Disney’s parks are known for immersing guests in adventure, magic, and memorable experiences. From high-thrill rides to family-friendly attractions, there’s something for everyone. But one ride at Disneyland Paris’s Walt Disney Studios Park seems to be entertaining almost no one: Cars Road Trip.
In recent years, Disney has faced increasing scrutiny for park changes and rising ticket prices. As guests pay more than ever, the expectation is that each new offering will match Disney’s high standards.
While additions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and TRON Lightcycle / Run have been well received, other rides—including some at Disneyland Paris—haven’t made the same impression.
Walt Disney Studios Park, in particular, has had its share of lackluster attractions. While it hosts popular rides like Crush’s Coaster, it’s also home to several uninspired experiences, such as Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, Cars Quatre Roues Rallye, and the worst offender, Cars Road Trip.
Opened in 2021 as part of the park’s World of Pixar, Cars Road Trip attempts to bring guests on a scenic journey inspired by Pixar’s Cars franchise. Replacing the Studio Tram Tour, the ride invites guests aboard trams guided by Cars characters Mater and Sally Carrera.
As they roll through attractions like “Cars-tastrophe Canyon,” geysers and water effects simulate the chaos of a crumbling canyon. The aim is humor and a taste of Cars scenery, but the execution leaves many underwhelmed.
The attraction’s low-budget feel has drawn criticism. Apart from the “Cars-tastrophe Canyon” scene, the ride mostly features open landscapes, a few statues, and little of the rich storytelling or visual appeal that define Disney’s best attractions. Some guests have even joked that a tram ride through the Disney’s Hollywood Studios parking lot would be more thrilling. Worse yet, Cars Road Trip rarely draws crowds, meaning it doesn’t contribute much to easing congestion elsewhere in the park.
For many fans, Cars Road Trip represents a missed opportunity. One Reddit user shared, “Cars Road Trip really makes me sad. I’m not even angry anymore … It feels so out of place.” Another commented, “I had the slightest hope we might get a taste of Cars Land in California. But not even close. Such wasted potential.”
Even with major upgrades underway, including a rebranding of Walt Disney Studios Park to Disney Adventure World, the park’s new theme—a vague concept of “adventures”—raises questions about its future identity. Where it once celebrated movie-making, the new direction lacks a clear focus. A ride like Cars Road Trip only reinforces the perception that Walt Disney Studios Park lacks the cohesion found in Disney’s other parks worldwide.
While there’s hope that the park’s upcoming attractions—such as World of Frozen, a Tangled (2010) ride, and a Lion King-inspired Pride Rock area—will boost its appeal, Cars Road Trip continues to stick out. If Disney wants to elevate this park to world-class status, keeping Cars Road Trip around long-term won’t do it any favors.
Have you ever visited Walt Disney Studios Park? What do you think of Cars Road Trip?
