Disneyland and Universal Studios in the middle of March

Question

I've googled the latest new on the fires, and Disneyland and Universal Studios seem to be ok from the fires. We have flights and hotel booked to go for Spring Break in March, and wanted to get feedback on whether it is still a worthwhile trip. I know the fires aren't over yet, but was wondering how the following areas are and if it would still be a good trip for our family?

Areas we were visting

-Disneyland

-Universal Studios

-Santa Monica Pier

-Griffith Observatory

Answer

Great question. Short answer: yes, doing a trip to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Santa Monica Pier, and Griffith Observatory in mid-March is *still very likely worthwhile*. But there are some caveats right now, mostly around air quality — so planning with a little flexibility and awareness is important.

Here’s what to know now, what could affect your trip, and some tips to make the most of it.

Current Fire / Smoke Risk — What’s Actually Going On

There have been recent wildfires in and around Los Angeles. Universal Studios Hollywood temporarily closed in early January (out of caution due to wind and fire risk).
Universal has since reopened and resumed normal operations according to multiple sources.
Air quality advisories have been issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), especially during windy conditions, because of dust, ash, and particulate matter.
Specifically, some advisories noted that areas like Santa Monica (which you plan to visit) could see “unhealthy for sensitive groups” air quality under certain conditions.
According to air quality forecasts, smoke from past fires (or ash) can linger, especially if wind conditions push it toward parts of Los Angeles and coastal areas.

How Your Planned Destinations Might Be Affected

Disneyland: According to multiple travel-news sources, Disneyland has *not* announced closures related to the fires. Reddit users who recently visited reported that “air quality seems completely unaffected” during their time there. That said, things can vary day to day depending on wind and AQI, so it's wise to check real-time air-quality forecasts.
Universal Studios Hollywood: That park *was* closed briefly due to fire risk and wind. But as of the latest reports, it has reopened. Air quality inside the park could be a consideration — some guests in the past have reported “unhealthy” AQI levels during peak smoke days, though Universal has made N-95 masks available.
Santa Monica Pier: Because this is a coastal area, ash or smoke from inland fires *could* influence air quality, depending on wind direction. AQMD has issued wind-blown dust / ash advisories that include parts of coastal LA. On bad days, outdoor exposure could be unpleasant for sensitive people, according to past advisories.
Griffith Observatory: Risk is more indirect. While the Observatory itself hasn’t been reported destroyed or permanently impacted, smoke / haze can reduce visibility, especially during or after active fire days. Travel-news coverage suggested closures in past fire episodes for areas like Getty and LA Zoo; some of those closures can be due to smoke or safety.

So — Is It Still a Good Trip in Mid-March?

Yes, it very much *can be*. Here’s why and under what conditions:

If the fires are under control and wind conditions are *normal*, there’s a good chance that air quality will be quite reasonable — especially in Anaheim (Disneyland), which seems to be less directly impacted by the major fire zones.
You’ll have a better experience if you're flexible: Keep an eye on the AQI forecasts leading up to your trip, especially for the days you plan to visit outdoor spots like Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory.
Consider bringing or having masks on hand (e.g., N-95 or similar) — especially if you're more sensitive to air quality, or if smoke starts drifting in. Several sources note that park guests and staff have used them.
If there's a day with poor air quality, you could pivot to more indoor activities (or indoor parts of the parks) — Disneyland and Universal have a lot of indoor rides and shows, or you could reschedule some of your outdoor plans.
Stay updated on park status: Check Universal Studios’ and Disneyland’s official websites / social media before and during your trip, just in case of last-minute closures or advisories.

Bottom Line: With the right planning, your trip in March still looks very good. There *is* a risk that air quality could be poor on some days due to residual smoke or ash from fires — but unless there are brand-new large fires, many of the main attractions (Disneyland, Universal, Santa Monica, Griffith) should be accessible, and you can mitigate much of the risk by watching AQI, having masks, and being ready to shift plans if needed.

Disneyland and Universal Studios in the middle of March

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