Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – Details, Review & Guide

When The Great Movie Ride closed in 2017, Disney fans eagerly awaited the attraction that would take its place inside the Chinese Theatre at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opened there in 2020 as the first ride-through attraction starring Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and it has since become one of the park’s most popular family rides.

In this post, we are going to share everything you need to know about Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, including a full review of the attraction, the ride vehicle, opening date, trackless ride system, and current Lightning Lane information, plus a full walkthrough of the attraction queue and the ride itself.

We’ll also let you know if it’s worth coming to Disney World to ride Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, what kind of crowds you can expect and the best touring strategy for this ride.

Think of this post as “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway 101,“ where you can come to learn everything there is to know about this new attraction and get all of your questions about it answered.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is open daily, so keep reading for all the details about this attraction!

We have updated the ride walkthrough with a detailed scene-by-scene look at the ride, new photos, a look at the ride’s merchandise, hidden gems and secrets you will find and a complete review of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

If you are looking to save time, you may find our Hollywood Studios Lightning Lanes Guide useful, as well as our article on How to Purchase Disney Lightning Lanes so you can make attraction reservations before going on Mickey’s Runaway Railway.

Before we start, don’t forget to sign up for our FREE Weekly E-Mail Newsletter. There we bring you the latest updates on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway as well as our best Disney vacation planning tips. You can sign up here: Join our E-Mail Newsletter!

Overview

• Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Disney World) and Disneyland Park
• Status: Opened March 4, 2020 (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) – Opened January 27, 2023 in Disneyland
• Ride Type: Dark Ride, Trackless
• Thrill Level: Mild to Moderate
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass Selection: Yes
• Ride Length: Approximately 4½–5 minutes, or about 6–7 minutes including the pre-show
• Height Requirement: No Restrictions
• Capacity: Up to approximately 32 riders across four passenger cars in a full train formation (Approximate Hourly Capacity: 2,000-2560)

To find out more about the Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway ride and a full walkthrough of the attraction, please keep reading further down where we explain it in greater detail.

What is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway?

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a family-friendly attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios that lets you step right through the big screen and into the wacky world of Mickey, Minnie, and their friends. The attraction is based on the award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts, where you become part of the adventure.

It is the first ride-through attraction in the world starring Mickey Mouse!

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway uses what Disney calls “2 1/2 D” technology to transform a two-dimensional cartoon into a real-world environment without requiring 3D glasses. We’ll explain how it works later in this guide.

The Chinese Theatre serves as the magic portal through which you’ll step from the human world directly into the unforgettable cartoon world.

As Disney describes: “join Mickey, Minnie, and friends like never before – bursting into a world where mouse rules apply.“ This Mickey ride puts you in the middle of a wild and zany adventure where anything can happen!

Also, don’t think this is just some cute kids’ ride, Disney has pulled out all the stops for this Mickey Mouse attraction and appeals to guests of all ages. Walt Disney Imagineer Keven Rafferty describes it this way:

“This is one of the boldest…most impossible things I’ve ever worked on in almost 40 years of being an Imagineer. And you know what? That’s what I love about it. This is not going to be a small attraction, it’s going to be game-changing.”

Sounds good to us! It is a welcome addition to the lineup of Hollywood Studios attractions and we’re happy it’s now open!

What Parks is it Located in?

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway is currently located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

The Hollywood Studios version of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is located in the old Chinese Theater, former home of The Great Movie Ride and park icon. This is located right at the end of Hollywood Boulevard.

The Disneyland version is located in the Mickey’s Toontown area of the park. It has a purpose-built theater to house the attraction called the “El CapiTOON Theater.”

What Did Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Replace?

If you are a long-time Disney World goer, then you know that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway may be going into the Chinese Theater, but it’s not the first attraction to call that building home.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway replaced The Great Movie Ride, which was the only original opening day attraction left in Hollywood Studios. The Great Movie Ride was a dark ride that took guests on a timeless journey through the silver screen and into the movies.

Some of the movies that were featured in The Great Movie Ride were:

• Indiana Jones
• Aliens
• The Wizard of Oz
• Casablanca
• Mary Poppins, and more…

The Great Movie Ride show building was emptied and transformed for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which uses a completely different ride system and new show scenes. Much of the original queue architecture remains, but it was redecorated with a Mickey Mouse twist.

The Great Movie Ride was one of our favorite Disney attractions of all-time, and while we’re obviously sad to see it go, at least a ride based on Mickey Mouse is replacing it. If anyone can fill those shoes, it’s The Big Cheese himself.

Why Did They Get Rid of The Great Movie Ride?

There were many reasons why The Great Movie Ride closed and is being replaced by a Mickey ride. First of all, Disney didn’t own the rights to most of the movies featured in that attraction. They had to lease the rights to them, and when it closed, their contract was basically up. So Disney had to decide if it was worth it, and what they wanted the future of Hollywood Studios to look like.

A big part of that decision was that the ride was built around classic movies. Many of the films were from the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s, and quite frankly, today’s younger generation hadn’t even heard of the majority of those films.

While The Great Movie Ride was a great opportunity to introduce those films to younger guests, the reality is that Disney wasn’t going to keep a ride in their park featuring properties that they don’t own.

How Much of the Hollywood Influence Remains?

