A heroes’ welcome was waiting for Disneyland Fire Department firefighters Mark McLean and Larry Chu, along with six other local firefighters and police personnel, during a special cavalcade in Disneyland park on Monday, May 5. All of those honored during the cavalcade bravely responded on the frontlines of the devastating Los Angeles fires in January 2025.
The celebration marked the first day eligible California firefighters, Los Angeles-based law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians, who helped combat the LA fires, could use their complimentary Heroes Tickets for themselves and a guest to visit The Happiest Place on Earth.
Cast Member Heroes Celebrated at Disneyland
Disneyland Resort cast members Mark and Larry are not only committed to protecting Disneyland Resort as firefighters, but both cast members are part of local fire departments and worked with them to battle the LA fires.
“It’s humbling and feels cool to be honored,” said Larry about being in the cavalcade for his heroic efforts in the Eaton Fire. “We are not used to the limelight, and it’s not what we strive to do in this profession, but it feels good.”
Larry has been with the Disneyland Fire Department for the past three years in addition to being with the Sierra Madre Fire Department as a firefighter paramedic for over four years.
A pivotal moment in Larry’s life that sparked his interest in becoming a firefighter was a house fire in 2007 that sent his mother to the hospital. The fire chief on site showed Larry around and shared how they cared for his mom and mitigated the housefire.
“From that moment, it just kind of hit me that firefighting was something I wanted to do to help others,” Larry said. “We get into this profession to help people out on their worst days. I want to do what I can to make their day better.”
Mark, the third in this family to be a Disneyland Resort firefighter after his uncle and father, has dedicated the past 21 years to fighting fires for the Los Angeles Fire Department and an amazing 15 years with the Disneyland Fire Department.
As soon as he clocked out from his shift at the resort the night the Palisades Fire broke out, Mark headed straight to his station where he would remain on duty for 23 days straight.
“We don’t think of ourselves as heroes, being a firefighter is just a career or profession that we enjoy doing,” Mark shared. “It is humbling that you chose us out of all of the men and women in fire service.”
All heroes were joined by family members, who were also honored in the cavalcade for their role in supporting the heroes while they worked during the LA fires.
Mark’s father, David McLean, joined in the cavalcade supporting Mark, along with Mark’s wife and mother. David joined Disneyland Resort after more than 30 years in the firefighting profession and has been with the resort for more than 15 years.
“I’m really proud of him,” David said beaming with pride while talking about his son. “He is a good hard worker, and he sure loves working at Disneyland. You can’t beat working here with my son!”
The Disneyland Resort thanks the heroes that joined in our celebration today and those whose bravery continues to inspire our community.
Disney Supports Rebuilding Efforts Across Los Angeles
The Heroes Ticket is one of the many ways The Walt Disney Company is supporting relief efforts in the community:
- In January, the company announced a $15 million commitment for immediate response and rebuilding efforts in the Los Angeles area.
- Disney VoluntEARS hosted donation drives to collect more than 200,000 essential items for impacted individuals and families.
- A Disney LA Strong t-shirt is available for purchase now on DisneyStore.com as a symbol of community support, and a reminder that together we have the strength to rebuild and heal. For each t-shirt sold in the U.S. through December 31, 2025, Disney will donate $25 to the American Red Cross to help people affected by the fires in California during 2025.
- Learn more about the company’s work to support its community and employees in the LA area in the aftermath of the fires.
