At a glance
Cars ROAD TRIP is a relaxed ride aboard a long articulated tram that runs through a wooded area. The ride follows the famous Route 66 to take in quirky landmarks inspired by the world of the film. The vehicle moves at a gentle pace, so you can look at the outdoor sets while listening to the commentary from Cruz Ramirez and Sally Carrera, who guide visitors along the way.
The journey takes you to meet iconic characters such as Lightning McQueen and Mater, shown as large structures built into the landscape. The most impressive moment comes in a canyon area, where a staged scene simulates a flash flood, with flame effects and huge amounts of water pouring down near the tram.
This ride is about looking around and humour rather than speed. It’s very accessible and lets you escape the bustle of the rest of the park for a ride in the great outdoors. The special effects at the canyon stop add a touch of excitement without shaking passengers about, making it a restful outing for the whole family.
Route 66 by tram. A long vehicle guided by Sally and Cruz Ramirez past American landscapes and quirky sets, including a final scene by Mater. It partly reuses the old Catastrophe Canyon, keeping its spectacular effects. A relaxed family ride that rarely gets busy.
History
Opened on 17 June 2021, Cars ROAD TRIP is the re-theming of the Studio Tram Tour, the behind-the-scenes tram tour that opened with the Walt Disney Studios park in 2002. Exclusive to Disneyland Paris, the ride turned this route into a road trip themed on the film Cars (2006), keeping in particular the spectacular effects of the old Catastrophe Canyon.
Technical data
- Duration
- 7 min
- Opened
- 2021
- Type Transport
- Opening date 17 June 2021 (formerly Studio Tram Tour: Behind the Magic, 16 March 2002)
- Duration 7 minutes
- Number of trams 4 (2 running at once)
- Riders per vehicle up to 205
- Design Walt Disney Imagineering
Theme & story
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact low
- Perceived wait moderate
- Minimum height None (open to all)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access fully accessible
- Pregnant visitors suitable
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Skip the regular queue whenever you like. Handy in peak season, when the wait often goes over 60 minutes.
No Single Rider here. To save time, count on Premier Access or park opening.
No PhotoPass on this ride.
Not open during Extra Magic Time: it opens at the same time as the park.
Who it’s for
Pros and cons
Strong points
- Impressive effects in the canyon area
- A restful outdoor ride through the woods
Weak points
- Fairly short journey
- Of limited interest to thrill-seekers
- A bit out of the way in the park
My verdict
Cars ROAD TRIP is a long articulated tram that runs through a wooded area along Route 66, guided by Sally and Cruz Ramirez, with a spectacular final scene of a canyon in flames. It lasts 7 minutes and Premier Access is available. It’s the re-theming of the Studio Tram Tour, which opened in 2002 with the Walt Disney Studios park.
I recommend it for a restful break and the final canyon scene, which is really impressive. Story-wise, the ride feels rather disjointed if you’re not into the world of Cars. It’s a bit out of the way in the park, so fit it into a tour of Worlds of Pixar to avoid wasting time getting there. A bonus for nostalgic fans: it’s a chance to ride the route of the original Studio Tram Tour again.
Best time to visit
Calculated from the ride’s queue time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
Cars ROAD TRIP is at the back of Worlds of Pixar, just past the Toy Story Playland area.
Your questions about this ride
01 How can you avoid long queues for the most popular rides?
To avoid long queues at Disneyland Paris, I combine several tactics. First, Single Rider is free and really speeds things up on the rides that offer it, including Crush’s Coaster, Flight Force, Ratatouille and Spider-Man, as long as you’re happy not to ride with your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that gives you priority access to the headline rides. If you’re staying in a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and it’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without queuing. Finally, heading to the most popular rides during a parade or a big show empties the queues considerably.
02 Are the queue times shown in the park reliable?
Yes, the queue times shown in the app or on the screens around the park are generally reliable. They’re often the same as, or slightly longer than, the real wait, which helps you plan your day better.
03 How can I find out if a ride will be closed for refurbishment during my trip?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website, several weeks in advance. Because the parks are open all year round, the maintenance teams sometimes work on days when the parks are open, which leads to temporary closures. My advice: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before booking, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 Which rides might scare young children?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can frighten young children even without a height restriction. Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, in Fantasyland, has dark scenes with the witch that can catch them off guard. Les Voyages de Pinocchio also has some unsettling scenes. La Tanière du Dragon, under Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, plays on a ghostly atmosphere and is really intense for toddlers. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful moments and darker scenes. I’d suggest watching how your child reacts before you get on.
05 How far in advance does Disneyland Paris announce ride closures?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of ride closures around 2 to 3 months in advance. For major rides, the park tells visitors about planned construction work at least two months before it starts. I recommend checking the official calendar (or my dedicated page) a few weeks before your visit, as dates can change. That way you avoid the nasty surprise of finding out on the day that your favourite ride is being refurbished.
