Disneyland visitors were caught in a sudden torrential downpour in Anaheim, California, on Friday night, with rides temporarily closed, flooding reported across parts of the park and the evening fireworks display cancelled.
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for Orange County, which includes Disneyland, at 7.28 local time. It remained in force until 9.30.
Videos shared by parkgoers showed water pouring through outdoor restaurants and tented areas, while visitors in plastic ponchos moved through standing water as drains struggled to cope with the rainfall.
Footage posted by the Disneylanders account showed lightning and thunder over Tomorrowland before heavy rain swept through the park. Other clips appeared to show flooded areas of Frontierland and Fantasyland.
One visitor said the rain fell heavily for about 20 minutes, adding that drains were likely “mostly overwhelmed” and that streets across Anaheim had also flooded.
Several attractions were closed during the storm, including the Haunted Mansion, where one visitor said people in the queue were left soaked. Another visitor described the experience as “wild but fun”, while a further comment said: “A flooded day at Disney is better than any sunny day anywhere else.”
Despite the conditions, some guests chose to remain in the park. Fabian Bon shared a video asking: “When it rains, it pours. Are you going to complain about rain or are you gonna dance in it?”
Bon later posted a photograph of himself in front of Cinderella’s Castle, writing: “There is something magical about feeling the rain at Disneyland.”
Addison Zegan, who runs the Disneylanders account, described the storm as “the biggest California raindrops I’ve ever seen”. He said it became dark and visitors were confused as they sheltered from the downpour.
The storm began to clear after about an hour. Disneyland said some areas had been temporarily closed during the worst of the weather, while the fireworks display was cancelled.
Further rain is expected to be possible in the coming days, with the National Weather Service issuing a coastal hazard warning for San Diego and Orange counties from 5am on Sunday until 1pm Pacific time on Thursday during high tides.
Coastal residents were warned to prepare for tides and water levels between one and 1.7 feet above normal.
