Disneyland Resort experienced an unexpected transportation disruption Thursday evening when the iconic monorail system lost power, stranding approximately 60 passengers on two trains near the entrance to Disneyland Park. Anaheim Fire Department crews responded to the scene just before 5 p.m. after the monorail beam experienced a complete power failure that left both trains immobilized on the track.
The incident required a coordinated evacuation effort to safely remove all passengers from the elevated trains, though fortunately no injuries were reported. For a transportation system that typically operates with remarkable reliability, this power outage represented a significant operational disruption during what would normally be a busy evening period at the resort.
The Disneyland Monorail serves as both a practical transportation option and a beloved attraction in its own right, carrying guests between the Downtown Disney District and Tomorrowland inside Disneyland Park. The elevated track provides scenic views of the resort while offering a convenient way to bypass ground-level congestion, making it particularly popular during peak attendance periods.
When the system functions normally, guests barely think about the complex electrical and mechanical systems that keep the trains moving smoothly along the beam. Thursday’s power failure served as a stark reminder of how dependent the monorail is on continuous electrical supply and how vulnerable the system becomes when that power disappears, per KTLA.
The timing of the incident, occurring in the late afternoon as the park approached evening hours, meant the stranded passengers faced evacuation during a period when many guests are either arriving for evening activities or beginning to leave after a full day at the parks. Sky5 aerial footage captured the evacuation in progress, showing dozens of passengers waiting on the stalled trains near the Disneyland Park entrance while emergency responders worked to safely remove everyone.
The visual of motionless monorail trains with visible emergency response activity undoubtedly caught the attention of guests throughout the resort, raising questions about what had happened and when normal operations would resume.
NBCLA shared footage of the rescue in the TikTok video below:
@nbcla First responders were evacuating passengers from a stalled Disneyland Monorail train Thursday evening. NewsChopper4 was over the scene where crews were using a ladder to reach passengers from the elevated train rail. Tap the link in bio for more details. #nbcla #Disneyland
What Caused the Power Failure
According to a Disneyland Resort spokesperson, the monorail beam itself lost power sometime in the late afternoon, affecting two trains that were operating on the system at the time. The specific cause of the power outage was not immediately disclosed by park officials, leaving some ambiguity about whether the failure resulted from equipment malfunction, electrical system issues, or some other technical problem within the monorail infrastructure.
Power distribution for the monorail system runs through the beam itself, with electrical connections supplying the trains as they move along the track. When that power supply fails, trains lose propulsion and come to a complete stop wherever they happen to be at that moment.
Unlike ground-level transportation that can simply pull over and let passengers exit, monorail trains require specialized evacuation procedures when they become stranded on elevated beams, particularly when the stoppage occurs between stations rather than at a platform where passengers could simply walk off.
The fact that two trains were affected suggests the power failure impacted a section of the beam rather than an isolated issue with a single train’s electrical systems. If only one train had experienced problems, it would likely indicate a vehicle-specific malfunction. Multiple trains losing power simultaneously points to a broader electrical supply interruption affecting the track infrastructure itself.
Matt Desmond shared another view of the malfunction on Instagram:
Emergency Response and Evacuation
Anaheim Fire Department crews arrived at the scene shortly before 5 p.m. to assist with the evacuation effort. Removing approximately 60 passengers from two elevated monorail trains requires careful coordination and specialized procedures to ensure everyone can safely exit the vehicles and reach ground level. The process cannot be rushed, as the elevated position of the trains creates inherent safety concerns that emergency responders must address methodically.
Aerial footage from Sky5 showed passengers waiting on the stalled trains near the Disneyland Park entrance while evacuation operations proceeded. The location of the stoppage, close to the park entrance, likely provided some advantages for evacuation logistics compared to if the trains had been stranded in more remote sections of the monorail route. Proximity to ground facilities and emergency vehicle access points helps facilitate faster response times and more efficient evacuation procedures.
Authorities confirmed that no injuries occurred during either the initial power failure or the subsequent evacuation process. This outcome reflects both the inherent safety features built into the monorail system and the effectiveness of the coordinated response by Disneyland staff and emergency personnel. Evacuating 60 passengers from elevated trains without any injuries represents successful execution of emergency protocols designed for exactly these types of situations.
Recent Monorail Issues at Disney Parks
This Disneyland incident follows another monorail emergency that occurred at Walt Disney World in November 2025, when Monorail Silver experienced an electrical malfunction near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. That incident involved visible smoke rising from between two train cabins, carrying a distinct electrical burning smell that indicated overheating within the monorail’s systems. Fire crews responded immediately, extinguished the issue, and conducted a careful evacuation of passengers from the elevated train.
The Walt Disney World incident resulted in a complete shutdown of both the Resort Line and Express Line monorail routes, creating transportation ripple effects throughout the Magic Kingdom resort area. Guests shifted to alternative transportation including boats, buses, and ferries, creating extended wait times as the system absorbed the displaced monorail passengers.
The walking path between Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom was temporarily closed while emergency vehicles remained on site and crews inspected the monorail beam.
While these incidents occurred months apart at different resorts on opposite coasts, they highlight the operational vulnerabilities inherent in elevated transportation systems. When monorails experience technical failures, the elevated nature of the tracks transforms routine mechanical issues into complex emergency situations requiring specialized response protocols.
The good news is that both incidents resulted in zero injuries, demonstrating that emergency procedures for these scenarios work effectively when implemented properly.
Impact on Resort Operations
The power outage and subsequent evacuation affected Disneyland’s transportation operations during what would typically be a busy transition period between afternoon and evening. Guests relying on the monorail to travel between Downtown Disney and Tomorrowland needed to find alternative routes, either walking through the park entrance or using other available transportation options depending on their specific starting and ending points.
Disneyland has not announced when monorail service will resume, as the system will require thorough inspection and testing before returning to normal operations.
Park officials must verify that whatever caused the power failure has been identified and corrected, and that the electrical systems throughout the monorail beam are functioning properly before allowing trains to carry passengers again. This cautious approach prioritizes guest safety over operational convenience, even if it means extended service interruptions.
For guests planning Disneyland visits in the immediate future, it’s worth checking current monorail status before assuming the system will be available. While Disney typically restores transportation quickly after unexpected incidents, the investigation and repair process for electrical system failures can take time depending on what crews discover during their inspections.
Planning Around Transportation Disruptions
This incident serves as a reminder that even the most reliable Disney transportation systems can experience unexpected failures requiring emergency response. While these situations are relatively rare, they do occur occasionally, and understanding how to adapt when they happen helps minimize disruption to your park day.
The monorail, while convenient and iconic, represents just one transportation option at Disneyland Resort. Walking between Downtown Disney and the park entrance takes only a few minutes for most guests, making it a viable alternative when the monorail is unavailable. Having backup transportation plans and building some flexibility into your schedule helps you roll with unexpected situations rather than letting them derail your entire day.
Have you ever been stuck on the Disneyland Monorail or experienced other transportation issues at Disney parks? Drop a comment and tell us what happened and how Disney handled the situation. Did cast members keep you informed about what was going on, or were you left wondering what was causing the delay? Your experiences help other guests know what to expect if they encounter similar situations during their visits.
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