In the wake of a minor earthquake near Disneyland, the routine magic of the Anaheim theme park took an unexpected turn. Dozens of rides abruptly halted, and the customary laughter and cheers were replaced by an unusual calm as visitors navigated the unforeseen disruption. The seismic event, centered about 2 miles north of Disneyland in Fullerton on Monday, Dec. 4, registering at 3.5 magnitude, triggered the closure of at least 35 rides.
“Felt like it was right under our table at Jolly Holiday,” recounted Shanna Fogelman on Instagram. “Shook things up more than you would think.” The quiver beneath Jolly Holiday’s tables was a testament to the earthquake’s surprise and impact.
The epicenter, near Chapman and Raymond Avenues in Fullerton, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, sent a minor aftershock around 8:30 p.m., further unsettling both visitors and employees at the Happiest Place on Earth. Miraculously, no initial damage was reported at Disneyland or Disney California Adventure.
“Damage is very unlikely but guests will be inconvenienced while rides are inspected,” reassured MiceChat on Instagram, urging patience as mandatory safety protocols were diligently executed.
By 9 p.m. Monday night, the vast majority of attractions in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure were temporarily closed, causing a ripple effect of disappointment among park-goers. The Disneyland app became a digital canvas of closures, with only a few exceptions such as Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Mickey’s Philharmagic, and holiday versions of Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree holding out against the unexpected pause. At Disneyland, only Jungle Cruise and the Mad Tea Party maintained their whirl of activity.
The roster of temporarily closed rides at Disneyland included notable names like Big Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Pirates of the Caribbean, Rise of the Resistance, Space Mountain, the holiday version of It’s a Small World, and the new Adventureland Treehouse. Across the esplanade at Disney California Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers, Web Slingers, Toy Story Midway Mania, Soarin’ Around the World, and the Incredicoaster joined the list of unexpected closures.
“All rides are down, all lines are closed, and they are telling us after safety protocols are passed they’ll open them back up,” shared Napa photographer Elise Delamare on Instagram, capturing the widespread standstill that engulfed the parks. Disneyland and DCA employees evacuated some rides as a safety precaution, as vividly described by Vivs Candyland on Instagram, who found herself unexpectedly evacuated from the Haunted Mansion.
In the midst of the seismic interruption, Disneyland, known for its scripted magic, found itself facing an unscripted moment. The quake and its aftermath, though disruptive, also served as a reminder that even in the realm of fantasy, the unpredictable forces of nature can momentarily dim the enchantment of the beloved theme park.
Avinash Poojari is the owner of ComClone News website. He is an accomplished author specializing in the field of information technology. With a Master’s degree in Information Technology, Avinash hails from Mumbai. Passionate about researching breaking news, he is dedicated to providing accurate and up-to-date information to his readers.