Even though The Great Movie ride is now gone from the Chinese Theater, that doesn’t mean that it’s lost its identity and its Hollywood Roots. In fact, there is still quite a lot of the Hollywood influence remaining as it transitions into Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

On the outside, the Chinese Theater looks very similar, with only minor changes to most of the building. The big difference is the giant neon marquee sign of “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” hanging on the front of the Chinese Theater.

On the interior, Disney has kept around most of the old theming elements from the queue of The Great Movie Ride and uses them in Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway! Walking in you can see much of the original decor from the Chinese Theater is still there and has been cleaned up and retouched for the new ride.

In fact, most of the original lobby is exactly how it was before. Many of the doors, rugs, light fixtures and styling remains. Even its famous columns and tapestries that hung above the queue are still there!

Even though it retains its Hollywood glamour, the Chinese Theater has been given a “Mickey touch.” When you enter the theater there are digital Mickey posters hanging on the walls in video screens made specifically for this attraction. These posters are in the style of the new Mickey Mouse short films and show off some of the Mickey animated shorts.

There is another reason why the Chinese Theater is the perfect location for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. When Mickey Mouse starred in Mickey Steps Out in 1931, the cartoon premiered at the real Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Mickey and the Chinese Theatre therefore share a long history, making this a fitting home for his first ride-through attraction.

This is the First Mickey Mouse Ride

What makes Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway so special is that it’s the very first ride-through attraction for Mickey Mouse. Yes, technically Mickey has been involved in other attractions in the Disney Parks throughout the years like “Mickey’s PhilharMagic,” but Mickey has never had his own ride, until now!

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway pays homage to the Mickey of old and the Mickey of today. Its unique connection to Disney history even includes the very first Mickey Mouse cartoon: “Steamboat Willie.”

In fact, the train in Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway uses the same tri-tone whistle as the original Steamboat Willie cartoon does!

We for one are happy about there finally being a Mickey ride in the theme parks, and even though it was sad to see The Great Movie Ride go, if there is one character that deserves their own ride in Disney World, it’s Mickey!

• TIP: Are you a big fan of hidden Mickeys? Make sure to keep an eye out for them on the ride as there are more hidden Mickeys in Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway than any other Disney attraction, in any Disney park worldwide.

Original Theme Song and Music

Music and the sound effects are a big part of the experience for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Disney Imagineers Charita Carter and Kevin Rafferty worked especially hard on giving this ride the best sound effects and noises possible.

Instead of being produced digitally, they recorded real-life sounds from props in a studio, giving it a bit of a more old-school, realistic sound. Everything was made to feel as authentic as possible and was made that way by the team of developers working alongside the creators of the Mickey Shorts Cartoons.

Chris Willis from the Mickey shorts composed the music for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and that includes a 65-piece orchestra as part of the attraction’s score.  Disney Legend Richard Sherman even helped out a bit and was able to put in his two cents for the music.

Topping it all off, the attraction even has its own theme song “Nothing Can Stop Us Now” which will get stuck in your head and have you singing for days, I kid you not!

What Kind of Ride System Does it Have?

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a classic Disney dark ride, taken to a whole other level due to its new ride system and groundbreaking 2 1/2 D technology.

One of the things that makes this attraction special is the trackless ride vehicles. Runaway Railway was one of the first Disney World attractions to use this technology, and the vehicles help create plenty of zany fun as you travel through the different scenes.

If you aren’t familiar with how the system works, the ride vehicles do not follow a visible track. Instead, the independently controlled passenger cars follow programmed routes through the attraction, allowing them to move forward, sideways, spin, separate, and reunite in different configurations. This adds to the spontaneity of the ride and makes it more unpredictable than a normal dark ride.

They are extremely fun and one of the reasons this ride works so well!

If you’ve been on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance you will be familiar with it as Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway uses the same ride system as the main ride vehicle on that one (without the lifts and drops).

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT also uses almost the same ride system.

Is the New Mickey Ride 3D?

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway uses a new technology Disney Imagineering is calling “2 1/2 D.”

Don’t worry, there are no 3D glasses required, but Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway uses new technologies to turn, what is normally a flat cartoon world, into an environment that comes to life and can change extremely fast.

How does it work? Disney Imagineers have spent years making this new projection mapping technology, and when put into action, makes normal 2-D surfaces come to life and seem three-dimensional.

When you ride into a space in the attraction, the whole room changes form, almost the entire dimension, and perspective changes.  Like 3D, but not. It allows you to go from one type of environment to another in the blink of an eye.

It’s something you really have to see to understand, but we promise it’s something you will find fascinating!

Is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway a Roller Coaster?

This is the biggest question we receive as apparently everyone was hoping for a Mickey Mouse roller coaster. If that is you, I have some bad news for you, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is not a roller coaster, but a trackless dark ride instead.

Ride Vehicle for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

As we explained above, the ride vehicle for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is trackless, but that’s only half the fun. As you might imagine, the ride vehicles are in the shape of an actual train, with the locomotive upfront and the guest cars behind.

Goofy is the driver of this out-of-control train, so you can imagine all the twists and turns you’ll be taking!

A full train formation can accommodate up to approximately 32 people across 4 passenger cars. Each car has 2 rows and can generally hold up to 4 people per row, for approximately 8 riders per car. Actual seating can vary depending on party size and Cast Member instructions.

