Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway

Roughly 92 years ago, Walt Disney found himself sitting on a train that was carrying him from Manhattan back to Hollywood. He had just encountered the greatest setback of his young career: the loss of his popular Oswald the Lucky Rabbit character, as well as most of his animators, to one Charles Mintz.

Before boarding the train, he sent a telegram to his brother Roy in California. It was an optimistic note, declaring, ““Don’t worry, everything OK.” During the long cross country trip, he began to formulate a new character: a mouse. His name was Mortimer. Fortunately for all involved, Walt’s wife Lillian persuaded him to change the name to Mickey.

Later that year, the first Mickey Mouse cartoon premiered. It was titled “Plane Crazy,” and was inspired by Charles Linbergh’s trans-Atlantic flight. Before the year would end, a third Mickey Mouse short would be created. It’s title was “Steamboat Willie,” and it was one of the earliest cartoons to utilize synchronized sound.

Of course, Mickey was not the only mouse born that year. Minnie Mouse was created in 1928 as well. Her first appearance was in “Steamboat Willie,” and she went on to star in 74 cartoons with Mickey and his dog Pluto.

The rest, as they say, is history. Mickey Mouse became a worldwide phenomenon, the cornerstone of all the Disney magic that has followed. As Walt famously said, ““I hope we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.”

Playing such a seminal role in the development of Disney, it’s a bit surprising to think that the pair never had their own dedicated attraction in any of the Disney parks. That is, until now. It’s been sixty-five years since the opening of Disneyland and forty-nine years since the opening of Walt Disney World, but the legendary duo finally have their own attraction: Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios.

Built inside the park’s replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theater (former home of the Great Movie Ride), Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a trackless darkride experience that lets guests step inside a Mickey Mouse short.

The experience begins with Guests watching a Mickey and Minnie film, titled, “Perfect Picnic.” Partyway through, an accident takes place, blowing a hole through the screen. Goofy then invites Guests into the cartoon. Stepping through the screen, Guests enter a brief queue leading them to the Runamuck Railroad, which will take them on their journey.

The ride is so new, that I’m loathe to give away too many of its secrets upfront. You’ll simply have to make your way to Hollywood Studios and experience it for yourself. However, there are a few amazing elements that make the attraction unlike anything else Guests are likely to have experienced. Audio-animatronic figures of Mickey and Minnie Mouse are blended with projection mapping, making it feel as though the characters you see on the screen have literally come to life, stepping into three dimensions. Along with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy, Guests will encounter Donald and Daisy Duck, Pete, and a new character named Chuuby. There’s also an amazing effect utilized which allows the sets in certain scenes to transform right before Guests eyes.

There are plenty of great Easter eggs hidden within the attraction as well. Here are just a few:

Early in the attraction, ride vehicles pass under a sign reading 1928, the year of Mickey and Minnie’s birth.

An “attraction poster” seen in one room advertises, “The Great Moving Ride,” a reference to “The Great Movie Ride ” which once occupied the building.

A newspaper reading, “Oswald Wins!” alludes to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

A flower shop, named 1401 Flower Shop, is a reference to the original Imagineering headquarters located at 1401 Flower Street.

There are plenty more, but those are a few of our favorites.

Have you had the chance to ride Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway yet? If so, what was your favorite part?

Enjoy the magic of Disney all year ’round with Celebrations Digital Magazine!

1 year/$19.99!

Click here to order!

ncG1vNJzZmiblaGyo77AraCopqOlv6a%2F0meaqKVfZ31zfI5pamhoaWS6qq%2FKnrBmmZ6Zeq61zaegnqtdp8KvrdaasGaqkZ65uK3YaA%3D%3D