Why is the Disneyland Railroad Closing?

[disneygogetter]

I have read articles about the closing's for Star Wars Land, with the railroad included but why? It goes AROUND the park, so how is it getting in the way? And I thought the Star Wars Land was going to have its own plot of land, didn't Disney buy like a plot of land right next to Disneyland/California Adventure for it? When will the railroad be back up? Its one of my favorite rides among others.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

The railroad is scheduled to be down for at least a year. They haven't given a definite end date. Along with it they will be draining the Rivers of America, which means that sailing ship Columbia, Mark Twain, canoes, and Tom Sawyer island will be closed as well. The reason for all of these closures is that they will be changing the current path of the rivers, and the current path of the railroad, to make room for Star Wars Land. The land is going to take over the current location of Big Thunder Ranch, as well as some backlot/offices that currently sit behind the scenes in that area. There have been many rumors of it taking over parts of Toontown as well, but that has not been confirmed.

I don't know about Disney purchasing a plot of land, all I can think of is a recent purchase of a plot across the street on which a hotel stands currently, but it would be nowhere large enough for a whole land. Maybe someone else knows more about the purchase you reference.

When the river and train reopen they will follow a new route, though the stations will remain the same.

 

[sherilaine]

The railroad will be offline while Disney builds Star Wars land - which will be located in the northwestern corner of the park. It will re-open eventually but it will likely be longer than a year.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I have read articles about the closing's for Star Wars Land, with the railroad included but why?

They have to install shoulder restraints to the cars since they are adding a loop to the Railroad when it goes through SW Land.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Disney didn't have to buy land, you can actually google eart map Disneyland and see a structure area that looks like a race horse track. That is the Circle D Ranch and that is where Star Wars is centered. Not enough land so it being built into the berm, extending into the park. the date of the Train being up is not set as there are always problems. Here in Oregon, freeway construction is always delayed because excavation always find Indian grounds and archaeologist come in to analyze and record the history. So it depends if the archaeologist is freelance or union at Disneyland

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

That north area of Disneyland is changing for Star Wars Land. Part of Tom Sawyer Island will be removed, and Rivers of America will be shorter. The railroad will hug the Rivers of America then go back to its route through the it's a small world facade. While all of this is going on (minimum 18 months, they say), the railroad and activity on Rivers of America will all be down.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

From Mice Chat

 

[Jerryp49]

Here`s a link with a cool map :

http://www.slashfilm.com/disneyland-changes/

 

[StayClassy]

They have to install shoulder restraints to the cars since they are adding a loop to the Railroad when it goes through SW Land.

Completely missed the sarcasm when I read this, you should have seen the mini heart attack I just had.

 

[Jerryp49]

From Mouseplanet this morning:

Last chance to see...
Disneyland probably won't feel like the Happiest Place on Earth for many fans next Sunday, January 10. Disney is slated to close over a dozen rides, shows, and attractions at the end of the business day. Some are closing forever, others will be shuttered for a year or more to make room for the new Star Wars Land, and some are just closing for a few days or weeks for scheduled refurbishment.

This week also marks the end of the Holidays at the Disneyland Resort season, with the holiday-themed entertainment wrapping up on Wednesday, January 6. The Downtown Disney Winter Village closed as of last night, January 3.

If you're visiting the Disneyland Resort this week, here's what you want to make sure to see one last time. However, plan to share your final moments with thousands of your closest friends and passholders, as the seasonal blockout dates end as of Monday, January 4. SoCal and SoCal Select passholders who have been blocked out since mid-December will likely show up in droves to get in their final rides and say farewell to some beloved attractions.

Closing for the season – last day to see Wednesday, January 6

• Olaf's Snow Fest
• A Christmas Fantasy Parade
• Viva Navidad

Closing forever – last day to see Sunday, January 10

• Big Thunder Ranch BBQ
• Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo
• Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular

Closing for at least a year – last day to see Sunday, January 10

• Fantasmic!
• Disneyland Railroad
• Rivers of America
• Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes
• Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
• Sailing Ship Columbia
• Mark Twain Riverboat

Closing for refurbishment – last day to see Sunday, January 10

• Jungle Cruise – Reopening date not official, but expected to be after April 3.
• Haunted Mansion – Reopens January 22.
• Autopia – Reopening date not official, but expected to be after April 3.
• Grizzly River Run – reopens January 14.

