Casey Jr. Circus Train

Relive the enchantment of Disney's classic film, Dumbo. Jump in one of the animal cage cars or ornate sleighs. Follow the brave engine Casey Jr. as he battles up the hill and chugs around Storybook Land. Enjoy a birds-eye view of the magical miniature castles, villages and lush gardens seen from the Storybook Land Canal Boats. It's full steam ahead!

The Casey Jr. Circus Train was one of the original Disneyland Park attractions from 1955. The sleigh-style train cars were transplanted from the merry-go-round that later became King Arthur Carrousel. The classic theme song for the ride was written by Frank Churchill and Ned Washington, who also worked on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio.

The Casey Jr. Circus Train is an attraction found at Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. Based on the train of the same name from the 1941 film Dumbo, it gives passengers a tour of many miniature versions of classic Disney animated film scenes. This tour is similar to the one given on the slower paced Storybook Land Canal Boats, but does not incorporate narration. The attraction was opened two weeks later than Disneyland due to testing.

Casey Jr. Circus Train at Disneyland Paris is designed as a roller coaster for small children through Storybook Land, giving riders good views of the Storybook Land castle and other scenes that are not as visible from the Storybook Land Canal Boats.

Many park guests don't realize it, but Casey Jr. Circus Train was actually the first attraction based on the film Dumbo, being the circus train that transported Dumbo and the rest of the circus from town to town. Though not technically an opening day attraction, it missed by only a couple weeks and opened at the end of July 1955, a couple weeks before Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Guests can sit in several different train cars, including the always popular monkey cage. Once going, the train tours the hills above Storybook Land Canal Boats route providing a different view of the miniature scenes, and without the narration.

Touring Tips

• The train runs along the back side of Fantasyland and through the same space at Storybook Land Canal Boats. Loading is to the left of Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
• As with most Fantasyland attractions, the lines for Casey Jr. are shortest early in the day. The train doesn't hold very many guests, so the line moves slowly.
• Casey Jr. Circus Train is located in the back of Fantasyland next to Dumbo. An unshaded queue switchbacks up to the boarding area, where guests can select which of the cars on the miniature circus train they wish to sit in. In addition to two open-air cars there are two "wild animal" cages with bars on them.
• The train takes a short, approximately three-minute ride around the perimeter of Storybook Land. Storybook Land contains miniature scenes from many favorite Disney animated movies, such as the castle from Cinderella, the Seven Dwarfs cottage, and the palace of Agrabah. Notice the miniature plants, also - some very fine examples of the Japanese art of Bonsai.
• The scenes in Storybook Land, and all of the miniature gardens, are very nicely detailed for a closer and better look, consider taking a ride on the Storybook Land Canal Boats.
• This ride is appropriate for guests of all ages kids may especially enjoy riding in the cages for the "Wild Animals" or "Monkeys".
• There are no characters in this part of Fantasyland. Several of the Disney princesses make appearances at "Princess Storytelling" sessions at the "Once Upon a Time" shop located next to the Castle.

Facts

• Casey Jr. is an original Disneyland attraction and opened in July 1955.
• Casey Jr. says "I think I can, I think I can!" as he climbs the hills.
• The open air "sleigh" type cars actually came from the King Arthur Carrousel, they were removed to make room for more horses, and converted to train cars for the Casey Jr. Circus Train.

History

For the first year of operation, Casey Jr. Circus Train was simply a train ride with very little to look at. When the miniature scenes were added to Canal Boats of the World (turning it into Storybook Land Canal Boats) in September 1956, riders were finally given something to look at. Since then, the attraction has remained largely unchanged.

Hidden Mickeys

• Hidden on the control panel in the engine cab, is a trio of gauges that creates a Classic Mickey.