Lightning Strike at Epcot

[tink2007]

Did anyone see lightning strike Spaceship Earth on Friday afternoon? It was around 3:00 I think. We were on the Monorail when we saw it. When we came back around there was a large black spot on the upper right corner.

 

[Nikisha421]

I didnt see it but it sure does sound like the same course of events that aired on the ABC miniseries last night!!!

 

[suzimar57]

didn't watch "impact" yet - taped it for during the week - wow, lightning hit the big ball!

 

[kmk1180]

Did anyone see lightning strike Spaceship Earth on Friday afternoon? It was around 3:00 I think. We were on the Monorail when we saw it. When we came back around there was a large black spot on the upper right corner.

no but if anyone has a photo of it i'd like to see it...would be a neat shot.

 

[Robo]

Lightning Strike at Epcot

Speaking of-

http://www.advlightning.com/

 

[queenie82]

See this is why we need the wand back...it would have taken the hit and saved the big golf ball!

 

[Eljay]

Everyone, please be careful and seek shelter during the summer lightning storms. Last summer, after a very nasty storm, I saw a tree at the International Gateway that was charred and a large branch split off, partially blocking the walkway.
Definitely lightning.

 

[Manda]

Isn't there always a black smudge at the upper right of Spaceship Earth? There's a big dirty spot that's been there forever.

 

[AwesomeAg]

Did anyone see lightning strike Spaceship Earth on Friday afternoon? It was around 3:00 I think. We were on the Monorail when we saw it. When we came back around there was a large black spot on the upper right corner.

Isn't there always a black smudge at the upper right of Spaceship Earth? There's a big dirty spot that's been there forever.

Yes. There was a large black smudge on the top right side of ball when we were there June 6th - 14th.

This picture was taken on June 11th from the monorail as it is passing in front of the entrance to Epcot, BEFORE it goes around the ball. Note the black smudge on the top right side.

So does anyone have a picture of the black spot the lightning left? I'm intrigued and I'd like to see it.

 

[Eljay]

I'm wondering if it effected the ride and if you could hear the strike inside SSE.

 

[Disney Wanderer]

Welcome to Florida in the Summer time

 

[BamaFan121s]

YES! Oh my gosh...I thought we were the only ones who noticed that! Didn't actually see it hit, but were watching all of the lightning from the outside of our room at POR. There were a few really close strikes that scared us and would send us running for cover back inside for a few min. Went to Epcot later that night and saw the huge spot and figured that must have been what happened!

I attempted to take a pic, but it didn't turn out too well.

 

[Feralpeg]

Lightening in Florida is something to respect. You'll find that very few locals are out running around during a lightening storm, yet I see tourists in the parks walking around like nothing is happening. Yes, there are a lot of lightening rods on WDW property, but that doesn't mean that you are safe. If you can hear thunder, you are in danger of a lightening strike. Stay in a safe area until the storm passes.

 

[Manda]

Lightening in Florida is something to respect. You'll find that very few locals are out running around during a lightening storm, yet I see tourists in the parks walking around like nothing is happening. Yes, there are a lot of lightening rods on WDW property, but that doesn't mean that you are safe. If you can hear thunder, you are in danger of a lightening strike. Stay in a safe area until the storm passes.

I was shocked when we were at ASMu a couple weeks ago and they didn't clear the pool during a lightning storm. You could hear the thunder and see the lightning bolts and everyone was playing in the pool like it was nothing. I made my kid get out and go inside. Lifeguards, recreation staff, and other parents carried on as usual.

 

[MineMail]

I used to be a beach lifeguard - my kids are the FIRST ones out of the pool if I see lightning or hear thunder. Even if they're being dragged out by Mom.

When I took the KTK tour, the Tour Guide pointed out several lightning rods. She also showed us that the thatched roof on the Tiki Birds pavilion is made of aluminum because the Imaginears worried about it being struck and catching fire.

 

[maroo]

I was shocked when we were at ASMu a couple weeks ago and they didn't clear the pool during a lightning storm. You could hear the thunder and see the lightning bolts and everyone was playing in the pool like it was nothing. I made my kid get out and go inside. Lifeguards, recreation staff, and other parents carried on as usual.

I used to be a beach lifeguard - my kids are the FIRST ones out of the pool if I see lightning or hear thunder. Even if they're being dragged out by Mom.

When I took the KTK tour, the Tour Guide pointed out several lightning rods. She also showed us that the thatched roof on the Tiki Birds pavilion is made of aluminum because the Imaginears worried about it being struck and catching fire.

Are you kidding me?!!?!?

They don't evacuate the pools for a storm?

That is so dangerous.


I saw lightning strike a pool once and I will scream and yell at kids to get out of the pool if I hear thunder...miles away...even if they are not mine. (I don't scream or yell often.)

 

[HallGirl]

I was shocked when we were at ASMu a couple weeks ago and they didn't clear the pool during a lightning storm. You could hear the thunder and see the lightning bolts and everyone was playing in the pool like it was nothing. I made my kid get out and go inside. Lifeguards, recreation staff, and other parents carried on as usual.

That is very strange. I have ALWAYS seen the lifeguards telling everyone to get out when there is lightning. When I stay at POP and there is lightning, the lifeguards are nowhere near the pool and often watch the rain from a covered area until it is safe to go out.

On the topic of Spaceship Earth getting hit, WOW. A picture would be interesting to see of what it did.

 

[dalt01]

we were in epcot friday and dont remember a storm at or around 3pm

 

[RabFlmom]

That is very strange. I have ALWAYS seen the lifeguards telling everyone to get out when there is lightning. When I stay at POP and there is lightning, the lifeguards are nowhere near the pool and often watch the rain from a covered area until it is safe to go out.

On the topic of Spaceship Earth getting hit, WOW. A picture would be interesting to see of what it did.

There is the policy at Disney that everyone has to get out of the pools or off the slides in the water park when there is lightning within a so many miles.

The ski lift at BB has to be unloaded and no one ride when the lightning is much farther away because it takes so much time to unload and they do not want anyone stuck on the ski lift in a storm. Same for the coasters in the park. Even though guests may not have seen lightning, they have to side on the side of safety. For example when SW lost power to the park one day last week it took almost 2 hours to get guests off Kracken and Manta.

 

[tink2007]

we were in epcot friday and dont remember a storm at or around 3pm

Sorry, it was thursday. All the days just run together.