Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
What it is
Bumper cars meets human air hockey.
Scope and scale
Minor attraction.
When to
go
The first 30 minutes the park is open.
Special comments
Must be 32" tall to ride; more fun
to watch than ride.
Duration of ride
2 minutes.
Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of
you
12 minutes.
Loading speed
Very slow.
DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS
Unless you are over the age of 50, you're unlikely to
remember Disneyland Park's Flying Saucers, a Tomorrowland attraction that lasted five
years in the early 1960s. But Imagineers have retreaded the concept of hovercraft bump-
er cars as the basis for a tribute to the Radiator Springs resident Ferrari fanatic. You first
queue inside the Casa Della Tires shop (where memorabilia from Luigi's and Guido's ca-
reers is on display), and then pass through a garden of automotive-inspired topiaries, be-
fore boarding your own supersize tire. Using a system similar to an air hockey table, your
two-passenger vehicle (up to three with a child) lifts up on a thin cushion of air. You then
get about 2 minutes to scoot around the arena, trying to bump against other riders. Actor
Tony Shalhoub sings a soundtrack of Italian American standards, adding to the
festaItalia
fun.
Luigi's Flying Tires may be an example of nostalgia being better than reality; the
tires accelerate gradually and can be tricky for first-time riders to control (see our tips
below). With the epic wait times this glacially loading attraction attracts, riding enough
times to become an expert driver appears an unrealistic prospect for all but the most avid
Annual Pass holders. However, hovering is a blast once you get the hang of it, and most
guests get off giggling even if they spent much of the short ride stalled on the sidelines.
TOURING TIPS
Luigi'sis a slow-loading cycle ride under the best circumstances. Expect long
lines all day. Your only hope for a reasonable wait is to be among the first people in the
queue upon opening. If you don't want to ride, loiter near the exit and enjoy watching oth-
er guests getting jostled.
To steer, first shift your body weight to find your tire's center point of balance, so
that it sits evenly on the air cushion. Then gradually lean your body weight in the direction
that you want to move, without going so far that the tire's leading edge drags on the floor.
Single riders may initially find it easier to get the feel of balancing and steering. To reach
maximum velocity, try to aim for an open corner away from the crowd.
DISNEY DISH WITH JIM HILL
