Space Mtn & Soarin' Over CA down for refurb 5/28!

[sherilaine]

Apparently Disney is bracing themselves for another round of OSHA communications. This afternoon, Disney has closed California Screamin' and Goofy's Sky School at the California Adventure Park AND Indiana Jones and the Columbia Ship as well as the Davy Crockett canoes (OSHA may have found a leak in one of them) in the Disneyland Park.

Something strange is happening today indeed. I am hoping these closures are just for a few hours as Disney may just be taking some precautions. Supposedly (alleged but unverified) Disney is meeting with OSHA next week - which will set the timeframe for the number and length of closures going forward.

Are you there? How do you know all this? Is this just rumours, verified from CMs? Just wondering as it seems no one knows officially what is happening so curious of your source.

 

[starshine514]

Maybe they're trying to avoid complaints from on-property guests who will likely use EE while also avoiding greater scrutiny by Cal/OSHA, which might occur if they reopen the rides full-time before the state reviews the refurb work?

Though if either of the rides is open during EE, that means nightly maintenance is being done--and that would mean the work the state demanded has already been completed.

I was thinking similarly - they are opening it up just for the on-property guests and then closing it for the regular patrons. If OSHA didn't really specify that the ride had to close immediately, I can see how they could open, make some onsite guests happy, close again and continue to get the necessary work finished before the inspection. I must admit, though, it is odd...

 

[PoohsFan1]

I agree with my colleague in this post that the Matterhorn is the real draw at Disney CA - since no other ride like it exists in FL (I don't count Expedition Everest as comparable).

This is exactly how I am thinking. I already said to my DH that I could deal with some of these closures because we can ride them when we are at WDW (even though I know that Space Mountain is a bit different), however I would cry if Matterhorn was down while we are there. That is the one ride I am most looking forward to riding just because it is the only one like it and won't be recreated at WDW.

 

[DisneyPirateGirl925]

Apparently Disney is bracing themselves for another round of OSHA communications. This afternoon, Disney has closed California Screamin' and Goofy's Sky School at the California Adventure Park AND Indiana Jones and the Columbia Ship as well as the Davy Crockett canoes (OSHA may have found a leak in one of them) in the Disneyland Park.

Something strange is happening today indeed. I am hoping these closures are just for a few hours as Disney may just be taking some precautions. Supposedly (alleged but unverified) Disney is meeting with OSHA next week - which will set the timeframe for the number and length of closures going forward.

Why would OSHA have anything to do with how long things are closed and what is closed?
OSHA didn't force the shut downs. It was Disney's choice to close the rides to do their own safety checks and do the necessary fixes. So yes, OSHA will be coming by to make sure the fixes are in place, and MAYBE bring up some other undocumented concerns(just a theory), but ultimately DISNEY will decide what closes and when and for how long.

And I just checked and according to Mousewait, Indy and the canoes are open and that was posted like 3 minutes before I checked. But then again, I'm not physically there to check.

 

[TinkFlies]

Why would OSHA have anything to do with how long things are closed and what is closed?
OSHA didn't force the shut downs. It was Disney's choice to close the rides to do their own safety checks and do the necessary fixes.

O.K. this makes much more sense.

 

[jenergy]

Why would OSHA have anything to do with how long things are closed and what is closed?
OSHA didn't force the shut downs. It was Disney's choice to close the rides to do their own safety checks and do the necessary fixes. So yes, OSHA will be coming by to make sure the fixes are in place, and MAYBE bring up some other undocumented concerns(just a theory), but ultimately DISNEY will decide what closes and when and for how long.

And I just checked and according to Mousewait, Indy and the canoes are open and that was posted like 3 minutes before I checked. But then again, I'm not physically there to check.

I think that's what the PP is saying; that Disney is closing other attractions for their own inspections to prevent further OSHA fines. According to Lines, all the attractions PP mentioned are listed as being closed at some point during the day.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Just some of my own opinions, not justifications for Disney, just trying to think about it from a corporate perspective, and like it or not Disney is a business...

I didn't think OSHA shut these rides down. Yes, OSHA issued citations and fines, but Disney closed the rides down to deal with these issues.

