UPDATE: As of 1:50 p.m., crews were out in Disneyland Park inspecting show lampposts near “it’s a small world.”
The parades at Disneyland Park step off from a backstage gate in this area, and the show lighting is similar to the lamppost that fell down this morning.
UPDATE: As of 1:33 p.m., lights had been removed on another lamppost on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park. It is worth noting that this lamppost in particular has been broken for some time.
This lamppost is also located in a flower bed.
It is difficult to tell, but this lamppost no longer has its show lighting attached.
In addition, the fence where the lamppost fell this morning now sports a dent.
You can see the dent clearly toward the middle of this image. The fence has been bent slightly outward toward the guest walkway.
A rock is now being used to cover the hole where the lamppost previously stood.
UPDATE: As of 1:25 p.m., select showtimes of various shows at Disney California Adventure were canceled due to “inclement weather,” including Mickey’s Happy Holidays, Disney Viva Navidad, and Tale of the Lion King.
Later in the day, Disney Viva Navidad and Tale of the Lion King were canceled mid-show due to “unforeseen circumstances.” The performance of Viva Navidad was modified before it was canceled, with no push units and no flags present.
In addition, all lampposts at the Palisades Stage in Disney California Adventure were put away, effectively canceling all their shows today, as well.
It’s unconfirmed if any of these events are related to today’s incident, but there are similar lamps along the parade route and on the Palisades Stage to the one that fell in Disneyland Park.
UPDATE: Anaheim Fire released a statement via KTLA about the falling lamppost.
UPDATE: As of 12:55 p.m., crew members had added cables to similar lampposts on Main Street, U.S.A. and in the hub in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, securing them in place.
This lamppost has multiple cables stretching from the ground at various angles to the center of the pole to hopefully keep it from toppling over.
Two of the cables are attached to a railing around the planter the lamppost sits in.
UPDATE: As of 10:09 a.m., the lamppost was removed from the town square and Main Street vehicles were being used to block the scene from guest access.
Read the rest of the story below.
A lamppost fell over in the town square of Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland this morning, injuring at least two guests.
Disneyland Lamppost Falls Over
We saw several Cast Members and emergency personnel on site this morning. The lamppost, which has stage lighting for the parade rather than themed lights, was in a flower bed and fell towards the flag pole in the middle of town square. This happened prior to 8:45 a.m.
An elderly woman was struck on the head as a lamppost fell and was taken away on a stretcher to receive treatment. She was reportedly conscious.
We also saw another guest with their head bandaged, but they had not been taken away and were sitting on a bench.
We don’t know why the pole fell but it is an unusually windy day at Disneyland Resort, so it may have been knocked over by the wind. High wind warnings are in effect throughout Southern California, with gusts up to 90 mph reported in Santa Clarita.
That said, we cannot confirm the wind is the reason the post fell.
Cast Members are blocking the right entrance to Disneyland and that entire side of the plaza.
Cast Members are directing guests through the other entrance and around the square.
They haven’t had a chance to put up ropes and stanchions, but we may see those later.
We did not witness the incident but arrived soon after it happened.
We were initially able to stand on the sidewalk within the center of town square, but Cast Members moved their blockade forward later.
So far, we do not believe any Cast Members were injured and only know of the two guests.
For comparison, here is the same kind of lamppost in a different town square flower bed.
UPDATE: By 9:45 a.m., crew members were preparing to remove the lamppost, tearing up what remained attached to the ground.
We will provide updates as more information becomes available. Continue checking this article and Disneyland News Today.
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