Disneyland Closes Indiana Jones Ride Over the Weekend

Disneyland’s much-ballyhooed Indiana Jones Adventure ride was closed all weekend because of mechanical problems, disappointing thousands of visitors. The ride was reopened Monday.

Park spokesman Tom Brocato said a computer glitch was to blame, but a source at the park said cracks had developed in the frames of several of the ride’s 16 vehicles. Repairs were completed over the weekend.

Normally, the closure of a single ride at Disneyland wouldn’t attract much attention. But Indiana Jones has been the subject of a torrent of publicity, including a major event during the Super Bowl halftime show in January. The ride also enjoyed one of the most lavish press openings ever staged by the Anaheim theme park.

The ride features off-road-type vehicles that take riders on an exploration of a thrill-filled temple.

The ride has had its share of teething troubles since opening March 3. It broke down three times during a press preview last month and worked sporadically during other special parties celebrating its opening. New rides often have operating troubles at first, so the breakdowns were not considered unusual.

Brocato said visitors over the weekend learned immediately that the Indiana Jones Adventure was not working. Everyone entering the parking lot or arriving from the Disneyland Hotel was handed a flyer announcing the ride’s closure. Many were told again at the ticket booths as well.

“We gave people every opportunity,” Brocato said. “They knew what the situation was.”