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Disneyland Closes 8 Rides for Food & Wine Festival Prep

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/26 .. -closes-8-rides-for-food-wine-festival-prep.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, February 26th 2026 at 0:27 GMT by Los Angeles Daily News
      Locales: California, UNITED STATES

ANAHEIM, CA - February 26, 2026 - Disneyland Park announced today a significant, albeit temporary, impact to guest experiences as it gears up for the highly anticipated 2026 Food & Wine Festival, running March 1st through April 8th. A total of eight popular attractions will be closed for varying periods throughout February and early March to facilitate preparations for the festival and conduct essential infrastructure work.

The closures, encompassing some of the park's most iconic rides, are unusually extensive and have sparked both anticipation and concern amongst Disney fans. Affected attractions include: "it's a small world", Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and Star Tours - The Adventures Continue. This represents a substantial portion of the park's core offerings, potentially impacting wait times and overall crowd flow in the remaining operational areas.

Disney officials have stated the closures are necessary to allow for the setup of festival infrastructure, including culinary booths, entertainment stages, and logistical support areas. However, the timing and scope suggest more than just simple festival setup is underway. Sources within the park indicate that the closures are being leveraged to also undertake preventative maintenance and address previously identified infrastructure issues on these attractions - work that would be difficult to accomplish while the park is operating at peak capacity.

"This is a prime opportunity to address some long-standing maintenance needs while simultaneously preparing for the Food & Wine Festival," explained a park spokesperson, requesting anonymity. "Combining these projects minimizes disruption in the long run and ensures guests have an even better experience when these attractions return."

The 2026 Food & Wine Festival promises a diverse culinary landscape, featuring a wide array of food and beverage booths showcasing California cuisine, international flavors, and festival-exclusive dishes. Live entertainment will also be a key component, with scheduled performances throughout the park. Disney has hinted at several new offerings this year, including expanded seating areas, enhanced beverage pairings, and exclusive merchandise.

However, the significant reduction in ride availability has prompted concerns about overcrowding in the remaining attractions. Experts predict that Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, in particular, will experience significantly increased wait times. The Matterhorn Bobsleds, Peter Pan's Flight, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run are expected to be heavily impacted.

"Guests need to be prepared for a very different Disneyland experience during this period," warns Disney travel blogger, Sarah Miller. "While the Food & Wine Festival is fantastic, the limited ride availability will require careful planning and the use of Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections. Arriving early and staying late will also be crucial to maximizing your time in the park."

Disney is encouraging guests to utilize the Disneyland app for real-time updates on attraction closures and wait times. The app will also feature a dedicated section for the Food & Wine Festival, including a map of the festival booths, menus, and entertainment schedules.

This year's festival occurs during a period of heightened interest in Disney Parks, following the recent successful launch of new attractions and experiences at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Disney continues to invest heavily in both parks, aiming to deliver immersive and memorable experiences for guests of all ages. The temporary inconvenience of these closures, Disney hopes, will ultimately contribute to a more enhanced and sustainable guest experience.

Analysts are also speculating about the long-term implications of these combined maintenance and festival preparation closures. Some suggest that Disney is testing a new strategy for managing park capacity and prioritizing preventative maintenance, potentially paving the way for similar large-scale closures in the future. The success of this approach will likely influence Disney's operational strategy for other parks and festivals going forward.

Guests planning to visit Disneyland during the Food & Wine Festival are advised to check the official Disneyland website and app for the most up-to-date information and to make advance reservations for dining and entertainment.