An emergency response disrupted operations at a Disney theme park today.
Disney theme parks occasionally close attractions and restrict access to certain areas because of technical problems, weather conditions, or safety concerns. While these closures are typically temporary, some incidents require assistance from local emergency services.
Disney's busiest areas are often located around its castles, where guests gather for parades, character appearances, and nighttime spectaculars. These central locations also provide access to multiple themed lands, meaning closures can affect visitors traveling between different parts of a park.
That was the situation at Disneyland Paris on Tuesday, October 20, when reports of a gas leak prompted firefighters to respond and guests to evacuate an area near Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Central Plaza, which connects Main Street, U.S.A. to several themed lands, was temporarily shut down while emergency crews investigated the incident. Guests were directed away from the area, although the rest of Disneyland Park reportedly continued operating.
Gas Leak Forces Disney to Close Central Plaza
The emergency began after a strong smell of gas was reportedly detected near the castle, prompting firefighters to arrive at Disneyland Park.
According to Disneyland Paris news account DLP Works, Central Plaza was completely closed to the public as emergency responders investigated the suspected leak.
[Live] ⚠️❌🚒 Gas leak at #DisneylandParis with Central Plaza evacuated!
➡️ Central Plaza is currently fully closed to the public, with guests evacuated from the area:
➖ Firefighters are on site & a strong smell of gas is reported!
➡️ Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland &… pic.twitter.com/w3TeXtmzZu— DLP Works (@DLPWorks) October 20, 2026
Disney's Guest Flow teams were deployed to redirect visitors and manage access to the surrounding pathways. The closure prevented guests from passing through one of the park's main gathering areas.
Despite the restrictions, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Discoveryland reportedly remained open. There was no indication that the incident required the evacuation of the entire resort.
Visitors shared their experiences on Reddit, with some reporting additional disruptions throughout the day.
One guest claimed to have been evacuated from the parade route, while another reported seeing a fire hose near the castle. Visitors also described canceled entertainment and restricted pathways, although the full extent of these disruptions has not been independently confirmed.
The incident occurred during Disney Halloween Festival, which runs at Disneyland Paris from September 26 through November 1, 2026.
This year's celebrations include Mickey's Halloween Celebration, a seasonal cavalcade featuring Disney characters in special costumes. The procession travels through Disneyland Park and features a stop in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Disney has also introduced new Halloween decorations along Main Street, U.S.A., extending toward the castle. The event features Disney Villains, seasonal food, character encounters, and Halloween-themed experiences across Disneyland Park.
However, Central Plaza did not remain closed for the entire day.
According to an afternoon update from DLP Works, access to the plaza was restored by approximately 3 p.m. local time on October 20.
The reported gas leak had been located beneath a manhole cover between the Castle Stage and Central Plaza. Although guests were permitted to return to the plaza, the pathway immediately surrounding the affected location remained closed.
It was unclear when the final restrictions would be lifted. Disneyland Paris had not issued a public statement confirming the incident at the time of the initial reports.
Were you at Disneyland Paris during the evacuation?
