Credit: DisneyDisney has finally shared new updates after a notable closure at California Adventure.
Disney California Adventure has barely stopped evolving since opening in 2001. What began as a celebration of the Golden State has undergone repeated reinventions, adding Buena Vista Street and Cars Land, replacing A Bug’s Land with Avengers Campus, turning Paradise Pier into Pixar Pier, and transforming Pacific Wharf into San Fransokyo Square.
RELATED: Disney Park Slammed With Landmark Lawsuit After “Failing To Fulfill Its Safety Obligations”
Not every corner of the old Paradise Pier made the Pixar jump. When Pixar Pier debuted in 2018, the remaining stretch — home to attractions such as Goofy’s Sky School, Golden Zephyr, and The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure — became Paradise Gardens Park, preserving more of the area’s classic seaside amusement-park feel.
That includes Silly Symphony Swings, the spinning chair ride inspired by Mickey Mouse’s 1935 short The Band Concert. The attraction has been closed for refurbishment since April 27 – a relatively lengthy absence with no return date for months. Now, after nearly four months of uncertainty, Disney has finally shared new information.
What’s Happening to Silly Symphony Swings?
Disneyland has now confirmed via its website that Silly Symphony Swings will reopen on August 28.
RELATED: REPORT: Disney Parks’ President Demands Restoration of Nighttime Spectacular
Images from California Adventure also show the scrim and scaffolding removed from the attraction, which is once again mostly visible to guests. The attraction doesn’t appear to have undergone any major changes during its rest period – which saw the top half of the ride, plus the swing ride hardware, removed – with the symphony scenes appearing unchanged.
There are currently still construction walls around the attraction’s entrance, blocking any guests from accessing Silly Symphony Swings until its official reopening.
Once Silly Symphony Swings reopens, every attraction will be in operation at California Adventure – a rarity at Disney parks. Over at Disneyland Park, Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition and Main Street Cinema are both currently out of action.
Mark Twain Riverboat is set to close for a brief refurbishment on September 8, as is Indiana Jones Adventure. Meanwhile, Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland and Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island will temporarily close on September 14, and Sailing Ship Columbia will close on September 21. Pixie Hollow is also closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays through September 28.
Upcoming Closure and Changes at California Adventure
At some point in 2027, guests will lose access to Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! forever at California Adventure. The attraction was originally slated to close in 2026 to make way for Disney’s new Avatar area.
Some have cast doubts on whether the planned area will ever come to fruition, with Disney remaining notably quiet on its plans during the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23, where it revealed fresh details on the likes of Villains Land, Magic Kingdom’s new Cars land, and Monstropolis, as well as a teasing a new take on Tomorrowland in Disneyland Park’s future (although it was scarce on specific details).
RELATED: Tower of Terror Closure Set, Disney Attraction Shuttering on September 28
However, Disney has shared more concept art for the land. This shows guests traveling through Pandora’s bioluminescent landscape aboard a large boat, while others watch from a nearby walkway. Unlike Na’vi River Journey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, however, this attraction will take guests outdoors – a detail that’s been met with great praise on social media.
While fans have previously shared concerns that Disney would view Paradise Gardens Park as potential expansion space for the famously space-restricted California Adventure, its recent efforts to restore Silly Symphony Swings suggest that the attraction still has a future at the theme park.
The area is also set to receive a new (or, technically, old) show in 2027. An updated take on the original version of World of Color is set to return to California Adventure in 2027.
“This version of the show takes you on an imaginative journey into the colorful worlds of Walt Disney Animation Studios like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, as well as Pixar Animation Studios stories Finding Nemo and Toy Story,” says Disney Parks Blog. “Helping to tie it all together is a musical score that includes a special arrangement of the 1960s television theme for Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, originally composed by Richard B. and Robert M. Sherman.”
Next door, Disneyland Park is also bringing back a classic. “Remember… Dreams Come True” will return in 2027, complete with new projections at Rivers of America, the facade of “it’s a small world,” and all the way down Main Street, U.S.A. This will feature a vocal introduction by Mary Poppins and The Princess Diaries actress Julie Andrews while “[illustrating] the power of wishes and dreams in favorite Disney stories.”
Have you missed Silly Symphony Swings at California Adventure?
