Disney World's Magic Kingdom evacuated after fake active shooter call sparks panic

Mayhem ensued after parkgoers were evacuated out of Disney World's Magic Kingdom after a false active shooter call. 

The most magical place on earth began the most frightening on Thursday evening after parkgoers took off running when they heard a 'popping sound' and assumed it was an active shooter, Orange County Sheriff's Office said. 

Rumors began to circulate that a gunman was on the grounds and the park was evacuated for safety concerns. 

'There is NO active shooter,' Florida police said. 'A fight occurred, and a "popping" sound was heard that we believe was a balloon.' 

Guests were quick to take to social media to show a ransacked store in the park where souvenirs were thrown on the ground and items were knocked over in their haste to escape the perceived danger. 

The most magical place on earth began the most frightening on Thursday evening after parkgoers took off running when they heard a 'popping sound' and assumed it was an active shooter

Rumors began to circulate that a gunman was on the grounds and the park was evacuated for safety concerns. However, police believe the sound was simply a balloon popping during a fight in the park 

'Went to Magic Kingdom today and there was literally a stampede because of a suspected shooter,' an X user wrote. 'I thought that was actually going to be my last day. I was shoved out of the way and fell. Mothers were crying looking for their daughters, people were hiding, it was so bad.

'Still probably one of the scariest things I've personally experienced but I hope everyone else who was there is okay, especially the kids.'

Another X user showed the large police presence and the massive crowds making their way out of the park. 

'What a terrible thing. This is how they evacuated Magic Kingdom after the false alarm about a shooter in the park,' they wrote on the platform. 

Some guests were taken through a 'backdoor' area, parkgoer Glenn Brady told Fox 35 Orlando. 

'People were running in, getting down in a crouch position. The security people were, telling us to "get down,"' he recalled.

'Went to Magic Kingdom today and there was literally a stampede because of a suspected shooter,' an X user wrote. 'I thought that was actually going to be my last day' (pictured: parkgoers being escorted out of the park) 

A large police presence was seen at the scene and some guests were hidden in back areas until it was determined to be safe 

'Some had to leave their strollers and their carts. So, we were there like 15 minutes, and then we were ushered to another location behind the store where we still remained for, like, another, 30 minutes or so until we were finally ushered out of the park.' 

He said people around him were praying and he and his family were 'telling each other not to panic.' 

'But you can tell there were individuals that were quite upset,' he said.  

Disney World told WFTV 9 in a statement that it appreciated the police force's 'immediate response.' 

'Normal operations have resumed and the park is now closed for the evening,' it said in a statement.

The park was open to visitors on Friday.