A sudden deluge disrupted Friday night at Disneyland, shutting down attractions and forcing the cancellation of the park’s scheduled fireworks show.
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for Orange County at 7:28 p.m. local time, warning of hazardous conditions through 9:30 p.m. The advisory covered Anaheim, home to Disneyland.
Visitors were caught off guard as heavy rain rapidly swept across the resort. Images and videos posted online showed floodwater moving through the “Happiest Place on Earth” while guests hurried for cover in plastic ponchos.
The Disneylanders account posted shocking footage online of lightning and thunder rocking Tomorrowland before rain hammered down.
“Tell me this wasn’t Mother Nature giving us a warning before Disneyland turned into a water park,” one Disney fan wrote.
Another video appeared to show parts of Frontierland and Fantasyland under water, with guests wading through flooded walkways as overwhelmed drains struggled to handle the downpour.
“I was there and it rained HARD for about 20 minutes,” one commenter said. “I wouldn’t blame it on the drains being clogged, maybe a little slow, but mostly overwhelmed. All the streets of Anaheim were flooded too.”
“A flooded day at Disney is better than any sunny day anywhere else,” another person joked.
Disneyland visitors donned ponchos as they braved the heavy Friday night rain. Picture source: TheDisneylanders.com
Rainwater poured through outdoor dining areas as guests searched for shelter. Picture source: Courtesy Fabian Bon/Facebook
Footage showed overwhelmed drains and visitors making their way through standing water. Picture source: TheDisneylanders.com
A separate viral clip showed water seeping into an outdoor tent structure as park visitors ducked inside to escape the storm.
Many guests took to social media to describe the intense rainfall. “Me last night lol! I had to buy an umbrella because I didn’t think it was going to rain like this,” one wrote.
“I was in the line for Haunted Mansion when it rained. There was no shade, we got soaked,” another visitor said.
“And they closed most of the rides. It was wild,” a third commenter added.
“It was wild but fun! Mother Nature was definitely being dramatic,” another guest said.
Even so, many visitors tried to embrace the unusual experience. Fabian Bon posted a video telling his followers: “When it rains, it pours. Are you going to complain about rain or are you gonna dance in it?”
Bon and a friend stayed at the park and carried on with their evening despite the downpour.
He later shared a photo taken in front of Cinderella’s Castle, captioned: “There is something magical about feeling the rain at Disneyland.”
Addison Zegan, who operates the Disneylanders account, told the Los Angeles Times that he regularly visits the resort and described the storm as producing “the biggest California raindrops I’ve ever seen.”
“It was dark, and people were really confused. They were hunkering down because the rain was so bad,” Zegan said.
Disneyland attendees were met with rain and wind on Friday night. Pictured above is the park during a sunny day in January
Parkgoers shared their experience on social media, with some writing that they made the best of the experience. Picture source: TheDisneylanders.com
The rainstorm passed within an hour, but those planning to go to the park in the coming days should prepare for more rain. Picture source: TheDisneylanders.com
Disney temporarily closed rides on Friday night and the fireworks display was canceled
After an hour of torrential rain, the storm passed and began to clear up. A park spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times that it temporarily closed some areas during the storm. The evening’s fireworks display was also canceled.
Those planning a trip to the park this week should prepare for more rain. The NWS has issued a coastal hazard warning for San Diego and Orange Counties.
The warning is in effect from 5am Sunday until 1pm PST on Thursday during high tides.
The NWS has warned coastal residents to prepare for tides and water levels one to 1.7 feet above normal.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Disneyland for additional comment.