Disneyland’s monorail horn is as loud as a piledriver, its railroad trains as ear-splitting as a jackhammer and the nightly fireworks more deafening than a bulldozer, according to a noise analysis conducted on behalf of the Anaheim theme park.

The decibel readings for attractions, shows and parades at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are buried deep in the 17,000-page Environmental Impact Report released in mid-September by the city of Anaheim for Disney’s expansion initiative known as DisneylandForward.

The Disneyland resort noise analysis was conducted by Veneklasen Associates over eight days in April 2022 with a follow-up study in June 2022. The readings taken at dozens of locations throughout Disneyland and DCA near rides, shows and parades were collected to inform planning of any theme park expansion.

Disney would limit noise by building sound-buffering barriers during construction and 12-foot-tall noise barriers along property lines for park operations. Fireworks would be prohibited in the proposed expansion areas.

Disneyland’s proposed theme park plans cluster outdoor thrill rides near the center of the expansion area and indoor attractions along the edge of the property (officials have yet to announce any specific rides or attractions that would be part of a future expansion). The noise study in the EIR estimates a worst-case scenario in which levels could reach 80 decibels near outdoor thrill rides.

Is Disneyland the Loudest Place on Earth? Far from it.

But it would be hard to tell from the noise analysis included in the DisneylandForward EIR that compares popular rides like Grizzly River Run (92 decibels), Incredicoaster (90 decibels) and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (86 decibels) to construction blasting operations (94 decibels), concrete saws (90 decibels) and cement mixer trucks (85 decibels).

The Disneyland Monorail horn (97 decibels) is a little louder than a piledriver (95 decibels), according to the EIR report. The Disneyland Railroad train (91 decibels) makes the same amount of racket as a jackhammer (90 decibels). The “Mickey’s Mix Magic” fireworks show (92 decibels) is noisier than a bulldozer (85 decibels).

Autopia’s gas-powered cars made the expansive Tomorrowland track the loudest area of Disneyland, according to a noise map included in the EIR.

The Incredicoaster launch area was another noise hot spot along with the entire length of the outdoor steel coaster that’s covered in certain areas by scream tubes.

Here are the 20 loudest rides and attractions at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure as measured in decibels, according to the EIR noise analysis.

Rides & attractions

Monorail Horn Near Matterhorn 97

Grizzly River Run Drop Point 92

Disneyland Railroad Train Horn 91

Incredicoaster Takeoff Area 90

Toy Story Midway Mania Cart Noise 87

Soarin’ Over California Queue 87

Disney Jr. Dance Party Queue 87

Splash Mountain Riders 86

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (west) 86

Golden Zephyr Ride Operating 86

Mark Twain Steamboat 85

Astro Orbiter 84

Radiator Springs Racers Track Car Pass-by 83

King Arthur Carousel Announcement 83

Matterhorn (west) 82

Alice in Wonderland Ride 82

Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters Ride 82

Jessie’s Critter Carousel Exit 82

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree 81

It’s a Small World Clock Tower 81

The April 2022 noise analysis was conducted during the annual springtime Disney Food & Wine Festival at DCA. Several outdoor concerts held during the festival ranked among the biggest noisemakers at the Disneyland resort.

Outdoor shows in Avengers Campus made the Marvel themed land one of the loudest places in DCA, according to a noise map included in the EIR.

Some of Disneyland’s longest standing traditions were also among the loudest: Flag Retreat Ceremony in Town Square (88 decibels), Main Street Electrical Parade (87 decibels) and the Dapper Dans vocal quartet (86 decibels).

Here are the 20 noisiest shows and parades at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure as measured in decibels, according to the EIR noise analysis.

Shows & parades

Food & Wine Fest Stage: Tina Aldana Band 95

Mickey’s Mix Magic Fireworks 92

Paradise Gardens Bandstand: Reggae Show 92

Guardians of the Galaxy Dance Off 91

Buena Vista Street Band 88

Avengers Assemble Show 88

Flag Retreat 88

Electrical Parade Show 87

Frozen Friends Cavalcade 86

Dr. Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts Show 86

Jammin’ Chefs Show 86

Character Parade 86

Pixar Pals Dance Party 86

Spiderman Show 86

Fire Station: Dapper Dans 86

Warriors of Wakanda Show 85

Avengers Assemble Show 85

Pearly Band 85

Operation: Playtime Show 83

Main Street Strawhatters 79

The Bootstrappers 76