Earthquake struck near Disneyland, leading to the temporary closure of attractions.
Disneyland in Anaheim, California, temporarily closed some of its rides on Monday night in response to a 3.5 magnitude earthquake that occurred. Following an earthquake in Southern California, Disney temporarily closed down 35 rides as a safety precaution.
Around 8:09 p.m., an earthquake occurred near Disneyland in Anaheim, California, with the epicenter just over a mile east of Fullerton. A smaller aftershock followed around 8:30 p.m.
Despite no reported injuries or immediate damage, Disneyland temporarily closed many popular rides as a precaution for safety. Staff conducted thorough checks to ensure everything was secure.
No reports of damage or injuries came in after the recent earthquake at the theme parks. However, some popular rides like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds had to temporarily close. Even the holiday versions of It’s a Small World and the new Adventureland Treehouse were affected. Rest assured, park officials are on the case, working to ensure everyone’s safety and a fantastic experience.
By 9 p.m. on Monday night, the majority of attractions at Disneyland had closed, as per the information from the Disneyland app. Only the Jungle Cruise and the Mad Tea Party remained open at Disneyland. Meanwhile, over at the neighboring California Adventure, only the following attractions were still operational: Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl, and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
Certain popular rides at Disney California Adventure, such as the Incredicoaster, Toy Story Midway Mania, and Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land, were temporarily unavailable during the recent event.
Staff conducted safety checks and inspections before reopening each attraction, a process that typically took 1-2 hours for most rides. At Disneyland Park, 35 rides, including popular ones like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, were temporarily closed. Only Jungle Cruise and Mad Tea Party remained open during the inspection period. In Disney California Adventure, almost all rides were shut down, including flagship attractions like Radiator Springs Racers, Incredicoaster, and Soarin’ Around the World, leaving only three rides operational.
Only a handful of rides, including Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl, continued operating during the earthquake. Visitors at the park experienced a noticeable shake, with some in lines or on rides describing it as real and intense. Fortunately, the earthquake was minor, and there was no significant damage at Disneyland Resort. By around 10 p.m., after thorough safety checks conducted by the staff, the majority of rides at both parks had reopened and were operational again. This incident underscores Disney’s comprehensive protocols for ensuring guest safety during seismic activity.
“We were in line at Winnie The Pooh when a 3.5 magnitude earthquake hit. Now, everything is closed. They mentioned reopening after safety checks. Stay tuned for updates!”
As a safety precaution, employees had to evacuate guests from rides, as reported by the Orange County Register. As of Tuesday afternoon, most rides are operational, according to the app, with the exception of temporary closures for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and the Jungle Cruise.
Visitors described the earthquake as a sudden jolt that caught many by surprise. The quake, centered near Disneyland, sent shockwaves across the park, creating a lot of activity as both workers and guests dealt with the unexpected vibrations.
No tsunami warning was issued following two separate earthquakes in Hawaii and California, measuring magnitudes 5.1 and 3.5, respectively.
What to do in such cases ?
In case of unexpected events like earthquakes, visitors might wonder what to do. It’s crucial to know and follow some safety tips:
Drop, Cover, and Hold On:
Quickly drop to the ground.
Take cover under something sturdy.
Stay there until the shaking stops.