Why didn't they close the rides down before? An incident happened in November, but then there was an outside investigation, probably an internal one too. Disney probably knew something would need doing, but when did they get the investigation's findings? Government doesn't exactly work quickly. From Disney's perspective, there's no point in taking a blind stab at what precisely is going to be required of them to correct any safety violation they have made, so they wait for the report and then take corrective action.

Disney just had a very busy spring break period. Unless they were forced to shut down rides due to immediate safety concerns or mechanical failure, they probably weren't going to do so. If they're not being forced to do so, why did they voluntarily shut rides down now? Perhaps they only now received the final report. Perhaps they received the final report a few weeks ago. In either case, from their perspective as a business, now is the right time to take care of these issues since they're probably hoping to allow themselves enough time to get everything done before the crowds ramp up again for summer, and they didn't want to have too many major headliners down when they were slammed by spring break crowds. My guess is that they didn't have the results of this investigation before spring break because they probably would have used the time between early January and early March to get this done if they had known the citations then.

Another thing about spring break, everything was up and running A LOT. Disneyland was open 8 AM - midnight for two weeks running with an additional hour each of the three magic morning days per week. DCA was open 8 AM - 10 PM for two straight weeks with additional early entry time four days a week. The parks were open not quite as long but for extended hours before and after those busy two weeks. There have been a lot of ride cycles. Sometimes during and after these extended use periods, the rides go down more often for short or even longer periods. Honestly I'm not sure I've ever been to Disneyland and not noticed at least one ride that was closed unexpectedly for some time during the day, whether it was a few minutes or a few hours. So just because a ride is closed doesn't mean it has anything to do with any of these worker safety concerns. Doesn't mean it doesn't either. Maybe they are being extra cautious and covering themselves by double-checking everything. Frankly, I think we're never going to know which instances are which.

FWIW, we went to Disneyland for the first time during the off-season just before the 50th. Space Mountain was on its extended refurb. Jungle Cruise was closed. My kids were terrified of most things and too short for others, so I didn't ride Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder, Matterhorn, Splash Mountain, Star Tours, or very much in DCA. Despite that, over three days, we still didn't have time to finish all the other things we did want to do. We didn't have much money then, so I didn't think we would be getting back to Disneyland a lot, but I still looked at it as a fun family vacation and was glad we had gone. We're now fortunate enough to go a few times a year, so I can't compare my experience to someone who's going on a once-in-a-lifetime or a once-every-few-years trip. We were there earlier this month though and I didn't ride Space, Soarin', Thunder, Splash, or Grizzly and again still didn't get to all the things on my mental list but still had a fantastic time. For those going anyway at times when big rides are closed for whatever reason, planned or unexpected, sure, be disappointed that your favorites aren't available but don't forget about all the other great things that you can do when you're at the parks. For those for whom these types of situations are dealbreakers, vote with your wallet; do something else with your time and money until you feel Disney is doing right by you.

 

[Spwhoney]

Safety first yes, but please let Indy be open for our trip in 8 days. My DS was to short last time and this is the big Indy ride trip. Finally tall enough. He loves Indy, has an Indy room and everything.

 

[sherilaine]

So Goofy's Sky School is back up, but now Golden Zephyr is down, Indy is back up, of course California Screamin is still down - it seems like Disney is making like a disorganized housewife trying to do a quick scrub of all her toilets as she just found out her in-laws are arriving?

They are looking pretty pathetic, sorry!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

So Goofy's Sky School is back up, but now Golden Zephyr is down, Indy is back up, of course California Screamin is still down - it seems like Disney is making like a disorganized housewife trying to do a quick scrub of all her toilets as she just found out her in-laws are arriving?

They are looking pretty pathetic, sorry!

Might be for safety checks like people are speculating, might not.

