While it all started with a mouse, this is the very first ride at any Disney park that stars Mickey Mouse and friends.
Based on the recent award-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a brand-new attraction unique to Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Before you even board the ride vehicle, you’re treated to a pre-show featuring an all-new Mickey and Minnie cartoon short. As is typical with cartoons, you watch it on a flat screen. Until—and I won’t spoil the details here—something happens that allows you to walk through the screen and inside that very cartoon.
But the real fun begins once you board the ride vehicle. Once aboard, Mickey accidentally flips a switch that separates the railway cars from Goofy‘s engine. Chaos ensues… and the runaway railway takes guests on a whirlwind ride with unexpected happenings and crazy surprises! Mickey and Minnie chase after the train and try to save the day. Be prepared because this trackless dark ride will take you on a whirlwind ride.
Fun Facts:
- This ride replaced the Great Movie Ride and opened 2020.
- This was the last major attraction to open before all Disney Parks temporarily closed due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
- This new technology is known as “2 and ½ D” which is 3D without glasses.
- The attraction features several sound effects created by Disney Legend Jimmy Macdonald for Disney animated shorts dating back to the 1930s; some new effects were developed using Macdonald’s original equipment.
- This ride includes the most hidden Mickeys than any other ride.
- The attraction’s glamorous marquee features blinking bulbs and hand-crafted animated neon depictions of Mickey and Minnie. Its design cue comes from the extravagant marquees that were custom made for premieres of epic films in the mid-20th.
- If a train ends up breaking down in the final picnic scene, the Mickey figure will actually apologize for the delay. Slowdowns during unload will also result in being able to see Mickey and Minnie harmonizing and enjoying their picnic.
- The numbers 1901 and 1928 can be seen inside the attraction; these are references to Walt Disney’s and Mickey Mouse’s birth years, respectively.