Chemical fumes send eight Disneyland workers to hospitals

Fumes hit backstage near Star Tours

At least eight Disneyland cast members went to local hospitals on Tuesday, March 10, after breathing in fumes in a backstage area of the park.

The incident happened around 12:30 p.m. near the Star Tours attraction in Tomorrowland. Workers reported dizziness, shortness of breath, and irritation in their throats and eyes.

Anaheim Fire and Rescue sent hazmat crews to the scene. No guests were hurt.

Contractor materials triggered the reaction

Disneyland Resort said building materials from an outside contractor caused a chemical reaction in an enclosed backstage work area. The reaction produced a strong odor and fumes.

The park has not said what materials were involved. The fumes had nothing to do with any ride or guest-facing equipment.

The reaction happened in a utility space where contractors handle construction and maintenance work behind the scenes.

Hospital count climbed through the day

The numbers kept changing as the day went on. Disneyland first reported five cast members taken to hospitals.

By Tuesday afternoon, news outlets put the count at seven. Then on March 11, Disneyland updated its statement to confirm eight workers had gone to hospitals.

Several more employees got treatment on site from paramedics and were cleared without needing a hospital trip.

Symptoms ranged from minor to moderate

Workers who were affected reported dizziness, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. Some had irritation in their eyes or throat.

All conditions were described as non-life-threatening. No cast member was in critical condition as of March 11.

The symptoms lined up with what doctors typically see in chemical exposure cases, though the specific substance has not been named.

Guests never smelled or felt a thing

The whole incident played out in a non-public backstage utility area, well away from guests. No visitors reported symptoms, smelled the odor, or needed medical attention.

Anaheim Fire and Rescue confirmed the situation had no impact on parkgoers. Disneyland said the park stayed open the entire time first responders were on scene.

The backstage location kept the exposure contained to workers only.

Disneyland shut down parts of Tomorrowland

As a precaution, Disneyland cleared nearby guest areas in Tomorrowland. Space Mountain, Star Tours, and the surrounding walkways all shut down temporarily.

The Star Trader gift shop and Space Mountain restrooms closed too. Cast members blocked entrances to keep guests from wandering into affected zones.

The closures gave hazmat crews room to work and test the air without putting visitors at risk.

Hazmat crews tested the air quality

Anaheim Fire and Rescue sent firefighters in full protective hazmat suits to the backstage area. Crews set up a containment perimeter and ran air quality tests around the affected zone.

Paramedics from both the fire department and Disneyland’s own on-site medical team treated workers at the scene. The response brought together city emergency crews and the park’s internal safety team.

Tomorrowland rides reopened that evening

Once air quality testing confirmed the area was safe, Tomorrowland attractions reopened Tuesday night. By Wednesday, March 11, Space Mountain, Star Tours, and all other affected areas were back up and running.

Normal park operations picked up with no further issues reported.

The quick turnaround meant most guests visiting on Wednesday likely had no idea anything had happened the day before.

Disneyland has not named the contractor

Disneyland Resort has not shared who the contractor was or what materials caused the reaction. The park also has not said how many workers were in the backstage area when fumes started spreading.

No further details about the circumstances have come out.

The lack of information leaves open questions about what went wrong and whether safety steps were followed before the work began.

State safety regulators may step in

Disneyland Resort and Anaheim Fire and Rescue are both reviewing what happened.

California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, may also look into workplace safety conditions tied to the exposure.

The contractor’s handling and storage procedures are expected to come under review. No public findings or conclusions have come out as of March 12.

Backstage work carries its own risks

Disneyland employs thousands of cast members across its Anaheim resort.

Behind the scenes, backstage areas support ride maintenance, construction projects, and daily operations that keep the park running.

Contractor work in enclosed spaces can involve adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings, all of which can produce dangerous fumes if something goes wrong.

This incident is a reminder that the work behind the magic carries real safety risks.

Eight hospitalized, investigation continues

Here is what we know so far. A contractor’s building materials caused a chemical reaction in a backstage area near Star Tours on March 10.

At least eight cast members went to hospitals with non-life-threatening symptoms. No guests were harmed, and Tomorrowland reopened after crews cleared the air.

Disneyland has not identified the materials or the contractor. The investigation is still underway.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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