Here’s a look at a model of the ride vehicle which was on display at the D23 Expo:

Besides being trackless, one of the coolest parts about these ride vehicles is that 4 sections of the train separate from each other during the attraction, and are then reunited at various points. We think this is an amazing feature and one that will definitely surprise you!

Speaking of ride vehicles, Disney Imagineering had to develop special paint to allow them to adapt in well with the surrounding scenes, whether they are in black and white or color.

Ride Length

The ride portion of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway lasts approximately 4½–5 minutes, depending on exactly when you start and stop timing it. That does not include the queue or pre-show.

When you factor in the pre-show film, the attraction takes approximately 6–7 minutes total from the beginning of the presentation through the ride itself.

One thing is sure, it’s nowhere near as long as The Great Movie Ride was. That attraction was just about 19 minutes long from the time you got inside the vehicle. Runaway Railway is a much shorter attraction.

While it’s always nice to have a super long attraction, we think 4½–5 minutes is a pretty good length for the ride and gives you just enough to make you feel like it was worth the wait. You’ll have to let us know when you ride it.

Height Requirement

Some of the more recent attractions in Walt Disney World have also come with height restrictions. Thankfully, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway has no minimum height requirement. Children under age 7 must be accompanied by a person age 14 or older.

Is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Scary?

If you don’t like scary rides, have no fear. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is not generally considered scary and can be enjoyed by the whole family. It has no major drop or coaster-style thrill element.

That said, sensitive children may be startled by dark environments, loud noises, sudden turns and spinning, and simulated danger in the tornado, waterfall, and factory scenes. Rides like Everest, The Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster are still much scarier than Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway without question.

Is the New Mickey Ride Kid-Friendly?

With all the new technology this Mickey Mouse ride is introducing, plus the zany, fun nature of the Mickey shorts, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is already a smash hit with kids.

It’s also not scary and doesn’t have anything that they wouldn’t find enjoyable. Yes, this ride is fun for the whole family.

Will This Ride Make Me Sick?

While I wouldn’t call this ride overly thrilling at all, it could make you sick if you suffer from motion sickness. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway utilizes a trackless ride vehicle that turns and spins in unexpected ways.

It’s not your classic dark ride where you can see the track and know where you are going. It’s somewhat similar to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT, so your experience on that attraction may help you judge whether the motion will affect you.

Overall I wouldn’t be too worried as it’s pretty tame compared to some attractions like The Tower of Terror and it doesn’t spin you like the Mad Tea Party does.

Does Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Have a Drop?

There are no drops on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, so if you have a fear of heights or don’t like the feeling of falling, you need not worry. You can ride this attraction in peace.

Does Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Have Lightning Lanes?

Walt Disney World

Yes. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is currently a Tier 1 Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

When making your advance Multi Pass selections, you can choose only one Tier 1 attraction. For most guests, Slinky Dog Dash is the stronger initial priority because it is usually more difficult to book. Runaway Railway is often available later as an additional same-day selection, though availability is never guaranteed.

If Runaway Railway is especially important to your family—or if Slinky Dog Dash is unavailable—it can still be a good initial Tier 1 choice. Another solid strategy is to reserve one attraction with Multi Pass and ride the other during Early Theme Park Entry or at rope drop.

Disneyland

The Disneyland version is also currently included with Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Disneyland’s booking procedures differ from Walt Disney World’s, so use the Disneyland app to check current availability and make selections.

How Much Does Lightning Lane Cost for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway?

Runaway Railway does not have a separate Lightning Lane price. It is included with Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Hollywood Studios, and the daily Multi Pass price varies by date. Check My Disney Experience for the current price and availability for your visit.

If your preferred time is unavailable, keep checking because other guests may modify or cancel their selections. You can also use the standby queue without paying anything extra.

Do I Have to Pay to Ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway?

No. Regular admission includes access to the standby queue. Multi Pass is optional and can save time, but it is not required to experience the attraction.

Read our Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Guide for more information and strategies for this and the other attractions in the park.

Does Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Have Boarding Groups and the Virtual Queue?

No. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway does not use boarding groups or a virtual queue. It currently offers a traditional standby queue and Lightning Lane access through Multi Pass.

Does Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Have a Single Rider Line?

No. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway does not currently offer a Single Rider line. Guests must use the regular standby queue or Lightning Lane entrance when they have a valid return time.

Does it Have Rider Switch?

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway does not normally offer Rider Switch. The attraction has no minimum height requirement and is designed so the entire family can ride together. If someone in your group cannot ride, speak with a Cast Member about the options available during your visit.

Guest Accessibility

Guests must transfer from a wheelchair or ECV into the Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway ride vehicle. There is no ride vehicle that allows a guest to remain in a wheelchair during the attraction.

After the pre-show, guests using accessibility devices may be directed through a separate boarding route. A transfer-access device may be available to assist with boarding, but guests still need to be able to transfer into the ride vehicle.

If you have questions or concerns about the transfer, speak with a Cast Member before entering the queue so you can understand the current boarding procedure.

Does Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Accommodate Disability Access Service (DAS)?

Yes. Guests who are approved for Disney’s Disability Access Service can use DAS at Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway by following the current return-time process. DAS procedures and eligibility can change, so check My Disney Experience or speak with Guest Relations for assistance.

DAS does not provide immediate access or shorten the attraction’s actual wait; it allows an eligible guest to wait outside the traditional standby queue and return at the assigned time. Read our Disney World Disability Pass Guide for the latest details.

