Japan, Hawaii, Russia, and the Western Coastline surrounding California are all reeling back from tsunami waves after a powerful earthquake shook just outside Russia’s borders, leading to numerous airports closing down.
Disney Guests Seek Shelter, Higher Ground as Tsunami Waves Close Down Multiple Airports
It began with a violent jolt beneath the sea — and ended with thousands of Disney guests on high alert.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a devastating 8.8-magnitude undersea earthquake struck just off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The quake, with a shallow epicenter only 12 miles beneath the ocean floor, triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific — putting both Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii directly in the path of possible destruction.
Domestic//Typhoon Information – From the July 31 to August 03, #TyphoonKrosa may affect flights to/from Hachijojima Airport. From the August 01 to August 03,TyphoonKrosa may affect flights to/from Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda Airport. – @ANAFlightInfo_e on X
Domestic//Typhoon Information – From the July 31 to August 03, #TyphoonKrosa may affect flights to/from Hachijojima Airport. From the August 01 to August 03,TyphoonKrosa may affect flights to/from Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda Airport.
Latest info: https://t.co/Flk8IG0U9N /✈ pic.twitter.com/xebSnGjBvY— ANA Flight Info (@ANAFlightInfo_e) July 30, 2025
Now, as waves begin to move across the ocean, emergency teams are racing against the clock — and Disney travelers are being urged to take this threat seriously. This article breaks down what happened, what to expect next, and what every Disney guest in the region should know.
Tokyo Disney in Tsunami Warning Zone
Japan’s Meteorological Agency wasted no time issuing tsunami alerts for nearly the entire eastern coastline of Japan. That includes Chiba Prefecture, where Tokyo Disney Resort is located right on the Tokyo Bay waterfront.
Wave height forecasts include:
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10 feet (3 meters) in Kujukuri (ETA: 10:30 a.m. JST)
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3.2 feet (1 meter) in central Tokyo (ETA: 11:30 a.m. JST)
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1 meter for Osaka (ETA: 12:00 p.m. JST)
As of now, Tokyo Disney Resort has not officially shut down or issued a public evacuation order. But emergency services have already begun evacuating other vulnerable coastal areas, and it’s widely expected that the resort could suspend operations if the situation escalates.
“Tsunamis can strike quickly and without warning if the epicenter is shallow — and this quake fits that profile,” said Japanese seismologist Shinichi Sakai, speaking to NHK.
Disney’s Aulani Resort Faces Tsunami Watch in Hawaii
Thousands of miles away, Aulani is also under watch. Located on Oahu’s Ko Olina coast — an area directly facing the Pacific — the luxury resort could see tsunami waves arriving around 7:17 p.m. HST.
BREAKING… #Tsunami waves now expected to hit #Hawaii at 7:10 HST—this is just over 90 minutes from now. Governor: “Move to 4th story of any building near coast.” Hilo airport CLOSED. All ports CLOSED. All ships moved out to sea. #earthquake DEVELOPING… – @SteveNorrisTV on X
🚨🚨BREAKING… #Tsunami waves now expected to hit #Hawaii at 7:10 HST—this is just over 90 minutes from now. Governor: “Move to 4th story of any building near coast.”
Hilo airport CLOSED.
All ports CLOSED.
All ships moved out to sea. #earthquake
DEVELOPING… pic.twitter.com/XA4snXRVKg
— Steve Norris (@SteveNorrisTV) July 30, 2025
Officials from Oahu Emergency Management have issued early advisories for coastal areas. While no evacuations at Aulani have been reported, guests may experience:
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Restricted beach access
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Temporary closures of outdoor resort areas
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Emergency alerts and safety announcements
Nearby, Maui County officials have stated: “These tsunami waves could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii.”
U.S. West Coast Now on Tsunami Advisory
The United States West Coast, from California to Alaska, has also been placed under a tsunami advisory by the National Tsunami Warning Center. While the expected wave height is under 1 foot, authorities emphasize that:
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The first wave is not always the strongest
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Tsunamis can arrive in multiple, unpredictable waves
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Coastal areas, harbors, and beaches should be strictly avoided
Arrival estimates:
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Monterey, CA – 12:15 a.m. PT
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San Francisco, CA – 12:40 a.m. PT
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Los Angeles Harbor – 1:05 a.m. PT
“Stay away from the water! Remain away from shore until local officials say it’s safe,” urged NWS Bay Area, via X (formerly Twitter).
What Disney Travelers Need to Do Right Now
If you’re at a Disney resort in a tsunami warning zone — or headed there in the next few days — here are urgent steps you should take:
✅ Follow official alerts
Local governments and resort staff will have real-time updates and safety instructions.
✅ Avoid all beaches
Waves can come without warning and may seem calm until it’s too late.
✅ Prepare for delays
Airports across Japan, Hawaii, and California are grounding or delaying flights. Stay updated on your airline’s status.
✅ Check with Guest Services
Both Tokyo Disney and Aulani have emergency protocols and may offer relocation assistance or guidance if evacuations are required.
