Drivers on Interstate 5 encountered a peculiar sight over Disneyland Resort early Thursday morning.
Lori Nayahalski sent KTLA photographs and cell phone video of a black ring rising over the Anaheim theme park at about 6:30 a.m.
“It wasn’t dissipating, nor was it a flock of birds,” Lori told KTLA. “Real-life Matrix or just an orchestrated spoof … I don’t know, but it was something.”
A viewer sent KTLA photographs and cell phone video of the black ring rising over the Anaheim theme park at about 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2025. (Lori Nayahalski)
That “something,” however, has a simple explanation.
Disney confirmed what many frequent parkgoers already know: the black ring is smoke from pyrotechnics used during Disneyland’s nighttime spectaculars – and it was the result of testing that took place before the park opened.
Disneyland Resort has two nighttime spectaculars, World of Color at Disney California Adventure and Fantasmic! at Disneyland Park.
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