What Rides Will Not Reopen With Disneyland?

Disney Adventurer

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Lagoon Tomorrowland Disneyland

It is looking increasingly likely that Disneyland will be allowed to reopen by the summer at the latest, likely even in the spring. But it is going to look a lot different than it did last march when people last entered the happiest place on earth.

So we are going to speculate on some of the changes that might be happening to the park and its attractions, specifically in regards to what rides may not reopen with the park at least initially.


Now one thing to know about Disneyland is it has a lot of rides that are fit into a very small area, and unfortunately in the case of social distancing, this may lead to the downfall of some attractions. If it is not possible to social distance on certain attractions, they may not be able to reopen with the park.

Also worth mentioning, California is going to have stricter guidelines in place when Disneyland opens than Florida does, so even some rides that exist at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland might not be able to reopen.

So let's talk about some key contenders for rides that might not be able to reopen at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Storybook Land Canal Boats

Storybook Land Lighthouse Queue Line Fantasyland Ride Disneyland

There are two rides in Disneyland that notably feature live cast members in a meaningful way, Jungle Cruise and the Storybook Land Canal Boats. But unlike the Jungle Cruise, the Storybook Land Canal Boats really don't have enough room for you to socially distance from the cast member, even if you limit it to one group per boat in addition to the cast member I don't think you could actually be socially distant on this ride.

Add into that the fact that this ride actually requires cast members to take weight into account to keep the boat balanced, and I just don't see them being able to operate this ride while social distancing guidelines are still in place.

Casey Jr. Circus Train Above Storybook Land Topiary Display Fantasyland Disneyland

At least I think you should be able to still see Storybook Land from Casey Jr, but it might be a bit longer before this boat ride can start entertaining guests once again.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Darla Scuba Diving Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Disneyland

Continuing through Disneyland for the last ride in Disneyland park I think is at risk is Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. This ride i think is just a disaster for social distancing all around. It features two rows of seating which are back to back, as well as a live cast member in the middle of these two rows who drives the boat. 

I really don't see how you fit more than maybe two groups in one of these subs and allow the cast member and the groups to be socially distant from each other.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Waterfall Exit Disneyland

Also, this ride is just a nightmare for an airborne disease. It is in a submarine which inherently means you are in an enclosed indoor space, but not even like a building, but a very confined tube. I mean, if Disney has to put up claustrophobia warnings for this ride, it might not be a good idea to operate when social distancing is a requirement.

Now I do think there are ways that they could make this ride work again. Very few people could probably be in each sub, but there are ways they could make it safe. This ride never actually submerges so they could always keep the doors to the sub open, allowing for air to flow in and out of the sub and ventilate it.

Coral Reef Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Tomorrowland Disneyland

But again the logistical challenges of this ride might just be too much at least in the early days of reopening.

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain Finale From the Disneyland Railroad

Also worth mentioning is there is always a chance that Splash Mountain does not reopen with the rest of the park if Disney is starting the upcoming Princess and the Frog refurbishment. But we do not know about that as Disney did not give an update on whether or not the Disneyland version would reopen.

With that let's move over to Disney California Adventure.

Frozen Live at the Hyperion


Now the most obvious omission from this park on opening day will probably be Frozen Live at the Hyperion. This show laid off its entire cast during the pandemic, and also it's just not safe to be doing broadway-style productions like this while social distancing is still a necessity.

Oaken Frozen Live at the Hyperion Disney California Adventure Disneyland

It will be a while before I think people will be allowed to step inside the Hyperion Theater for a show. Maybe they will use it for something else, but the Frozen show is not going to be open.

Free Samples

Ghirardelli Pacific Wharf Disney California Adventure Disneyland

Beyond this in Disney California Adventure the only notable attraction change I can see happening is I don't think you are going to be getting free samples from Ghirardelli or the Boudin Bakery in Pacific Wharf, encouraging people to eat while shopping is not something you really want to be doing right now so I see these being discontinued at least in the short term.

Boudin Sourdough Logo Screen Pacific Wharf Disney California Adventure Disneyland

Although maybe they just get relocated to the exit of the building instead so you're not enjoying them inside.


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