Which Disney Attractions Broke Down the Most in 2022?
Engineers, mechanics, and countless other professionals know a hard truth.
Any moving part can and will tear up. At Disney theme parks, ride shutdowns represent a way of life.
Pirates of the Caribbean evacuation
Attractions tear up frequently, primarily because Disney maintains the most stringent safety standards in the industry.
So, which Disney attractions broke down the most in 2022? You may be surprised…
9. TriceraTop Spin
Photo: Disney
So-called aerial carousel rides can prove problematic on their end. That’s doubly true when the attractions use the hub-and-spoke design.
Walt Disney World fans are familiar with this concept, as three different attractions employ the same style.
Photo: Disney
Each of these three rides elevates guests into the air and then spins them around a spinning platform.
So, when I say “hub-and-spoke design,” surprise! You’re the spoke! The hub is what keeps you from launching into orbit!
8. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Photo: Disney
For whatever reason, Dumbo the Flying Elephant doesn’t quite make the list. But the other two carousel rides do.
One of the reasons they’re so hard to maintain is that Disney added a 3D element to the experience.
Ride levers allow you to raise or lower your ride cart. So, that’s one more part that can break down.
7. Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth
Yeah, you knew this one would make the list. I doubt either of us knows a Disney fan who hasn’t had Spaceship Earth break down on them.
In fact, back when Disney seemed likely to reboot the attraction a few years ago, my “final” ride included two breakdowns and non-working Audio-Animatronics. It happens.
The sheer size and spectacle of Spaceship Earth force cast members to work throughout the interior of the giant silver golf ball in the sky.
We’re talking about a ton of Audio-Animatronics, a full-scale digital representation of humanity’s first group hunt, and other sensory special effects.
There’s a reason why this ride shuts down often. Also, while it won’t come up much on this list, Omnimover attractions also must stop frequently.
Spaceship Earth
These brief interruptions occur so that some guests can exit the ride safely, which isn’t a simple process for the elderly or people with physical maladies.
6. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
The appearance of this attraction cracked me up, as I’m batting .500 on the ride tearing up on me.
We had this happen in a small interior chamber that echoed in a way I’ve never heard in my life.
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
As one of Disney’s newest rides, Ratatouille comes with a bit of a learning curve as well.
Yes, the Disneyland Paris version has operated for nearly a decade now, but few if any of those cast members transferred to EPCOT.
As such, Disney cast members are learning on the fly. The same issue applies to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which finished tenth for 2022.
5. Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight
Let me tell you something, folks. You do NOT want to be on this ride when it breaks down!
Nobody thinks about the potential danger when they’re enjoying the ride. I mean, it’s a delightful trip through the London skies and then Neverland.
Peter Pan’s Flight
However, the unique structure of Peter Pan’s Flight forces your ride cart to “fly high” as you move. If it breaks down, well, there’s a ladder involved.
Actually, in some instances, you take the stairs. Hilariously, this evacuation requires a – wait for it – hook! A cast member grapples your ride cart to the stairs.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Since Peter Pan’s Flight features some of Disney’s oldest tech, it is prone to stoppages. Thankfully, actual evacuations remain fairly rare.
They look like this:
4. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
If I had a dollar for every time this attraction broke down with me on it, I’d have enough cash to buy an annual pass without spending a dime out of pocket.
Photo: Disney
One of the joys of the PeopleMover is how relaxing and casual it is. Somehow, that vibe extends to stoppages as well.
Depending on where you are, you may notice aspects of other attractions that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
Specifically, Space Mountain and Astro Blasters views may surprise you and possibly even spoil some of the magic.
People Mover
Meanwhile, you could feasibly get stuck in the dark. If so, it’s a heavenly nap.
Since I’m a total Disney nerd, I love it the most when the ride cart stops right in front of Progress City.
I get to study the scale model in detail, which brings me joy.
Credit: Disney
3. Test Track
Part of the issue here involves the weather. Out of everything at Walt Disney World, Test Track is perhaps the most susceptible attraction with regard to rain.
Photo: Disney
This attraction requires guests to exit an indoor section and then explode onto an outdoor track that’s roller coaster-esque.
As such, plenty can go wrong with this specific part of the ride.
Image Credit: Disney
Conversely, the indoor section includes several thematic elements that would prove dangerous to the rider if they fell into disrepair.
For this reason, Disney has dialed the precautionary guidelines for Test Track up to the highest levels to ensure its safety.
2. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Photo: DIsney
On the one hand, this outcome may catch you off guard. Once you think about it, the problem makes sense, though.
The Prince Charming Regal Carrousel attraction is somehow older than Walt Disney World as a whole…and by more than half a century!
Photo: Disney
Disney didn’t even build this carousel. That honor belongs to The Philadelphia Toboggan Company, which I’m shocked to tell you remains in business today!
Obviously, Disney has upgraded the attraction so much by now that few parts of the original remain.
Still, a carousel requires plenty of maintenance to keep it operational. As such, this result makes perfect sense for an attraction that’s 106 years old!
Photo: themickeywiki.com
1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Nobody involved with Disney would express surprise at this result. Frequent Disney visitors are familiar with the problem as well.
When Disney built Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Imagineers dared to attempt the impossible.
2023 Rise of the Resistance
This one attraction marries technologies used in at least five other popular ride designs. And each of those parts can break down.
That’s precisely what happens more than once a day on average.
Rise of the Resistance
In fact, Rise of the Resistance wasn’t that far away from averaging two daily breakdowns.
Disney knew this would be an issue, especially at first. Park strategists hope that as technology advances, some of the less reliable aspects can be improved.
Until then, Rise of the Resistance will continue to break down regularly.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Feature Photo: Disney
