Disney Parks around the world are in the middle of massive change. Walt Disney World is adding new lands, a brand-new resort is planned for Abu Dhabi, and Disneyland Resort in California has major expansions on the way.
In Anaheim, most of that growth will reshape Disney California Adventure, which is set to receive a new Avengers attraction approved by Robert Downey Jr., the first ride based on Pixar’s Coco, and an entirely new land themed around Avatar. But those projects are still years away – and for families planning trips today, the rides already operating matter far 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 reliability has quietly become one of the resort’s biggest priorities, with major investment aimed at keeping attractions open, dependable, and moving as many guests as possible.
“Work behind the scenes to care for our attractions is one of the most important ways we can invest in making the guest experience the best it can be,” Natalie Kashka, Director of Attractions Engineering Services at Disneyland Resort, said during a media briefing.
Keeping the enchantment alive
That behind-the-scenes push spans preventive maintenance, engineering upgrades, smarter parts planning, and operational tweaks designed to reduce unexpected shutdowns and keep lines moving.
Building a brand-new ride can take years, but improving how existing rides run can have an immediate impact.
Officials say reliability improvements alone enabled roughly 1.5 million additional ride experiences in the 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 smaller operational changes can add up quickly. During the most recent holiday season, adjustments to installation schedules for seasonal overlays returned roughly 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.
Maintaining these rides is far more complicated than most visitors realize. On the Matterhorn Bobsleds, for example, replacing a single “pacer,” a drive tire that helps regulate vehicle spacing, can take six to seven hours overnight with multiple technicians – and the coaster has dozens of them.
Supply chain challenges 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 major undertaking. Officials say improved inventory systems now allow the attraction to run its full fleet more consistently – critical for a ride that routinely posts some of the longest waits in the resort. During a recent visit, Racers hit 145 minutes.
While guests may never notice this work happening, the payoff can be huge. A ride operating at peak efficiency can shave significant time off standby lines and help visitors fit more into a single day.
Not all closures are mechanical, either. Loose items falling onto tracks, guests ignoring safety rules, wildlife, weather, and even power fluctuations can force shutdowns. Reducing these preventable disruptions is another major focus.
Refurbishments are also being used to improve reliability, not just appearance. Engineers often replace aging components and redesign systems prone to failure while rides are closed.
Magic multitasking
All of this work is happening while major construction projects move forward across the resort, making it even more important to keep existing attractions operating. Disneyland leaders say planning now focuses heavily on preserving capacity, including keeping key rides open longer than originally planned.
And here’s the most recent example, and one piece of news that will be a triumph for fans of Monsters Inc: Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! in Disney California Adventure will remain open for an extended period, so families still have access to a major park ride while nearby expansions take shape.
Rather than closing in 2026, it’s open for another year and will close in 2027. Officials noted that this was done by looking at construction plans, and it offers a key benefit for visitors. More rides, fewer interruptions, and a better chance of accomplishing everything on the day’s itinerary.
New lands themed to Avatar, Marvel heroes, and beloved Pixar stories may define Disneyland’s long-term future. But right now, the upgrades that matter most might be the ones you’ll never see – the quiet engineering work that keeps the magic running day after day.
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jacob.krol@futurenet.com (Jacob Krol)
