At a glance
Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque is technically an electric-powered roller coaster, but above all it’s a gentle little train made for the youngest guests. The story comes from the movie Dumbo (1941), and more specifically from the scene where the train carries the circus animals to their next show, with each car themed to a different animal.
Tucked into the setting of Le Pays des Contes de Fées, the track shows you the tiny landscapes from an angle you never get on the boats. Sitting up high, you look down on the sets and notice things nobody on the water can see, such as a little cemetery hidden on a hillside to the right of Bald Mountain. Speeds hover around 18 km/h (11 mph), just enough for little ones to feel their first thrills without ever getting frightened.
Two identical trains take turns to keep the wait down. Each train has eight cars with four seats each, plus the engine, which carries two passengers. The last two seats face the opposite direction, great for anyone who likes riding backward. There’s no height requirement, so even the youngest can ride with an adult. It’s one of the few attractions in the park with a coaster that’s really gentle and open to the whole family, perfect for first-timers.
The perfect first coaster for kids. A little circus train that weaves close to the ground around Le Pays des Contes de Fées, with gentle climbs and dips in colorful cage cars. The thrills are mild, just right for a family’s first try at roller coasters.
History
Opened on March 26, 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 built for Disneyland Anaheim in 1955. Set in Fantasyland, this little train draws on the movie Dumbo (1941) and runs alongside the miniature scenery of Le Pays des Contes de Fées.
Technical specs
- Top speed
- 18 km/h
- Duration
- 1 min 30
- Opened
- 1994
- Type Junior coaster
- Opening date March 26, 1994
- Duration 1 min 30 s
- Top speed 18 km/h
- 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 & 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 must transfer from wheelchair
- Pregnant visitors not recommended
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Not offered on this ride.
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
- Ideal first thrills for little ones
- A view of Le Pays des Contes de Fées scenery you won’t get anywhere else
- Last car rides backward for a change of pace
The downsides
- Too tame for teens
- Fairly short ride
- Not much going on along the way
My verdict
Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque is technically an electric-powered roller coaster, but an extra gentle one: 18 km/h (11 mph), no height requirement, and a 1 min 30 s ride that winds through the scenery of Le Pays des Contes de Fées. Based on Dumbo, it’s one of the best ways to introduce toddlers to coasters.
It’s one of my Fantasyland favorites, because I find the staging really well done and the ride surprisingly fun even as an adult. My offbeat tip: the seats at the back face backward, perfect for a different ride the second time around. And a fun fact: the entrance to the attraction runs under the Disneyland Railroad tracks, so if the train goes by at the same moment, wave at the passengers. Kids love watching from that spot.
Julie’s tip
Best time to go
Based on this ride’s wait time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque is at the far end of Fantasyland, just past Le Pays des Contes de Fées.
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.
