Disneyland Park in California recently turned into a heartwarming tribute to first responders, as they paraded down Main Street, U.S.A. On Monday, Disneyland Resort held the “Heroes Salute Cavalcade” to honor firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders who played pivotal roles during California’s tragic wildfires earlier this year.
The special, one-time parade featured a mix of Disney and Pixar characters alongside these California heroes. Characters like Merida from Brave (2012), Miguel from Coco (2017), Princess Jasmine and the Genie from Aladdin (1992), Peter Pan, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, and the iconic Mickey and Minnie Mouse made appearances during the procession. Some of Disneyland Resort’s own firefighters also joined the cavalcade, paying tribute to their colleagues in the California first responder community. Guests were also treated to complimentary buttons commemorating the heroes of the LA wildfire efforts.
Among the first responders were brothers Adam and Ian VanGerpe, both with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Adam spent 28 days providing critical safety information to the public, while Ian was on the front lines for 14 days.
“The outpouring of love and support that we received was unprecedented,” Ian told KTLA. “I’ve never seen anything like it. The food and donations, and just how much people cared about us and what we’re doing, it’s pretty amazing and impressive.”
Larry Chu, a third-year veteran who helped fight the fires, also spoke about being honored by Disneyland Resort.
“It’s pretty cool that Disney is able to recognize not just those of us here, but all the firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and so forth, who responded to those events,” he said. “It’s a super cool gesture to feel honored to be here. It’s also very humbling and a little bit awkward during the cavalcade because we’re not into all the recognition and parades and stuff.”
As part of this ongoing recognition, Disneyland Resort is offering first responders a special gift. Through August 7, 2025, qualifying individuals—including California firefighters, Los Angeles law enforcement, and emergency medical technicians—can receive a free one-day Park Hopper ticket. Disney began reaching out to qualifying agencies in April to offer these complimentary Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park tickets as a token of appreciation.
Watch the “Heroes Salute Cavalcade” below:
Have you seen a special cavalcade at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!
