The "Happiest Place on Earth" turned serious on Tuesday afternoon when a hazmat scare at Disneyland in Anaheim sent at least two people to a hospital, according to officials. Authorities have not yet said what substance was involved, how the patients are doing, or exactly where inside the resort the incident unfolded.
CBS Los Angeles reported that a hazardous-materials response was launched after calls came in around 12:25 p.m. Crews were still sorting out details as of about 1:15 p.m., and the station said at least two people had been transported to a nearby hospital.
The Anaheim Fire Department and regional hazmat teams responded to the scene, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles. The outlet noted that it had contacted Disneyland for comment, and it remained unclear whether the people taken to the hospital were park guests or cast members.
How hazmat teams operate at the resort
Anaheim Fire & Rescue runs a dedicated Hazardous Materials Response Team that can be called in to contain chemical releases, check air and surfaces, and coordinate cleanups. The team is dispatched through Metro Cities' channels and is trained to roll in fast when something at a busy spot like Disneyland does not look right.
According to Anaheim Fire & Rescue, HazMat specialists carry mobile laboratory gear and operate around the clock, ready to analyze suspicious substances and help determine whether an area is safe for the public.
Park's history with similar calls
Hazmat calls at Disneyland are rare, but not unheard of. In December 2023, a worker was briefly hospitalized after a chemical reaction backstage when cleaning products mixed, as reported by FOX 11 Los Angeles.
Back in 2017, a flock of geese flying over the park fouled a crowd below, triggering a hazmat response while officials made sure nothing more dangerous than bird droppings was involved. That oddball incident was covered by ABC7 Los Angeles.
For anyone inside the resort during the latest response, officials say the main thing is to follow instructions from cast members and Disneyland security while crews do their work. CBS Los Angeles reported that the park had not immediately responded to media requests for comment, and authorities urged patience while investigators sort out what happened and whether there is any ongoing risk.
