At a glance
Cars ROAD TRIP is a relaxing ride aboard a long articulated tram that winds through a wooded area. The ride follows the famous Route 66 to show off quirky landmarks inspired by the world of the movie. The vehicle moves at an easy pace, so you can take in the outdoor scenery while Cruz Ramirez and Sally Carrera narrate and guide guests along the way.
Along the way, riders come face to face with Lightning McQueen, Mater, and other iconic characters, built as oversized figures set right into the scenery. The high point is the canyon section: a sudden flood is staged there, as fire bursts out and torrents of water rush down right beside the tram.
This ride is about looking around and laughing rather than speed. It’s very easy for anyone to enjoy and lets you get away from the bustle of the rest of the park for a ride surrounded by nature. The special effects at the canyon stop add some energy without jostling passengers, which makes 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 wacky scenery, with a final scene starring Mater. It reuses part of the old Catastrophe Canyon and keeps its spectacular effects. A calm family ride that rarely gets mobbed.
History
Cars ROAD TRIP opened on June 17, 2021 and is the retheme of the Studio Tram Tour, the behind-the-scenes tram ride that launched with the Walt Disney Studios park in 2002. Exclusive to Disneyland Paris, it turned that route into a road trip themed to the movie Cars (2006), keeping, among other things, the spectacular effects of the former Catastrophe Canyon.
Technical specs
- Duration
- 7 min
- Opened
- 2021
- Type Transportation
- Opening date June 17, 2021 (formerly Studio Tram Tour: Behind the Magic, March 16, 2002)
- Duration 7 min
- Number of trams 4 (2 running at once)
- Riders per vehicle up to 205
- Design Walt Disney Imagineering
Theme & world
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact low
- Perceived wait moderate
- Height requirement None (open to everyone)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access fully accessible
- Pregnant visitors OK to ride
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Skip the standby line whenever you like. Handy in peak season, when the wait often goes past 60 minutes.
This ride has no Single Rider line. If you want to cut your wait, rely on Premier Access or get there at park opening.
No PhotoPass on this ride.
This ride stays closed during Extra Magic Time and only opens when the park does.
Who it’s made for
Pros and cons
The highlights
- Impressive effects in the canyon section
- A relaxing outdoor ride through the woods
The downsides
- The trip doesn’t last very long
- Thrill seekers will find little here
- Tucked away in a far corner of the park
My verdict
Cars ROAD TRIP is a long articulated tram that travels through a wooded area along Route 66, with Sally and Cruz Ramirez as guides and a spectacular finale in a burning canyon. It lasts 7 minutes, and Premier Access is available. It’s the retheming of the Studio Tram Tour, which opened in 2002 along with the Walt Disney Studios park.
I recommend it for a relaxing break and for the final canyon scene, which is really impressive. Story-wise, the ride feels pretty disjointed if you’re not into the Cars world. It’s a bit out of the way in the park, so plan it as part of a loop through the Worlds of Pixar land 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 go
Based on this ride’s wait time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
Cars ROAD TRIP is at the far end of the Worlds of Pixar land, just past the Toy Story Playland area.
Your questions about this ride
01 How can you avoid long lines for the most popular rides?
To skip long lines at Disneyland Paris, I mix several strategies. 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 don’t mind boarding apart from your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that guarantees you priority entry on the headline rides. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and that’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without waiting. Last, heading to the busiest rides during a parade or a big show empties the lines dramatically.
02 Are the wait times posted in the park accurate?
Yes, the wait times shown in the app or on the park’s screens are generally accurate. They’re often equal to 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 under refurbishment during my vacation?
Disneyland Paris posts the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website several weeks ahead of time. Since the parks are open year-round, maintenance crews sometimes work on days the park is open, which leads to temporary closures. My tip: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before you book, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 Which rides might scare young kids?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can be a bit much for young kids, even with no height requirement. 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 moments. La Tanière du Dragon, beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, leans into its ghostly mood and stays pretty intense for little ones. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful scenes and darker ones. I recommend watching how your child reacts before you board.
05 How far ahead does Disneyland Paris announce ride closures?
Disneyland Paris shares its list of ride closures about 2 to 3 months ahead. For major rides, the park lets guests know about planned construction at least two months before it starts. I recommend checking the official calendar (or my dedicated page) a few weeks before your visit, since dates can change. That way you won’t get the nasty surprise of finding out on the spot that your favorite ride is closed for refurbishment.
