Earthquakes happen in California yes, even at the Happiest Place on Earth.

If you’re headed to Disneyland Resort and you aren’t a California local, you might be wondering what happens when an earthquake occurs at or near the theme parks. California is, after all, the second most seismically active state in the U.S., and hundreds of earthquakes can happen each year.

Disneyland earthquakes do happen, but they aren’t incredibly common. Anaheim isn’t as seismically active as Los Angeles and San Diego (or even San Francisco), meaning you’re not very likely to feel an earthquake while enjoying the theme parks.

But should one strike, Disneyland does have specific earthquake policies and guidelines in place to keep guests safe.

What Happens When an Earthquake Happens at Disneyland?

Like we mentioned above, earthquakes aren’t very common at Disneyland, but due to the resort’s location in “Earthquake Country,” they can happen. Each year, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) says Southern California has about 10,00 earthquakes annually (though most are so small they can’t be felt).

Only a couple hundred of Southern California’s earthquakes each year are of a 3.0 magnitude or higher, and only 15 to 20 reach a 4.0 magnitude. So, odds are, if an earthquake does happen at Disneyland, few people will notice.

But should an earthquake with a 3.0 magnitude or higher strike at or near Disneyland, the resort has a series of comprehensive safety protocols and measures in place.

Before an earthquake happens at Disneyland, the resort is constantly preparing for one. Buildings and attractions are regularly inspected to ensure they adhere to building codes and regulations (yes, including earthquake codes), and new additions to the parks are built with seismic-resistant features.

Disneyland also has a dedicated emergency response team onsite that handles situations like earthquakes. And, like all Southern California buildings and companies, Disneyland follows the guidelines set by organizations like the California Geological Survey and the USGS, who monitor seismic activity.

When an earthquake does occur at or near Disneyland, what happens next depends on the magnitude of the quake. If the quake reaches a certain threshold, Disney will take action.

Typically, larger Disneyland earthquakes will result in the following:

Rides stop moving and are shut down as soon as it’s safe to do so

Guests are escorted out of queues or buildings, if necessary

All rides are closed until safety inspections are performed

Again, Disney will make these decisions depending on the magnitude, or strength, of the earthquake.

That being said, as a local, I’ve found Disneyland will often err on the side of safety and close rides down after an earthquake and perform safety checks.

Does Disneyland Close When an Earthquake Occurs?

Typically, Disneyland will not close after an earthquake occurs. And since the California state early warning system, which can notify residents of an impending quake, only offers a few seconds’ warning, the resort and theme parks will not close in advance of one.

In fact, Disneyland has only had one earthquake related closure in its entire history.

Disneyland closed on January 17, 1994 after the 6.7 magnitude Northridge Earthquake struck early in the morning. At the time, this was one of the largest recorded quakes in California’s history so large that it was felt in Nevada, the next state over.

However, Disneyland wasn’t closed for the entire day after the Northridge Earthquake. According to news reports from that year, Disneyland remained closed only until all of the rides and necessary structures were assessed and ensured safe for guests. Then, the park opened to guests as usual.

So, if Disneyland Park was able to welcome guests just hours after one of the region’s biggest-ever earthquakes, it’s safe to assume that it would require a quake of an even bigger magnitude, or one that caused damage at the resort, to shut everything down for the day.

What Should Guests Do During an Earthquake at Disneyland?

Should an earthquake happen while you’re visiting Disneyland, odds are you likely won’t feel it.

If you’re on a ride while the quake happens, you probably won’t notice anything at all. If you’re in line or walking around, you may feel some movement but if the quake is cities away and a 3.0 magnitude or less, odds are it’ll be pretty much imperceptible.

In the event of a larger earthquake, you’ll simply want to follow Cast Members’ instructions. They will know proper safety procedures, precautions, and exit routes (if necessary), so it’s important to wait for instructions and follow their lead.

Never experienced an earthquake before? Odds are it’ll be a minor event or even entirely uneventful! But should a larger magnitude quake happen at Disneyland, Cast Members will be able to instruct you so you can take cover if needed or avoid falling objects or other potential safety hazards.