3 Earthquakes Have Hit Disneyland in the Last Year. Here’s What To Do If One Happens While You’re in the Parks.

Disneyland takes natural emergency prep seriously. 

Disneyland

While a visit to a Disney park is supposed to be the a break from the harsh realities of the “real” world – there’s a reason that Disneyland has long been nicknamed the Happiest Place on Earth after all – unfortunately sometimes reality breaking into the parks is unavoidable. However, when it comes to natural disasters, Disney is prepared. 

Over the last several months, at least three major earthquakes have been strong enough to be felt on the ground at the Disneyland Resort. The first was back in December of 2023. On the 4th, a 3.5 magnitude earthquake hit one mile east of Fullerton, California, with shaking feet throughout Southern California including Disneyland. 

Disneyland

The next, and first of 2024, was on February 9th, when a 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Southern California coast near Malibu. 

The third was just this past week, when a 4.1 magnitude quake struck on May 1st. The quake epicenter was three miles from Anaheim, and it was by most accounts the strongest of the three as far as being felt in Disneyland. 

On both occasions, Disneyland enacted the protocols the park has in place for such an event. All of the parks rides, attractions, and structures were shut down and evacuated, and each had to pass an inspection to verify its structural integrity before guest clearance was given, and normal operations resumed. 

While earthquakes in California are relatively common – according to a USGS survey, an average of “25 earthquakes with magnitudes between 4.0 and 5.0 occur each year in California and Nevada.” 

Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland

If you’re ever caught in an earthquake – whether at Disneyland or anywhere else – the U.S. government has provided guidelines of advice on what do. Their recommendations include:

-If you are in a car, pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.

-If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.

-If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings.

-If you are inside, stay and do not run outside and avoid doorways.

-Drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy.

-Cover your head and neck with your arms.

-If seated and unable to drop to the floor, bend forward, cover your head with your arms and hold on to your neck with both hands.

Also, if you are unfortunate enough to be at Disneyland during an earthquake – or any Disney park during a natural disaster – be sure to LISTEN to any and all instructions from trained cast members, and follow what they say. 

California Adventure entrance

No one wants to be stuck in an earthquake or other natural disaster – especially at a Disney theme park – but taking safety precautions and listening to cast members are the keys to safely surviving one if you are. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disneyland updates.

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The post 3 Earthquakes Have Hit Disneyland in the Last Year. Here’s What To Do If One Happens While You’re in the Parks. first appeared on the disney food blog.