Car Lovers at Walt Disney World
If you’re referencing the film, you’ll have to travel to Disney’s California Adventure to experience an attraction based on Cars. But for us car lovers living on the east coast, creativity is key when you want to incorporate some high-octane, four-wheeled fun into your Walt Disney World vacation! When I visited the parks with my teenage cousin who loves cars (and Cars), he begged me to make sure I snagged Fastpass+ reservations for every single attraction that used cars as their ride vehicles. Although he would probably argue otherwise, he wasn’t the only one in the travel party, so I had to ensure each of the attractions were family-friendly and could be enjoyed by each generation visiting the parks with us.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
More a truck than a car, the ride vehicles on Kilimanjaro Safaris are about as cool as they come. Giant tires, huge engines, loud revs, and mudstains abound, these semis-turned-passenger-vehicles will thrill any automobile fan! My grandfather tagged along, and he is the biggest car aficionado I know. He loved the way the Imagineers transformed traditional tractor trailers into safari vehicles so much, I think he was more thrilled by the car than the giraffes!
Kilimanjaro Safaris can get a little bumpy out there on the savannah, but if you think you were jostled around then, you’re in for an awakening! While you’re in the Animal Kingdom, you can’t miss your chance to ride Dinosaur. The time machine you’ll need to travel back to the Jurassic period looks strikingly similar to some Jeeps I’ve seen around the streets—with a few huge differences.
As you board the cars, take note of the width of the body and the size of the tires. These ride vehicles can move on 6 axes while moving through the attraction, and all of those moving parts are stored below you as you ride; a fun fact you can share with eager-to-learn car buffs in your party!
Hollywood Studios
As much as I knew he’d have fun, I must admit I was dreading the day I visited Hollywood Studios with my cousin. He isn’t into Star Wars like every other teenage boy, and his one request was to ride each car attraction available…but there aren’t any in Hollywood Studios. In for a day of shows and attractions he wasn’t too keen on , we set out anyway and were determined to have a good day!
Thanks to my amazing improvisational skills (or getting very lucky) I pulled off a ‘surprise’ right before we passed through the entry gates. I literally put my palm to my forehead and turned to my cousin…we are riding in a car today! Rock N’ Roller Coaster is, of course, a high-speed roller coaster. However, you can tell the car fans in your group you’ll be riding in a stretch limo fit for the most popular rock and roll bands touring Hollywood. Not only was a car crisis averted, he didn’t stop smiling the rest of the day.
Magic Kingdom
Really, who wants to be a passenger as a kid? Sometimes it’s nice to take a nap while someone else drives you to your destination, but I like to be the one in control when I’m traveling. In Magic Kingdom, your kids can forget being a boring passenger and try their hand at driving you for once! The Tomorrowland Speedway is where adults and kids alike can board an open-air racecar and do what drivers do. Gas, brake, and steering are all features of the attraction, and kids of all ages love to drive their parents around the lengthy track. And for the adults, you’ll get a great laugh as you watch your kids figure out the intricacies of the road right before your eyes.
Epcot
Have you ever felt that 65mph wasn’t that fast on the highway? Yeah, me too, until I first experienced Test Track. The biggest, fastest, and newest car-focused attraction can be found in Epcot at the Test Track Pavilion presented by Chevrolet. Board a car as it runs the gamut of pre-production tests like four wheel drive, braking, and acceleration. The finale of the attraction is one of the most thrilling Disney has to offer as your open-air car reaches 65mph on a pitched speedway, talk about high-octane exhilaration!
For my car loving cousin, the attraction was only half the fun, believe it or not! The entire pavilion housing the ride is presented by Chevrolet and they have not skimped on cool décor. The queue is loaded with crazy concept vehicles, engines, brake systems, and screens detailing how cars are made. Right before you board the attraction, you’re given a great chance to design the ride vehicle you’ll be riding in! With the touch of your magic band, you can create from top to bottom a test vehicle that you’ll ‘board’ on the attraction. Your design will be put to the test against other guests’ designs and tested for fuel efficiency, braking, and speed. Choose your accessories wisely!
Feed Their Need for Speed Outside of the Parks
If you have an off day from the parks, take your car fanatics to the Art of Animation Resort for the day! Here, you can walk through the four sections of the resort featuring The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, and Cars. This is the only place on Walt Disney World Property your kids can pose with the famous vehicles from the film Cars. Pose next to characters like Mater, Doc Hudson, Sally, and Lightning McQueen himself. Ka-chaw! Do you have a car loving kid in your family? Traveling with an adult who knows everything there is to know about antique cars? Be sure to check out these attractions on your upcoming vacation, and let me know in the comments which are your favorite!
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Special thanks to Maria Salerno for writing this article: Hiya pal! I am a NYC-based writer/musician thrilled to be bringing you all things Disney! I’m a WDW Annual Passholder, so you can find me in the parks regularly throughout the year. In addition to being a Disney Parks loving girl, I’m also a Disney toy and merchandise collector, a runDisney enthusiast, and Disney music and movie aficionado. You can follow me on Instagram: NYCtoAP and find me on YouTube: NYCtoAP. Thanks for reading, hope to see ya real soon!