As much as amusement parks might try to avoid ride shutdowns, they are an inevitable part of the experience. Whether it’s because of necessary maintenance and ride refurbishment, or due to capacity concerns, sometimes a ride closure is just unavoidable. However, in many other cases, ride closures occur for entirely preventable reasons. Recent data just released by Disneyland showed a three percent increase in preventable ride shutdowns due to guest behavior this year.

Guest Behavior Has Caused An Increase In Ride Shutdowns At Disneyland

New data has just been released showing an increase in the number of ride shutdowns at Disneyland caused by guest behavior, Parade reported.

“In fiscal year 2025, 13% of ride shutdowns were caused by guest behavior, an increase from the 10% average,” according to Natalie Katzka, the Director of Attractions Engineering Services at Disneyland.

Phones have become ubiquitous on rides, with visitors frequently taking them out to film, take pictures, or sometimes even just forgetting they have them in their pockets. But a phone dropped onto the tracks of the ride can create a safety hazard and force a ride closure until the item can be retrieved.

However, smartphones are far from the only culprits behind the increase in ride closures. Katzka explained that any “loose article,” including “phones, mouse ears, water bottles, or backpacks, falling from a ride vehicle in motion” can trigger a ride shutdown.

“It also includes guests not following safety procedures or instructions relayed by cast members. Think about a guest standing up with a ride in motion or sticking their hand out too far,” Katzka said.

Disneyland Is Enforcing Two Major Rules To Help Cut Down On Ride Shutdowns

As a result, Disneyland is now cracking down on rules banning phones and other loose items from rides to help keep equipment safe and operational for everyone.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is now strictly enforcing its “no phones out” rule. This particular attraction has had a significant problem with guests dropping their phones. Because the family-friendly ride is slow-moving, many people feel comfortable taking their phones out while riding to film. However, it still has plenty of frequent turns and jerks that can easily cause guests to drop their phones. Because the ride operates on trackless technology, a single phone that is dropped on the flat surface can damage the ride, creating a potential safety hazard and forcing a ride closure until it can be cleared.

Now, signs at the entrance to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway remind guests to store all personal belongings, including phones, before boarding the ride.

Disney California Adventure has also added a new “Stanley Cup Shelf” outside the popular Incredicoaster. This provides guests with a safe place to store heavy water bottles, like Stanley Cups and Hydroflasks, which could potentially become life-threatening flying projectiles if they were dropped on the 55-mile-per-hour ride. Riders must now either leave their water bottle on the shelf or ensure it is secured somewhere safe like a bag before they will be permitted on the roller coaster.

Many Social Media Users Expressed Support For The New Rules

The response to these new rules has been generally positive, with many Disneyland fans understanding the reason behind the bans.

“Finally! Needs to be every ride! Someone took their phone out on Matterhorn and they dropped it and it slapped me in the face going up that first hill,” Reddit user u/DarkRider46 recounted on a post about the new rules at Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Another Reddit user posted in support of the Incredicoaster shelf, calling it “absolutely deadly if one were to fly out of the ride and hit somebody. I had never considered people bringing them onto rides where it would be a problem but it makes sense to leave them in lockers/cubbies.”

Ultimately, it all comes down to improving guest safety and experience. “We know that being able to enjoy more attractions in a day plays a big role in how guests feel about their visit. Work behind the scenes to care for our attractions is one of the most important ways we can invest in making the guest experience the best it can be,” Katzka said in a media statement.