Disneyland experienced an unexpected delay on the morning of Wednesday, September 25, due to an oil leak on Main Street U.S.A., causing a 10-minute hold on its usual 8 a.m. opening time. Crowds of eager visitors gathered outside the park in the esplanade, confused by the hold-up. Meanwhile, Disney California Adventure, Disneyland’s neighboring theme park, opened its gates as scheduled.
Oil Leak Leads to Opening Delay
The issue stemmed from a street scrubber vehicle, which leaked hydraulic fluid onto the iconic street. This small but significant issue created a temporary obstacle for park operations and prompted Disney’s quick response to ensure safety for its guests. Disneyland officials confirmed that the park was back up and running shortly after the delay, though Main Street U.S.A. remained closed for further clean-up.
Visitors were rerouted through backstage areas on the east side of the park, allowing access to other attractions while avoiding the affected zone. Social media quickly caught wind of the situation, with live streamers and bloggers documenting the event in real-time.
TOTAL CHOAS at Disneyland for park opening this morning! It’s been reported that there was a flood on Main Street USA. #DisneyParks #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/yLhpABuNG6
— BeautifulTomorrow TV (@BTomMorrowTV) September 25, 2024
Social Media Reactions
Many visitors expressed their frustrations online. A YouTube live streamer from Beautiful Tomorrow TV tweeted about the incident, describing the scene as “total chaos.” The disruption, though brief, still made waves online as it coincided with the early morning rush of guests eager to experience Disneyland’s magic.
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Popular Disneyland blogger Gothic Rosie shared a photo on Instagram showing custodians working to clean up the spill near Sleeping Beauty Castle, which is currently decorated for the Disney Company’s 100th anniversary. The leak, described as hydraulic fluid, was swiftly handled by Disneyland’s custodial team.
A Quick Recovery for Disneyland
Despite the minor setback, Disneyland quickly recovered from the incident. Operations returned to normal within minutes after the delay. Guests were able to enjoy their day at the park, though some were initially surprised by the alternate routes used to bypass the clean-up.
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Disneyland’s fast response, along with its ability to maintain a steady flow of visitors through backstage routes, demonstrated the park’s preparedness for such unexpected events. This small glitch in operations is unlikely to mar the overall visitor experience, especially as the park continues to celebrate its milestone 100th anniversary.