A plume of black smoke rising over Anaheim sent guests scrambling out of the Disneyland Hotel on March 30. However, the source of the fire turned out to be farther from the Southern California Disney Resort hotel than it looked.
Smoke Over the Resort
Video footage captured inside Disney California Adventure Park on March 30 showed thick black smoke rising into the sky behind the Disneyland Hotel and the Pixar Place Hotel. From X (formerly known as Twitter) user @CitizenAppLA:
BREAKING | Smoke Billowing Overhead
Citizen App video shows a smoke condition in the area. Do you know what's on fire? If you’re nearby, broadcast live to share updates on Citizen 📲
BREAKING | Smoke Billowing Overhead
Citizen App video shows a smoke condition in the area. Do you know what's on fire? If you’re nearby, broadcast live to share updates on Citizen 📲 pic.twitter.com/BPweJbI5gy— Citizen Los Angeles (@CitizenAppLA) March 30, 2026
The source wasn't immediately clear, and speculation spread quickly. Despite the alarming visuals, both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park continued operating without interruption.
Hotel Guests Ordered Out
As the smoke thickened, guests at the Disneyland Hotel were evacuated from the property. Early reports raised concerns that the smoke might be originating from Discovery Tower, the new Disney Vacation Club building on the Disneyland Hotel grounds. A helicopter was spotted circling overhead as the situation developed.
Guests were just evacuated from the Disneyland Hotel and black smoke was reported coming from the Discovery Tower. Guests are currently being allowed to return and a helicopter is circling overhead.
Guests were just evacuated from the Disneyland Hotel and black smoke was reported coming from the Discovery Tower. Guests are currently being allowed to return and a helicopter is circling overhead.
— Matt (@DisneyScoopGuy) March 30, 2026
The evacuation was short-lived. After an investigation, Disney Resort guests were cleared to return to their rooms in the early afternoon.
The Source of the Smoke
The smoke was traced not to any structure on Disneyland Resort property, but to a house fire on Calle Del Sol in Anaheim. Scanner reports confirmed the fire was contained to a single residence and posed no threat to the resort or the surrounding area.
BREAKING 🚨🚨
#Anaheim / #California
This smoke is related to a bourse fire call on Calle Del Sol in Anaheim. There is no threat to Disneyland or the resort area at this time. Fire is contained to a single house.
BREAKING 🚨🚨#Anaheim / #California
This smoke is related to a bourse fire call on Calle Del Sol in Anaheim. There is no threat to Disneyland or the resort area at this time. Fire is contained to a single house. https://t.co/EzIOcEkPYa
— OC Scanner 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 (@OC_Scanner) March 30, 2026
Disneyland Resort sustained no damage and experienced no lasting operational impacts from the incident. The resort did not issue a public statement.
What is the strangest thing that's interrupted your Disney Parks vacation? Disney Fanatic would love to hear about your experience in the comments!
