A wave of dizziness and shortness of breath swept through a backstage area of Disneyland in Anaheim, California, sending five employees to the hospital Tuesday afternoon. The incident triggered a swift response from paramedics, who rushed to the park after reports of a strange odour began circulating among staff.
The affected employees were working near Tomorrowland’s Star Tours attraction when they first began to feel unwell. Initial reports described a growing sense of disorientation and difficulty breathing, prompting immediate concern and the call for medical assistance.
As emergency crews arrived, a section of the park was temporarily impacted. Cast members were observed securing The Star Trader shop, preventing guests from entering, and a scheduled parade was cancelled as a precautionary measure. However, officials confirmed that the incident did not directly affect visitors enjoying the park.
Investigations quickly focused on recently used building materials brought in by a contractor. Disney officials believe these materials were the source of the irritating odour and the subsequent health reactions experienced by the employees.
Out of an abundance of caution, adjacent buildings were temporarily closed to allow for thorough assessment and ventilation. Officials anticipated these areas would reopen later in the day once the air quality was confirmed safe.
In a separate development, Disneyland Resort announced a significant change to its park-hopping policy. Guests holding Park Hopper tickets or Magic Key passes will now be able to move freely between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure throughout the entire day.
Previously, park-hoppers were restricted from switching parks until 11 a.m. This new, more flexible rule aims to enhance the visitor experience, allowing guests to maximize their time and enjoy both parks without the previous time constraint. The change is, however, subject to park capacity and operating hours.
