At a glance
This attraction is actually an old-time shooting gallery, outdoors but under cover, in the setting of the mining town of Thunder Mesa. Guests use infrared rifles to aim at targets spread across an American frontier town, complete with its saloon, bank, and cacti. Unlike regular rides, this one asks you to take part and trigger the animations yourself.
Rustler Roundup Shootin’ Gallery is all about interaction. When the rifle’s beam of light hits a target, a mechanism kicks in somewhere in the set: a character pops up at a window, a bottle tips over, or an object starts to move. It’s a game of skill played to the sounds of a cowboy camp, with ricochets and saloon music in the background.
This shooting gallery offers a calm experience, with no sense of speed or sudden movement at all. It’s a fun way to take a break between two livelier activities while you try to find every one of the hidden targets in the rocky landscape.
Frontierland’s interactive shooting gallery. Infrared rifles aimed at animated targets in a Western ghost town, which come alive with gags and movement when you hit them. A paid activity on its own, and a fun way to pass the time or keep kids busy between two rides in the land.
History
Opened on April 12, 1992 along with the park, Rustler Roundup Shootin’ Gallery is the Disneyland Paris take on the shooting galleries found in Frontierland areas ever since Disneyland Anaheim (1957). The gallery hasn’t seen any major changes since opening day.
Technical specs
- Duration
- 3 min
- Opened
- 1992
- Type Shooting gallery
- Opening date April 12, 1992
- Duration 3 min
Theme & world
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact low
- Perceived wait none
- Height requirement None (open to everyone)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access fully accessible
- 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
- An interactive activity that makes a change from sit-back-and-watch rides
- Covered from the sun and rain
The downsides
- Costs extra on top of your park ticket
- Limited playing time
My verdict
Rustler Roundup Shootin’ Gallery is a shooting gallery where you use infrared rifles to hit animated targets in a Western ghost town setting. Each game lasts 3 minutes. Worth knowing: it’s the only attraction you pay for on top of your park ticket, around €3.
It’s a hands-on activity that makes a nice change from sit-back-and-watch rides, and a perfect break between two lines. Bonus: it’s covered, which comes in handy in a heat wave or in the rain. My strategy tip: aim for the targets that set off an animation, since that makes the game a lot more fun for kids. Keep in mind that playing time is limited, so don’t wait too long to start shooting.
Map & getting there
You’ll find Rustler Roundup Shootin’ Gallery in Frontierland, close to Big Thunder Mountain.
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.
