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New Revelations Emerge on the Disneyland Blaze: What Police Are Saying

At Disneyland, surprises are usually part of the fun, but not every unexpected event is as thrilling as the rides or parades. Recently, an unusual and unsettling incident took place that left visitors and staff alike in a state of disbelief. As guests began their day at the park, something alarming happened in the parking structure, turning an ordinary morning into something that would be remembered for quite some time.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse, dressed in colorful, festive outfits, stand joyfully in front of a castle adorned with "70" banners at this Disney Park.
Credit: Disney Parks Blog

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On the morning of April 4, 2025, Disneyland was rocked by an unexpected and unsettling event. As thousands of visitors made their way into the park, the peaceful and magical atmosphere of the day was disrupted when a car in the Pixar Pals parking structure caught fire.

The scene quickly escalated as the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames, leaving shocked guests to watch as the Anaheim Fire Department rushed to the scene.

Luckily, no guests were injured in the blaze, but the incident left many shaken, as something so jarring is far from the typical Disneyland experience.

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Firefighters arrived swiftly and worked hard to extinguish the flames, but the parking lot was temporarily closed to the public. The cause of the fire was initially unclear, with conflicting reports about what type of car was involved and the extent of the damage to surrounding vehicles.

However, the Anaheim Police Department has now released official details, clarifying many of the questions surrounding the fire.

Here is more from USA Today:

“Initially, police believed the fire originated from a Toyota RAV4, but [Anaheim Police and Fire Public Information Officer Sgt. Jacob] Gallacher told USA TODAY on Friday afternoon that the fire is actually believed to have started inside the engine of a Kia Sportage SUV. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.

Between six to 12 neighboring cars sustained damage from the fire, ranging from smoke damage to undrivable, Gallacher added.”

Smoke Damage Disneyland Car Fire
Credit: Krysten S., Disney Dining

Following the fire, the Pixar Pals parking structure, which is adjacent to the Mickey & Friends structure, was temporarily blocked off to guests as the situation was assessed. However, after about three hours, the first three levels of the parking structure were reopened, allowing Disneyland visitors to return to their usual parking routines.

Thankfully, the quick response from Disneyland cast members and security helped contain the situation and ensured that operations at the parking lot could resume by the afternoon of April 5.

Though the fire certainly disrupted the day for some guests, Disneyland’s staff deserves praise for their swift action in preventing further damage or injury. As the investigation continues, Disneyland will no doubt be looking into further measures to ensure the safety of all visitors and avoid similar incidents in the future.

Have you ever experienced something unexpected during your visit to Disneyland? What was it like? Share your story with us in the comments below!

Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!

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