The Happiest Place on Earth turned into a flashpoint of frustration this weekend as Vice President JD Vance’s surprise visit to Disneyland sparked ride closures, security lockdowns, and seething resentment from parkgoers—many of whom took to Reddit to vent about the disruption, particularly the full shutdown of Pirates of the Caribbean so the Vice President could ride.
They closed the entirety of a pirates and part of New Orleans just so Vance could ride.
byu/heavydutybeardbalm inDisneyland
While high-profile guests at Disneyland aren’t new, Vance’s visit during peak summer weekend crowds—just days after a political protest erupted outside the park—has ignited renewed debate about how far security protocols and VIP perks should go when they interfere with the experiences of regular guests.
Pirates of the Caribbean Closes for VP Ride
A now-viral Reddit thread shows a photo of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction completely empty and sealed off while security reportedly prepared the space for Vice President Vance and his family. The post quickly flooded with frustration.
“I’d say this about anyone regardless of politics,” one Redditor wrote, “but I kind of think you forfeit your privileges to have a normal family day at Disneyland if you are elected to a national office.”
That sentiment struck a chord. Guests argued that if public officials want to enjoy a theme park experience, they should do it privately—without forcing the shutdown of major attractions during regular hours. Some even suggested that renting out the park for a private evening event would be a more ethical and cost-effective solution than disrupting thousands of paying guests.
“Paying for a private night party and going without fanfare almost seems like it would be cheaper to the taxpayer than this nonsense,” one user added.
“Ruining the Experience Is the Point”
Not everyone believed Vance’s visit was just about family time. Others in the thread saw the Disneyland outing—especially in California—as a pointed political statement. “Oh but ruining the experience for others while being treated like royalty at the expense of American tax dollars is the point,” one user wrote. “They wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Another commenter echoed that sentiment bluntly: “Exactly why he came to Disneyland, not Disney World.”
They suggested that had Vance chosen Walt Disney World in Florida, he likely would’ve received a warmer welcome from political allies. But in California—where sentiment toward Trump-aligned politicians skews far more hostile—his presence came across as provocative.
“This was a power move, plain and simple,” one guest wrote. “I don’t care what political office he holds, he’s not a big deal… I’ve seen and legit ridden rides with major celebrities that walked around like everyone else. That, or they pay for the privilege of having the park to themselves.”
“So On Brand”: A Flashpoint in the Culture Wars
What angered many wasn’t just the closures—but the apparent arrogance behind it.
“Yeah that’s the thing,” one user wrote. “He could have waited until his term was over. But then he wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the perks of being VP. No one should forget this and he should be reminded of it for the rest of his life.”
Another added: “100% agree. If you need that level of security, pay to do it outside of park hours and accept that your life cannot be normal anymore.”
While heightened security for a sitting Vice President is standard protocol, the optics of closing attractions in a packed park on a mid-July weekend were seen as especially egregious.
“I am so pissed the taxpayers are paying for this,” one user wrote. Another hit harder: “That’s when the MOST amount of people will be affected by having to make way for this douche canoe. He could go any time he wants but chose a weekend in the middle of July.”
Disneyland and Politics: An Ongoing Collision
This isn’t the first time Disneyland has found itself caught in the crosshairs of national politics. In recent years, the Walt Disney Company has clashed repeatedly with Trump-era Republicans—especially over cultural issues like LGBTQ+ representation, diversity programs, and legal battles in Florida involving Governor Ron DeSantis.
The sight of a Vice President affiliated with that movement shutting down a beloved ride like Pirates of the Caribbean—especially in liberal-leaning California—only amplifies those tensions.
Whether Vance’s visit was a family outing or a political maneuver, the impact on regular guests was undeniable. Families with children were turned away from rides they had waited years to experience. International tourists missed moments they’d flown thousands of miles for. And summer weekend travelers—many of whom can only afford a Disney vacation once in a lifetime—were left with nothing but delays and disappointment.
Disney has not publicly acknowledged the Vice President’s visit, nor confirmed details about any ride closures related to it. The Secret Service and other federal agencies involved in high-level security protocol have also remained silent.
But the message from guests is loud and clear: Disneyland is a place for everyone—not just politicians with motorcades.
As one user put it: “I hope every single ride he rode broke down.”
