Serendipity is a strange force and I’m constantly amazed at how the universe conspires to put us at certain places at very specific times. That’s the only reason I can find to explain how I found myself in line to be one of the first members of the general public to ride the newest attraction at the Walt Disney World Resort, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. I was on vacation and had already planned to spend the morning in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on opening day of this innovative and incredibly creative new attraction. I was there early so I could get a Boarding Group for the park’s other new attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and so it was with excitement that I raced towards the Chinese Theater at the center of Hollywood Studios, earning my spot in the queue along with hundreds of other eager guests. I’m happy though that I was at the right place at the right time because today I can share the details about Disney’s latest creation.
WARNING: Video Ride-POV is at the End
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a new trackless dark ride inside the replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theater. The premise is simple enough, Mickey and Minnie have invited guests to the premiere of their newest cartoon, “Perfect Picnic.” Groups of about 30 people or so are ushered into a small room with a screen, where the attraction pre-show takes place. I won’t ruin the surprise, but it’s the perfect introduction to the ride and it’s from here that guests then enter the cartoon world and take their place in the final queue where they board the rail car.
If you’ve never been on a trackless ride then you’re in for a treat. The technology allows engineers to take the cars wherever they want, in any direction providing surprises at ever turn for the rider. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a bright and fun attraction drawing on the best classic Disney animation themes. There are 11 different show scenes, loosely connected in their storytelling that are extremely fast-paced, funny and incredibly enjoyable. In fact, there are so many small details it will take me many times riding the attraction to catch them all. I’m purposely avoiding some of the more poignant details in the event that you want to be surprised, but I’ve provided a video from my experience below.
The attraction is relatively long – a little over five minutes in length – which means you’ll feel like the wait was well worth it, but it will also create longer queue lines for the foreseeable future. Even though I raced to the back of the line as soon as the park opened on opening day, the cast member’s sign next to me indicated I still had a 90 minute wait. On average, in its first week wait times have varied from 90-240 minutes, so be prepared. Given the pace of the line though, I never stopped moving and in all honesty the time really did fly by. Slightly unusual for a new ride, Fastpass+ is available for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, although it is a Tier 1 ride and guests have been snapping them up as soon as they’re available. Regardless, the wait truly is worth it, at least in my opinion.
This does mean that the already very popular Hollywood Studios is now even more popular. Rise of the Resistance has led to massive crowds at rope drop, and many of those folks hang out in the park, creating longer than normal wait times at almost every other attraction. Rides that never used to see all FastPass+ opportunities taken are now “selling out” fast and early, so be prepared.
Overall, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a fantastic addition to the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s an attraction that isn’t only appropriate for all age groups, but it is also fun for all age groups. That’s a hard feat to manage, but after years of planning the Imagineers have once again captured lightning in a bottle.
WARNING – This is a RIDE POV, do not watch if you want to be surprised. Also, one of the scenes is missing because I’m an idiot.
