Disney Parade Disaster as Float Catches Fire, Guests Flee the Scene
Disneyland is known for its magical parades, full of enchanting floats and breathtaking performances, delighting guests of all ages. One such parade, Paint the Night, has long been a fan favorite, bringing the streets of Disneyland alive with colorful lights, whimsical music, and unforgettable characters.
The return of the parade, after a long hiatus, was one of the highlights of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebrations.
Related: After Axing Daytime Parade, Disneyland Doubles Down on Paint the Night
However, one night in September, a celebration of joy quickly turned into a scene of unexpected panic.
On the evening of September 10, 2025, an incident occurred that no one at Disneyland could have predicted. As Paint the Night made its way through Fantasyland, the float featuring Ariel, King Triton, Flounder, and Sebastian from The Little Mermaid (1989) started to smoke.
Witnesses even reported seeing flames rising from the float. What was supposed to be an enchanting experience suddenly turned into a real-life emergency.
“The Little Mermaid float in Paint the Night at Disneyland started smoking tonight and the parade had to be stopped and guests were removed from the area.”
The Little Mermaid float in Paint the Night at Disneyland started smoking tonight and the parade had to be stopped and guests were removed from the area pic.twitter.com/Snges3YSUH
— Matt (@DisneyScoopGuy) September 11, 2025
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Disney cast members, known for their quick thinking and professionalism, immediately sprang into action. The cast member playing Ariel, positioned at the front of the float, was swiftly removed from the scene. As the parade came to an abrupt halt, Disney employees acted quickly to evacuate guests from the area, ensuring their safety.
Within half an hour, the smoke was successfully extinguished, and the situation was under control.
The parade, which had been drawing large crowds as it passed through Disneyland Park, was temporarily halted while the float was taken backstage. As the situation was contained and the area cleared, the float was slowly towed down Main Street, U.S.A., back to the backstage area.
@emmuhthefloor walked out of star tours to the parade stopped 🙁 #fyp #disneyland
Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident, and the evacuation was carried out swiftly and safely.
As of now, Disney has not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire, nor has it provided any details about the extent of the damage to the float. Fans of Paint the Night are left wondering if the float will return to the parade in the near future, or if it will remain in the backstage area for repairs through the new year.
As this incident occurred in the middle of the Disneyland Halloween season, the future of the float remains uncertain. The Paint the Night parade is scheduled to run until November 9, after which the Disneyland Christmas Fantasy Parade will take over.
Have you ever witnessed an emergency during a Disney parade, or have you experienced something unexpected at a Disney park? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below! What’s your favorite Disney parade, and how do you feel about the future of Paint the Night? Let us know!
