Disneyland Resort is operating on a normal schedule today, even as an active chemical emergency continues roughly five miles away in Garden Grove. The resort sits well outside the evacuation zone, and Disney officials confirmed Sunday, May 24, that the Disneyland hazmat incident is not currently affecting park operations.
However, if you have a trip planned this weekend, there are a few things you’ll want to know before you head out. Here’s the latest on what’s happening, where the situation stands, and how it could affect your visit.
How the Disneyland Hazmat Incident Affects Park Operations
Both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure remain open. In its official update, the resort stated that it is not within the identified evacuation zone and that there is no direct impact on park operations at this time.
Because the situation remains fluid, Disney says it is actively monitoring developments and taking guidance from local authorities. Disney has not announced any changes to attractions, entertainment, or hotel operations. If anything shifts, the company has indicated it will share updates as they become available.
What Happened at the GKN Aerospace Facility in Garden Grove
The crisis traces back to Thursday, May 21, when a 34,000-gallon storage tank at the GKN Aerospace facility on Western Avenue in Garden Grove began venting vapors. The leak started around 3:30 p.m. when the tank, containing methyl methacrylate, overheated and began releasing vapors into the air.
Methyl methacrylate is a flammable liquid used in resin and plastic manufacturing. According to Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Covey, crews are facing two potential outcomes if the tank cannot be stabilized: a spill of about 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of chemicals, or a thermal runaway resulting in an explosion.
Therefore, while crews continue to cool the tank, the situation remains classified as an active emergency.
How Far Is Disneyland From the Evacuation Zone?
Disneyland Resort sits approximately five miles from the GKN facility, outside the roughly 10-square-mile evacuation zone. As of Sunday, mandatory evacuations have expanded for an estimated 50,000 residents in the densely populated area across parts of Garden Grove, Anaheim, and nearby communities.
On Saturday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency in Orange County in response to the incident. The EPA has also dispatched on-scene coordinators to assist with the response. So far, no injuries have been reported.
Will the Garden Grove Situation Affect Travel to Disneyland?
Possibly, depending on your route. Disney is advising guests to check local guidance before heading to the resort, because road closures, detours, and traffic disruptions in surrounding areas could impact how you get to and from the park.
If you’re driving in this weekend, I’d recommend building in extra travel time and checking your navigation app for closures before you leave. Guests already staying at Disneyland hotels have not been asked to make any changes to their plans.
Where to Get Real-Time Updates
For the most current information on the incident itself, Disney is directing guests to the Orange County Fire Authority on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. The OCFA is providing the latest evacuation maps and response updates.
For park-specific impacts, Disneyland Resort says it will continue to share updates. You can also follow the original Disney Parks Blog statement for any future operational changes. We’ll update this article as the situation develops.
