Guests are lamenting the “sorry state” of one Disney park after it went into total meltdown recently.
While Disneyland Park has spent decades as a fan-favorite, Disney California Adventure Park hasn’t had it quite as easy. Located next door in Anaheim, California, the park first opened in 2001 and was envisioned as a celebration of California’s diverse culture, landscapes, and industries, featuring attractions inspired by Hollywood, the state’s coastal regions, and its rich agricultural history.
To say early reception was mixed would be an understatement. Critics and guests cited a lack of Disney charm and immersive storytelling compared to Disneyland, while many questioned the decision to build a low-budget recreation of California icons when several of the real, much more impressive icons were only a drive away.
Unimpressed by attendance, Disney later invested in a decade-long, multi-billion-dollar transformation, culminating in the park’s grand reopening in 2012 with the addition of Cars Land and a reimagined entrance inspired by 1920s Los Angeles, reflecting Walt Disney’s early years in the city.
Today, Disney California Adventure is known for its blend of Pixar, Marvel, and Disney experiences, offering guests a mix of thrill rides and immersive storytelling. The park’s major attractions include Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!, the Incredicoaster, and Radiator Springs Racers, one of Disney’s most lauded rides. The park also features Avengers Campus, a Marvel-themed land that brings the superhero universe to life with interactive experiences and character encounters.
However, with more changes on the horizon soon—including the addition of a Coco (2017) ride, the expansion of Avengers Campus, and a new take on an Avatar land different from that found at Disney’s Animal Kingdom—many are unimpressed with the park’s current condition.
A recent post on Reddit detailed one guest’s discontent with the park, claiming that it was in a “sorry state” – especially when it rained.
Among their many frustrations were only two gantries working for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, which left them stuck in a section of the queue area in the rain. Several major attractions like WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, Toy Story Midway Mania!, Radiator Springs Racers, and Incredicoaster were closed, with poor communication about the closures.
After a rough experience with Lightning Lane, including being kicked out of the WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure line due to technical difficulties, they were further disappointed by the lack of ride availability and inefficiencies, particularly with Rollickin’ Roadsters. “Apparently the ride was so poorly constructed that even a chance of rain means that it can’t run because they have to cover all the vehicles,” they wrote.
They also noted that an effect was broken on Mickey’s PhilharMagic and that they ended the day after waiting in a long line for Radiator Springs Racers, only for it to also break down as well.
Other guests shared similar comments on the current state of California Adventure – particularly Mission: BREAKOUT! As we previously reported, the ride has faced issues for a while now. “Guardians has been having a rough time lately,” said one Reddit user. “I haven’t seen all the lifts working in quite a while. If only 2 out of 6 loading areas are available that means only one actual shaft is working. I’m glad they’re finally gonna be shutting it down for a refurb here soon.”
Another user had a near-identical experience at California Adventure on this rainy day (which, as one user noted, rarely has a positive impact on its operations). “I can vouch for this as well,” they said. “I too was in line when they kept reminding us that 2/6 gantries were running. When they said none were running, me and my friend hopped out of line. We walked over to Incredicoaster and the second we got in line it closed. We walked up to Midway Mania right as it closed. Got in line for the Pal A Round and it closed after we stood there for around 5 minutes.”
They went on to add that “while we were on Radiator Springs Racers (which I splurged and bought a Lightning Lane single pass which I NEVER do) the ride stopped in the tire room. After about 5 minutes we started going again and finished the ride. Cast let us stay in our car and go again and we were very appreciative. I’m from out of town and still had a great day overall (was at the resort from open to close) but yes… it was a rough day at times. Very disappointing start to our day.”
What are your thoughts on the current state of California Adventure?
The post Disney Park in “Sorry State,” Total Meltdown Sparks Grief From Guests appeared first on Inside the Magic.
