California Orders Disneyland to End Gas-Powered Autopia
The government order turns Disney’s electrification plan into a firm compliance milestone that could force a shutdown if the ride is not converted.
Overview
- Records released June 11, 2026, obtained through a California Public Records Act request by journalist Sammy Roth, show a formal state order tied to Autopia’s emissions compliance.
- The order requires Disneyland to stop operating Autopia on gasoline unless the attraction’s engines are retrofitted to electric power before the compliance date set by regulators.
- Disneyland paid a $56,250 California Air Resources Board fine in August 2024 after admitting some ride equipment differed from certified models, and part of that payment funded the Cleaner Air Greener Schools program.
- Disneyland has said it expects to reopen Autopia with electric engines in late 2026, while some unofficial reports suggest a possible delay that the company has not confirmed; the order creates a hard backstop if conversion is not finished.
- The case highlights how state enforcement can push theme parks to modernize legacy internal-combustion attractions and sends a signal about stricter oversight of small off-road engine emissions in public venues.