At a glance
This ride is a historic form of transportation running on rails along the park’s main avenue. It’s a vintage streetcar, known as a Streetcar, pulled by draft horses. Guests sit in cars that are open on the sides, so you can watch the fronts of the stores and restaurants roll by.
The experience is a very calm trip between the park entrance and the central square (Central Plaza) in front of the castle. The clip-clop of hooves on the cobblestones and the ring of the driver’s bell create a feel that recalls the early twentieth century. It’s a fun way to get around without walking while taking in the many architectural details along the street.
Because the horses make their way among people on foot, the car rolls along slowly and you have plenty of time to look around. The trip is very short but relaxing, perfect if you’d rather not hurry the moment you get there or want to soak up the retro mood of this part of the park.
Main Street’s horse-drawn streetcar. A car pulled by a draft horse that travels up the street from Town Square to Central Plaza, at the leisurely pace of the turn of the century. A short, picturesque trip, best enjoyed in the morning while the crowds are still light.
History
The Horse-Drawn Streetcars opened on April 12, 1992 along with the park. They’re horse-pulled streetcars running along Main Street, U.S.A. This form of transportation has appeared in several Disney parks ever since Disneyland Anaheim (1955), followed by Orlando’s Magic Kingdom (1971) and Tokyo Disneyland (1983).
Technical specs
- Duration
- 5 min
- Opened
- 1992
- Type Transportation
- Opening date April 12, 1992
- Duration 5 min
- Vehicle type Horse-drawn streetcar
- Inspired by Horse-Drawn Streetcars (Disneyland California 1955)
Theme & world
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact low
- Perceived wait low
- Height requirement None (open to everyone)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access must transfer from wheelchair
- Pregnant visitors OK to ride
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
- Takes you up Main Street with zero effort
- Ideal for young kids and photography fans
The downsides
- Very limited capacity on each trip
- Moves at the horses’ walking pace, so it’s not fast
- Usually only offered in the morning
My verdict
The Horse-Drawn Streetcars are vintage streetcars pulled by draft horses that travel up Main Street from Town Square to Central Plaza in 5 minutes. They’re usually only running in the morning, which makes them fairly rare. There’s no long line, but capacity is very limited.
It’s a charming little experience to kick off your day if you happen to catch it. The fun fact I love sharing: at Disneyland Paris, every Cast Member wears a name tag, and even the horses have one, so look for it when you climb aboard. Don’t build your day around it, though. Think of it as a bonus if the timing works out rather than a full attraction in its own right.
Julie’s tip
Map & getting there
Horse-Drawn Streetcars is in the Main Street U.S.A. land of Disneyland Park, near Town Square.
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.
