Ride operators redirect Disneyland park guests in Fantasyland Thursday. The several Fantasyland rides were temporarily shut down while crews investigated the source of smoke emanating from behind the Pinocchio ride.
JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
By SARAH TULLY and DENISSE SALAZAR
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dec. 2, 2010
ANAHEIM – Disneyland has re-opened seven Fantasyland rides shut down this afternoon because of smoke behind the scenes.
More than 20 firefighters were sent to the park about 12:07 p.m. regarding smoke coming from a large electrical conduit inside the wall behind Pinocchio's Daring Journey ride, said Maria Sabol, an Anaheim Fire Department spokeswoman.
That ride, as of 3:30 p.m., was the lone ride still closed because of the smoke.
Firefighters opened up both sides of the wall and found electrical conduits and the wood frame around them charred, Sabol said. It took 30 minutes for firefighters to get to the source of the smoke and control it.
Firefighters shut down electricity for fire safety, which forced the closure of the Pinocchio ride, Peter Pan's Flight, the Storybook Land Canal Boats, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Alice in Wonderland, the Casey Jr. Circus Train and the Mad Tea Party.
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was already down for routine maintenance.
Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman, said an unknown "small incident" caused the smoke. Crews decided to shut off the power while they investigated. Most Fantasyland rides, all on the same power supply, were closed about 12:30 p.m.
During the closures, employees roped off rides and told guests they were down because of a power failure.
Parents and their children milled outside the rides hoping they will re-open soon.
Rita Geraldi, visiting from San Francisco with her husband and two children, waited for Peter Pan's Flight to re-open.
One employee told Geraldi's 6-year-old daughter the ride was closed because Tinker Bell ran out of pixie dust and flew out to get some more.
"I thought it was the sweetest way she explained it," Geraldi said.
Disney began reopening rides about 1:45 p.m.
Officials are continuing to investigate the cause, Brown said.
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