What Characters are in Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway?

If you like the classic Disney characters, you’re in luck, this ride is full of them! Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway features these confirmed characters:

• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Goofy
• Pluto
• Donald Duck
• Daisy Duck

You will also spot a few more rare characters in the ride, so keep your eyes peeled.

Cast Member Costumes

Recently we had a sneak peek at the Cast Member costumes for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

The Cast Member costumes are a vibrant take on a classic train conductor’s uniform. Super cute!

Ride Layout and Walkthrough

Now, we’re going to share with you a full walkthrough of the ride with you including the entire ride layout.

If you don’t like spoilers and want to experience the ride without knowing anything, then now is the time to skip ahead.

A quick note before the walkthrough: The photos and queue details below document our visit. Exterior switchbacks, entrance positions, Cast Member procedures, and exact merchandise or operational details may change, but the main pre-show and ride scenes remain substantially the same.

We will look at where guests load in and out of the ride, the pre-show, all the show scene areas, and the exact path this attraction will take. Ready to go? All aboard!!

Attraction Queue (Outside)

If you show up first thing in the morning, you will likely find the line for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway already stretched out far in front of the Chinese Theater. When you approach, look for the sign.

So far in our experience, even though things look like a mess and really disorganized, the Cast Members have done a phenomenal job keeping everyone going in the right direction and pretty well organized.

They start lining people up for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway before the official park opening, which means that even though the line looks super long at the beginning, once they officially open the ride, it actually moves really quick.

Parts of the outdoor queue have umbrellas and fans, but guests may still spend time in direct sun on busy days. Bring water and sun protection if the posted wait extends outside the covered portion.

Once you wind your way through the initial outside queue and get closer to the Chinese Theater, you start seeing some artifacts from the Hollywood-era reminding you of its splendor:

The outside of the theater looks fantastic, and the queue winds over to the front, where you get a great view of the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway neon marquee.

We know that there are some who aren’t fans of the new marquee, but we happen to love it. The Great Movie Ride never had a sign above the front entrance of the theater, but we think it fits in wonderfully with the classic Hollywood look and is great to see at night.

After a while of waiting in line, you will eventually find yourself in the middle of the Chinese Theater’s courtyard, where you can even look at some of the awesome hand and footprints of past and current stars.

Here are some of our favorite footprints outside the Chinese Theater… Spot anyone you know?

There are two separate doors to enter the Chinese Theater. Both are located under the marquee and at the front entrance of the building. This is one main difference as The Great Movie Ride had its queue come in through the side of the building and not in the front doors.

On the right side is the Stand-By entrance:

On the left is for Lightning Lane:

We’re getting excited now as we make our way inside!!!

Attraction Queue (Inside)

Immediately when you step inside the front door, you realize that not a whole lot has changed at first glance.

As we explained before, most of the classic Hollywood theming that was here before is still intact. Everything has been cleaned and restored and it looks better than ever!

Look up at the dramatic high ceilings and the hanging lamps.

The gorgeous tapestries are still hanging on the wall and are vibrant-looking.

While there are some Mickey Mouse theming that has been added, we’re extremely happy they didn’t just tear everything out and make it look too modern. Having the 1920’s-1930s Hollywood-feel makes us nostalgic for the days of old.

Here is a better look at the hanging lamps:

One big change you’ll notice is that the old movie props have been substituted out and are no longer waiting for you in the queue.

The setup of the queue is slightly different, but the walls and ceilings look like they are mostly untouched!

Instead, there are digital posters placed every-so-often featuring some of the new Mickey Mouse shorts cartoons:

Here are closeups of some of our favorites:

Here is a look at one of the larger rooms of the queue when it was still The Great Movie Ride. Notice the glass case holding the movie props.

Looking at the picture below in the middle and far in the back is where that case used to be, and now is no more. It would have been nice to see some prop cases with Mickey Mouse memorabilia, or glass windows built into the walls of the theater. I think Disney missed an opportunity on that one.

Ok, we’re heading through the door on the right and closer to the theaters…

Once you make it down the ramp, you get to the hallway just outside the auditorium doors where you have to wait until the next screening is ready.

The cartoon is only a couple of minutes long so there isn’t much of a wait once you get to this point. Guests in line are split up into two groups and lead through 2 different sets of doors into 2 different theaters. Once the doors open, you go into the theater for the premiere!

Pre-Show

Guests are ushered into an auditorium where you will see the Mickey cartoon. This is similar to The Great Movie Ride, in that there was a room there also where you would watch old previews of upcoming movies before going into the loading area. I like that they have this as a throwback to that, again to keep the nostalgia of the old ride.

You will soon find out, however, that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway has an unexpected twist to it!

The video you are about to see, sets up the story of the adventure you are about to go on. The Mickey Mouse short “Perfect Picnic,” which was created specifically for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway comes us on the screen and the show starts:

Perfect Picnic sets up the ride and shows Mickey and Minnie packing for a picnic when of course everything goes completely wrong.

Overall I thought the pre-show was really good. I thought the cartoon was funny, and even though the animation style is not my personal favorite, it was vibrant and done in an exciting way which captivates the audience.

As Mickey and Minnie are driving to the park, they meet Goofy along the way. Dogs in closed in trunks, pies are flying everywhere and of course Goofy finds a way to crash that train.

