Halloween came early at Disney California Adventure today. While Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark wasn’t scheduled to return until August 22, the spooky seasonal overlay quietly opened its doors after 3:00 PM — weeks ahead of schedule — in what appears to be a surprise soft opening.
Guests in the park were among the first to notice the change, sharing photos and videos on X (formerly Twitter) showing Rocket’s frantic rescue mission live in action. Even more surprising? No Lightning Lane option was offered, meaning the only way to ride was via the standby queue.
What Guests Are Saying
Reports from X suggest that the lack of Lightning Lane actually worked in favor of those in the park today. Many posts mention shorter-than-usual wait times, with some riders hopping right back in line for a second round. It’s an unexpected treat for fans who happened to be in the right place at the right time — and a rare chance to experience this Halloween overlay
Time for round 2 on Monsters After Dark. All six ride vehicles are in operation and no lightning Lane, the Result: pic.twitter.com/5ByyD9tU4N
— RyanTheme Park (@Ryanthemepark) August 15, 2025
without a long queue.
The Story Behind Monsters After Dark
Once the clock strikes 3:00 PM, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Shifts into Halloween mode.
A Fiendishly Frightening Escape: Groot has been left behind during the Guardians’ latest rescue mission, and the Collector’s Fortress is now overrun with snarling creatures. Rocket needs your help to sneak back in, distract the monsters, and escape with Groot in tow. With the Guardians involved, chaos is guaranteed.
Too Scary for Kids?
Compared to the daytime version, Monsters After Dark is darker, louder, and packed with more intense visuals. It features menacing beasts, strobe-like lighting, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack that might be too much for younger children.
What This Soft Opening Could Mean
While Disney hasn’t made any official announcements about today’s early debut, soft openings often serve as operational tests before a seasonal offering’s official return. Whether this becomes a daily thing before August 22 remains to be seen — but for those lucky enough to be there today, Rocket’s rescue mission made for one of the most thrilling surprises of the summer.
