Furious visitors blast Disneyland after they close 35 rides for inspection when a 3.5 earthquake rocked Anaheim saying: ‘The one time I go to Disneyland there’s an earthquake and they shut the rides’
- Disneyland was also asked to close in 1994 and 2019 due to earthquakes
Furious visitors have expressed their outrage after Disneyland was forced to close dozens of attractions on Monday following an earthquake at the Anaheim theme park.
The magnitude 3.5 quake struck Fullerton, about two miles north of the site, around 8:10 p.m., with a small aftershock reported 20 minutes later.
Although no damage was initially reported, Disneyland staff were forced to close 35 rides, leaving visitors standing while security checks were conducted.
“Damage is highly unlikely, but guests will experience disruption while the rides are being inspected,” Disneyland news outlet said MiceChat reported on Tuesday.
Video shared on TikTok showed dozens of Disney fans waiting to reopen late Monday, captioned “Disney protocol” [shut] everything is down until the fire brigade gives permission to restart'.
“The only time I go to Disneyland there's an earthquake and they close the rides!” visitor Mikey wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Fan Andrew also went to
Crowds of people were left standing after the earthquake struck near Fullerton
Twitter user Andrew said the castle's iconic fireworks display was canceled due to the earthquake
Visitors said 'thousands' had nothing to do when the attractions were closed
Some reported feeling the earthquake, others said they felt nothing in Anaheim, CA
The magnitude 3.5 earthquake wasn't the first to suspend rides at the site – also in '94 and 2019
A number of disgruntled – and shocked – visitors shared their experiences on social media after the earthquake brought an early end to their evening.
Christine explained: “So all the rides are currently quiet at Disneyland. Rumor has it about a small earthquake, but there has been no official announcement yet, so thousands of people are walking around confused.
“It's not great.”
The official Disneyland page on
X user Jason wrote: 'Every ride at Disneyland shut down after the 3.5 earthquake in Orange County.
'Shops and exit gates are being closed much earlier than normal today.'
Another user wrote: 'Earthquake at Disneyland and they closed the rides. My old man was tired anyway.'
They added: 'We spent 45 minutes waiting for the resistance to emerge. We had been waiting all day for the perfect moment. It was in Fullerton. I didn't feel anything in line!'
John agreed: 'There's nothing like an earthquake just as you're about to reach Big Thunder Mountain…'
Adan, who said he worked at the theme park, wrote: 'I just felt the earthquake here at work in Anaheim, near Disneyland.
“According to the kitchen staff, the pots and pans were swaying.”
Disneyland suspended the rides in 2019 after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Southern California, again citing the need for safety inspections.
It was also immediately closed in 1995 during the 6.7-hour Northridge earthquake, which required personnel to inspect all of the park's structures.
General views of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California
General images of the Walt Disney 'Partners' statue at Disneyland during the Festival of Holidays celebration on November 25, 2023 in Anaheim, California
Last Tuesday, Disney CEO Bob Iger said there is “plenty of room to build another Disneyland” at the original Anaheim location “if we choose to do so,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
But the Disney boss also admitted that his second attempt as CEO had been more difficult than expected.
He said: “I knew there were numerous challenges I would face when I returned.
“I won't say it was easy, but I never doubted the decision to come back, and it still feels great to be back.”