The bomb squad rushed to Disneyland Monday night after employees found two bags that looked like a bomb. The bags sat near a fence outside the resort’s main entrance, off Harbor Boulevard. Police are now searching for a man connected to the bags.
Investigators believe someone left the bags on purpose and set them up to look suspicious. One satchel-style bag sat on a dolly with exposed wires and marbles inside. The other bag, sealed shut with duct tape, had pointed objects sticking out of it. A Disneyland security dog did not alert to any explosives. Because of how the bags looked, police still called in the county bomb squad. The squad found no explosives and declared the scene safe around 11:45 p.m. The pointed objects turned out to be Disney-style crowns, belt buckles and other metal items.
Police Searching for a Man
Anaheim police are leading the investigation. Officers used surveillance video and witness accounts to identify a man they want to find. They have not released his name, description or photo. Police have not made an arrest, and they have not shared a possible motive. The bags sat outside the resort’s security checkpoints, in an area open to the public.
What It Meant for Guests
Employees reported the bags around 9:30 p.m. Police closed the walkway between the parks and Harbor Boulevard for more than two hours. Security rerouted guests through Downtown Disney and a backstage path near the firehouse. Guests heading to Harbor Boulevard hotels and the Toy Story parking lot dealt with the biggest delays.
Both parks stayed open, and rides kept running the entire time. Police did not evacuate either park, and no one suffered injuries. An Anaheim police sergeant said officers closed the area “out of an abundance of caution.” Disney has not commented publicly on the incident.
Leaving a Fake Bomb Is a Crime
In California, placing a fake bomb meant to make people fear for their safety is a crime. The law allows up to a year in county jail, or longer in some cases. That means the man could face jail time if police track him down. This is a developing story, and we will update it if police make an arrest.
If you want to book your magical trip to Walt Disney World, be sure to contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations, and to keep up to date on all the latest Disney World news and more, be sure to follow Disney Dorks on Facebook!