Disneyland guests expecting a whimsical adventure through Monstropolis were instead met with flashing lights, halted vehicles, and a full-blown evacuation after a child was spotted completely outside of their ride car mid-ride on Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! at Disney California Adventure. What initially seemed like a technical delay quickly turned into a full-scale incident, with Cast Members clearing out the building and reinitializing the ride’s sensitive safety systems — all thanks to what eyewitnesses believe was a deliberate act by a parent.
A Ride Cut Short: “We Were Just Evacuated…”
The report comes from a guest who shared their experience on Reddit, saying:
“We were just evacuated from the Monsters Inc ride with show building lights on because a kid was completely out of the ride vehicle. They’re having to reset the system now. From what I’ve overheard from cast members, it sounds like a parent may have lifted the child out of the car and put them on the back of the car intentionally.”
This highly unsafe behavior resulted in the ride’s full shutdown. According to ride operation protocol, any time a guest is detected outside a vehicle, the system immediately initiates an emergency stop.
What Happens When a Guest Leaves a Vehicle?
A former ride operator explained the seriousness of the situation:
“If anyone for any reason is on the track while the ride is running, it’s an automatic emergency stop. Cuts power to all ride vehicles and animatronics, and shuts everything down.”
Resetting a ride after an emergency stop is no small feat, even for attractions without complex moving parts.
“While Monsters isn’t as intensive as Indy, it would probably take anywhere from 15 to 45 min. Same procedures you guys would follow: e-stop, evac guests, give them some redeem passes, cycle through the ride, then re-open,” a former Monsters Inc. Cast Member shared.
Still, the disruption affects hundreds of guests and Cast operations, especially when entirely preventable.
Will the Offending Family Be Removed?
In these types of incidents, Disney typically evaluates the intent and severity of the guest’s actions before determining the consequences. Reddit users raised the question directly:
“Would they give passes to the people that caused it? Or would they receive an escort out the park?”
The response from a former Cast Member was blunt:
“No, definitely not. If it were up to me, then I, or another CM, would escort the offending party out first without passes (walk of shame), then everyone else would be escorted and given a pass. As for kicking them out of the park, yeah, that could very well happen, but it’s case by case.”
In situations where the act seems intentional — as many believe this one was — removal from the park is not just possible, but likely.
Safety First: Disney Has a Zero-Tolerance Policy for On-Ride Incidents
Incidents like this aren’t just disruptive — they’re dangerous. Jumping or climbing out of a ride vehicle, even at slower attractions, is a serious safety hazard. Disney’s ride systems are designed to detect these infractions and shut down automatically to protect all guests.
This isn’t the first time poor guest behavior has made headlines. In 2021, a woman at EPCOT jumped off Living with the Land to grab a cucumber from the greenhouse — an incident that also resulted in a ride stoppage and viral outrage. In some cases, those responsible are escorted off property, banned from the parks, or both.
Is Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! Closing?
Interestingly, guests also reported that Cast Members hinted the Monsters, Inc. ride won’t be around much longer.
“The cast member said ‘it’s an old ride that won’t be here much longer so it takes a while to restart.’”
And that lines up with official announcements. Disney has confirmed that Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!will permanently close in early 2026 to make way for a brand-new land based on James Cameron’s Avatar franchise. The upcoming expansion will transform the Hollywood Backlot area with new theming, shops, and a major water-based attraction inspired by Avatar: The Way of Water.
Ride It While You Can – And Don’t Break the Rules
If you want to experience Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! before it’s gone for good, time is ticking. With the closure looming, wait times are likely to increase — unless you’re lucky enough to snag a “Buddy Pass.” This low-key perk is occasionally handed out by Cast Members and lets solo riders or parties of two enter through the ride’s exit, bypassing the main queue.
As one guest reported:
“Although the ride had a posted 40-minute wait, I was on board in less than 10 — and, more importantly on a hot day, inside with air conditioning the entire time.”
However, Buddy Passes are not guaranteed and only distributed at the Cast Members’ discretion. If you want to try your luck, ask politely at the front of the ride — but remember, it’s a privilege, not a right.
Follow the Rules So Everyone Can Enjoy the Magic
Disney’s safety systems are some of the most sophisticated in the world, but they’re only effective when guests play their part. Incidents like this not only ruin the day for everyone involved but jeopardize safety and result in consequences that can include being removed from the park.
So if you’re planning a trip to ride Monsters, Inc. before it disappears forever — just stay seated, keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle, and let Mike and Sulley do the rescuing.
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