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Guests staying at Disney’s luxurious Aulani Resort in Hawaii found themselves hurriedly ushered to higher floors last night as a tsunami warning rippled through the islands, triggered by a powerful earthquake off Russia’s far eastern coast.
The 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula and quickly prompted warnings across several Pacific nations. Authorities in Japan, the Philippines, and parts of the United States—including Alaska, California, and Hawaii—moved swiftly to issue tsunami alerts.
Credit: Disney
According to Oahu Emergency Management, tsunami waves were expected to hit Hawaii’s shores shortly after 7:15 p.m. local time.
At Aulani, Disney’s upscale beachside resort on the island of Oahu, staff initiated emergency protocols as guests were directed to evacuate the lower levels of the hotel.
“The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a Tsunami Warning for our area,” a resort notice read. “The estimated time of wave arrival for the first wave is at 7:10 p.m. The safest place for your family is floors 3 and above.”
Aulani’s Evacuation Amid Coastal Risk
As sirens sounded statewide, guests scrambled to follow instructions. Visitors staying on the first and second floors were told to head to the third level or higher.
Credit: Disney
On social media, the scene was described as “eerie” by one guest. “1st wave at any time. It feels a bit eerie,” they wrote.
Another resort guest posted that the gift shop had nearly sold out of food as families stocked up on supplies.
1st wave at any time. It feels a bit eerie. #Tsunmai #aulani pic.twitter.com/zx99TL8vEd
— Andy French (@AndyFrench1) July 30, 2025
“All of the restaurants and nearby markets are closed and the gift shop has sold out of most food,” they said.
They also noted that Disney appeared to have “[written] off its luau supplies,” which were left outside as potential storm surges approached.
“We are at Disney’s Aulani Resort riding out the #tsunami. All of the restaurants and nearby markets are closed and the gift shop has sold out of most food… It’s calm as people wait for the storm to arrive.”
We are at Disney’s Aulani Resort riding out the #tsunami.
All of the restaurants and nearby markets are closed and the gift shop has sold out of most food.
The roads were backed up about an hour ago with people evacuating. It’s calm as people wait for the storm to arrive. pic.twitter.com/s5w3hsKoDO
— Andy French (@AndyFrench1) July 30, 2025
Oahu residents and tourists alike faced gridlocked roads as many tried to evacuate coastal areas.
Authorities warned that tsunami waves can wrap around islands, meaning all shorelines were at potential risk regardless of direction.
Warnings Downgraded, But Weather Unpredictability Remains
Fortunately, the waves that eventually reached Hawaii were far less severe than initially feared.
With no significant coastal damage reported, the tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory later in the evening.
Disney promptly updated its guidance to guests:
“Mahalo for staying safe during this event.
The State has downgraded to a tsunami advisory, so it is now safe to leave your sheltered areas and move about the resort.
Please continue to use extreme caution when near the water.”
Despite waves as high as 16 feet being recorded in the Kuril Islands, Hawaii, California, and Japan were only lightly affected.
Credit: Disney
The National Weather Service has since confirmed that conditions had stabilized.
This isn’t the first time natural forces have disrupted a Disney destination.
Tokyo Disney Resort was famously shuttered for over a month in 2011 following the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The resort also fell under the tsunami warning in Japan.
Just last year, Japan was also briefly under a “megaquake” warning.
Meanwhile, Aulani’s recent brush with danger highlights the growing need for resorts in the Pacific to remain agile in the face of rising climate and seismic risks.
Have you ever been to Disney during a natural disaster?