In doing so, the show makes use of a cool visual effect. Right as the train crashes into a barn, huge hole is blown through the actual screen you are watching in front of you, where you then have to walk through to move to the loading area.

This effect had the entire audience shocked and staring at the hole wondering how it was possible. Even though you can see how it works when examining a bit closer, the way Disney Imagineering pulls this effect off is very impressive and a great start to the attraction!

You are heading into the big screen….literally!

Guests are going to love this part and I think it prepares you nicely for all the other special effects on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Loading Area

Once you head through the screen, you walk straight into the bard where the train crash occurred:

The first thing you’ll notice when walking in the barn loading area is the color. The light is a distinct glowing red color from the many lamps on the ceiling.

The walls and ceilings are made to look like wood boards and have the same cartoony effect that the Mickey shorts are done in.

There are three rows of switchbacks in the loading area and everything moves quite quickly. Actually our whole time in line for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway went by very fast and there aren’t many places that the line gets jammed up, so you never feel stuck.

Make sure to check out some of the old cartoon paintings on the wall:

This is a painting of Runnamcuk Park, where you are meeting Mickey and Minnie for a picnic. Pay attention to that tunnel on the left as that comes into play soon:

Any guest using an accessibility device or wheelchair who needs assistance in loading/unloading from their vehicle will split off from the normal queue at this point and into a separate line here. Just keep in mind you will need to be able to exit your accessibility device in order to enter the ride vehicle.

We’re getting toward the end of the line and when we make it to the other side, we’ll be ready to load our car!

The loading area for Runaway Railway isn’t super large, but loading times are very fast. There are 8 separate rows leading you up to the front.

Each train for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is “pulling” 4 train cars behind it. Each of those cars can hold 8 people, 2 rows of four each.

The coolest part about the ride vehicles, however, is the fact that they are trackless. This makes for a wild and unexpected ride and one of the things that makes it so re-ridable. It has many twists and turns, a lot like the Ratatouille ride currently in Disneyland Paris or Rise of the Resistance.

Everyone on board? Ok, here we go! Now let’s get into the fun part, the ride!

The Ride

This is where your adventure begins as Mickey and Minnie are getting ready to go on the perfect picnic together. Guests get onboard Goofy’s train with Mickey and Minnie following closely behind.

You can see Goofy at the front driving the train, and his appearance is done by screen technology. While it would have been cooler to have an animatronic Goofy figure in front, we can understand that it would have been impossible from a maintenance standpoint. There are just too many cars that the staff would never be able to keep up with repairs.

Our first scene is Runnamuck Park. Immediately the vibrant backdrop catches your eye and there are so many colors hitting you all at once. This is all done through a new projection mapping technology that can build and change the environments in the rooms you visit in seconds.

The artwork is beautiful and reminiscent of what you see in the new Mickey shorts cartoons. So far, so good.

Goofy takes the train on a wrong turn and into the tunnel! An animatronic version of Mickey and Minnie follow alongside the train in their car and through the tunnel. These are very basic animatronic figures and their faces are put on using projection mapping technology.

At this point, the conductor car and Goofy break off from the passenger cars, and you end up taking a completely different route through the tunnel.

Next, you exit the tunnel and reach the “Wild West scene” where there is a stampede and all 4 passenger cars split off from each other and go on their own paths.

Next, you head into a scene called: “Carnival Chaos.” This is another gorgeous scene and the capability of the projection mapping really shines as the environments seem to come to life like in 3D.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is filled with all sorts of hidden easter eggs and secrets. Some of our favorites are in the carnival scene

All the cars are then swept up in a twister. Again, the trackless technology is put to use here with the cars spinning around and around as they get sucked up into a tornado, while the seats rumble making it feel realistic.

Here is a subtle shout-out to The Great Movie Ride and the twister that we never saw, only the house that fell on the Wicked Witch of the East.

Then comes my favorite two scenes from the plans: “Tropical Torrent” which is followed by “Over the Falls.” This scene is themed like a rainforest that changes in the blink of an eye to an island full of volcanoes on the brink of eruption.

The way the entire room changes in seconds is another testament to how cool this new technology really is! The water effect here really caught my eye.

Speaking of water, your train car all of a sudden finds its way downstream and straight into an oncoming waterfall!

This by far was our favorite moment and everything here worked to sell us that we we really in danger of falling straight down after Mickey and Minnie!

The highlight of an amazing ride so far.

You are then plunged under the water only to find an entire world living there!

Again, this is all the same room you just came from that used to be a jungle island, but projection mapping makes you think you are in a completely different place. Unreal!

How are you going to escape this you wonder? Down the drain…

You are flushed out and find yourself in the middle of a busy city center.

This was another one of our favorites as there were so many bright lights and sounds that attract your attention. Lots of the windows and signs also have hidden easter eggs on them so look closely.

Donald makes his appearance here and wouldn’t you know he is making a flower delivery to Daisy in her dance studio:

Get ready to enter Daisy’s dance studio where there is an animatronic figure of Dasiy Duck center stage:

This was another highlight moment for us. Daisy starts out by giving instructions to a slower dance number and all 4 cars move synchronized together.

The best part is when the dance goes from slow to fast and you still all move separately, but together. Everybody do the conga!

