Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Ride Guide
Update: Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy permanently closed on October 7, 2024. The information below is left for historical reference.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is an entertainment offering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It is the only attraction themed to the Cars movie franchise at Walt Disney World. Fans of the films will likely enjoy seeing a show during their vacation. Below, we’ll discuss seeing the legendary Lightning McQueen as he demonstrates a few tricks on his brand-new, state-of-the-art racing simulator with its wraparound screen.
Below are a few quick reference details for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy.
| Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy | Disney’s Hollywood Studios |
Location: | Sunset Boulevard |
Height Requirement: | None |
Lightning Lane: | No |
Early Park Entry: | No |
Extended Evening Hours: | No |
Duration: | 10-minute show |
Ride Type: | Theater Show |
Seats Per Vehicle: | Theater |
Rider Switch: | None |
Good For: | Cars Franchise Fans |
Scare Factor: | None |
Must-Do List: | Low Priority |
Perfect For: | All Ages |
Special Mention: | A few Cars characters sit outside the theater. |
Accessibility Info: Guests may remain in wheelchairs or ECVs to experience this attraction. Handheld captioning is available.
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Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is held in the Sunset Showcase Theater at the end of Sunset Boulevard. This almost hidden attraction is past the Rock n’ Roller Coaster. DJ and Cruz Ramirez (from the films) sit in the courtyard of the Sunset Showcase Building. Initially, they were meet-and-greets when Cars 3 debuted. They were moved to the entrance of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy when it opened in 2019.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy lasts approximately 10 minutes. Therefore, the longest wait you should encounter is how long it will take for the next performance to begin.
Inside, the screens wrap around the theater (Circle-Vision).
Lightning McQueen takes the stage when the show begins and demonstrates a few virtual reality racing techniques. The animatronics are impressive. A few mishaps occur, including Chick Hicks hacking into the program, which leads to some fast thinking on Lightning McQueen’s part to get back on track. This performance is charming, and I noticed most of the children (including my teenager, who is a big Cars fan) enjoying the experience. Before or after the performance, you can check out the courtyard area, where a few cars are displayed. Some of them are available for photo opportunities.
The Resorts Gal Spin on Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
We give this attraction the red light. We would not go out of our way to do it. But if you have small children or anyone who loves Cars in your family, you probably won’t want to miss it!
Resorts Gal Traffic Signals
Green Light
We give an attraction the green light if we consider it a must-do, regardless of the posted wait. We also give the green light for attractions we deem suitable to experience anytime. For example, some attractions have high capacities. Therefore, the lines continuously move and you shouldn’t have a long wait unless the attraction experiences downtime.
Red Light
We recommend checking the posted wait times for red light attractions. Then, make a quick judgment call on whether to wait, skip it, or return later. We also red light some attractions that we feel might not be suitable based on our experience.
Final Thoughts
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is best experienced in the afternoon or early evening. It is a nice spot to rest from the heat. If someone in your group is riding Rock ‘n’ Roller or Tower of Terror with Rider Switch, this is an excellent place to hang out while they ride. It’s also worth noting that most children will enjoy this experience. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, in general, has many attractions and character meets geared toward children ages five and under. Here are a few:
- Disney Junior Play and Dance
- For the First Time In Forever: Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
- Disney Junior Character Meet-and-Greets
- Toy Story Land Guide
You might also enjoy our Disney’s Hollywood Studios Planning Guide. If you’re planning on spending a considerable amount of time at Hollywood Studios, you might consider a few resorts that are within walking distance of the park:
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Review
- Disney’s Beach Club Review
- Disney’s Yacht Club Review
- Swan and Dolphin Resort Review
In the Comments
What do you think of this kind of attraction? Let us know in the comments section below.
