaker system to ensure they have a ghost-free day. 

Guests are advised to do the same. Some guests have felt a chill wash over them or have the ride suddenly break down when they say that George is fake. 

In addition to George, the ghosts of two women have been spotted inside Pirates of the Caribbean. They had once been guests on the ride, but their boat flew off the tracks, killing them both. Seeing “The Ladies,” as they are now known, is usually accompanied by cold spots and chills.

It’s A Small World

The It’s A Small World ride takes the idea of haunted dolls to a whole new level. There are multiple accounts made by staff and guests of seeing the robotic child dolls on the ride move on their own. 

Of course, the dolls are meant to move, but not when the ride is turned off. This phenomenon has been seen by staff who swear some of these dolls have minds of their own.

One woman recalled a horrifying experience on It’s A Small World when she was 10 years old. The ride began to malfunction, and the music slowed down and sped up in an unusual way. 

Children shrieked in terror when the lights went out and everything went black. When they came back on, the woman said she saw one of the robotic dolls look directly at her and wave before everything went back to normal. 

The Haunted Mansion

Not all of the ghosts at the Haunted Mansion are make-believe. The ghost of a young boy has been seen having the time of his life experiencing the Haunted Mansion’s endless jump scares. Oddly enough, the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland is also haunted by a little boy, but the entity at Disney World is a decidedly happier spirit.

A male apparition is also regularly spotted by staff. The man is always alone and always walks with a cane. 

Attempts by staff to make contact with the man result in him vanishing into thin air, which is scarier than anything at the Haunted Mansion itself. This ghost is thought to be a pilot who crashed his plane into nearby Bay Lake in the 1940s. However, it’s unclear how his spirit came to haunt the mansion 30 years later.  

Another contributing factor to the real hauntings at the Haunted Mansion, both at Disney World and Disneyland, is the fact that thousands of people have scattered their dead loved ones’ ashes on the grounds of the attraction. 

The Tower of Terror

As if the Tower of Terror weren’t scary enough, the ghost of a cast member who died on the loading dock allegedly haunts the ride. This cast member played a bellhop, and he has been seen lurking on Platform D. He is known for making the ride malfunction, especially at the end of the day, much to the frustration of living cast members. These malfunctions usually include flickering lights and mechanical parts jamming for no reason.

Epcot

Two hauntings have been reported at the Epcot section of Disney World. On the Spaceship Earth ride, multiple people have witnessed the ghost of a young blonde girl on the ride. A ghost boy will then run in front of her before vanishing.

At the American Adventure pavilion, staff regularly hear footsteps after the park has closed and no one else is around. One explanation is that the historic nature of the exhibit has resulted in ghosts being drawn to the location. Perhaps the footsteps are phantom tourists having a look around?

Magic Kingdom People Mover

Yet another staff member haunted the People Mover ride at the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. The apparition of a maintenance worker who died on the job has been seen lurking behind the scenes of the ride. Those who encounter this entity often feel a sudden blast of cold air move through their body. 

Haunted Orlando

A trip to Disney World is bound to be a good time, but there is definitely more than meets the eye. Behind its pristine facade, there are ghosts and hauntings within the Magic Kingdom that are as unforgettable as the park itself.

Planning your next trip to Disney World and Orlando? Don’t forget to book a ghost tour with Orlando Haunts for an extra spooky vacation! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Orlando hauntings.

Sources:

• https://disneyworldenthusiast.com/2015/10/30/disney-world-ghost-stories/

• https://courseofhorror.wordpress.com/2016/10/19/its-a-small-and-haunted-world-after-all/

• https://www.hopwoodhomeawayfromhome.com/spooky-ghost-stories-from-disney-parks-you-need-to-know/

• https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g34515-i19-k1990496-o10-Ghosts_at_Disney_World-Orlando_Florida.html