A chemical incident in Garden Grove, approximately five miles from Disneyland, is raising concerns among nearby residents and guests at Disneyland about whether operations at the resort will be impacted.
Disneyland is one of the busiest tourist destinations in Southern California, and with the incident so close to the resort, Disney just shared an operational update. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including new perks for hotel guests this summer and new rides coming next year.
READ MORE – Secret Target in Disneyland’s Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters Gives You 50,000 Points
Risk of Chemical Explosion Near Disneyland
Located less than 10 miles away from Disneyland, along with other popular Orange County attractions like Knott’s Berry Farm and Angel Stadium, a failing chemical tank is at risk of explosion. A 34,000-gallon storage tank containing a flammable, volatile chemical called methyl methacrylate, used to make acrylic plastics, is overheating at the GKN Aerospace facility at 2122 Western Ave. in Garden Grove.
The issue began on Thursday when crews started efforts to cool the tank, but the valves used to pump cooling agents into the tank later failed, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi told KTLA 5 News. Methyl methacrylate is a highly toxic and flammable industrial chemical that can cause health risks to people and animals.
Disney Ride Closure ALERTS, Major Changes, Secrets Revealed
Get alerts on closures, park changes, exclusive discounts, and free printables. Trusted by 100,000+ Disney fans & planners.
Now, roughly 40,000 people have been evacuated from the area near the plant as the tank could explode at any moment. During a presentation from Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Nick Freeman Saturday evening, he outlined different “blast zones” in the nearby area in the event of an explosion. Freeman warned that an explosion could cause significant damage within the blast radius of the chemical tank and send highly toxic and flammable industrial chemicals into the air.
The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, issued a state of emergency proclamation for Orange County. Newsom released a statement saying, “We are mobilizing every state resource available to support local responders and make sure the community has what they need to stay safe.”
Crews are continuing efforts to keep the tank cool in order to avoid an explosion or dangerous chemical leak. Officials hope that if the tank can remain stable long enough, the chemical inside will harden, which could help prevent an explosion. Despite that, officials said they are expecting a disastrous outcome.
Disneyland Releases Operational Update
Even though Disneyland is five miles away from the plant, officials state that they are not at risk even if the tank explodes.
Disneyland shared an operational update addressing concerns, “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.” They further clarified that Disneyland is not currently identified in the evacuation zone.
You can see the full update below and on the Disneyland website.
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:
The Disneyland Resort will continue to provide information about any resort impacts as it becomes available.
READ MORE – 20 Secret Disneyland Quiet Spots Many Regulars Don’t Even Know
Don’t Miss the Latest Disney News
Don’t miss the latest Disneyland and Disney World news from Mickey Visit. Join the FREE Mickey Visit newsletter that over 100k readers receive every single week. Mickey Visit is here to help you save money and experience more during your Disney and Universal vacation. See the Mickey Visit guide to Disneyland and the Mickey Visit guide to Disney World for tips.
