Disney parks around the world are in the midst of massive changes. Walt Disney World is adding new lands, a brand new resort is planned in Abu Dhabi, and 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 Robert Downey Jr.-endorsed Avengers attraction, the first ride based on the Pixar film. Cocoand a whole new country themed Avatar. But those plans are still a long way from being realized – and for families planning trips today, the rides already in operation mean so much more.
Few things can derail a Disney day faster than a broken attraction, especially after waiting an hour (or two) to ride it. Disneyland officials, including President Thomas Mazloum, know this, and the company is increasingly focusing on the customer experience.
Improving attraction reliability has gradually become one of the resort’s biggest priorities, with major investments aimed at keeping attractions open, reliable and moving as many guests as possible.
“Working behind the scenes to care for our attractions is one of the most important ways we can invest to make the guest experience the best possible,” Natalie Katzka, director of attractions engineering services at Disneyland Resort, said during a press briefing.
Keeping the enchantment alive
These behind-the-scenes efforts cover preventative maintenance, technical upgrades, smarter parts planning and operational adjustments designed to reduce unexpected shutdowns and keep lines moving.
Building a brand new ride can take years, but improving the operation of existing rides can have an immediate impact.
Officials say reliability improvements alone enabled about 1.5 million additional ride experiences in fiscal 2025 — essentially increasing capacity without building anything new. Engineers are also refining dispatch procedures and station flow so attractions can carry more passengers per hour.
Even smaller operational changes can add up quickly. This past holiday season, adjustments to seasonal overlay installation schedules generated approximately 200,000 additional ride experiences in Haunted Mansion and “It’s a Small World,” allowing both attractions to reopen to guests earlier than in previous years.
Maintaining these rides is much more complicated than most visitors think. On Matterhorn Bobsleds, for example, replacing a single “pacer,” a driving tire that helps regulate vehicle spacing, can take six to seven hours overnight with multiple technicians — and roller coasters have dozens of them.
Supply chain challenges have made things even more difficult. At Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure, each vehicle contains hundreds of parts, and rebuilding a car is a major undertaking. Officials say improved inventory systems now allow the attraction to manage its full fleet more consistently, which is essential for a ride that regularly boasts some of the resort’s longest waits. On a recent visit, the Racers reached 145 minutes.
Although customers may never notice this work, the benefits can be enormous. A ride operating at maximum efficiency can significantly reduce wait time and help visitors fit more into a single day.
Not all closures are mechanical either. Loose objects falling onto the tracks, guests ignoring safety rules, wildlife, weather conditions and even power fluctuations can force shutdowns. Reducing these avoidable disruptions is another major objective.
Retrofits are also used to improve reliability, not just appearance. Engineers often replace aging components and redesign fault-prone systems when rides are closed.
Magical multitasking
All of this work is happening as major construction projects move forward at the resort, making it even more important to keep existing attractions operating. Disneyland executives say planning now focuses heavily on preserving capacity, including keeping major rides open longer than originally planned.
And here’s the most recent example, and news that will be a triumph for Monsters Inc fans: Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the rescue! at Disney California Adventure will remain open for an extended period, so families will still have access to a great theme park while nearby expansions take shape.
Rather than closing in 2026, it is open for another year and will close in 2027. Officials noted that this was done by reviewing construction plans and that it provides a key benefit to visitors. More trips, fewer interruptions and a better chance of accomplishing everything on the day’s itinerary.
New lands on the theme of AvatarMarvel heroes and beloved Pixar stories could define Disneyland’s long-term future. But right now, perhaps the most important upgrades are the ones you’ll never see: the quiet engineering work that makes the magic happen day after day.
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