At a glance
This is a themed version of the classic funfair caterpillar ride, where riders sit in the coils of Slinky’s body. The vehicle, which represents the spring dog from the film Toy Story, goes round in circles on a track that isn’t flat. The track rises and dips slightly to mimic a dog trying to catch its own tail.
The ride takes place in a giant garden setting, with toy props that make you feel the size of a toy. Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin stays at ground level and keeps a steady speed, with no sudden drop or burst of acceleration.
It’s a very visual ride, full of sound, set to the rhythm of the dog’s barking and the sound of springs. The sensations are gentle and limited to a sideways sway caused by the centrifugal force in the bends. It’s an ideal ride for little ones who want to start trying movements a bit faster than classic carousels.
The starter coaster of Toy Story Playland. Slinky the dog spins round and round on a circular track, with little bursts of speed suited to young children. Gentle sensations, ideal for a first rollercoaster. Andy’s room setting, full of oversized toys, is fun to look at while you queue.
History
Opened on 17 August 2010 in the Toy Story Playland area, Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin is a spinning ride inspired by the character of Slinky Dog in Toy Story. Like the other attractions in this area, it was later copied at Hong Kong Disneyland (2011) and Shanghai Disneyland (2016).
Technical data
- Duration
- 1 min 30
- Opened
- 2010
- Type Junior coaster
- Opening date 17 August 2010
- Duration 1 min 30
- Number of vehicles 17
- People per vehicle 3
- Design Walt Disney Imagineering
- Builder Intamin
Theme & story
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level moderate
- Emotional impact moderate
- 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.
Usually open during this slot before the park opens to the public, reserved for Disney hotel guests and Disneyland Pass Gold holders, among others. The right time to ride it with a shorter queue.
Who it’s for
Pros and cons
Strong points
- Colourful, immersive theming true to the Pixar world
- The queue is often shorter than at the neighbouring attractions
- Suitable for children of all ages, with no height limit
Weak points
- Repetitive movements that can make you dizzy
- Fairly short ride
- Exposed to the weather as the ride is outdoors
My verdict
Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin is the starter coaster of Toy Story Playland: Slinky, the spring dog from Toy Story, chases his tail on a tilted circular track, with little bursts of speed suited to young children. It lasts 1 min 30 sec, with no minimum height and no Premier Access. Gentle sensations and colourful theming true to the film.
It’s a good choice for a first taste of gentle thrills, and truly suitable for everyone. My tip for extra thrills: sit towards the outside of the car to make the most of the centrifugal force, it’s subtle but it works. The queue is often shorter than at the neighbouring Toy Story Playland attractions, which makes it a good bet in peak season. Watch out for possible dizziness if you ride several times in a row.
Best time to visit
Calculated from the ride’s queue time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin is in the Toy Story Playland area, in the Worlds of Pixar land, close to the RC Racer attraction.
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.
