Credit: Inside the MagicDisneyland Resort is known as The Happiest Place on Earth, and every day, tens of thousands of people head to the Southern California theme park to enjoy the amazing rides, character experiences, delicious food, and more. The parks can get very crowded, which can lead to long wait times, and guests getting frustrated in the hot sun.
What makes Disneyland a little different from Walt Disney World is that its proximity to Los Angeles means that celebrities are frequently spotted in the parks. While many of these celebs just blend in with the crowd, others cause more of a disruption. Most famously, the Kardashians are known for shutting down rides when they visit, making everyone else wait longer.
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Earlier this summer, Vice President JD Vance visited Disneyland with his wife and three children. The visit changed the way guests experienced the magic of Disneyland, with extra security protocols making it more difficult for everyone. Cars had to line up to be inspected before getting close to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa — where Vance and his family were staying.
Summer is typically a very busy time at Disneyland, and the Vice President’s visit didn’t make things any better. Vance and his family didn’t have to wait in line for any attraction, and when they did ride, the attraction was shut down to all other guests. This created long lines and big hassles for guests who had paid a lot of money to visit.
BTMRR was cycled out. Holding queue at merge. Station is covered in security. K9 sniffing down load area. Couch man must be close….
Related: Vice President JD Vance Shuts Down Disneyland Rides, Security Sweeps Block All Attractions
Vance recently sat down for an interview on the Katie Miller Podcast and spoke about his visit to the Southern California theme park. He said that he had never been to Disneyland, and it was a “very cool” experience. He then jokingly apologized for shutting down every ride he went on and impacting thousands of other guests.
He even held up his hands in mock defense, showing that he didn’t really feel bad about anything.
We had the island to ourselves, which was very cool. I had never been to Disneyland. I thought it was awesome. Sorry to all the people who were at Disneyland for the longer lines, but we had a very good time.
Related: Disneyland Accused of Rolling Out the Red Carpet for JD Vance
Long lines were not the only thing that guests experienced when they visited during the same weekend as JD Vance. Protestors lined the roads surrounding Disneyland Resort, and guests inside the park even called Vance out as he walked by, showing their support for immigrants and their disdain for the administration’s controversial policies.
Vance was also called out for choosing Disneyland over Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The Trump administration has frequently criticized the Golden State, calling it “lawless.” Republicans have also found themselves regularly at odds with The Walt Disney Company, accusing it of being “woke” and protesting Disney shows, movies, and theme parks.
Related: JD Vance Ends Splash Mountain Debate, Praises Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Vance was also called out by California Governor Gavin Newsom during his trip. Newsom said that he said he hoped the Vice President had a good time with his family, as the families he is tearing apart can’t be together. He further criticized Vance for refusing to answer for things the administration has done, but will take a vacation on the taxpayers’ dime.
In response to Newsom’s critique of deporting thousands of immigrants, Vance said that he and his family had a great time.
Do you think it’s right for Disneyland to shut down rides for certain visitors? How should Disney handle visits by people like JD Vance? Do visits by VIP families have too much of a negative impact on visitors? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!