ANAHEIM, Calif. — A dangerous social media trend has forced Disneyland officials to post stern warnings and safety protocol reminders for one of their most popular rides.


What You Need To Know

  • Disneyland officials installed new safety signs inside the Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout ride

  • The sign implores riders to securely place the seat belts around their waist

  • A small number of riders would purposely loosen the slack of the seat belt to increase air time when the ride drops

  • Disney cast members on the ride have been asked to diligently check that each rider's seat belt is on securely

Disneyland officials on Tuesday installed new signs inside the Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout ride at Disney California Adventure after multiple incidents of unsafe behavior. 

A Disneyland official told Spectrum News Thursday the signs remind guests of the theme park's safety protocols. Those who don't follow it will get kicked out of the theme park.

The signs, which visitors can see in the waiting queue, read:

"Keep seat belt securely fastened and tight against the waist. Failure to follow instructions may result in being asked to leave the park."

New warning sign in the Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout queue at Disney California Adventure (Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort)

The new stern warnings come as a dangerous trend on the Guardians of the Galaxy free fall ride began circulating on social media and TikTok.

Based on an extension of the "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie franchise, the dark ride is a free-fall drop attraction inside a 183-foot building. Visitors enter Taneleer Tivan's collector's museum tower and are tasked by Rocket Raccoon to help break out the rest of the captured members of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Visitors enter a ride vehicle inside an elevator shaft. Once inside, Rocket pulls some wiring that makes the elevator go haywire. Rock music from the movie's soundtrack blares. Video effects of the guardians escaping play as the elevator ride up and down like a pogo stick to the top before making a sudden accelerated 130-foot drop.  

According to several Disney forums, the unsafe behavior stems from some riders purposely loosening the slack of their seat belt and hiding it under their leg during the belt inspection check. The loose belt allows them to increase their air time as the elevator drops. While this gets them off the seat, it could leave the rider seriously injured or hurt surrounding riders when the ride lands.

Micechat, an unofficial Disney news site that broke the news, called the trend "stupid." Disney, Micechat reported, asked its cast members to take extra precautions when checking riders' seat belts before the ride begins.