Disneyland is #1… on TripAdvisor’s list of most stressful U.S. attractions. Ouch. Disney also broke another record this week… California’s largest-ever wage-theft settlement. Double ouch. Add the Kimmel suspension backlash and an Iger succession clock that’s ticking loudly, and it’s a rough moment for Disney and its fans.
Meanwhile, Christmas is already peeking over the pumpkin patch. Avengers Campus steel is shooting up, Radiator Springs Racers is back on the track, Downtown Disney is shuffling along on multiple new storefronts, and the refurb list just keeps moving. We’ve got all the photos, dates, and details in your weekly Disneyland Update.
The Most Stressful Place on Earth?
A new study analyzed TripAdvisor reviews containing words linked to stress — things like “crowds,” “overwhelming,” “frustrating,” and “anxious.” The results? Disneyland ranks #1 among U.S. tourist destinations and #5 in the world. And it isn’t alone: six Disney parks cracked the global top 20.
Here’s how Disney Parks ranked on the list of World’s Most Stressful Tourist Destinations:
- #2 – Tokyo DisneySea with 39.63% stressful reviews
- #4 – Tokyo Disneyland with 34.59% stressful reviews
- #5 – Disneyland with 34.06% stressful reviews
- #9 – Hong Kong Disneyland with 27.34% stressful reviews
- #15 – California Adventure with 24.37% stressful reviews
In the U.S.-only ranking, Disneyland is #1, California Adventure #5, and Walt Disney World #10.
But Disney doesn’t have a monopoly on meltdowns. The global top spot went to Canada’s Wonderland in Toronto, with a whopping 67% of reviews flagged as stressful. Universal Studios Japan landed at #3. In the U.S., SeaWorld Orlando took #7, while Universal Studios Hollywood clocked in at #11.
Why Do Theme Parks Stress Us Out?
According to the study, among the top visitor complaints are long queues, restricted operating hours, premium pricing, unpredictable weather, and “the weight of sky-high expectations [for] heavily marketed destinations that often promise more magic than they deliver.”
We certainly recognize the stress many visitors have with the “Happiest place on Earth.” High prices, park reservations, the inequities of Lightning Lane, frustrating restaurant reservations, and a lack of places to sit and relax all make a park visit challenging… but we also think that many people having the worst time are trying to visit the park in a way that’s just not possible anymore.
Disneyland has more attractions than any other theme park. On the plus side, that means there’s more to do. But it’s also stressful to try to do it all in one day. The solution… if you can afford it… is to visit for 3 or more days.
On a multi-day trip, a ride being temporarily down isn’t such a disaster, and you might even have time to step into smaller attractions like the Enchanted Tiki room, have a leisurely meal along the Rivers of America, or take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the Sleeping Beauty dioramas above the castle (did you even know those were there?)
We know cost is often the reason guests try to fit everything into a single Disneyland day, but multi-day tickets can cost less per day than single-day tickets (especially when Disneyland runs ticket deals), so if you can swing the extra time, it may be worth it in the long run. Your blood pressure will thank you.
We’ve long called on Disneyland to make the guest experience joyful again. Being ranked the most stressful attraction in America should be more than enough reason to act. It’s time for leadership to bring in the experts and reset the park experience. The fixes aren’t a mystery — just dust off those early Disney University handbooks and return to the standard operating procedures that once made Disneyland the envy of the world.
- Dear Disneyland, I’m Worried About You – A Heartfelt Letter from a Friend
- Dear Disneyland, I’m Worried About You – Part 2 – The Disney Way
What Do You Think?
Are long waits, big crowds, and sky-high prices making your visits more stressful than magical? Would more than one day help, or does Disneyland need to rethink how it manages the guest experience so any length visit is a joy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Wage Theft, Unpopular Decisions, and The Future of Disney
Disneyland has agreed to a $233 million settlement in a 2019 class-action lawsuit alleging that the company failed to adjust wages in line with an Anaheim ballot measure requiring employers who received city tax rebates (Disney included) to pay at least $15/hour. That’s the largest wage theft settlement in California history… not exactly a record to brag about.
