Disneyland Still Open as Chemical Tank at Risk of Exploding Forces Evacuation Orders 5 Miles Away.

A hazmat emergency near Disneyland is causing evacuations in Orange County, California, and leading many guests to wonder whether Disneyland is still open, safe to visit or if the parks will be forced to close in the event of an explosion. This post addresses the current status, Disney’s official statement & FAQ, plus everything else you need to know if you’re visiting Anaheim soon.

As you’ve likely seen on the news, a failing chemical tank is dangerously close to exploding at an aerospace facility in Garden Grove, California. Nearly 50,000 Orange County residents remain under evacuation orders, as public officials warn the tank could rupture or explode. This facility is located approximately 5 miles away from some of Orange County’s most popular attractions. This includes not just Disneyland, but also Knott’s Berry Farm, Angel Stadium and the Honda Center.

We are locals living south of Disneyland who visit the parks regularly. Although not subject to evacuation orders or directly impacted by the possibility of an explosion, we are closely watching the local news to keep readers apprised of what’s happening until the situation is resolved. To be notified of future updates about the hazmat situation or all things Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and beyond, sign up for our free Disney Parks email newsletter.

An explosion would cause significant damage to structures located within the immediate blast radius and send a highly toxic, volatile and flammable industrial chemical into the air, Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Nick Freeman said during a public announcement over the weekend.

Despite the close proximity to the potential blast zone, local attractions in Anaheim are not currently at risk of danger even in the event that the tank explodes, according to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). There’s “no threat to Disneyland, Angel Stadium or Knott’s Berry Farm,” said OCFA Captain Steve Concialdi.

Below is a map that shows the evacuation zone on the left, and Disneyland on the upper right. You can check out the interactive version of the map yourself, which also includes toggles for blast zones and toxic plume based on wind conditions:

Another positive development is that the damaged chemical tank in Southern California may have cracked, thereby potentially lowering the risk of a cataclysmic explosion. Authorities said on Sunday that a potential crack in the tank holding toxic chemicals could be keeping internal pressure from building up.

TJ McGovern, Interim OCFA Fire Chief, said on Sunday that a specialized team was assembled to access the tank Saturday night and found the crack. OCFA has data on it, and is currently “vetting and validating that information,” McGovern said. “With this new information, it could change our trajectory and our strategy to this event.”

OCFA Captain Wayhowe Huang said they will be continuing to evaluate the tank. As of Sunday, it does not appear that any of the highly volatile chemicals in the tank have leaked. “There’s still the danger of a possible explosion. We’re not taking that off the table,” Huang added. “We’re still operating as if that is the risk.”

Firefighters have been spraying the outside of the tank with water hoses in an effort to cool the chemicals heating up inside and prevent an explosion. This appeared to be working initially, until it was realized that the interior had continued to heat up even as the exterior of the tank was cooled.

At this point, OCFA officials say it’s almost certain the tank will either explode or crack and spill out toxins into the surrounding area. Valves on the tank are broken, preventing crews from removing the chemical or relieving the pressure on the tank.

Cooling off the tank to prevent a leak or explosion is the best option. With that likely not possible, experts and engineers agree that the most realistic best-case scenario is the tank springing a leak so the chemical could be mostly contained and neutralized in a more controlled manner.

While “toxic chemical leak” doesn’t strike me as an optimal outcome, it’s certainly better than the worst case scenario. An explosion that could spread the chemical over a broader area and send shrapnel flying would be the worst-case scenario (and that definitely does sound worse than a controlled and managed leak).

How the Situation Started

On Thursday afternoon, vapor began seeping from storage tanks holding an industrial chemical used in plastics manufacturing at GKN Aerospace, which makes parts for commercial and military aircraft and is located about a mile north of the 22 Freeway in Garden Grove.

Evacuation orders were issued and expanded on Friday because hazmat teams were unable to secure the largest tank; these orders now impact approximately 50,000 people in Garden Grove and surrounding cities.

