At a glance
This ride is a vintage steam train running on a railway that loops all the way around the main park. It isn’t a thrill ride but a gentle trip that lets you see the different areas (the "lands") from your carriage. The train stops at four stations: Main Street U.S.A., Frontierland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland.
The route offers views you can’t get on foot. You pass through scenery inspired by the Grand Canyon, with recreated animals and natural landscapes, as well as dinosaur skeletons, on the Frontierland side. The wooden carriages and the smell of coal add to the historic feel of the journey.
As well as being a relaxing ride, the Disneyland Railroad is a really handy way to get around. It takes you from one end of the park to the other without having to walk through the crowds. It’s a particularly calm attraction that suits visitors of all ages.
The steam train’s main station. The handiest starting point, just above the park entrance, with a view looking down over Main Street and Town Square. Ideal for setting off on the scenic loop of Disneyland Park as soon as you arrive, or for catching your breath in the middle of the day.
History
Opened on 12 April 1992 along with the park, Main Street Station is the main station of the Disneyland Railroad. Sitting above the park entrance, it’s the starting point for the steam train, a feature of most Magic Kingdom-style parks since Disneyland in Anaheim (1955).
Technical data
- Top speed
- 16 km/h
- Opened
- 1992
- Type Transport
- Opening date 12 April 1992
- Full loop duration 20 minutes
- Speed 16 km/h (10 mph)
- Vehicle type Steam train
- Inspired by Disneyland Railroad at Disneyland in California (1955)
Theme & story
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact low
- Perceived wait low
- Minimum height None (open to all)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access fully accessible
- Pregnant visitors suitable
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
- Links different lands without walking
- A restful, sheltered chance to sit down
- Views of scenery you can’t see anywhere else
Weak points
- Very slow for thrill seekers
- Queues can be long on the station platforms
- Some stations are very often closed for long periods
My verdict
Main Street Station is the main station of the Disneyland Railroad, just above the park entrance. It’s the handiest starting point for the full 20-minute loop, with a view looking down over Main Street and Town Square. A vintage steam train, and a full loop that serves the other lands.
Beyond the ride itself, I especially recommend looking at the stained glass windows at the top of the station: they show the different lands of the park, a superb detail that nobody notices. It’s also a good landmark for getting in or out of the park while avoiding the Main Street rush. The downsides: it runs at 16 km/h (10 mph), so it’s not for thrill seekers, and the queue on the platforms can build up in peak season.
Best time to visit
Calculated from the ride’s queue time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station is on Main Street U.S.A., just above the park entrance.
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.