Alongside the settlement, four unions representing more than 14,000 Disneyland employees secured a deal raising base pay to $24/hour. The settlement provides back pay (with interest) for Cast Members dating back to 2019.
It should go without saying: Disney shortchanging its employees is shameful. But beyond that, this is unlikely to end well for either workers or guests. Disney has a long pattern of following new costs with sweeping cuts and higher prices. When the company raised actor pay after the last union settlement, they quickly axed big shows resort-wide. Guests wound up paying more while getting less. With a massive wage increase now coupled with a record penalty, expect Disney to sharpen the budget knife again.
The smart move would be for Disney not to overreact. Right now, the company is already drowning in bad press after suspending Jimmy Kimmel, sparking free-speech outrage and a social media storm.
Our own Facebook post promoting last week’s Disneyland Update—published before the suspension— became a lightning rod for comments supporting Kimmel, calling for Disney boycotts, and even hurling threats at us for simply covering Disneyland. Over 300 comments, most of which are condemning Disney for the Kimmel debacle, all on a post that has nothing at all to do with Kimmel. Public sentiment is not in Disney’s favor.
If Disney follows this wage settlement with labor and entertainment cuts or another round of steep price hikes, they’ll just be pouring gasoline onto the fire.
Time for Mickey to take the slap on the wrist, accept tighter margins for a while, and move on. Guests and Cast Members shouldn’t be the ones paying for Disney’s mistakes. And if Bob Iger doesn’t get that… it’s time for him to step aside.
Speaking of Iger, perhaps his wife, Willow Bay, could give him a reality check. She may soon be forced to move a free-speech fundraiser out of the home she shares with the man who silenced a comedian. That’s a bad look, no matter how you spin it.
Which brings us to Disney’s board. They’ve got hard decisions ahead—and it’s well past time to announce who will replace Iger when his contract ends next year. Whoever takes over will inherit a trust problem, and investors will want proof there’s a real succession plan after the Chapek debacle.
The choices don’t inspire much confidence. Dana Walden, head of Disney’s entertainment division, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Iger in silencing Kimmel. Josh D’Amaro, who runs the Parks and Cruise Line, was once Disneyland’s president and surely knew Cast Members were being underpaid. He’s also the architect of the parks’ “mobile-everything” system that helped make Disney the most stressful theme park operator in that recent study we cited.
But Disney can’t keep sliding backward with fans, employees, and investors all at once. Iger’s retirement could be the moment to reset—to signal a return to the creativity, quality, and value that once defined the brand. The “money above all” approach of the Chapek era hasn’t been scrubbed away. In fact, Disney seems to be burning through what little goodwill it has left.
It’s time for Disney to stop chasing every last dollar and start doing what’s right—even if that means making a little less of it while they rebuild the loyalty of their customers and fix what’s broken with the brand.
Christmas Already?
Just as we were getting settled into Halloween Time, glimmers of the holiday season have already started to appear, including an extra-early reveal of Mickey and Minnie’s new holiday duds, which, like their 2025 Halloween costumes, are taking a design cue from their 70th-anniversary outfits.
Disneyland will celebrate the holidays from November 14, 2025, through January 7, 2026. In addition to the tried (or tired) and true Christmas Fantasy Parade and Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks, Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends in Disneyland Park, as well as Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season and Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel in California Adventure, will return in 2025.
But, don’t worry, there is something new at the Grand Californian: the Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Cafe…
You can find the complete line-up in our Disneyland Holiday Guide:
Constructionland
The non-stop march of construction continues. Let’s see what’s new and what seems to be crawling along…
California Adventure
The new attraction in Avengers Campus is one of the most rapidly moving projects at the resort.
Next door in Cars Land, the race is on again as the vehicles are testing for a reopening of Radiator Springs Racers later this week.
Downtown Disney
At the west end of the district, the security checkpoint is closed, forcing guests to enter through the new-ish mid-century modern entrance south of Din Tai Fung or the checkpoint between the former ESPN Zone and former Rain Forest Cafe. The gate will reopen soon after some work to allow the gate to be closed after hours.
Believe it or not, we’re still talking about Earl of Sandwich as construction continues on the Earl’s new (and, in theory, permanent) two-story restaurant in Downtown Disney.