The tank contains around 7,000 gallons of a chemical called methyl methacrylate, which is used in manufacturing plastic for the aerospace industry. Barriers have been placed around the tank to try to contain the chemical in case of a spill, and to keep it from flowing into storm drains and the ocean.

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is highly flammable and toxic. The substance can cause skin and eye irritation and respiratory illness. No injuries have been reported thus far. Air monitoring tests have found that pollution around the evacuation zone is within normal limits, and specialized equipment has been deployed to ensure no gas is released from the compromised tank.

Disneyland Resort Operational Updates

In response to guest concerns and questions, Disneyland Resort has now released a statement indicating that the parks are still open, along with the below FAQ:

As of Sunday, May 24, there is an ongoing chemical incident at an industrial facility in Orange County, California, in the neighboring Garden Grove. The incident, which began on May 21 at an aerospace facility, has triggered evacuation orders for thousands of residents across parts of Garden Grove, Anaheim, and nearby communities.

Disneyland Resort is approximately five miles from the incident and at this time, is not inside the evacuation zone. While the situation remains fluid and we may see road closures and minor traffic disruptions, there is no direct impact on park operations at this time.

Here’s what guests need to know right now about park operations and current safety conditions…

Is Disneyland closed as a result of the Garden Grove chemical situation?

No. At this time, there is no impact to Disneyland Resort due to this situation and the resort remains open to guests. We are actively monitoring the situation and taking guidance from local authorities.

Will Disneyland be evacuated as a result of the Garden Grove chemical situation? 

The Disneyland Resort is approximately five miles from the incident and is currently not in the identified evacuation zone.

How close is the chemical incident to Disneyland?

The incident is occurring in Garden Grove, a neighboring Orange County city. The Disneyland Resort is approximately five miles from the incident and is currently not in the identified evacuation zone.

Will the hazmat incident affect travel to Disneyland?

Check local guidance before travel. Road closures, detours, or traffic disruptions in surrounding areas may impact how guests get to and from the resort.

How will guests learn more information about the ongoing situation in Garden Grove?

Updates about the Garden Grove chemical situation can be found by following the Orange County Fire Authority on social media:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• X (formerly Twitter)
• YouTube

The Disneyland Resort will continue to provide information about any resort impacts as it becomes available.

Ultimately, this is an unprecedented occurrence and it’s impossible to say how it’ll develop. If the leak is confirmed and can be contained, there shouldn’t be any impact to Disneyland going forward. If there’s an explosion, it could be a different story, even with OCFA officials offering reassurances that the blast wouldn’t impact Disneyland.

My guess is that the biggest impact on Disneyland is that the parks will be less busy until the explosion risk is eliminated, as the 50,000 locals who are subject to evacuation orders may have bigger concerns to attend to, and other residents of Los Angeles and Orange County nevertheless might be anxious about visiting the parks at this time.

Beyond that, I’m wholly unqualified to offer an assessment about whether Disneyland is safe to visit right now. I could say that it is “at this time” (as does Disneyland’s statement in several places) but that caveat would be doing some serious heavy lifting in a precarious situation that could change without warning.

This isn’t like the wildfires a couple of years ago that were far from the parks and posed no appreciable risk. If there’s an explosion coupled with the wrong wind conditions, there could be an effect on Disneyland. All of that’s obviously a big “if,” as is the degree of any impact in the event that does occur in the first place.

If you are visiting Disneyland during this incident, the other big thing that comes to mind is being especially courteous to Cast Members and granting them grace. Disneyland frontline Cast Members are very likely to live in Garden Grove and other areas that are subject to evacuation. They might be anxious and on edge, worried about their homes, families and friends.

Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and many other SoCal cities!

Your Thoughts

Thoughts to share about the failing chemical tank dangerously close to exploding in Garden Grove? Any additional on-the-ground reports to share from Disneyland or around Southern California? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments.