A sudden evacuation disrupted the evening for guests at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa last night, as emergency crews responded to an alert at the luxury resort.
Anaheim Fire & Rescue was dispatched at approximately 6.50 p.m. on February 14. However, the incident seems to have proven to be a false alarm, with guests allowed back inside after a brief wait outside the hotel.
The Grand Californian, the largest of Disneyland Resort’s three hotels, is known for its upscale accommodations, craftsman-inspired architecture, and direct access to Disney California Adventure Park. It's home to one of Disneyland Resort's most luxurious restaurants, Napa Rose, which is set to undergo a refurbishment this year.
Despite its reputation for luxury, the Disney resort has experienced multiple evacuation incidents over the years.
Some guests noted that evacuations at the Grand Californian are not uncommon. One Reddit user remarked, “I swear Grand Californian has like 50% chance of being evacuated when I’m there. Wonder why they always have so many false alarms.”
A similar evacuation occurred in October, also due to a false alarm. This incident was likely more frustrating for guests, considering the fact it happened in the middle of the night.
While most evacuations have been precautionary, the hotel experienced a more serious emergency in December 2005 when a Christmas tree in the lobby caught fire at approximately 3 a.m. The fire prompted the evacuation of over 2,000 guests within minutes. Thanks to the hotel's sprinkler system and a swift response from the Anaheim Fire Department, the fire was contained, with only two guests suffering minor injuries.
This latest evacuation comes amid ongoing recovery efforts in Southern California following a series of wildfires that burned through Los Angeles County in January. The Palisades Fire, which raged for 24 days before containment on January 31, was the most severe, impacting areas such as the Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu.
The fires also led to the temporary closure of Universal Studios Hollywood and the displacement of multiple Disneyland Resort cast members.
In response to the devastating wildfires, Disney has offered complimentary Heroes Tickets to California firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and emergency medical technicians who contributed to containment efforts.
Have you ever been evacuated from a Disney resort?
