Disney Hotel Orders Guests To Leave Amid New Year’s Eve Incident
Hundreds of guests were temporarily evacuated from the Disneyland Hotel on Tuesday night, disrupting stays at one of Disneyland Resort’s most prominent onsite properties during the busy holiday period.
The incident occurred late on December 31, according to guest accounts shared online.
The Disneyland Hotel sits adjacent to Downtown Disney and offers guests a dedicated pedestrian route to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Its location has long made it a popular choice for visitors seeking proximity without staying directly at the park entrances.
The property recently completed a multi-year refurbishment that updated guest rooms and common areas and added new Disney Vacation Club villas. The redesign incorporated mid-century modern elements, subtle Disneyland references, and upgraded in-room technology.
Amenities at the hotel include multiple pools with the Monorail Waterslides, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, and several dining locations. Historically, Early Entry access to both theme parks helped maintain demand despite consistently high nightly rates.
That benefit is set to change soon. Beginning January 5, 2026, Disneyland Resort will remove the daily 30-minute Early Entry perk and replace it with a single Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection per guest, per stay, at select on-site hotels.
Despite that shift, the Disneyland Hotel remains one of the resort’s flagship accommodations. Wednesday night’s evacuation, however, highlighted how disruptions can occur even at Disney’s most established properties.
Guests Evacuated From Disneyland Hotel
According to guests staying at the hotel, the evacuation was triggered by issues with the sprinkler system.
Posts shared on Reddit claimed that sprinklers malfunctioned on certain floors, causing flooding in parts of the building.
Guests were seemingly asked to leave their rooms while the situation was addressed. Disney has not released an official statement detailing the cause or scope of the incident.
Some guests indicated that the evacuation followed a pattern of recent plumbing-related issues at the hotel. One guest who stayed between December 26 and December 28 wrote, “Came back 27th night and security informed me there were water pipe issues and all ice machines down except on 7th floor.”
The guest added, “Looks like they have been having lots of issues and hotel showing its age again and with such high room rates.” The comment reflects ongoing scrutiny around maintenance and value at Disney’s premium resorts.
In an update, the guest who initially reported the evacuation noted that a cappella performers were brought in to entertain guests who were temporarily unable to return to their rooms.
Much like other large hotels, evacuations are not uncommon at Disney properties, given their size, occupancy levels, and reliance on complex infrastructure systems.
Evacuations at Other Disney Properties
In 2025, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa was evacuated on Valentine’s Day following what guests later described as a false alarm. Firefighters assessed the situation before allowing guests back inside.
The same hotel experienced another evacuation several months earlier. That incident also ended without damage or injury.
At Walt Disney World Resort, similar situations have occurred. Guests at Disney’s Contemporary Resort were evacuated in December due to fire alarms.
A comparable incident took place at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in October. In each case, guests were allowed to return once safety checks were completed.
Evacuations also occur inside the theme parks themselves. Attractions and shows are occasionally cleared to address safety concerns, mechanical issues, or false alarms.
Earlier this week, guests were escorted from the amphitheater hosting Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios after a prop malfunction during a performance.
The cast member involved reportedly received stitches and is recovering. The show resumed operations after the issue was resolved, although the boulder is now missing as Disney explores modifications to prevent future incidents.
Have you ever been evacuated from a Disney hotel?
