Casey Jr. Circus Train

July 1955 – present

LOCATION

Fantasyland – When entering Fantasyland through the castle, continue forward until you reach the King Arthur Carousel. Take a left just after the Carousel and you should see the entrance to the Casey Jr. Circus Train.

BACKGROUND

Casey Jr. was one of the first rides opened in the park after Opening Day, and was envisioned as a lively transport that would bring guests into the land of fairytales and into the pages of storybooks. Moving faster than its counterpart, the Storybook Land Canal Boats, Casey Jr. acts more like an adventurous ride than a scenic tour. In fact, the train was first conceptualized to be a children’s roller coaster, but plans were scaled back as the scenes were difficult to view and appreciate at higher speeds.

EXPERIENCE

Details:

• Single Rider Line – no
• Fast Pass – no
• Height Requirement – none
• Duration – 3:40

Unlike the Disneyland Railroad, the Casey Jr. Circus Train is a character itself, welcoming guests to the land of magic and stories. The lively Circus Train score plays on a loop as Casey leads park guests on a trip around Storybook Land, home to many scenes from classic Disney films, including: Cinderella, Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, and more! Finally, park guests follow the track along the canal, which offers a lovely view of Fantasyland and the castle.

MY RATING – ★★★☆☆

Casey Jr. gives guests the chance to stop running from roller coaster to dark ride and take a moment to appreciate the beauty of Fantasyland. I tend to prefer the Storybook Land Canal Boats, but Casey Jr. does move a bit quicker and offers more views of the Fantasyland gardens. If the train ride had any narration or signs informing guests what they were looking at, like the Storybook Land Canal Boats, it would make the experience that much more engaging. However, park guests will enjoy the ride whether they also try the Canal Boats or not.

VISITING TIPS

On poor weather days or light crowd days, I’ve seen the Casey Jr. Circus Train closed entirely. If it is open, try to ride before lunchtime. With afternoon parades and post-lunch crowds, Casey Jr. gets tougher to ride as the day goes on. It’s fun to ride Casey Jr. right after the Storybook Land Canal boats, since this tour has no narration and goes faster. Little ones love to point out the villages and castles they saw on the boats, and from a higher vantage point the tour is a much different experience.

TRIVIA

The Casey Jr. Circus Train is based on the circus from Dumbo, and predates its partner ride in Fantasyland.

Though it follows much of the same tour as the Storybook Land Canal Boats, the train ride also offers views of miniatures not visible from the water, like the Storybook Land Castle.

Casey Jr.’s original theme song was co-written by Frank Churchill and Ned Washington, who both worked on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio.