Disneyland Resort revealed the closure of another classic attraction, this time its the Red Car Trolley at DCA in early 2025... The announcement was made public via a tweet by @ScottGustin, he said: "NEW: Avengers Campus construction at DCA, set to begin in early 2025, will require the removal of the backstage Red Car Trolley barn and will result in Disney discontinuing operation of the attraction in early 2025, Disneyland officials said. A specific date will be shared later." This suggests that the future of the attraction is likely uncertain and most likely is set to close FOREVER!
To understand why the Red Car Trolley is closing forever we need to look back and understand why it exists in the first place! When Disney's California Adventure opened in 2001 it featured no Trolley at all, in fact the entrance experience was different. To describe it in 2024 is complicated, think of a giant post card with The Monorail Passing Thru the Golden Gate Bridge. This Post-modern interpretation of California was not well received or understood by audiences as so the park was a huge flop, as so when Bob Iger became CEO he decided to completely revamp the park and change the entrance experience. Disney looked to the park's neighbor, Disneyland, and imagineers set to take inspiration from the nostalgia of 1920s/30s California with Mission revival architecture, elegant theaters, innovational gas stations and LAs classic Public transit: The Red Cars! The Pacific Electric operated with safety comfort and efficiency "Who needs a car in L.A.? We have the best public transportation system in the world!" The Red Car Trolley would not be a major E-Ticket attraction, but it would provide the land with much needed Kinect energy and atmosphere!
When the Red Car Trolley opened alongside other major additions in 2012 it wasn't just another attraction it was an element that added to the park's theme and ambiance! For a long time the trolleys served as the park's unofficial icon and appeared in a LOT of merch... However over the years its presence became less apparent in marketing and merchandise, The trolley almost saw its demise in 2019 with Avengers Campus requiring the extended closure of the attraction, thankfully the barn remained behind the Avengers HQ. However it started becoming clear the park started shifting away from its original theme of California.
So when Disney revealed new details about its new Avengers attraction Avengers: Infinity Defense at the 2024 D23 Expo many fans worried for the future of the Red Cars. So today's news doesn't come as a surprise but as an unfortunate decision that will make the park experience much worse.
Here is why Disney wants to close this attraction: The maintenance barn is located in a precious plot of land that will house 2 Avengers Attractions Avengers: Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. Demolishing said barn will allow for that plot of land to be 'reimagined'. Furthermore the future of DCA is filled with new lands and attractions. One of these new lands is a new Avatar experience, and many fans believe this experience will be replacing Hollywood Land, A 1920s trolley doesn't fit in the world of Avatar...
So Unfortunately the Red Car Trolley will join other defunct Disney rides like 20,000 leagues under the Sea and the Peoplemover. it serves as a reminder that while progress often requires change, it also comes at the cost of the unique details that make Disney parks feel timeless. For fans of the Red Car Trolley, its closure represents more than just the loss of a ride—it’s the end of a connection to the nostalgic spirit of California Adventure’s past.
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