Lululemon is on the way to the old ESPN Zone… but the interior is still being framed up.
The LEGO Store is reconfiguring some of its exterior spaces.
And Sunglass Hut remains closed, but as you can see, it’s coming back soon.
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar (updated 9/20/25)
New this week, Big Thunder loses its return date, PhilharMagic added one, Columbia will be down next week, and as we mentioned at the top of this update, the holidays are coming in hot as Small World and Redwood Creek Challenge trail have already posted their holiday installation dates.
Currently Under Refurbishment
- Storybook Land Canal Boats: July 28 – TBA
- Casey Jr. Circus Train: July 28 – TBA
- Radiator Springs Racers: August 18 – September 25
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: September 2 – TBA
- Sailing Ship Columbia: September 22 – 25
Upcoming Refurbishments
- Goofy’s Sky School: September 28 – October 4
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic: October 6 – 30
- it’s a small world – Holiday Installation: October 30 – November 13
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – Holiday changeover: November 1 – 13
This & That
There’s a little bit more to share…
Disneyland Live @ 5
Mike and Suzanne take you on a journey through the parks to discuss the latest news and construction… with a bit of Halloween fun thrown in for good measure…
Weekend Paddling Only
The Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes are running 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only until October 6th, when they return to operating 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Did You Know? The 20-passenger vessels are real, free-floating canoes; there is no motor and no track.
New Disneyland Ambassadors
On September 18, Michele Mary and Oralia Neria Felix were announced as the 2026-2027 Disney Ambassadors of Disneyland Resort.
Michele and Oralia will represent the thousands of cast members across Disneyland Resort, leading and participating in Cast events and acting as official spokespeople for the resort.
Pumpkins & Pancakes
Naples Ristorante e Bar in the Downtown Disney District is celebrating fall with Pumpkins & Pancakes on Sundays in October.
The 90-minute experience includes:
• Family-style breakfast with hot cocoa and cider
• Pumpkin picking and decorating
• Photo opportunity
• Take-home treats
• Bottomless mimosas (21+)
Tickets are $75 (plus tax and gratuity) for adults and $39 (plus tax and gratuity) for kids ages 3-10 (kids 2 and under are free). Select a time and book the experience HERE.
Spectral Sipper
Not new, but a spectral Haunted Mansion sipper caught our eye at the popcorn cart in New Orleans Square… featuring the ballroom’s ghostly organist, Victor Geist.
Did You Know? The pipe organ in Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion is the original used in the 1954 live-action Disney movie “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (versions of the attraction in other Disney parks have replicas).
While we’re talking about the New Orleans Square popcorn cart, it’s been a minute since we reminded you about one of our favorite sweet treats at Disneyland, namely, the surprisingly affordable candy mix-in. There’s also a holiday version, which, as we’ve mentioned, will be here before we know it.
MiceShots
And now for a little photo fun from our journey through the parks this week…
Have you found the Halloween Tree in a jar at Ray’s Berets?
Follow MiceChat on social: MiceChat Facebook Page, MiceChat Facebook Group, MiceChat Instagram, MiceChat Threads, MiceChat X, MiceChat YouTube
Discount Disney Tickets and Travel
🚨 DEAL ALERT: Snag the latest Disney travel deals from our partners at Get Away Today!
Check out the latest offers for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Disney Cruise Line, including new low hotel rates, extra days and nights for free, special perks, and limited-time opportunities…
(MiceChat works with Get Away Today to provide you with the best theme park travel deals. When you purchase from our travel partner, you not only get great rates and service, you also help support MiceChat. We sincerely thank you for your support!)
Let’s Hear From You!
Disneyland just grabbed the crown as the most stressful U.S. attraction, and now Disney is writing a $233 million check for California’s largest-ever wage-theft settlement. Add the Kimmel suspension mess and Iger’s ticking succession clock… and it’s been as stressful a week for the Disney executives as it frequently is for park guests. Can Iger and D’Amaro win back trust and make the parks experience better, or will the pressure push them toward the kinds of entertainment cuts that only make the experience worse?
Let us know your thoughts on this week’s news and how best to enjoy a day in the parks and minimize Disneyland’s award-winning stress.
