20 loudest Disneyland rides and 20 noisiest shows — with decibel readings
According to a noise analysis conducted on behalf of the Anaheim theme park, Disneyland’s monorail horn is as loud as a piledriver, its railroad trains are as loud as a jackhammer, and the nightly fireworks are as loud as a bulldozer.
The decibel readings for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure attractions, shows, and parades are buried deep in the 17,000-page Environmental Impact Report released in mid-September by the city of Anaheim for Disney’s expansion initiative known as DisneylandForward.
ALSO SEE: Disneyland theme park expansion plans include 16 rides and an outdoor show.
Veneklasen Associates conducted the Disneyland resort noise analysis over eight days in April 2022, with a follow-up study in June 2022. The readings were collected at dozens of locations throughout Disneyland and DCA near rides, shows, and parades to help plan any future theme park expansion.
Disney would reduce noise during construction by erecting sound-absorbing barriers and erecting 12-foot-tall noise barriers along property lines during park operations. In the proposed expansion areas, fireworks would be prohibited.The proposed theme park plans for Disneyland place outdoor thrill rides near the center of the expansion area and indoor attractions along the property’s perimeter. According to the EIR’s noise study, levels near outdoor thrill rides could reach 80 decibels.
Is Disneyland the World’s Loudest Place? Not at all.
The noise analysis included in the DisneylandForward EIR, which compares popular rides such as Grizzly River Run (92 decibels), Incredicoaster (90 decibels), and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (86 decibels) to construction blasting operations (94 decibels), concrete saws (90 decibels), and cement mixer trucks (85 decibels), makes it difficult to tell.
According to the EIR report, the Disneyland Monorail horn (97 decibels) is slightly louder than a piledriver (95 decibels). The Disneyland Railroad train (91 decibels) is as loud as a jackhammer (90 decibels). The fireworks display “Mickey’s Mix Magic” (92 decibels) is louder than a bulldozer (85 decibels).
According to a noise map included in the EIR, Autopia’s gas-powered cars made the expansive Tomorrowland track the loudest area of Disneyland.
Another source of noise was the Incredicoaster launch area, as well as the entire length of the outdoor steel coaster, which is partially covered by scream tubes.
According to the EIR noise analysis, the following are the 20 loudest rides and attractions at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, as measured in decibels.
Attractions and rides
- Monorail Horn Near Matterhorn 97
- Grizzly River Run Drop Point 92
- Disneyland Railroad Train Horn 91
- Incredicoaster Takeoff Area 90
- Toy Story Midway Mania Cart Noise 87
- Soarin’ Over California Queue 87
- Disney Jr. Dance Party Queue 87
- Splash Mountain Riders 86
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (west) 86
- Golden Zephyr Ride Operating 86
- Mark Twain Steamboat 85
- Astro Orbiter 84
- Radiator Springs Racers Track Car Pass-by 83
- King Arthur Carousel Announcement 83
- Matterhorn (west) 82
- Alice in Wonderland Ride 82
- Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters Ride 82
- Jessie’s Critter Carousel Exit 82
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree 81
- It’s a Small World Clock Tower 81
The noise analysis in April 2022 took place at DCA during the annual springtime Disney Food & Wine Festival. Several outdoor concerts held during the festival were among the most popular attractions at the Disneyland Resort.According to a noise map included in the EIR, outdoor shows in Avengers Campus made the Marvel themed land one of the loudest places in DCA.
SEE ALSO: Disney teases Frozen, Black Panther, and Coco Disneyland experiences
Some of Disneyland’s oldest traditions, such as the Flag Retreat Ceremony in Town Square (88 decibels), the Main Street Electrical Parade (87 decibels), and the Dapper Dans vocal quartet (86 decibels), were also among the loudest.According to the EIR noise analysis, the following are the 20 noisiest shows and parades at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, as measured in decibels.
Parades and shows
- Food & Wine Fest Stage: Tina Aldana Band 95
- Mickey’s Mix Magic Fireworks 92
- Paradise Gardens Bandstand: Reggae Show 92
- Guardians of the Galaxy Dance Off 91
- Buena Vista Street Band 88
- Avengers Assemble Show 88
- Flag Retreat 88
- Electrical Parade Show 87
- Frozen Friends Cavalcade 86
- Dr. Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts Show 86
- Jammin’ Chefs Show 86
- Character Parade 86
- Pixar Pals Dance Party 86
- Spiderman Show 86
- Fire Station: Dapper Dans 86
- Warriors of Wakanda Show 85
- Avengers Assemble Show 85
- Pearly Band 85
- Operation: Playtime Show 83
- Main Street Strawhatters 79
- The Bootstrappers 76
