A rainstorm left guests stranded on Disneyland’s Monorail Red for about 40 minutes Friday before it was towed back to Tomorrowland. The rain also canceled both Christmas Fantasy Parade shows.
Disneyland’s first day of the holiday season came with an unplanned stop.
A sudden rainstorm on Friday afternoon, Nov. 13, left guests stuck aboard Monorail Red above Tomorrowland for about 40 minutes, Inside the Magic reports. The train was towed back to the station, and no injuries were reported.
The same storm washed out both afternoon shows of A Christmas Fantasy Parade on the first day of Holidays at the Disneyland Resort.
What happened to the Disneyland monorail?
Rain hit Anaheim just after 2 p.m. Monorail Red stopped on the beam around 2:10 p.m., right above Autopia, according to the timeline Inside the Magic pieced together from guest posts on X.
By 2:18 p.m., a cast member on the Tomorrowland platform told guests the train was stuck.
A special tow tractor then pulled the train along the track to the Tomorrowland station. It arrived around 2:38 p.m., and all guests were off just before 2:50 p.m.
The train was then pushed backstage to the monorail’s roundhouse for an inspection.
Why did the monorail stop?
Disney has not said.
Disneyland’s monorail trains have no air conditioning. They use windows that cast members open and close by hand, so rain can force a pause while crews shut them.
That happened Friday with Monorail Orange, which was held in the Tomorrowland station so cast members could close its windows. Its guests also had to get off. Inside the Magic noted that Disney has not confirmed whether that delay is what stopped Monorail Red.
The monorail was already running short that morning. Only Monorail Orange was in service at first, with posted waits of 25 to 30 minutes, until Red joined it in the afternoon.
What else did the rain cancel at Disneyland?
Both afternoon performances of A Christmas Fantasy Parade were canceled on its opening day.
Mickey and friends finished their holiday march down Main Street, U.S.A., before the storm rolled in. Over at Disney California Adventure, A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegria de Disneyland & Miguel! was moved inside because of the rain.
Disneyland’s parade does not run in wet weather. On rainy days, the park sometimes swaps in a smaller cavalcade with many of the same characters, including Santa.
Has the Disneyland monorail gotten stuck before?
Yes. On Jan. 8, a power outage stopped two monorail trains near Space Mountain.
About 60 people were trapped, and firefighters helped them climb down ladders. No one was hurt.
Disney World’s monorail has had its own problems this year. In September, guests on an EPCOT monorail were stuck for about 90 minutes after a lightning strike knocked out power.
When is Disneyland’s holiday season?
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort runs through Jan. 6, 2027.
The season includes A Christmas Fantasy Parade, the Believe... in Holiday Magic fireworks with snowfall on Main Street, “it’s a small world” Holiday and World of Color - Season of Light at Disney California Adventure.
What should you do if a Disneyland monorail stops?
Stay calm, stay seated and follow cast members’ directions. Crews will work to move the train or help guests off safely.
A few tips if you plan to ride on a rainy day:
Keep water and any medicine in your bag, not in a locker.
Charge your phone before you board, since a stop can last a while.
If you are on a tight schedule, like a dining reservation, walking from Downtown Disney to the park entrance is often just as fast.
The Disneyland monorail runs about 2.5 miles, linking Tomorrowland with Downtown Disney and passing over Disney California Adventure.
Will rain keep canceling Disneyland holiday shows?
If more rain is in the forecast during your visit, check the Disneyland app for the entertainment schedule. Outdoor shows are often the first to go, but many rides stay open, and the holiday lights look great reflected on wet pavement at night.
Disney has not said when Monorail Red will be back in service.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Inside the Magic (Nov. 14, 2026), the monorail timeline, tow and parade cancellations
Yahoo (Nov. 14, 2026), the mariachi show moving indoors
Disney Food Blog (Jan. 8, 2026), the January monorail power outage
FOX LA (2026), the holiday season dates and entertainment
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