Credit: DisneyThere’s a specific anxiety that comes with news that your favorite Disney attraction is closing, especially when headlines hint at indefinite shutdowns.
Disney fans recall past closures that turned permanent, like Splash Mountain becoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the controversial replacement of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride with The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. When you hear about a closure, it’s hard to tell if it’s just routine maintenance or the end of an era.
Recently, it was announced that Jumpin’ Jellyfish at Disney California Adventure would close for refurbishment starting February 23, 2026. Some reports suggested an indefinite closure, but Disney has now confirmed that the attraction will reopen sooner than anticipated, easing fans’ concerns.
Jumpin’ Jellyfish Closes February 23, Reopens March 6
According to Disneyland’s website calendar, Jumpin’ Jellyfish will close on Monday, February 23, 2026, and reopen on Thursday, March 6, 2026. This represents approximately 11 days of downtime for routine refurbishment rather than the extended indefinite closure some initial reports suggested.
The relatively brief closure indicates standard maintenance work rather than any major overhaul or reimagining of the attraction. Disney likely needs to inspect, repair, or replace mechanical components, refresh theming elements, or complete other technical work that requires temporarily shutting down the ride but doesn’t fundamentally change what Jumpin’ Jellyfish offers guests.
Understanding Jumpin’ Jellyfish
For guests unfamiliar with this Paradise Gardens Park attraction, Jumpin’ Jellyfish is a parachute-style ride where guests climb into one of 12 jellyfish-shaped vehicles and bounce up and down a 40-foot-tall kelp bed structure. The ride lasts approximately 90 seconds and is designed for younger guests and families, though adults can ride as well.
The attraction’s name references Sebastian’s exclamation “Jumpin’ jellyfish” from Disney’s 1989 animated classic The Little Mermaid, creating thematic connections to the beloved film without being a direct recreation of specific scenes or storylines.
The jellyfish vehicles and kelp bed theming evoke the underwater world Ariel inhabits while providing a simple, enjoyable ride experience appropriate for guests who might find more intense attractions overwhelming.
The Broader Refurbishment Context
Jumpin’ Jellyfish isn’t the only Disney California Adventure attraction currently closed or recently reopened following refurbishment. Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind reopened on Friday, February 6, 2026, a few weeks before Jumpin’ Jellyfish closes. Grizzly River Run is also closed for refurbishment during this period, which is typical for that attraction during colder months when demand for water rides naturally decreases.
Disney staggers these refurbishments to avoid having too many attractions closed simultaneously, which would significantly impact overall park capacity and guest experience. By timing the Jumpin’ Jellyfish closure to begin after Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind reopens, Disney ensures Paradise Gardens Park maintains adequate attraction availability for guests.
The relatively short 11-day closure for Jumpin’ Jellyfish suggests Disney planned this work specifically to minimize guest impact while still completing necessary maintenance. Longer refurbishments typically indicate more extensive work requiring extended downtime, while brief closures like this one generally involve routine maintenance that can be completed quickly once the ride is shut down.
Why Initial Reports Caused Concern
Some coverage of the Jumpin’ Jellyfish closure used language suggesting indefinite timelines or uncertainty about reopening, which understandably concerned Little Mermaid fans and guests planning Disney California Adventure visits. When Disney’s website calendar initially showed the attraction closed through March 3 without listing a specific reopening date, it created ambiguity that some interpreted as potential long-term closure.
However, Disney calendars typically only display information for limited future windows, and the absence of listed operating hours beyond a certain date doesn’t necessarily indicate indefinite closure. Once Disney updated the calendar to show the March 6 reopening, the actual scope of the closure became clear and considerably less dramatic than some feared.
Planning Around the Closure
For guests planning Disney California Adventure visits between February 23 and March 6, 2026, Jumpin’ Jellyfish will be unavailable. Families with young children who specifically enjoy this attraction should either schedule visits before February 23 or after March 6 to ensure access.
The closure falls outside major holiday periods and occurs during what’s typically a moderate attendance period at Disneyland Resort. Spring break crowds haven’t yet arrived in force, and the winter holidays are long past, meaning the impact on overall park experience should be relatively minimal for most guests.
Other Paradise Gardens Park attractions, including Silly Symphony Swings, Goofy’s Sky School, and The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, remain operational during the Jumpin’ Jellyfish refurbishment, providing alternative entertainment options for guests visiting the area.
What This Means for Little Mermaid Fans
The confirmed March 6 reopening date provides reassurance that this Little Mermaid-inspired attraction isn’t disappearing or undergoing a transformation that would eliminate its current theming and identity. Disney is simply performing necessary maintenance to keep the ride operating safely and effectively for future guests.
The Little Mermaid remains a significant part of Disney California Adventure’s attraction lineup, represented by both Jumpin’ Jellyfish and the more elaborate The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure dark ride. The brief refurbishment doesn’t signal any reduction in the park’s commitment to representing this classic Disney animated film.
The Return Timeline
With the March 6 reopening date now confirmed, guests can plan visits with confidence knowing exactly when Jumpin’ Jellyfish will be back in operation. The 11-day closure represents minimal disruption compared to the months-long refurbishments some Disney attractions undergo for more extensive work.
This routine maintenance helps ensure that Jumpin’ Jellyfish continues to operate reliably and safely for years to come, providing generations of guests with opportunities to experience this family-friendly Little Mermaid-inspired attraction at Disney California Adventure.