Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway: Zippy, Zany Fun for the Whole Family!
Enter a delightful cartoon world starring your most favorite mouse – no, not Matthias from Redwall (although that’s valid). I’m talking about Mickey!
But not just Mickey – Minnie is here too, along with Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Pluto! Together, you’ll embark on a picnic that quickly turns into an adventure worthy of Walt Disney’s imagination.
With no height or health barriers, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a truly perfect attraction for the entire family. . .despite sounding rather hazardous! So, come on, folks – nothing can stop us now!
Making the Jump: From Screen to Theme Park
After two failed test screenings, Mickey Mouse was finally introduced to the public on November 18, 1928, in “Steamboat Willie.”1 Snagging $1,000 for a two-week run, Mickey was the highest-paid cartoon on Broadway!
(Photo: Picryl)
The intrepid, whistling mouse has come a long way since then, starring in numerous shorts, movies, and even a computer-animated series. His mouse ears are the symbol of Walt Disney World and the Disney franchise at large. (Not to mention a pretty cool website, LOL!)
However, despite Mickey’s integral place in the Disney company, he’s never had a theme park ride centered around him. . .until now.
In 2013, Paul Rudish (of Star Wars: Clone Wars, Dexter’s Laboratory, and Power Puff Girls fame) became director and producer of a new series of shorts starring Mickey Mouse – simply titled, Mickey Mouse.2 The art style was unique with a vintage feel, harkening back to the simplistic mouse with a stringy tail, stick legs, and big black eyes. Mickey Mouse went on to win both Emmy and Annie Awards and also became the inspiration behind Disney’s Hollywood Studios newest ride.
Sadly, in order to make room for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, something had to give way, and that was the Great Movie Ride. Since closing in August of 2017, Disney fans have had to go back to watching Casablanca and Wizard of Oz the old-fashioned way, on their own television sets at home. Saying goodbye to this slice of Old Hollywood was certainly bittersweet, but. . . “we’ll always have Paris.”
Imagineers remained upbeat about bringing in the new, or rather something even older: after all, Mickey predates all of those movies!
“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. Well, that, and Mickey.”3
-Kevin Rafferty, Imagineer
Opening on March 4, 2020, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway was an instant hit with guests of all ages. With a few humble nods to the previous ride, a multitude of hidden Mickeys, and a brand new character – a fluffy lil bird named Chuuby – it seems to have been destined for success.4
Now the real question is: which feathered friend is cuter – Chuuby or Orange Bird?!
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway – Look Out!
Mickey and Minnie’s new ride is located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park, near Orlando. Once you’re in the park, just head down Hollywood Boulevard until you see the replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Head inside where the ride begins with a pre-show – a new, original Mickey Mouse short called “Perfect Picnic!”
Mickey and Minnie, riding in their sleek, red roadster, are on their way to a perfect picnic. Meanwhile, Goofy’s got a job as a train conductor/tour guide! When the roadster hits a pothole, chaos ensues and a hole is torn in the screen. You’ll be ushered by a cast member through this hole, into the cartoon world, where you’ll join up with Goofy for his sight-seeing train tour!
Once in on the train, the tour begins. . .and is immediately cut short when Goofy’s engine detaches from the rest of the cars! The train cars don’t follow any track, moving freely and seemingly at random, throughout the rest of the ride.
The sets and animatronics are all in cartoon style while simultaneously waffling on the edge of being three-dimensional. The Imagineers call this fantastic effect “2 1/2 D – no glasses required!”5
As your car spirals out of control, Mickey and Minnie quickly come to your rescue, or, at least they try to! They get into just as many tight spots as you do! Falling over waterfalls, getting caught in a twister at a carnival, almost blowing up a factory. . .
This might sound a bit ridiculous, but that’s just “mouse rules,” meaning anything is possible!6 Fittingly, the theme song sung by Mickey and Minnie is a catchy tune called “Nothing Can Stop Us Now.” Not even the laws of physics.
You go, little mouse!
The Magic Behind the Mice
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway might not be the speediest or most suspenseful ride, but it’s definitely one of the most mind-boggling.
The effect of being pulled into a cartoon world is sublimely achieved. Special painting techniques make everything, including the ride’s vehicles, look hand-drawn. Admittedly, at times, the animatronic Mickey and Minnie (with projected faces) don’t quite mesh as well into the 2D environment, but they’re so cute you really can’t fault them. Additionally, the transition from scene to scene is truly seamless – in a chaotic cartoony way!
This attraction definitely presents one of the most impressive displays of modern graphics to date.
But what truly makes this ride special – and incredibly re-rideable – is the attention to detail. There are different paths your vehicle may take on every ride and SO many hidden details in every scene! It’s truly impossible to catch them all in one, two, or even three goes!
For example, an audible gem is Goofy’s train whistle – it’s actually the same tri-tone whistle from “Steamboat Willie!” You’ll have to keep your eyes sharp to spot the numbers 1928 and 1901 – Mickey and Walt’s birth years – not to mention a newspaper headline, “Oswald Wins!” (A reference to Walt’s cartoon rabbit that came before Mickey.)7
It makes a great family scavenger hunt on top of the fun of the ride! How many hidden gems – and hidden Mickeys – can you find?
While Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is absolutely suited for the kiddos, don’t be disillusioned by its cartoony nature. Brimming with Mickey Mouse lore and overwhelmingly cute, this one-of-a-kind dark ride is sure to make grownups smile, too!
What do you think of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway? And what hidden gems have you spotted? Let us know in the comments below!
I’m going to go look for Chuuby merch now. . .
Cover Image
Photo: Unsplash
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