As wildfires rage across California, impacting numerous communities, local theme parks are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their guests and staff. While Disneyland remains open without any announced closures, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios Hollywood have shut their doors due to the extreme fire conditions.
The Pacific Palisades neighborhood near Los Angeles has been particularly hard hit, with a brush fire erupting on Tuesday that burned nearly 16,000 acres within 24 hours. This disaster prompted mandatory evacuations for tens of thousands of residents. The situation escalated further on Wednesday when two additional fires ignited, bringing the total number of outbreaks to five. Among them was the Eaton Fire in Altadena and the Hurst Fire northeast of San Fernando, which had already consumed over 500 acres by Wednesday afternoon.
Universal Studios announced on Wednesday that both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk would close for the day due to "extreme winds and fire conditions." The park emphasized its commitment to safety, stating, "We will continue to assess the situation and expect to open for business tomorrow. The safety of our team members and our guests is our top priority."
In a similar vein, Six Flags Magic Mountain, located in Valencia, confirmed its closure as well. The park issued a statement highlighting the importance of safety amid high winds: "Due to high winds, Magic Mountain will remain closed today to ensure the safety of our guests and team members. All tickets purchased for today will be honored any other regular operating day through December 31, 2025."
Despite the proximity of the fires, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim—approximately 50 miles south of Pacific Palisades—have not announced any closures. This has provided some reassurance to visitors looking for recreation during these turbulent times.
The swift spread of the fires has raised concerns about air quality and public health throughout the region. As authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, updates from theme parks and local governments will be critical for residents and visitors alike.
