Wildfires are presently raging throughout Southern California, inflicting the closure of Common Studios Hollywood and readers to ask whether or not Disneyland Resort will shut its parks or in any other case be impacted by the fires. This put up addresses the present operational standing of the parks, plus our expertise to this point being pretty far south of Los Angeles and Anaheim.
As you’ve probably seen on the information, lethal wildfires have damaged out throughout coastal areas of Southern California resulting from a confluence of circumstances. These wildfires have proliferated resulting from highly effective Santa Ana winds plus low humidity plus barely any rain over the course of months.
Winds have already topped 60 mph and will hit 100 mph in mountains and foothills, with these hurricane-force winds aiding the quick unfold of those wildfires. A minimum of two individuals have been killed as fast-moving fires are engulfing the Los Angeles space, prompting necessary evacuations of greater than 80,000 individuals.
Because the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst wildfires rage, the chance of extra fast-moving and wind-driven infernos will persist by way of at the least Thursday. Even earlier than the best winds started, a number of wildfires broke out Tuesday, burning hundreds of acres within the Los Angeles space and forcing tens of hundreds of evacuations.
The Palisades Fireplace has already burned by way of greater than 2,900 acres, whereas the Eaton Fireplace has destroyed over 10,000 acres and the Hurst Fireplace has affected 500 acres. The Pacific Palisades is a neighborhood tucked between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, which is positioned to the northwest of Disneyland.
The Eaton Fireplace sparked round 6:30 p.m. yesterday (January 7, 2025) within the Pasadena and Altadena space. The Hurst Fireplace ignited round 10:30 p.m. yesterday in Sylmar, north of San Fernando, earlier than rising to 500 acres (all in accordance with Cal Fireplace).
Once more, all of fires are pretty removed from Disneyland–the closest is over 30 miles away. Even with all three wildfires at 0% containment, it’s extremely unlikely for Disneyland to be straight impacted by this trio of wildfires. Regardless that these are historic wildfires, there’s nothing within the forecast to recommend they’ll extra in that path–and definitely not that far.
Common Studios Hollywood is positioned north of Los Angeles, and is way more impacted by the present conflagrations. Accordingly, right here’s the assertion launched by USH this morning:
Because of excessive winds and fireplace circumstances, Common Studios Hollywood is making the next operational modifications for right now, January 8, 2025.
- Common Studios Hollywood will likely be closed right now, January 8, 2025 and is anticipated to open for enterprise tomorrow.
- Common CityWalk will likely be closed right now, January 8, 2025 and is anticipated to open for enterprise tomorrow.
We anticipate a full reopening of our vacation spot, tomorrow, January 9, 2025 at our regular working hours pending evaluation of the state of affairs.
Keep tuned for vital data concerning ticket redemption for ticketed friends affected by right now’s closure. The security of our staff members and our friends is our high precedence.
Different common vacationer locations, together with however not restricted to the Getty and Getty Villa, Los Angeles Zoo, and Griffith Observatory will likely be closed on January 8, 2025. Present closures are principally confined to the north facet of Los Angeles County. No different theme parks have reported closures.
Whereas Disneyland won’t be straight impacted by the Pacific Palisades, Eaton and Hurst wildfires, there might be oblique impacts.
The most important of those is the wind. That’s technically separate from the wildfires–it’s extra the catalyst for his or her unfold–however these robust Santa Ana winds may trigger cancellations and closures. There already aren’t any fireworks scheduled for the subsequent couple days (not a brand new improvement), however these would assuredly be cancelled. They’re often nixed in a lot calmer circumstances.
One other chance is the cancellation of World of Coloration – ONE. I wouldn’t count on that to occur–it’s normally carried out in all circumstances–but when the winds are intense sufficient tonight, it’s throughout the realm of potentialities. (I most likely wouldn’t watch, regardless. It’s already chilly and that plus wind are a nasty recipe for getting soaked.)
Then there are sights. Apparent candidates for closure are Golden Zephyr and Foolish Symphony Swings at Disney California Journey. There are doubtlessly different impacts, however these are the probably ones.
It’s additionally value noting that all the above pertains to the Pacific Palisades, Eaton and Hurst wildfires, particularly.
New wildfires are doable, because the circumstances are conducive to them. Per CalFire, there’s a crimson flag warning for the whole thing of Southern California, from north of the present fires all the way in which all the way down to the southern border of the state.
This “Notably Harmful State of affairs” warning is ready to proceed till 4 p.m. PST on Wednesday, and applies from Los Angeles County all the way down to San Diego County (in addition to Orange County). On Thursday and Friday, winds will start to loosen up and relative humidity will start to climb.
On a optimistic word, Anaheim is often not deemed a excessive threat for wildfires within the first place.
Southern California Edison has made a number of Public Security Energy Shutoffs (PSPS) and in addition suggested that PSPS are “into consideration” for many others. Anaheim will not be amongst these places.
For our half, we dwell to the southwest of Disneyland (principally the mirror picture of Pacific Palisades by way of location) and we’re beneath all the similar warnings, plus a PSPS into consideration resulting from being in a better threat location (usually, not as a result of present wildfires).
Forward of the winds, the native authorities issued a pleasant reminder to have a 5-minute evacuation plan in place. With how shortly these fires have been shifting and the way gradual visitors was by way of some necessary evacuation areas, that was good recommendation–so we figured we’d share this 5-minute plan & guidelines for different Californians needing one.
Cal Edison truly alerted us of this PSPS chance on Monday, earlier than any of the fires began–which means this threat has been anticipated earlier than the wildfires broke out. I can’t converse to Disneyland, however the air high quality is surprisingly good right here–due at the least partly to the fierce winds. Visibility can be good–it’s like a standard winter day in that regard, a lot better than summer season.
Above is a take a look at the present air high quality map, courtesy of the the South Coast Air High quality Administration District. Whereas there are areas that unhealthy to the north the place the wildfires are burning, Anaheim stays average.
Air high quality is anticipated to worsen because the wildfires proceed to burn however the winds die down. The smoke circumstances for your complete South Coast AQMD jurisdiction, which incorporates Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties, can be seen right here.
Finally, this can be a historic prevalence and it’s not possible to say the way it’ll develop. My guess is that the largest affect on Disneyland is that the parks will likely be ghost cities January 8-9, as locals to the north have greater issues to take care of and most locals to the south are anxious about related circumstances arising round their properties, and never desirous to be within the parks consequently.
Should you’re a vacationer, you may need related issues about smoke and ash within the air. It’s additionally doable that flights out of Bob Hope Airport will likely be delayed or cancelled, however I can’t think about many Disneyland friends flying into Burbank. Past sharing that it’s principally enterprise as regular at Disneyland and doubtless will stay that method, I’m unsure what actionable recommendation to supply.
The most important factor that involves thoughts is being particularly courteous to Solid Members and granting them grace. 1000’s of properties have already been destroyed, with vital impacts past that. Locals are probably on edge, fearful about themselves, their households and pals. Our ideas exit to all of these affected by the wildfires, and our honest thanks to these courageous people out on the frontlines preventing the fires and aiding in evacuations.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Ideas for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Study on-site and off-site inns in our Anaheim Resort Evaluations & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Evaluations. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and lots of different SoCal cities!
Your Ideas
Ideas to share concerning the Palisades, Eaton or Hurst wildfires? Any extra on-the-ground studies to share from Disneyland or round Southern California? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
