In a shocking turn of events during Disneyland's 70th anniversary festivities, eight cast members were rushed to Anaheim hospitals on Tuesday after a contractor's building materials triggered a dangerous chemical reaction backstage, causing dizziness and shortness of breath. The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols at the "Happiest Place on Earth."
Star Tours at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., in 2024. Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty
While Disneyland officials and the Anaheim Police Department (APD) confirmed the incident was isolated to backstage areas, with no guests affected, the timing couldn't be worse. The park is deep into its 70th anniversary celebration, running from May 2025 to August 2026, drawing massive crowds eager to experience the magic.
Despite initial confusion over the number of employees impacted, sources reveal that paramedics treated the cast members on-site before their hospital transport. All have since been released, but the incident forced the evacuation of nearby guest areas, though Disneyland claims these will reopen "momentarily."
The fallout is already visible: Space Mountain in Tomorrowland is listed as "Temporarily closed" on the park's app, while Star Tours remains operational. This disruption comes as Disneyland faces heightened scrutiny over its anniversary events, with fans and critics alike questioning how such a safety lapse could occur behind the scenes.
As investigations continue, one thing is clear: Disneyland's fairy-tale image has been tarnished by a very real-world hazard, leaving cast members and visitors wondering what other secrets lurk backstage.
