Disneyland had to close several rides at its theme park in Anaheim, California, on Monday night due to a 3.5 magnitude earthquake. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an earthquake struck in the evening at approximately 8:09 p.m. The epicentre was recorded slightly over a mile east of Fullerton, precisely two miles north of Disneyland. Shortly after, at around 8:30 p.m., a smaller aftershock was reported.
Disneyland took immediate action following the earthquake, ensuring the safety of its visitors and staff. Although no injuries or damage were reported then, the park implemented mandatory precautionary measures. As a result, numerous popular rides were temporarily closed while thorough safety checks were conducted.
According to a post on X, a popular unofficial Disneyland information source called MiceChat, there is a low chance of damage occurring. However, guests may experience inconvenience as the rides are being inspected. The post was made at 8:24 p.m. on X. After approximately 20 minutes, the account posted an update stating that all attractions and queues were closed. Guests were notified that the magnets would reopen once safety checks were completed.
The Orange County Register reported that all the rides at the theme park were closed, except for Jungle Cruise and the Mad Tea Party. Meanwhile, some passages were still open for guests to enjoy at the nearby Disney California Adventure park. These included Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Mickey’s Philharmagic, and unique holiday versions of Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
Disneyland has closed entirely on only a few rare occasions. The most recent closure occurred in March 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The park was previously shut down in 1963 to observe a period of national mourning following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It was also closed in 2001 after the tragic attacks of September 11.
The park had only closed once, shortly after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. This earthquake hit the San Fernando Valley in southern California, and the park had to be closed temporarily for inspection to assess any damage.
Disneyland has not provided any official statements regarding the temporary shutdown on Monday, as seen on its verified social media accounts.
The Disneyland Resorts X account has been inactive on social media since November 16. This is due to Disney, its parent company, pulling advertising from the platform. The reason behind this move is the presence of hate speech and antisemitic rhetoric on X. Other prominent companies, including Apple, IBM, Warner Bros, and Lionsgate, have also suspended their advertising on the platform.
According to a recent report from the Anti-Defamation League, there has been a significant increase in antisemitism on the X platform since Elon Musk assumed control. The report reveals that incidents of antisemitism have surged by nearly 1,000 per cent since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in early October.
In October 2022, Elon Musk acquired the social media platform and drew criticism recently for endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory. Last month, the billionaire shared a post that accused Jewish individuals of promoting hatred and also took a dig at the Anti-Defamation League, a watchdog organization against antisemitism.
During the New York Times Dealbook Summit, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk were questioned about Disney and other companies halting their advertising on X. It is worth noting that Disney CEO Bob Iger had also participated in the summit earlier in the day.
Elon Musk believed that the advertising boycott would ultimately lead to the company’s demise. He stated, “What this advertising boycott is going to do is, it is going to kill the company. And the whole world will know that those advertisers killed the company.” Musk’s strong statement highlights his concern about the potential consequences of the boycott and the impact it could have on the company’s future.
He also directly addressed Iger, stating, “Don’t bother with advertising. If someone thinks they can blackmail me with money? Tell them to go screw themselves.”
“Please excuse my language, but I strongly disagree with your perspective. Bob, if you happen to be here today, I want to clarify that I don’t appreciate the message you’re promoting.”
On the other hand, Musk acknowledged that his response to the controversial X post, which contained a conspiracy theory, was “one of the most foolish” things he had ever shared on the platform.
“I realize it would have been better if I hadn’t responded to that specific post. I should have taken the opportunity to explain myself more thoroughly,” he admitted. “I was trying to convey that there are instances when I unintentionally say something inappropriate.”
In addition, Iger discussed Disney’s choice to cease advertising on X.
Bob Iger expressed his admiration for Elon Musk and his achievements. According to Iger, Elon is a larger-than-life figure closely associated with the companies he founded or owns. However, Iger believed that Elon’s public stance on some issues did not reflect positively on their association.
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