Disney Park Forces All Guests Indoors, Cancels All Outdoor Attractions

While Disney parks are generally known for their flawless operation, they’re not immune to the unpredictability of nature.

Today, Hong Kong Disneyland experienced an unfortunate disruption, as severe weather conditions forced the closure of numerous popular attractions. Guests were left navigating the park with a fraction of the usual offerings, as a heavy rainstorm and lightning strikes temporarily made outdoor rides unsafe.

Credit: Disney

Hong Kong Disneyland, located on Lantau Island, is particularly vulnerable to tropical storms due to its geographic location. Severe weather, including typhoons and heavy rains, has affected the park numerous times over the years. Today’s storm, though not as severe as a typhoon, still brought with it lightning strikes and torrential rain, leading to a wave of closures that disrupted the park’s usual flow of visitors.

Weather Wreaks Havoc on Outdoor Attractions

Today’s storm was no small inconvenience, as several key outdoor attractions were temporarily shut down due to safety concerns. Guests arriving at Hong Kong Disneyland expecting to experience their favorite rides were likely met with disappointment, with a long list of attractions affected by the severe weather.

[Weather information]
Hong Kong Disneyland is
Heavy rain warning issued,
And due to lightning strikes caused by heavy rain,
Some outdoor attractions are temporarily closed.

#HKDL_now
#HKDL

【天気情報】
香港ディズニーランドは、
大雨注意報の発令、
および大雨に伴う落雷が発生のため、
一部の屋外アトラクションは一時休止中です。#HKDL_now #HKDL

— Emporium HKDL情報🏰✨ (@hk_emporium) March 15, 2025

The ride closures included major Disney park attractions such as Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars (the park’s equivalent of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad), the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Many of the park’s beloved outdoor offerings were impacted, including the Mad Hatter Tea Cups, Jungle River Cruise, and Tarzan’s Treehouse. Even the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop and Slinky Dog Spin were temporarily out of service. Given the outdoor nature of these rides, it was not surprising that the park had to take precautionary measures to ensure guest safety.

While this stormy disruption was certainly disappointing for those affected, it’s worth noting that such closures are relatively rare at Disney parks. Hong Kong Disneyland, like all Disney parks, generally runs with remarkable reliability. Weather, however, remains the most frequent cause of ride closures, as many of the park’s most popular attractions are outdoors and prone to being impacted by stormy conditions.

Credit: Inside the Magic

Hong Kong Disneyland’s Stormy History

This is far from the first time that Hong Kong Disneyland has had to close rides due to weather. Tropical storms are a common occurrence, and over the years, the park has been forced to close its outdoor attractions on multiple occasions. One particularly destructive storm occurred in 2023 when Typhoon Saola swept through the area, causing significant damage as the Disney park shuttered for two days.

Despite these challenges, Hong Kong Disneyland has managed to recover and even thrive in recent years. After struggling with lower-than-expected attendance in its early years, the park turned a financial corner in 2012, turning profitable for the first time. However, it faced additional hurdles in 2019, with political unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic forcing extended closures.

Credit: Disney

In the face of these struggles, the park has introduced several new attractions to boost attendance. The addition of Stark Expo and the World of Frozen has been instrumental in drawing crowds and revitalizing the park’s image. Thanks in no small part to these additions, Hong Kong Disneyland posted a record net profit of HK$838 million (US$108 million) for 2024, an all-time high since its opening.

A Bright Future (Despite the Weather)

The impact of today’s storm was certainly an inconvenience for guests, but the storm should not overshadow the progress the park has made in recent years. With the park’s 20th anniversary approaching, new additions are slated to make this year one of the most exciting yet. The “Friendtastic!” Parade, billed as the park’s largest daytime parade ever, will feature fan-favorite Disney characters and is expected to draw large crowds.

Credit: Disney

Although the weather forced ride closures today, there is optimism for what lies ahead. The storm is expected to clear by tomorrow, and all rides are set to return to normal operations. As Hong Kong Disneyland continues to expand and evolve, it’s clear that the park’s commitment to magic remains stronger than ever—rain or shine.

Have you ever experienced a weather-related disruption at a Disney park?