According to the Anaheim Fire Department, crews responded around 12:30 p.m. local time after workers complained of a strange odor and mild symptoms. A department spokesperson said the employees reported minor pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
All five employees were taken to a local hospital as a precaution. Officials said other people were evaluated and treated by paramedics at the park.
Disney later pointed to construction activity as a likely trigger. A spokesperson told the Daily Mail that building materials being used by a contractor backstage “produced a reaction” in employees, including dizziness and shortness of breath.
The good news: authorities said no guests were affected. Still, as emergency crews responded, nearby visitors were cleared from surrounding onstage areas out of caution.
Star Tours — a 3D motion simulator ride that drops guests into Star Wars-themed missions — sits in Tomorrowland, close to major attractions like Space Mountain, Astro Orbitor, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
The incident comes as Disneyland has faced a string of unsettling headlines lately, including a recent case in which a gust of wind reportedly toppled a large tree near the Plaza Inn seating area during an after-hours Sweethearts’ Nite event. The couple involved was treated for minor injuries, according to reports.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) in the U.S., available 24/7.