Disneyland on Alert After Suspicious Device Found Near Park Entrance as Police Launch Probe

Police closed the Disneyland Esplanade in Anaheim, California, for more than two hours on Monday night after staff spotted two suspicious bags with visible wires and metal objects near the resort's main pedestrian entrance. A bomb squad was called in, later finding no explosives, and no injuries were reported.

Anaheim Police said Disneyland staff reported the items at about 9.30pm near the Harbor East Shuttle Area. The Esplanade links Disneyland Park with Disney California Adventure and sits just off Harbor Boulevard.

Wires, Metal Objects and Bomb Squad Called In

Sgt Eric Andersen said staff had seen two bags on a dolly. One had exposed wires protruding from its opening, while the other had sharp objects sticking out and was wrapped in duct tape.

A bomb-sniffing dog employed by Disneyland's security team examined the bags and did not alert to explosives. Police nonetheless requested specialist support from the Orange County Sheriff's Department bomb squad because of the items' appearance.

'For everyone's safety and out of an abundance of caution, we closed the entire area of the Esplanade and Harbor-East Shuttle Area and sent everyone toward the Downtown Disney exits to be away from the area until we could render it safe,' Sgt Andersen said.

Technicians cleared the area at about 11.45pm. Sgt Andersen said the sharp objects were Disney-style crowns, belt buckles and other miscellaneous metal items.

Guests Diverted as Entrance Corridor Closed

The closure covered the Esplanade from Harbor Boulevard to the start of Downtown Disney, the usual route for guests walking to nearby hotels. Footage shared on social media showed visitors being steered away by security staff.

Operations inside the parks continued, but guests leaving had to be taken through backstage service areas before being released into Downtown Disney. The Walt Disney Company, which owns the resort, has not commented publicly on the incident in the information available.

Police said the investigation into who left the bags, and why, is continuing. No details about their owner or any possible motive have been released, and no arrests have been reported.

Ongoing Concerns Outside Disneyland Gates

The incident comes amid complaints from some visitors about the atmosphere along Harbor Boulevard, where members of the public, including religious speakers and vendors, operate on pavements outside Disney's private property. Because the land is publicly owned, Anaheim rather than Disney regulates activity there.

Some visitors have described on social media being shouted at by amplified preachers or pressed to buy items by vendors. The claims are unverified, and Anaheim Police did not address the issue in their comments on Monday's incident. City officials have not publicly announced new enforcement measures for the area.

Disney has previously flagged plans for a new eastern parking structure and transport hub, which would include a private elevated bridge over Harbor Boulevard.

In the meantime, guests and some employees continue to raise concerns in online forums about the contrast between the tightly controlled environment inside the resort and the less regulated conditions on the surrounding streets, particularly during busy periods.