These are the California Adventure failures then ended up permanently closing for good. This includes rides, a land, shows, experiences, and more. Some Disney fans are still sad about these closures, while others are happy they were removed or replaced with other offerings instead. California Adventure opened in 2001. Disney expected it to be wildly popular, but it was not, which led to a lot of closures and changes happening in the coming years.
Luigi’s Flying Tires
Luigi’s Flying Tires was a Cars Land opening day attraction, which opened on June 15, 2012. This ride was hard to operate, had many breakdowns, and needed a lot of maintenance. It used a system similar to an air hockey table and it was full of problems. Some guests also described the ride as boring. This Pixar Cars attraction closed permanently on February 16, 2015. It was replaced by Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters. This ride opened on March 7, 2016 and is still there today.
Superstar Limo
Superstar Limo was one of the shortest running attractions ever at Disney California Adventure park. This ride opened when the park did on February 8, 2001. It was a dark ride where you rode in a ride vehicle that was a limo and you were the star. This ride permanently closed less than one year later on January 11, 2002. The ride building sad empty for several years, then it was replaced by Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue. This ride opened on January 23, 2006 and, unfortunately it will be permanently closing in early 2026. Are you sad this closure is coming?
Golden Dreams
Golden Dreams was an attraction that was a 22 minute show about the history of California. This show opened when the park did on February 8, 2001. It had Whoopi Goldberg in it as Califia, the Queen of California. The attraction closed for good on September 7, 2008 due to low attendance. The building was empty for almost 3 years until the attraction The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure opened on June 3, 2011. This attraction is still there now and is very popular and has great air conditioning.
Maliboomer
Maliboomer was a drop ride that opened in 2001 when California Adventure park did. This ride operated for 9 years, closing permanently on September 6, 2010. It was located at Paradise Pier (now Pixar Pier). The attraction is completely gone, but the location of the ride is now home to Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind. This ride opened on June 28, 2019 and is still there. The ride used to be Flik’s Flyers from A Bugs Land, but it was moved and rethemed.
Orange Stinger
The Orange Stinger was another now defunct ride on Paradise Pier. It was a swings attraction that was inside of a giant orange peel. This ride opened with the park on February 8, 2001. It closed on July 13, 2009 and was changed to Silly Symphony Swings. They removed the orange peel and rethemed the ride. Silly Symphony Swings opened on June 11, 2010.
A Bug’s Land
A Bug’s Land was located in California Adventure park from October 7, 2002 until September 4, 2018 when the entire land closed. This closure included It’s Tough to Be a Bug, Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, Flik’s Flyers, Francis Ladybug Boogie, Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies, Princess Dot Puddle Park, and more. Disney decided to change this land into Avengers Campus, which opened on June 4, 2021. Avengers Campus is very popular now and is even getting a big expansion with two new attractions. Read about the new rides coming here.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It!
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Play It was in California Adventure from September 14, 2001, to August 20, 2004. The TV show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire was very popular during this time. Guests could participate in a live version of this show and win merch and even a Disney Cruise. Did you ever participate in this show?
Mulholland Madness
Mulholland Madness was a wild mouse trap style roller coaster in Paradise Gardens Park. It operated from February 8, 2001 until it closed on October 12, 2010. The ride reopened on July 1, 2011 and was rethemed to Goofy’s Sky School. It uses the same ride track and is still a mouse trap style roller coaster. It is based on Disney’s 1940 short film Goofy’s Glider.
Bountiful Valley Farm
Bountiful Valley Farm was an area of California Adventure that paid tribute to the agriculture in the state of California. It has fake animals, real plants, farm equipment, a water play area for kids, and more. It opened on February 8, 2001 and closed permanently on September 6, 2010. This area is where Cars Land now is in the park.
Red Car Trolley
Red Car Trolley was an iconic attraction in California Adventure that took guests through Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Land. It opened on June 15, 2012 and permanently closed on February 9, 2025. This closure is part of the Avengers Campus expansion. While it didn’t operate through Avengers Campus, the backstage barn for it is affected by the expansion. Want to know about more rides at The Disneyland Resort that permanently closed? Read all about them here.