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Credit: Nicholas Cole, FlickrA powerful undersea earthquake jolted Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Tuesday, setting off tsunami alarms across the Pacific and putting two high-profile Disney resorts directly in the path of potential danger.
With seismic readings placing the magnitude between 8.7 and 8.8, and the epicenter a dangerously shallow 12 miles below the ocean floor, both Tokyo Disney Resort and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii are now in active tsunami warning zones.
And while the waves have yet to make landfall, emergency response teams in multiple countries aren’t taking any chances — and neither should Disney guests.
Tokyo Disney Resort in the Crosshairs
Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued a broad tsunami warning shortly after the quake hit, as noted by SF Gate, covering nearly the entire eastern coast of Japan, from Hokkaido down to Okinawa. That includes Chiba Prefecture, where Tokyo Disney Resort sits directly on the Tokyo Bay waterfront.
Forecasted wave heights include:
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3 meters (10 feet) expected in Kujukuri, Chiba Prefecture — ETA 10:30 a.m. JST
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1 meter (3.2 feet) for central Tokyo — ETA 11:30 a.m. JST
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1 meter for Osaka Prefecture — ETA 12:00 p.m. JST
This puts both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea on high alert. As of publication, no official statement has been released by the resort, but with emergency evacuation orders already going out for multiple coastal zones, it’s likely only a matter of time before the parks either scale back operations or close entirely — depending on directives from local authorities.
Japanese seismologist Shinichi Sakai, speaking on NHK, emphasized the risk: “Even deep-ocean quakes can trigger destructive tsunamis if the epicenter is shallow — and that appears to be exactly what we’re seeing.”
With the quake originating just offshore and the Tokyo Bay area vulnerable to surging water levels, guests currently on Disney property should monitor local alerts closely and prepare to follow evacuation or shelter-in-place orders if issued.
NWS Bay Area posted on X, “TSUNAMI ADVISORY in effect for the California coast. Stay away from the water! Stay away from beaches and waterways! Remain away from shore until local officials say that it is OK to return. #KnowYourZone at https://conservation.ca.gov/cgs/tsunami/maps. #CAwx #Tsunami”
⚠️TSUNAMI ADVISORY in effect for the California coast. Stay away from the water! Stay away from beaches and waterways! Remain away from shore until local officials say that it is OK to return. #KnowYourZone at https://t.co/Dm0UehpMVM. #CAwx #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/KX7t1tvXa0
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) July 30, 2025
Aulani on Tsunami Watch in Hawaii
Thousands of miles away, Oahu is also bracing for impact.
Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa, located in the scenic but exposed Ko Olina region on Oahu’s leeward coast, may fall within the projected wave impact zone. The first waves are expected around 7:17 p.m. HST, and Oahu Emergency Management has already issued precautionary notices for vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, Maui County officials have warned that “these tsunami waves could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii.”
As of now, Aulani has not announced any changes to operations or guest services, and no evacuations have been publicly confirmed. However, guests should expect potential disruptions — including temporary closures of beach areas, emergency drills, or full evacuation orders if conditions deteriorate.
California to Alaska: West Coast Tsunami Advisories in Effect
While the Pacific’s most direct hits may be in Japan and Hawaii, the U.S. West Coast is still on notice. The National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami advisory stretching from California up through Oregon, Washington, and parts of Alaska — including the vulnerable Aleutian Islands.
Projected wave arrival times:
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Monterey, CA – 12:15 a.m. PT
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San Francisco, CA – 12:40 a.m. PT
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Los Angeles Harbor – 1:05 a.m. PT
The expected wave height in California is estimated to be under one foot, but that doesn’t mean the threat is overblown. Experts are urging caution, noting that tsunamis often arrive in multiple waves, and the first wave is not always the strongest.
Even though Disneyland Resort in Anaheim is not in an active tsunami zone, Southern California emergency teams are monitoring the event closely in case of escalation.
What Disney Travelers Need to Know Right Now
If you’re vacationing at or heading to any Disney properties near tsunami-affected regions, here’s what you need to keep in mind:
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Follow all emergency alerts issued by local governments. These may include evacuation orders or shelter-in-place instructions.
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Avoid beaches, harbors, and coastal areas. Tsunami conditions can be deceptively calm before the first wave.
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Check in with Guest Services at your resort or park for live updates on closures, safety measures, or relocation instructions.
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Don’t assume you’re safe just because the weather looks fine. Tsunami waves travel fast — and can strike hours after the initial quake.
Global Aftershocks Already Felt
Closer to the epicenter in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, the damage was immediate. Local media outlets are reporting power outages, mobile network failures, and structural damage, with footage of panicked residents running from shaking buildings. Some were reportedly barefoot, carrying children or pets, after being jolted awake and fleeing before sunrise.
This seismic event is another reminder of just how volatile the “Ring of Fire” — the horseshoe-shaped zone of high tectonic activity surrounding the Pacific — really is. Japan, Hawaii, and the West Coast all sit along this belt, making them frequent recipients of tsunami alerts following offshore quakes.
The Bottom Line
At this point, no Disney locations have reported physical damage or injuries, but the situation is still unfolding. Tokyo Disney Resort and Aulani remain under tsunami watch, and guests in those areas should remain alert, avoid the coast, and follow guidance from emergency officials and resort staff.
With wave arrival times approaching quickly, guests should expect rapid updates, including possible evacuations, delays, or closures. Whether you’re on vacation or planning a trip in the next few days, now’s the time to stay informed and prioritize safety over schedule.
We’ll be watching for updates from Disney, emergency agencies, and park-goers on the ground — and we’ll post more as this situation develops.
Stay safe, and stay tuned.