On a crisp December evening at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, winter tourists were treated to an unexpected spectacle that left many awestruck. As visitors enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere inside Epcot, a glowing red object streaked upward across the night sky, resembling a falling star in reverse. The bizarre sight, captured on video by a parkgoer, sparked a frenzy of speculation and debate, with some convinced it was an extraterrestrial unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP).
The video, posted on social media by user @DisneyDads on TikTok, quickly went viral. “Look what’s in the skies above EPCOT tonight!!” the excited park patron exclaimed, pointing at the illuminated object. In the footage, the crowd can be seen turning their heads, marveling at the glowing streak. Social media platforms, particularly X, buzzed with reactions, with one user commenting, “Yet more even bizarre aerial phenomena witnessed again by tens of thousands of people. They clearly want us to all see it now…” Others described the object as an “orb-like” UAP, fueling theories of an alien encounter.
However, not everyone was convinced of an extraterrestrial explanation. Many pointed out that the sighting coincided with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral on December 16, 2024, at 7:52 PM ET. The rocket, part of SpaceX’s RRT-1 mission to deploy an advanced GPS satellite for the US military, created a dramatic visual effect in the sky. According to reports, the Falcon 9’s reusable first-stage booster returned to Earth approximately 8.5 minutes after launch, landing on the drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean. For those familiar with SpaceX launches, the glowing streak was a recognizable sight. “That’s SpaceX,” commented Brandon Harper, a former Disney employee who lives in Orlando, just eight miles from the park.
Despite the logical explanation, skepticism persisted. Amateur investigators expressed doubts, with one observer noting, “I’ve seen a lot of shooting stars. None have ever glowed red. It’s not a shooting star. It’s not a firework.” Others proposed more unconventional theories, with one TikTok user suggesting, “Google US Navy Laser Creates Plasma ‘UFOs.’ They are using the plasma balls to create heat to attract heat-seeking missiles instead of hitting our drones.” Another playfully remarked, “Santa.”
This wasn’t an isolated incident. On December 23, 2024, another Disney visitor, Armand Luigi, Esq., reported a similar red glowing streak visible from the Magic Kingdom. Posting on X, Luigi shared a video of the event, noting that it coincided with SpaceX’s launch of 21 Starlink satellites that night. The rocket’s flames were faintly visible through the red haze of nearby tiki torches, adding to the otherworldly effect. “I was there and took this video in Epcot, Disney World,” Luigi wrote. “We looked it up while it was happening, and it was a SpaceX launch.”
While SpaceX’s activities provide a plausible explanation, not all were convinced. One skeptic dismissed the video as “CGI,” questioning its authenticity. The recurring sightings have turned Disney World into an unexpected “UFO H๏τspot,” captivating parkgoers and sparking lively debates online. Whether a product of cutting-edge space technology or something more mysterious, the glowing red streaks have added an unforgettable twist to the Disney magic.
