As Disneyland Resort gears up to celebrate its 70th anniversary on May 16, 2025, an iconic attraction is set to close its gates once more. The Disneyland Railroad, one of the park’s most beloved opening-day experiences, will shut down beginning January 13, 2025.
According to Scott Gustin (@scottgustin), the closure will allow crews to complete ongoing track replacement projects, with operations set to resume just in time for the milestone celebration. “The Disneyland Railroad will be closed beginning [January 13] as crews continue work to replace sections of the track,” Gustin reported. “Disneyland says train operations will resume in the spring and in time for the start of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration on May 16.”
This isn’t the first time the Disneyland Railroad has been out of commission recently. The attraction reopened on October 25, 2024, after several months of refurbishment, during which sections of the track were replaced, and modifications were made to the New Orleans Square station as part of the construction for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Gustin addressed concerns about the timing of this second closure, explaining, “The fall closure replaced sections of the track. This closure will allow crews to complete the work before Disneyland’s 70th.”
The Disneyland Railroad has been a hallmark of Disneyland since its debut on July 17, 1955, the same day Walt Disney unveiled his groundbreaking park to the world. Powered by five historic steam locomotives, each named after a Disney legend or railway pioneer, the attraction offers a scenic journey around the park with stops at Main Street, U.S.A., New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, and Tomorrowland. For many Guests, it’s an essential part of any visit to “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
The railroad’s reopening will coincide with Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration, a historic event promising to immerse Guests in nostalgia and magic. New entertainment offerings include Wondrous Journeys, a nighttime spectacular illuminating iconic areas like Sleeping Beauty Castle and “it’s a small world” with projections celebrating over 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios storytelling. Fans can also look forward to the return of the Paint the Night parade at Disneyland Park, Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! at Disney California Adventure, and the debut of World of Color–Happiness!, all tied together under the theme “Celebrate Happy!”
Adding even more excitement to the festivities, Disneyland will unveil a Walt Disney audio-animatronic as part of Walt Disney: A Magical Life. This tribute to the visionary founder will surely tug at the heartstrings of Disney enthusiasts worldwide.
While Disneyland may be smaller in scale than its East Coast counterpart, Walt Disney World Resort, it holds a special place in Disney’s history. There’s something magical about knowing that Walt Disney himself once walked its streets, and that sense of connection keeps fans coming back year after year.
What are your thoughts on the Disneyland Railroad’s upcoming closure? Are you excited about the 70th anniversary celebration? Let us know in the comments below!
