At a glance
Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque is technically an electric-powered rollercoaster, but above all it’s a gentle little train for the youngest. The story is based on the film Dumbo (1941), and more precisely on the scene where the train carries the circus animals to their next show, with each carriage themed to a different animal.
The ride is woven into the sets of Le Pays des Contes de Fées and lets you see the miniature landscapes from a completely different angle than from the boats. You get a raised view over the sets and spot details you can’t see from the water, such as the little cemetery on a hill to the right of Bald Mountain. The average speed is around 18 km/h (11 mph), which is enough to give little ones their first thrills without ever scaring them.
Two identical trains run in turn to keep queues down. Each train has eight carriages with four seats, plus the engine, which takes two passengers. The last two seats face backwards, ideal if you like riding in reverse. There’s no minimum height, so even the youngest can ride with an adult. It’s one of the few rides in the park to offer a truly gentle coaster that the whole family can enjoy, perfect for a first time.
The ideal first coaster for kids. A little circus train that winds at a low height around Le Pays des Contes de Fées, with gentle climbs and drops in colourful cage carriages. Mild thrills, perfect for a family’s first go on a rollercoaster.
History
Opened on 26 March 1994, two years after the park and at the same time as Le Pays des Contes de Fées, Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque is the Disneyland Paris version of the Casey Jr. Circus Train created for Disneyland Anaheim in 1955. Set in Fantasyland, this little train is inspired by the film Dumbo (1941) and runs past the miniature sets of Le Pays des Contes de Fées.
Technical data
- Top speed
- 18 km/h
- Duration
- 1 min 30
- Opened
- 1994
- Type Junior coaster
- Opening date 26 March 1994
- Duration 1 min 30
- Top speed 18 km/h (11 mph)
- Number of trains 2
- Cars per train 9
- Riders per train 34
- Design Walt Disney Imagineering
- Manufacturer Vekoma
- Inspiration Casey Jr. Circus Train (Disneyland California 1955)
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 must transfer from wheelchair
- Pregnant visitors not recommended
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Not offered on this ride.
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
- Ideal first thrills for little ones
- A view of Le Pays des Contes de Fées you won’t get elsewhere
- Backwards-facing last carriage for a different ride
Weak points
- Too gentle for teens
- Fairly short circuit
- Not much going on during the ride
My verdict
Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque is technically an electric-powered rollercoaster, but a very gentle one: 18 km/h (11 mph), no minimum height and a 1 min 30 sec circuit that winds through the sets of Le Pays des Contes de Fées. Inspired by Dumbo, it’s one of the best possible first coasters for toddlers.
It’s one of my favourites in Fantasyland, because I find the theming very well done and the ride surprisingly fun even as an adult. My unusual tip: the seats at the back face backwards, perfect for a different experience on your second ride. And a little extra: the entrance to the ride passes under the Disneyland Railroad tracks. If the train goes by at the same time, wave to the passengers. It’s one of the best things for kids to watch.
Julie’s tip
Best time to visit
Calculated from the ride’s queue time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque is at the back of Fantasyland, just past Le Pays des Contes de Fées.
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.