The climax of the ride comes when entering the factory where it looks like you are headed for impending doom, to be crushed by the aptly named: “The Smasher.”

Mickey and Minnie work desperately to shut it off and in the end, you are saved! This room is another great example of the 2 1/2D technology in Runaway Railway as the room totally transforms in front of your eyes in seconds.

We can’t get over how smooth it all looks.

Finally, after a few detours and some very close calls, you make it back to Runnamuck Park, only it’s much later. Animatronic figures of Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto are off in the distance with Mickey strumming the ukelele, playing a slowed-down version of “Nothing Can Stop Us Now.”

Goofy was never worried, I don’t know why you were!

We love this scene and it serves as a fitting ending to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. There are some nice firework effects on the wall as you ride back into the barn.

Once you get out, you can see some more paintings and decorations on the wall. These look like tools used in the barn.

Wouldn’t you know who made “Employee of the Month?”

The most fitting ending to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the picture of Walt Disney himself located by the exit. There you can see Walt on his train, a tribute to the man who was so passionate about them!

Since you are now essentially in the same room that The Great Movie Ride used, the exit is also located in the same spot.

Merchandise

You didn’t think Disney would make a ride all about Mickey Mouse without offering special merchandise, did you?

Runaway Railway merchandise has included T-shirts, Mickey and Minnie ears, plush characters, ornaments, pins, key chains, toy trains, and items featuring the attraction logo or “Nothing Can Stop Us Now.” Our favorites have included the retro-style Mickey and Minnie plushes and the adorable Goofy conductor merchandise.

The exact selection changes frequently, and older limited-edition pins, MagicBands, and opening-era products may no longer be available. Check Mickey’s of Hollywood and nearby merchandise locations for the current lineup.

Review

Now that Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway has been open for several years, we can share a full review of the ride and our thoughts on the first ride-through attraction for Mickey Mouse.

Our first two words that come to mind without overthinking things are fun and stimulating. There is just so much going on in Runaway Railway and every room seems to top the previous with its special effects and excitement. You really have to ride this groundbreaking attraction to understand how cool it is, especially how the projection mapping technology works.

We had extremely high hopes for this ride since rumors of a Mickey Mouse ride started flying months before the official announcement and I can honestly say all my expectations were met and then some. Let me preface that by saying, if you have Rise of the Resistance-level expectations, then you are going to be disappointed.

I knew it wasn’t going to be on that level, and you really need to think of and compare Runaway Railway to the Fantasyland-style dark rides, where it comes out near the top.

We’re going to share with you some of the things we loved about this ride and what we think could have been done just a little bit better.

Positives

Projection Mapping – Yes Disney has been using projection mapping for years now, most famously in the Happily Ever After fireworks show in the Magic Kingdom. Disney has now perfected that and uses it in Runaway Railway to seamlessly create and transform environments, in mere seconds.

We were stunned at how fast the look and feel of one room can change so quickly to another, and have it all work so smoothly. Now I know there are some die-hard theme park fans who hate screens in rides, but for the most part, I didn’t get that vibe at all here. It transformed 2D objects into 3D ones that came to life right before your eyes.

Even though the rooms you travel through are huge, they don’t feel that way. They projection mapping technology allows them to fill the space using 3D effects that make everything feel much more intimate than the actually are.

Trackless Vehicles – Just like in RotR, the trackless vehicles in Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway steal the show. I don’t understand why Disney has been using these in its International parks for years now and we are just getting them in Disney World. I’m just happy that we have them now.

Honestly, once you’ve been on a trackless ride vehicle, it’s hard to go back to the old way. Instead of moving the traditional way on a track like most dark rides, these ones are “free” and move in any direction, all unpredictability and in a very smooth motion.

Our favorite part was in the dance studio where all 4 cars “dance” in sync with each other. It’s just one of the many very impressive effects.

Exciting and Fast-Paced – This is not your dad’s dark ride, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is very fast-paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is made possible by the first two points we brought out, and it will have you smiling the whole way through the ride. There are so many moments where you will have your mouth open wide wondering how they pulled off these effects so well.

Music and Sound Effects – From the old-school sound effects from original Mickey Mouse cartoon props to the catchy theme song, everything works perfectly here. Me and my dad were singing and humming “Nothing Can Stop Us Now” for the next 2 days after riding for the first time and it’s the best attraction song in at least a decade.

Attention to Detail – The details for Runaway Railway is also on the level we’ve come to expect from Disney Imagineering with tons of hidden easter eggs to discover and shoutouts to Disney history. Look out for Pluto too, who subtly makes appearances throughout the ride.

Negatives

Even with so much to love about Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, there are still a few things we aren’t crazy about and think they could have done a better job with.

Story Build-up – Going into the ride for the first time, we knew that we were invited to a new Mickey Mouse premiere and we were the special guests, but we thought this could have been communicated a bit better while waiting in the queue. We also were expecting to see more Mickey Mouse props from early cartoons in the queue, the way that The Great Movie Ride was laid out.

Animatronics – There are a few audio-animatronic figures in the ride, but most are very rudimentary and not particularly impressive, especially after the amazing ones that we’ve seen in the Galaxy’s Edge rides. Worst of all are the Mickey and Minnie figures which are essentially empty shells with their faces projected on. This effect works in the sets, but not on moving characters imo.

Is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Better Than The Great Movie Ride?

