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Earthquake Shakes Disneyland, Causing Several Closures

Disneyland stands as an iconic symbol of joy and wonder. However, guests recently experienced a shocking disruption—a sudden and unexpected earthquake that caused some trouble at “The Happiest Place on Earth.”

It was an ordinary day at Disneyland, with families and friends eagerly exploring the various attractions, meeting beloved characters, and immersing themselves in the enchanting atmosphere. Little did they know that the ground beneath their feet would soon betray the illusion of stability.

mickey mouse gesturing to sleeping beauty castle
Credit: Disney, Canva

Disneyland Resort is home to two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. The two theme parks welcome in millions of guests each and every year, and they stand as two of the most iconic theme parks in the world. Though many people believe that Disney somehow has control over the weather, the truth of the matter is that the weather can affect even “The Happiest Place on Earth.” This was absolutely evident after an earthquake was reported near Disneyland.

Guests did not realize an earthquake had happened until later that day. MiceChat reported that a 3.5 Earthquake struck near Disneyland. At this time, causing 17 attractions to be closed down.

3.5 earthquake strikes near Disneyland. At least 17 attractions currently closed. Damage, very unlikely, but guests will be inconvenienced while rides are inspected.

https://twitter.com/MiceChat/status/1731892222948208965

While no reports were made that guests were harmed during this minor earthquake, guests were asking questions and wondering why all the attractions were down.

In a social media post, Disneyland guests were left confused after attractions “broke down” and the entire park went down. While Disney did this to protect guests and inspect the attractions.

“We are in Disneyland right now and after multiple rides breaking down, the entire park just went down!! It’s been like this for about 15-20 mins,” one guest shared.

disneyland resort entrance to disneyland park
Credit: Disney Parks

Another guest commented that Disneyland had to close the attractions because they needed a safety inspection before reopening.

“All rides will need a safety inspection before they can reopen. Safety First!” they said.

One Disneyland guest thought an attraction broke down, but a Cast Member informed them it was due to an earthquake.

“We were riding Smugglers Run at the time and the ride just shut down,” they said. “We thought we were just poor pilots at first. The poor attendant looked frightened when he told us about the earthquake.”

Disneyland is located in Southern California and is known for its proximity to seismic activity due to several fault lines. The most notable fault line in the region is the San Andreas Fault, a major tectonic boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. While Disneyland is not directly on the San Andreas Fault, it is in a seismically active zone.

walt disney world disneyland theme park disney character costume head inside hot visibility mickey mouse stitch pluto donald duck mr. smee mrs. incredible
Credit: Disney

Disneyland invests significantly in structural engineering and technology to construct buildings and attractions that adhere to stringent safety standards. The park undergoes rigorous inspections and adheres to building codes, minimizing the risk of structural damage during an earthquake. Continuous assessments and retrofitting efforts are integral parts of Disneyland’s commitment to maintaining the highest level of safety for guests.

Brittni Ward

Brittni is a Disney and Universal fan; one of her favorite things at both parks is collecting popcorn buckets. While at Disney World Resort, Brittni meets the princesses and rides Kilimanjaro Safaris. At Universal, Brittni enjoys the Minions and watching Animal Actors on Location! When not at Disney World Resort or Universal Orlando, Brittni spends time with her family and pets.

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