Disney parks around the world are in the midst of a massive change. Walt Disney World is adding new lands, a brand new resort is planned for Abu Dhabi, and the Disneyland Resort in California has major expansions in the works.
In Anaheim, most of that growth will reshape Disney California Adventure, which is set to receive a new Avengers attraction endorsed by Robert Downey Jr., the first ride based on Pixar’s Cocoand a brand new themed country Avatar. But those projects are still years away — and for families planning trips today, the rides that are already underway mean a lot more.
Few things can derail a Disney day faster than an attraction breaking down, especially after you’ve waited an hour (or two) to ride it. Disneyland officials, including president Thomas Mazloum, know this, and the company has become increasingly focused on the guest experience.
Improving ride safety has quietly become one of the resort’s top priorities, with major investments aimed at keeping attractions open, reliable and moving as many guests as possible.
“Working behind the scenes to take care of our attractions is one of the most important ways we can invest in making the guest experience the best it can be,” said Natalie Katzka, Director of Attractions Engineering Services at the Disneyland Resort, during a media briefing.
Keeps the spell alive
This behind-the-scenes push spans preventive maintenance, engineering upgrades, smarter spare parts planning and operational adjustments designed to reduce unexpected shutdowns and keep lines moving.
It can take years to build a brand new ride, but improving how existing rides run can have an immediate impact.
Officials say reliability improvements alone enabled about 1.5 million additional driving experiences by fiscal year 2025 — essentially increasing capacity without building anything new. Engineers are also refining dispatch procedures and station flow so attractions can carry more riders per hour.
Even minor operational changes can be quickly added. During the recent holiday season, adjustments to installation schedules for seasonal overlays resulted in approx. 200,000 additional ride experiences across Haunted Mansion and “It’s a Small World”, allowing both attractions to reopen to guests sooner than in previous years.
Maintenance of these rides is far more complicated than most visitors realize. On the Matterhorn Bobsleds, for example, it can take six to seven hours overnight with multiple technicians to replace a single “pacer,” a driving tire that helps regulate the distance between vehicles — and the coaster has dozens of them.
Challenges in the supply chain have made things even tougher. At Radiator Springs Racers in Disney California Adventure, each vehicle contains hundreds of parts, and rebuilding one car is a huge undertaking. Officials say improved storage systems now allow the attraction to run its full fleet more consistently — crucial for a ride that routinely has some of the longest wait times at the resort. During a recent visit, the Racers hit 145 minutes.
While guests may never notice this work happening, the payoff can be huge. A tour that runs at maximum efficiency can shave significant time off standby lines and help visitors fit more into a single day.
Not all closures are mechanical either. Loose objects falling onto tracks, guests ignoring safety rules, wildlife, weather and even power fluctuations can force shutdowns. Reducing these preventable interruptions is another major focus.
Refurbishments are also being used to improve reliability, not just looks. Engineers often replace aging components and redesign systems prone to failure while rides are closed.
Magical multitasking
All of this work is happening while major construction projects are moving forward across the resort, making it even more important to keep existing attractions operating. Disneyland executives say planning now focuses heavily on maintaining capacity, including keeping key rides open longer than originally planned.
And here’s the latest example and news that will be a triumph for Monsters Inc fans: Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the rescue! at Disney, California Adventure will remain open for an extended period of time, so families still have access to a major park ride while nearby expansions take shape.
Instead of closing in 2026, it is open for another year and will close in 2027. Officials noted that this was done by looking at construction plans, and it provides an important benefit for visitors. More rides, fewer interruptions and a better chance of hitting everything on today’s itinerary.
New countries with a theme for AvatarMarvel heroes and beloved Pixar stories may define Disneyland’s long-term future. But right now, the upgrades that matter most may be the ones you’ll never see—the quiet engineering that keeps the magic going day after day.
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