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Opening Day Disneyland Attraction CLOSING Ahead of Resort’s 70th Anniversary

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Posted on by Thomas Hitchen
Crowds around Rivers of America at Disneyland Resort

Credit: Carlos (armadillo444), Flickr

On May 16, 2025, the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Southern California, will commence its historic 70th anniversary celebrations. Before that, though, one of the opening day attractions—the classic Disneyland Railroad—will close to all guests again.

A wide shot of the front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in California.
Credit: Disney

Almost 70 years ago, on July 17, 1955, the world was changed forever when Walter Elias Disney opened Disneyland, AKA The Happiest Place on Earth. Since then, Disney has dominated the global theme park industry, with locations in Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort, the Mouse House’s flagship, is Earth’s most visited theme park resort.

While Disneyland Resort pales in size to its East Coast sister, the California theme park holds immense history and nostalgia for diehard Disney fans. Just knowing that Walt Disney himself walked down Main Street, U.S.A., is enough to excite any visitor. It stands to reason that Disney Experiences will pull out all the stops when the 70th-anniversary celebrations begin in mid-May.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse, wearing colorful outfits, stand hand-in-hand in front of a castle decorated for a 70th anniversary celebration.
Credit: Disney

Among the new additions to mark the occasion is Wondrous Journeys: “Gaze in wonder as Sleeping Beauty Castle, Main Street, U.S.A., the Rivers of America and the façade of “it’s a small world” are on display in bursts of images that chronicle over 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios storytelling.”

Joining Wondrous Journeys will be the return of the Paint the Night parade at Disneyland Park. At Disney California Adventure Park, World of Color Happiness! will debut, and Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! will return. The theme of Disney’s 70th anniversary is “Celebrate Happy!”

One of the most exciting elements of “Celebrate Happy!” is the debut of the Walt Disney audio-animatronic in Walt Disney–A Magical Life.

Concept art of the Walt Disney--A Magical Life show at Disneyland
Credit: Disney

However, as the celebration inches closer, Disney has recently confirmed that one opening-day attraction will shutter at the resort. According to Scott Gustin (@scottgustin), the Disneyland Railroad will go dark on January 13 to reopen before the anniversary commences on May 16.

NEW: The Disneyland Railroad will be closed beginning Jan. 13 as crews continue work to replace sections of the track. Disneyland says train operations will resume in the spring and in time for the start of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration on May 16.

The Disneyland Railroad only just reopened on October 25, 2024, following months of refurbishment to replace parts of the track and adapt the New Orleans Square station during the construction of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. In response to a comment about why Disneyland is shutting the train again after only just reopening it, Gustin added more context.

It was closed in the fall to replace sections of the track. The timing of this closure will allow crews to complete the work and reopen the train before Disneyland’s 70th.

The Disneyland Railroad is a quintessential attraction at Disneyland Resort. Opened on July 17, 1955, the track encircles the park, offering scenic views and transportation between four themed stations: Main Street, U.S.A., New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, and Tomorrowland.

Powered by five historic steam locomotives—each named after railway pioneers and Disney legends—the railroad immerses guests in a nostalgic journey. Whether for its scenic charm or historical significance, the Disneyland Railroad remains a must-do for every visit to the Happiest Place on Earth.

How do you feel about the Disneyland Railroad once again closing at Disneyland Resort? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!

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Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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