Alfonso Ribeiro Suffers Ankle Injury Filming Christmas Special At Disney World

Alfonso Ribeiro, host of "Dancing with the Stars," sustained a minor ankle injury while filming a dance sequence at Walt Disney World for the upcoming "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade."

The incident occurred when Ribeiro stepped on a trolley rail, causing him to roll his ankle. Eyewitnesses reported that he leaned on co-host Julianne Hough for support before a production team member provided a chair for him to sit on.

In a brief attempt to stretch out the injury, Alfonso Ribeiro tried rolling his ankle, but the pain is evident as he winces and grimaces, showing just how much the misstep affected him.

TMZ obtained footage of Ribeiro injuring his ankle while filming a dance number for an ABC holiday special at Disney World.

Following his ankle injury, Alfonso Ribeiro was eventually moved to a wheelchair, receiving a huge round of applause from the audience for his resilience. However, sources say Ribeiro wasn’t feeling well after the injury, and he was even seen getting sick in a trashcan nearby. With temperatures running high on Sunday, November 10, in Florida, heat exhaustion may have also contributed to his discomfort.

Despite the mishap, sources indicate that Ribeiro's injury is minor, and he plans to continue filming the holiday special, which is set to air on December 25 at 10 a.m. on ABC. Julianne Hough, who co-hosted last year's Christmas special with her brother Derek Hough, is also involved in this year's production.

As the holiday season approaches, Disney World has begun its annual tradition of transforming the Magic Kingdom into a winter wonderland for the taping of the "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade," a holiday special airing on ABC each Christmas morning.

The event, a staple of Disney's holiday programming, is a beloved television tradition and a unique experience for guests who visit the park during the early November filming.

The filming typically takes place in mid-November to allow time for editing and post-production. This year, major filming took place over the weekend (November 9 through November 11) with Main Street, U.S.A., serving as the primary backdrop.

Guests gathered along the park’s pathways, hoping to catch a glimpse of the performances and perhaps a celebrity or two. Some lucky fans even heard the one and only Elton John perform in front of Cinderella Castle.

While the Magic Kingdom remains the main stage, some segments also make use of other park locations, such as Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, to showcase the holiday festivities that extend throughout Disney World.

Crowds are noticeably larger on filming days (especially this year, being it is Veterans Day weekend) as visitors flock to the park for a chance to be part of the holiday magic—and the production process.

Disney fans who are aware of the November filming schedule often make their trips coincide with the event, hoping to capture a sneak peek of this elaborate, nationally televised celebration.

For those attending, the experience can be a lively, if somewhat unpredictable, glimpse into the world of live television production. Disney encourages park-goers to participate as an audience backdrop, adding to the energy and festive atmosphere.

Filming a live production means that the park's daily entertainment offerings can see adjustments. For example, during taping, the "Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade" might be temporarily replaced with "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade," giving guests a preview of the holiday festivities.

The "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" will air on December 25 at 10 a.m. Eastern on ABC, and will be available for streaming on platforms such as Hulu and Disney+.