On Monday, May 5, 2025, Disneyland invited a group of Los Angeles-area firefighters and police officers to spend the day at the Happiest Place on Earth to thank them for their bravery during January’s devastating Eton and Palisades wildfires.
The first responders and their families were the guests of honor during a special Heroes Salute Cavalcade on Monday afternoon, which also provided an opportunity for Disneyland guests to show their appreciation for everything they (and their colleagues) did for their communities.
Among the heroes honored were brothers Adam and Ian VanGerpen, who are both Los Angeles City firefighters.
“Disneyland made a very generous and genuine offer for firefighters, police officers, and all the people who responded to the wildfires here in Southern California,” Adam said. “These were devastating fires—unlike anything we’ve ever seen in our lifetime—so Disneyland really stepped up, not just for the people who responded, but for their families as well.”
Ian added that he’s grateful for the opportunity to spend the day in the parks with his family (and his brother)—and of course, they made sure to stop by the Disneyland Fire House.
“We came here from Seattle when we were little kids and our dad was a Seattle firefighter,” Adam said. “[The fire station] was always one of our stops, so it’s nice to carry on the tradition with our kids.”
Los Angeles Police Officers Joshua Fillinger and Laura Castillo didn’t expect to be helping with the wildfires, but when they were called to the Pacific Palisades, they quickly went to work helping people get out of harm’s way.
Joshua noted that he’s been visiting Disneyland since he was a kid, but being honored in a place that means so much to him and his family made him speechless.
“I can’t even tell you how much it meant to me and my family,” he said. “It makes me want to work harder, dedicate myself more…and try to make a difference in this world.”
Laura was also grateful to share the experience in the parks with her family (especially her kids, ages 6 and 2), but seeing the guests along the parade route thanking them for their service was “a huge blessing.”
“This is what we signed up for, but getting some love back means a lot,” she said. “I don’t do it for this, I do it because I love my job, but seeing that people appreciate us definitely goes a long way.”
Two Disneyland firefighters, Mark McLean (also a Los Angeles City firefighter) and Larry Chu (also a City of Sierra Madre firefighter), were honored in the cavalcade as well—and no, they said, they do not work in the Main Street firehouse.
“Protecting the magic for cast members and guests as well as providing a service with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, I couldn’t ask for anything better,” Mark said.
Larry added that, while they’re honored to be recognized for their work, he notes, “there are thousands of firefighters who deserve to be in the parade with us.”
Disneyland Heroes Ticket
The cavalcade kicked off a special Heroes Ticket to thank eligible firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, search and rescue team members, and others who provided assistance during the fires by inviting them and a guest to spend a day at the Disneyland Resort.
The Heroes Ticket is valid on Mondays through Thursdays from May 5 through August 7, 2025 (theme park reservations are required). An exclusive “Thank You, Heroes” button is available at City Hall for all Heroes Ticket holders.
How Can You Help?
An exclusive Disney LA Strong t-shirt representing community support is available on DisneyStore.com for $30. For each t-shirt sold in the U.S. through December 31, 2025, Disney will donate $25 to the American Red Cross to help those impacted by the wildfires.
