At a glance
Here you board old-fashioned cars that shuttle back and forth between the entrance square and the castle. The fleet includes a police car, a fire truck, a limousine, and a double-decker bus (whose upper level is open-air). Each one copies the sort of vehicle that drove through American towns in the early 1900s.
They roll along at the unhurried speed of old engines, weaving among the people walking down Main Street. It’s a way to take in the nostalgic mood of this corner of the park while staying off your feet. Every vehicle has its own look and paint job, so what you get depends on whichever you climb into.
It’s over fast, yet it shows you the shops and Victorian buildings nearby from an angle you won’t get on foot. A low-key outing, great for families with little ones or for anybody who simply wants to sit back and watch the scenery go by.
Main Street’s vintage vehicles. An omnibus, a fire engine, and period automobiles that carry guests between Town Square and Central Plaza. A purely decorative trip, charming and relaxing, that only runs during the day and in good weather. More a piece of the atmosphere than a real thrill ride.
History
Opened on April 12, 1992 along with the park, the Main Street Vehicles are a group of period vehicles that drive along Main Street, U.S.A., including the omnibus, the fire truck, and the police wagon. This kind of vehicle has been part of several Disney parks ever since Disneyland in Anaheim (1955), Tokyo Disneyland (1983) included.
Technical specs
- Duration
- 5 min
- Opened
- 1992
- Type Transportation
- Opening date April 12, 1992
- Duration 5 min
- Inspired by Main Street Vehicles (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.
Usually open during this early slot before the park opens to the public, mainly for Disney hotel guests and Disneyland Pass Gold holders. A good time to ride it with a shorter wait.
Who it’s made for
Pros and cons
The highlights
- Lets you travel the whole avenue without any physical effort
- Several different kinds of vehicles to try
- Great for unusual photos of Main Street
The downsides
- Limited availability, since the vehicles don’t run all day
- Very few seats per trip
- A very short ride that’s over quickly
My verdict
The Main Street Vehicles are the vintage vehicles that carry guests between Town Square and Central Plaza: an omnibus, a fire truck, a police car, and a classic car. The trip takes 5 minutes and is purely for show, perfect for unusual photos on Main Street.
I think it’s worth it if you happen to spot one that’s free, more for the experience than to get somewhere. Good to know: they don’t run all day and each trip carries very few people, so it’s more of a lucky catch. Morning is still your best chance to hop on.
Julie’s tip
Map & getting there
Main Street Vehicles is in the Main Street U.S.A. land of Disneyland Park, close to 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.