Since Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway has replaced The Great Movie Ride, it’s natural for comparisons to come up. Unfortunately, even though they are located in the same building and have the premise of bringing you “into the big screen,” these rides are nothing alike and it would not be a fair comparison.

The Great Movie Ride was one of our favorite attractions of all-time, and from nostalgia alone, we can’t rank Runaway Railway higher. TGMR was an epic journey into the classic era of Hollywood and paced much slower than this. It also was a much longer attraction than Runaway Railway, which lasts approximately 4½–5 minutes.

The Great Movie Ride was definitely an attraction that adults appreciated more than children, while Runaway Railway might feel a bit chaotic to older guests but perfectly-paced to kids.

If we’re going to make a comparison to another attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway feels a lot like Ratatouille: The Adventure at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT. Both use trackless vehicles and have similar timing, pacing, and moments of simulated danger.

If I have to make a choice between the two, I’m still going to choose The Great Movie Ride. To us, it was the perfect ride and was able to fully encompass that old Hollywood-era feel and transport us into some of the greatest scenes in movie history.

Overall, I think Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is an incredible ride and remains an important part of the Hollywood Studios lineup. It’s an attraction that is fun for the whole family, and its solid capacity helps absorb some of the park’s crowds. It is easily one of the best rides in Hollywood Studios.

I wish that both attractions could exist in Hollywood Studios at the same time. But if we had to see The Great Movie Ride say goodbye, I’m glad the Imagineers were able to give Mickey his own ride, and make it something worthy of Disney’s most beloved character.

Overall, it’s a great dark ride and, in our opinion, has deservedly become a fan favorite.

Secrets & Hidden Gems

One of our favorite things about Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is how re-ridable this attraction is, and a big part of that is all the hidden secrets and easter eggs you’ll find in its rooms. In fact, it’s almost impossible to spot them all on the first, second or third ride, so you’ll have to keep those eyes wide open.

Here are 15 of our favorite easter eggs you’ll find:

Hidden Mickeys – This one technically starts before you even get on the attraction. Naturally, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway has more Hidden Mickeys than any other attraction built by Disney Imagineering. It’s only fitting this is the case so try to count as many as you can starting in the attraction queue and throughout the whole experience.

Whistle – Does the train whistle sound familiar to you on Runaway Railway? That’s because this is the exact same tri-tone whistle that was used in Mickey’s debut cartoon, 1928’s “Steamboat Willie.” That whistle used by Disney Legend Jimmy Macdonald for that cartoon was also used to record the train whistle on the ride, adding to the authenticity.

1901 – There are quite a few numbers in this ride that have hidden meanings. The year “1901” appears in the sewer scene and of course, stands for Walt Disney’s year of birth.

1928 – The year 1928 is also prominently featured in Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and that one stands for Mickey Mouse’s birth year, when he debuted in “Steamboat Willie.”

The Dapper Dans – You know those awesome entertainers you stop and listen to every time you walk down Main Street U.S.A? They’re also in Micky and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. That’s right, you can find the Dapper Dans in the very first scene as they ride by in the background on a quadruplet tandem bike.

Pluto and the Picnic Basket – Pluto, like any good dog, is loyal to his master, who in this case is Mickey. After he sees that the picnic basket got thrown from the trunk in the opening pre-show movie, he naturally wants to return it to Mickey. Throughout the ride you can see Pluto following the cars, trying desperately to make sure Mickey doesn’t ruin his picnic with Minnie.

Yensid Valley – This appears in the first and last scenes of the attraction, and wouldn’t you know, it is “Disney” spelled backward. This is also a shoutout to the sorcerer’s name in Fantasia from “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”

The Great Moving Ride – You all know that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway stands on the exact spot that The Great Movie Ride used to operate on. Paying homage to this is a sign in the carnival scene which reads “The Great Moving Ride.” Love it!

Musical Tornado – At the end of the carnival scene, a tornado comes through and sweeps you all away. You may have noticed the musical instruments flying around inside that tornado, which is a reference to the iconic Mickey short: “The Band Concert.”

Miss Fortune – Miss Fortune is a callout to Miss Adventure Falls in Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, which was originally going to be called: “Miss Fortune Falls.”

Iwerks Waterworks – As you enter the sewers and into the water treatment plant, be on the lookout for a sign that reads: “Iwerks Waterworks.” This of course is paying homage to the man who sketched Mickey Mouse for the very first time, Disney Legend, Ub Iwerks.

House of Mouse – In the city scene you might notice a sign that reads: “Maison des Souris.” That is French for “House of Mouse.”

1401 Flower Shop – The address for the 1401 Flower Shop is referring to the headquarters of Walt Disney Imagineering, located in Glendale, California at 1401 Flower Street.

Oswald Wins! – You’ll be happy to know that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway also makes reference to Mickey’s predecessor, and fellow Walt Disney creation, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. You can find him mentioned in the newspaper near Jackhammer Pete which reads: “Oswald Wins!”

Safe for Ink and Paint – Also in the city scene you’ll notice a sign for detergent which reads: “safe for ink & paint.” That is a reference to the Ink & Paint department, which was crucial to early animation.

There are so many fun references to Mickey Mouse and Disney history on this ride, try to find them all on your next ride, and let us know of any others you might have found too!

