Guests at Disney California Adventure were expecting a slow, silly journey through the streets of Monstropolis—but things took a very real turn when a child was spotted completely outside their ride vehicle on Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! According to multiple guest reports online, the incident not only forced a full evacuation of the attraction but also triggered an emergency ride reset that left guests in limbo and wondering: who thought this was a good idea?
Let’s break down what happened, what it means, and why you might want to take your last trip through Monstropolis soon—before the doors to the Laugh Floor close for good.
Out of the Ride and Into Trouble
The drama unfolded fast. One Reddit user who was on board shared the shocking details:
“We were just evacuated from the Monsters Inc ride with show building lights on because a kid was completely out of the ride vehicle. They’re having to reset the system now. From what I’ve overheard from cast members, it sounds like a parent may have lifted the child out of the car and put them on the back of the car intentionally.”
Let’s pause on that. A child completely out of a moving ride vehicle—not falling, not slipping—reportedly lifted out by a parent. While the ride itself is gentle, Disney doesn’t take these kinds of safety breaches lightly, and this one triggered an automatic emergency stop.
Emergency Shutdown Mode: Activated
A former ride operator jumped into the discussion to explain exactly how severe these moments are:
“If anyone for any reason is on the track while the ride is running, it’s an automatic emergency stop. Cuts power to all ride vehicles and animatronics, and shuts everything down.”
That means no more Roz sass, no Boo giggles, and no Mike Wazowski banter until the ride is completely reset. It’s a tedious process.
“While Monsters isn’t as intensive as Indy, it would probably take anywhere from 15 to 45 min. Same procedures you guys would follow: e-stop, evac guests, give them some redeem passes, cycle through the ride, then re-open,” said a former Monsters, Inc. opening crew Cast Member.
So not only was this ride shutdown inconvenient—it was a full-scale operational nightmare.
Did the Offending Guests Get Kicked Out?
The Disney community quickly asked the question we all were thinking: did the family that caused the shutdown walk away with free passes like everyone else?
“Would they give passes to the people that caused it? Or would they receive an escort out the park?”
The Cast Member’s answer?
“No, definitely not. If it were up to me, then I, or another CM, would escort the offending party out first without passes (walk of shame), then everyone else would be escorted and given a pass… especially since this seemed to be deliberate.”
While not confirmed in this case, it’s clear Disney does not turn a blind eye to these kinds of incidents. In fact, guests who intentionally exit or tamper with ride systems can be removed from the park entirely, depending on severity.
Remember the Cucumber Incident?
This isn’t the first time a guest’s bad behavior has halted a ride. One of the most notorious cases happened at EPCOT’s Living with the Land when a guest famously jumped out of the boat mid-ride to steal a cucumber from the greenhouse.
Yep—one cucumber cost hundreds of people their ride time, and possibly that guest their ticket for the rest of the day.
Monsters, Inc. Ride: Catch It While You Can
Adding a bittersweet twist to all of this is the ride’s upcoming closure. Multiple Cast Members have been casually confirming that Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! is on its way out.
“It’s an old ride that won’t be here much longer so it takes a while to restart,” one Cast Member allegedly told guests during the incident.
The ride, located in the Hollywood Backlot of Disney California Adventure, is expected to shutter permanently in early 2026 to make room for a brand-new land themed to Avatar: The Way of Water.
Originally opened in 2006, the ride was a clever re-skin of Superstar Limo—an infamous flop that shut down within a year of DCA’s debut. With its colorful animatronics and family-friendly pacing, Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! has earned a soft spot in fans’ hearts. And now? Time is ticking.
The Buddy Pass Secret
With the attraction’s closing date looming, you can expect longer lines in the weeks and months ahead. But some lucky guests have been getting access to a little-known perk: the Buddy Pass.
“Although the ride had a posted 40-minute wait, I was on board in less than 10 — and, more importantly on a hot day, inside with air conditioning the entire time,” said one guest.
The Buddy Pass is given out sparingly by Cast Members at the ride’s entrance. It allows one or two riders to use the exit as a quick boarding area, much like a single-rider line. Just don’t abuse it—it’s not a guaranteed offering, and it’s definitely not for groups.
Don’t Be That Guest
No matter how mild a ride may seem, safety rules are in place for a reason. Exiting a ride vehicle, even to “help” a child or “grab something quickly,” puts everyone at risk and ruins the experience for every other guest.
So if you’re planning a final visit to Monstropolis before the doors close forever, do the right thing: buckle up, stay seated, and let the monsters handle the mischief.
Because nothing ruins a Disney day like being the reason a ride gets shut down—and nothing is more embarrassing than a “walk of shame” exit before Sulley even shows up