We visited the parks from Wednesday April 3 (got there around 11 AM) until Saturday April 6 (left around 11 AM). During those two full days and two half days at the parks, I personally walked by the following rides when they were down: Jungle Cruise, Indy, Peter Pan, Matterhorn, Screamin', and Goofy's Sky School. We were inside the Haunted Mansion ride almost to the conveyor belt where you board the ride vehicle when that ride stopped. The CMs eventually decided it might take 20 minutes for the ride to come back up and gave us the option of being walked out of the line which we chose to do. I checked the MouseWait app a few times during those days and I know that Space, Splash, and Roger Rabbit were listed as closed at least once each, Space multiple times I think. DH said Tower of Terror was only running one elevator the whole time we were there; I'm guessing that contributed to the line being consistently listed as at least 75-90 minutes in the late afternoons. These were just my own observations; I'm guessing other rides were down for periods of time during our visit.

 

[sherilaine]

Oh yes, rides go down all the time for various reasons and that would all be fine but the fact they have said NOTHING as to what rides are affected and for how long leads people do speculate endlessly - is this it, is this ride going to be down now when I am there? that is what is going to happen.

The fact they give no answers means they either don't have answers or don't think their guests are going to like the answers. They have not done a very good job handling things that is all I am saying!

 

[Armadillo4]

So Goofy's Sky School is back up, but now Golden Zephyr is down, Indy is back up, of course California Screamin is still down..."

This post appeared during the usual closure of the Golden Zephyr when the Pixar Play Parade goes by (approx 5:30pm PT). I've never understood why they shut down the Zephyr during the parade, but they do. I bet it comes back up soon. Note, the Golden Zephyr will also be closed if it's too windy. Looking at wait time apps is helpful to a degree, but often lacks details.

Still, I agree that the whole situation is frustrating and the lack of communication from Disney isn't helping.

 

[chocolatetown]

As of today, the following Disneyland attractions are closed: Roger Rabbitt Cartoon Spin, Space Mt., Big Thunder (already scheduled thru Oct.), Davy Crocket Canoes, Moments with Lincoln,

At California Adventure Park: California Sreamin, Soarin, Goofy's Sky School,



Very little communication coming out of Disney at this point. This would not be a good time to be visiting the parks.

 

[starshine514]

As of today, the following Disneyland attractions are closed: Roger Rabbitt Cartoon Spin, Space Mt., Big Thunder (already scheduled thru Oct.), Davy Crocket Canoes, Moments with Lincoln,

At California Adventure Park: California Sreamin, Soarin, Goofy's Sky School,

Very little communication coming out of Disney at this point. This would not be a good time to be visiting the parks.

Thanks for the update. We're going in a little over a week. I'll be disappointed if there are no coasters (they haven't closed Gadget's, have they - LOL). It will surely make the other rides more crowded as well.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

Be aware that most of Tom Sawyer Island is closed. Also, the Mariposa Pool and Spa plus the kiddie pool and poolside restrooms at GC are closed as well.

CS had techs way up on the track this morning so there's definitely an issue.

 

[sherilaine]

I stand by my pathetic comment - they are playing catch up - they should have been on top of the majority of these issues long ago - things happen daily I know, but I think many people agree they handled this poorly.

The fact they are not saying anything screams negligence to me.

 

[woody74]

As of today, the following Disneyland attractions are closed: Roger Rabbitt Cartoon Spin, Space Mt., Big Thunder (already scheduled thru Oct.), Davy Crocket Canoes, Moments with Lincoln,

At California Adventure Park: California Sreamin, Soarin, Goofy's Sky School,



Very little communication coming out of Disney at this point. This would not be a good time to be visiting the parks.

According to several people in the park today, Soarin' has reopened, but California Screamin' is indeed closed. FYI

 

[Girimama33]

According to several people in the park today, Soarin' has reopened, but California Screamin' is indeed closed. FYI

I think you have that backwards...Soarin' is the ride that is indeed closed.

 

[700]

I have been reading about this topic for days as we head down in 2 weeks. Originally I was pretty disappointed and frustrated but then I reflected on past trips and anyone that's been to Disney can attest, rides are down ALL the time regardless of what refurbs are posted. I can't tell you how many time Goofy's Sky School has been down. Splash mountain is the same..... I could go on and on. But you know what, while I was disappointed at the time, it's never wrecked our trip. Too many other things to enjoy!

 

[woody74]

Nope.

Soarin' Open

http://instagram.com/p/YS1bKyCznj/

Screamin' Closed

http://instagram.com/p/YS3XK6Czph/