Videos

Here is a Full POV Ride-Through of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway:

When Did Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Open in Hollywood Studios?

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 4, 2020.

The attraction was originally announced for Fall 2019 before its debut moved to Spring 2020. Its opening gave Hollywood Studios another family-friendly attraction without a height requirement and helped expand the park’s lineup beyond its thrill rides and Star Wars attractions.

When Did Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Open in Disneyland?

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opened in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park on January 27, 2023. Disney announced the second version before the Hollywood Studios attraction had opened, and the ride has since become popular at both resorts.

Is the Disneyland Version of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway a Clone?

For the most part, yes. The main ride experience is very similar to the Hollywood Studios version, but the buildings and queues are different.

Disneyland’s version is housed in the purpose-built El CapiTOON Theater and did not replace another attraction. Its queue contains extensive exhibits devoted to Mickey Mouse cartoons, while the Hollywood Studios version retains the glamorous Chinese Theatre setting and several architectural elements from The Great Movie Ride.

One important operational difference is that the Disneyland version may temporarily close to accommodate fireworks performances. Check the Disneyland app for the current schedule and operating status, especially if you plan to ride late in the evening.

I wouldn’t make a trip all the way to Disneyland for this ride alone, but if you are planning a trip there anyway, you’ll definitely want to experience it.

Touring Strategy

Now that you have an idea of what the attraction is like, what is the best touring strategy for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway?

Runaway Railway remains popular, but it is usually easier to fit into a Hollywood Studios touring plan than Slinky Dog Dash or Rise of the Resistance. Its central location at the end of Hollywood Boulevard also makes it easy to check the posted wait as you move around the park.

Start by looking at our Disney World Crowd Calendar and Touring Plans and Itineraries for Hollywood Studios before your visit.

Crowds and Expected Wait Times

A good working average for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is approximately 45–50 minutes, though the exact wait varies greatly by date and time of day.

During busier periods, waits may reach approximately 60–90 minutes. Early Theme Park Entry and the final hour of operation are often the best opportunities to ride, while late morning and midday are commonly busier.

The final part of the evening is often one of the best times to ride. Depending on the day, waits during the last hour can drop to approximately 10–20 minutes, though breakdowns, park hours, and crowd levels can always change that pattern.

Runaway Railway is a worthwhile Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection in Hollywood Studios, especially for families with young children or anyone who wants to avoid a moderate standby wait. However, Slinky Dog Dash is usually the harder initial Tier 1 reservation to secure, so many guests should book Slinky first and try to select Runaway Railway later.

What Time Should I Get to Hollywood Studios?

If you want the strongest overall Hollywood Studios morning strategy, plan to arrive 60–90 minutes before the official park opening.

Disney Resort guests and guests at other qualifying hotels normally receive Early Theme Park Entry 30 minutes before the official opening. Arriving 60–90 minutes before official opening therefore puts you at the park approximately 30–60 minutes before Early Entry begins, giving you a better position for the first attraction of the morning.

That may be more aggressive than necessary if Runaway Railway is the only attraction you care about. However, it is still a smart overall strategy because you may be able to finish Runaway Railway during Early Entry and move to Slinky Dog Dash, Rise of the Resistance, or another popular attraction before the park officially opens.

Always check the current Hollywood Studios park hours because opening times and Early Entry schedules can vary.

Rope Dropping Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway is a good rope-drop choice for families, guests without Multi Pass, and anyone who considers it a must-do attraction. The standby queue often moves efficiently early in the morning, allowing you to finish it and move to another priority before waits peak.

Read our Hollywood Studios Rope Drop guide for complete morning strategies.

Your best order depends on your priorities and Lightning Lane selections:

• If you book Slinky Dog Dash with Multi Pass, Runaway Railway can be a good Early Entry attraction before heading elsewhere.
• If you book Runaway Railway with Multi Pass, consider using Early Entry for Slinky Dog Dash or Rise of the Resistance.
• If you are not using Multi Pass, arriving 60–90 minutes before official opening gives you the best chance to complete Runaway Railway and another headliner before the largest daytime crowds arrive.

If you do not want to wake up early, monitor its wait during the afternoon and consider riding during the final hour before closing.

Should I Visit Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in 2027?

Yes. We absolutely recommend riding Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in 2027, especially for families, Mickey Mouse fans, and anyone who enjoys imaginative Disney dark rides.

Hollywood Studios continues to evolve with new and updated attractions, entertainment, and the ongoing development of Monstropolis. Even as the park’s lineup changes, Runaway Railway remains one of its best attractions for the entire family because it has no height requirement and combines practical sets, animation, music, and trackless technology.

There is no reason to postpone your visit simply because the ride is no longer brand new. It is already an established part of Hollywood Studios, and the unpredictable vehicles and hidden details give it plenty of repeat value.

As always, schedule your Walt Disney World trip when it works best for your family. If riding Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is important to you, 2027 is a perfectly good time to experience it.

Read our post on “Which Year is Best to Visit Disney World?” for more information about the pros and cons of the upcoming years.

FAQs

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway remains one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios, and we will continue updating this guide as its operating procedures and touring strategy change.

Stay tuned right here at Ziggy Knows Disney for more info about Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. We will continue to update our ride strategy as time goes on.

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway ride…

• On a scale from 1-10, what do you rate this new attraction?
• Which new Disney World ride are you most looking forward to?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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