Ticket Booths Demolished by Excavator as Disney Guests Attempt To Access Theme Parks

Guests were shocked and confused to see ticket booths being demolished right in front of them as they attempted to enter the parks during the busiest time of the year.

A large crowd fills a pathway at Disneyland, with many people walking toward Sleeping Beauty Castle. An inset shows a closer view of guests at Disneyland Park waiting in a long line near a signpost and trees. — Credit: Inside the Magic

Busy Holiday Season Sees Ticket Booths Destroyed as Guests Scratch Heads as to Why

It’s a sight longtime Disneyland fans never expected to see during daylight hours. Amid the hum of holiday music and the scent of churros drifting from Main Street, an excavator’s metal claw crunches through a piece of Disneyland history — once the first stop for millions of guests entering “The Happiest Place on Earth.” A crowd gathers, phones raised, watching shards of pastel-painted panels tumble.

What could Disney be building in the very spot that once welcomed generations of visitors?

Mickey and Minnie Mouse in 70th anniversary outfits at Disneyland California as the Disney castle prepares for some major changes at this Disney Park crowds. — Credit: Disney

A Piece of Disneyland History Fades Away

Two of Disneyland Resort’s iconic ticket booths, positioned near the entrance to the Downtown Disney District, are being demolished as part of preparations for a long-awaited new addition: Porto’s Bakery. The change comes after years of planning — and months of anticipation about when Disney would finally begin construction.

The spectacle was captured by Instagram user @worldofscreams, who shared a video showing the demolition in progress while guests looked on. Normally, heavy-duty work like this happens overnight, shielded from public view. This time, however, parkgoers witnessed the transformation firsthand — a rare glimpse at Disneyland in transition.

Disneyland has begun work to remove vacant ticket booths to make way for Porto’s Bakery. – @ScotttGustin on X

Disneyland has begun work to remove vacant ticket booths to make way for Porto’s Bakery. pic.twitter.com/PkiB3EvOI6

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) December 31, 2025

According to reports and permits, Anaheim city officials approved the removal of the ticket booths earlier this month. The closures initially took place in November, consolidating operations across the Esplanade and marking the official end for these once-essential structures.

A collage of three images showing crowded scenes at Disneyland, with visitors waiting under the sun, and a close-up view of a fairy tale castle at this Disney park. — Credit: Inside The Magic

Preparing for Porto’s Bakery

For locals, Porto’s Bakery needs no introduction. The beloved Southern California chain — famous for its cheese rolls, potato balls, and guava pastries — was originally announced for Downtown Disney in 2022 but experienced repeated delays.

Now, the project appears firmly underway. The La Brea Bakery Café, located nearby, is also being removed to make room for Porto’s, signaling a complete refresh of the Downtown Disney entry corridor. The former La Brea space most recently housed a temporary Earl of Sandwich location, which closed earlier this fall after more than two years of operation.

Once construction wraps, this end of Downtown Disney is expected to feature a more cohesive, open-air design, blending Porto’s dining patio with new landscaping and pedestrian areas.

Crowds around Rivers of America at Disneyland Resort — Credit: Carlos (armadillo444), Flickr

End of an Era — and the Start of a New One

For many Disneyland fans, those small white ticket booths symbolized the start of something magical. Before digital passes and mobile apps, this was where families queued to buy tickets, park maps in hand, dreaming of what lay beyond the turnstiles.

Their removal has sparked waves of nostalgia across social media, with longtime visitors sharing memories of saving up for “park hoppers” or asking for paper tickets as souvenirs. Others are simply surprised Disney allowed something so visible to vanish in the middle of the day — a reminder of how fast the Resort is evolving.

Still, there’s excitement too. Porto’s is one of Southern California’s most beloved bakeries, and its arrival within walking distance of Disneyland is sure to please locals and tourists alike. For many, this project doesn’t just represent change — it’s proof that Disney continues reinvesting in its guest experience, even in the smallest of spaces.

Crowds of people walk down Main Street, U.S.A., toward Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park. — Credit: Steven Miller, Flickr

What Disneyland Guests Should Know

Yes, you can still buy tickets in person. Disneyland Resort continues to offer same-day ticket purchases at the Lost and Found booth near the main gates.
Construction will continue through early 2026. No official opening date has been set for Porto’s Bakery, but visible site work suggests progress is accelerating.
Expect limited walkway access. Certain entry areas between the parks and Downtown Disney may be temporarily rerouted as demolition clears debris.

This shift marks more than a simple renovation — it’s part of the larger Downtown Disney transformation, which includes reimagined retail, dining, and entertainment spaces. The once utilitarian entry zone is steadily becoming a culinary and cultural hub, blending local favorites with Disney flair.

As the excavators move in and the ticket windows come down, one era of Disneyland quietly gives way to another. And just beyond the fences, guests can almost smell what’s next — the buttery warmth of Porto’s pastries, soon to greet parkgoers where nostalgia once stood.