Disneyland and Disney California Adventure were transformed into an unexpected water park Friday night when a torrential downpour arrived without warning. The sudden deluge drenched patrons, prompted the closure of several rides, and led to the cancellation of the evening fireworks display, catching many visitors off guard.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood advisory for Orange County, including Anaheim, on Friday evening. The advisory was in effect from 7:28 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., but the onset of the rain surprised many. One individual posting viral videos that night captured the common sentiment, noting that "it wasn't supposed to rain today."
The downpour was significant, with social media posts reflecting the impact. One parkgoer commented on the expanded waterways, stating that the park's "Rivers of America just expanded into Frontierland." Addison Zegan, 36, who manages the Disneylanders Instagram and Spotify accounts, was at California Adventure around 7 p.m. when he heard thunder and lightning. He later moved to Disneyland to film the storm, experiencing what he described as "the biggest California raindrops I've ever seen." Zegan posted a video showing people navigating through Frontierland while a cast member worked to clear a drain. He estimated the storm subsided around 7:45 p.m.
While many visitors scrambled for shelter or headed to the parking lot, others chose to stay and embrace the unusual weather. Some donned rain gear if they had it, while others simply allowed themselves to get soaked on the warm Southern California night. Social media captured these contrasting reactions.
Fabian Bon, a parkgoer, shared a video asking his followers whether they would "complain about rain or... dance in it." Bon later posted a photo in front of Cinderella’s castle, noting a sense of magic in the rain-soaked park. Another visitor expressed a positive outlook, stating that "a flooded day at Disney is better than any sunny day anywhere else."
Such a rainstorm, particularly one involving thunder and lightning, is a rare occurrence in the Los Angeles area and can generate headlines and bulletins on local news stations, unlike similar events in many other parts of the U.S. L.A.'s daily newspaper also reported that the storm could serve as a precursor, offering "a taste of what Southern Californians can expect with El Niño on the way."
