A Reddit post recently went viral after a user described a surprising and dangerous incident that caused a complete evacuation of the Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! ride at Disney California Adventure. According to the original poster:
“We were just evacuated from the Monsters Inc ride with show building lights on because a kid was completely out of the ride vehicle. They’re having to reset the system now. From what I’ve overheard from cast members, it sounds like a parent may have lifted the child out of the car and put them on the back of the car intentionally.”
This behavior, intentional or not, is highly disruptive and extremely unsafe. While no injuries were reported, Disney’s ride safety system responded immediately.
Emergency Stops Trigger Full Ride Reset
According to former Disney Cast Members chiming in on the Reddit thread, an emergency stop is automatically triggered any time a person is detected outside a ride vehicle.
“Former ride operator here. If anyone for any reason is on the track while the ride is running, it’s an automatic emergency stop. Cuts power to all ride vehicles and animatronics, and shuts everything down.”
These emergency protocols are critical to guest safety but require time-consuming reset procedures. Another former Cast Member from the Monsters, Inc. team noted:
“While Monsters isn’t as intensive as Indy, it would probably take anywhere from 15 to 45 min. Same procedures you guys would follow: e-stop, evac guests, give them some redeem passes, cycle through the ride, then re-open.”
Will the Family Be Penalized?
The question on many guests’ minds was whether the guests responsible for the disruption would be allowed to remain in the park. One Redditor asked:
“Would they give passes to the people that caused it? Or would they receive an escort out the park?”
A former Cast Member responded:
“No, definitely not. If it were up to me, then I, or another CM, would escort the offending party out first without passes (walk of shame), then everyone else would be escorted and given a pass. As for kicking them out of the park, yeah, that could very well happen, but it’s case by case. I’d opt for it, though, especially since this seemed to be deliberate.”
Ride Jumping Has Consequences
Jumping out of a ride vehicle at any Disney park is considered a serious safety violation. Disney attractions are built with intricate safety systems that detect unauthorized movement, and they are shut down immediately to protect guests and Cast Members.
In recent years, one of the most infamous examples of this kind of behavior happened at EPCOT on Living with the Land, where a guest jumped out of the boat to steal a cucumber. The video went viral, and the individual was reportedly escorted out of the park. These stunts are dangerous and often lead to ejections and even bans from Disney property.
Monsters, Inc. Ride Closing for Good – Here’s How to Ride It One Last Time
“The cast member said ‘it’s an old ride that won’t be here much longer so it takes a while to restart’ so I guess Monsters inc ride is on the way out?”
Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! is officially closing in early 2026 to make way for a brand-new Avatar-themed land. The ride, originally Superstar Limo, opened in 2001 and was reimagined into its current Pixar theme in 2006 after the original version flopped.
Guests wanting to ride before it closes permanently should prepare for long lines — or be on the lookout for a rare perk known as the “Buddy Pass.” The Buddy Pass, handed out by Cast Members at their discretion, allows up to two guests to enter through the ride’s exit and bypass the main queue.
While Disneyland doesn’t advertise this perk officially, recent reports show that Cast Members are still quietly handing it out, especially when crowds are heavy. One writer shared:
“Although the ride had a posted 40-minute wait, I was on board in less than 10 — and, more importantly on a hot day, inside with air conditioning the entire time.”
Keep in mind: the Buddy Pass is never guaranteed. It’s only available in select circumstances, usually for solo or duo riders.
A Reminder to Follow the Rules
As Disneyland prepares to say goodbye to Monsters, Inc., Cast Members and guests alike are urging everyone to follow basic ride rules and safety procedures. Incidents like a child jumping from a ride vehicle not only put lives at risk but ruin the magic for everyone else waiting to enjoy their day.
Want to ride it one last time before Avatar takes over the Hollywood Backlot? Better get in line — and this time, stay seated.
