
As wildfires blaze across Southern California, Disneyland Resort is feeling the impact of a region in crisis. While the fires remain far from Anaheim, the ripple effects of the state of emergency have led to declining crowds and an eerie emptiness in the Disney parks.
California Under a State of Emergency
Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as wildfires ravaged parts of Los Angeles County. With at least 25 lives lost and over 12,000 structures destroyed, tens of thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders. Communities near the Palisades and Eaton fire zones remain under curfews as the National Weather Service warns that worsening conditions next week may reignite the flames.
Disneyland Resort, located outside the fire zones, has stayed operational while nearby competitors like Universal Studios Hollywood temporarily closed to protect guests and staff. Despite its distance from the fires, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are seeing significantly reduced attendance as locals prioritize safety and travelers reconsider plans.
Disneyland Resort Empty During the Wildfires
For those who made it to Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, or Downtown Disney District, the experience has been strikingly unique. Guests have reported exceptionally low crowd levels, empty restaurants, and quick access to attractions.
Redditor u/kvsnake shared their recent experience, describing the parks as unusually quiet: “Out of all our trips in the past year, this was the best. No lines to the garage, no lines at security, no lines to get in. We never waited more than a minute to get on a ride.”
Another guest, u/The_Nice_Marmot, described testing the accuracy of posted wait times: “Indy was posted as 30, and it was 15. Yesterday we did 22 rides in Disneyland.”
Meanwhile, first-time visitor u/Head-Thought6153 celebrated the chance to ride Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run three times and Radiator Springs Racers four times in one day. “Almost no wait at all,” they said.
Disney Cast Members in Crisis
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Disneyland Hotel has offered emergency housing to hundreds of cast members displaced by the fires. Reports indicate that at least 64 Disneyland Resort employees have lost their homes.
Have you noticed lower crowd levels at Disneyland Resort this week? Share your experience with Disney Fanatic in the comments.