 

[Chrisfilm]

From the link above:
"The Rivers of America will need to be completely drained for the construction, but Disney apparently hopes to install coffer dams so that the river can be full of water along the Frontierland and New Orleans Square riverbanks. This would allow park guests to take photos which wouldn’t look not-so-magical during the construction."

This would be great news as the whole idea of this hub looking like it is under construction was worrisome to me. Not that I won't miss riding the boats and the train, but as long as walking through Frontierland and New Orleans Square doesn't look like a construction zone, I will be happy.

 

[chickapin parterre]

ROA wont look like a construction zone, the pannels will be painted with some type of simple disney art. What will happen however is the lack of horizon that we all like when rounding the corners, the magic of being somewhere else disappears, the sounds, or a cup half full.....the nightly beauty of NOS......which last night on TV when she said "this reminds me of Disneyland ( now gone court of angels) that she found night time more magical then being dragged by her parents on terrifying E attractions. So there is magic in every corner!!!

 

[SMD]

They drain ROA every 5-10 years or so for 5-6 months. Construction walls aren't going to phase me. And Disney has gotten a lot better about theming them, so I'll be interested to see what we get this time. I've seen every bit of water in the park drained over the years, including the moat by the castle. My favorites are submarines (especially when the sea serpent was still there) and seeing Mark Twain standing on the track. With the train not running either I'll probably be going up in the treehouse to sneak peaks. It's too bad they haven't figured out a way to run the train between NOS and TS in reverse. I hope they will at least put a train in Main St and maybe NOS for photo ops at least part of the time.

 

[Jerryp49]

ROA wont look like a construction zone, the pannels will be painted with some type of simple disney art.

Here` what it was like in 2010. We were there, no posters or artwork , didn`t look too bad.

 

[Jerryp49]

I just found this. They are going to park the trains at Main St and N.O for photo ops.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...park-attractions-in-new-ways-throughout-2016/

 

[PoohsFan1]

From the link above:
"The Rivers of America will need to be completely drained for the construction, but Disney apparently hopes to install coffer dams so that the river can be full of water along the Frontierland and New Orleans Square riverbanks. This would allow park guests to take photos which wouldn’t look not-so-magical during the construction."

This would be great news as the whole idea of this hub looking like it is under construction was worrisome to me. Not that I won't miss riding the boats and the train, but as long as walking through Frontierland and New Orleans Square doesn't look like a construction zone, I will be happy.

This is good to hear because I too was worried about all of the construction walls that would have to be up over there. I am so sad that the RR will be down during our trip in June, but of course it won't put a damper on our plans whatsoever. However, my DMIL will be tagging along for a few days during our trip and this will be her first trip to DLR and we have been really hyping up everything about DLR, however I was afraid that there were going to be tons of construction walls for her to see in one of the prettiest parts of the park.

 

[LizzyS]

They have to install shoulder restraints to the cars since they are adding a loop to the Railroad when it goes through SW Land.

Haha!

 

[Angrose]

I just found this. They are going to park the trains at Main St and N.O for photo ops.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...park-attractions-in-new-ways-throughout-2016/

Thanks for posting this link! This does make me feel a bit better about being there when all these things are closed. I am especially interested in hearing more about this:
"Look for these special opportunities and more – including new, limited-time experiences aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia – throughout the year at Disneyland park!"
Hmm, what could that be??!!

 

[PoohsFan1]

I am glad to see the heads of DL are going to take care of their guests during the construction by having the not so magical construction be a bit more magical (I guess if you really want to call it that LOL). Between still having parts of the Rivers of America opened for photo ops (I wasn't sure how that whole back area would look like with construction walls up) and now being able to get up close and personal with a train engineer and steam engine to learn about them and their history, plus for those that will be there during the Jungle Cruise refurb, being able to talk with the skippers still is pretty awesome. It really does take the sting out of having major construction being done all around you. I wish WDW would get on the ball and do things like this....one of the major reasons why we decided to head back to DLR this year is because we are wanting to take a break from all of the construction in WDW plus of course to see the 60th Anniversary celebrations too .

 

[Satchmo128]

Here` what it was like in 2010. We were there, no posters or artwork , didn`t look too bad.

View attachment 143470 View attachment 143471

I remember that from 2010!