Luigi's Flying Tires

Description And Comments

Unless you are over the age of 50, you're unlikely to remember Disneyland Park's Flying Saucers, a long-lost Tomorrowland attraction that only lasted 5 years in the early 1960s. But Imagineers have long memories and have retreaded the concept of hovercraft bumper 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 careers is on display), and then pass through a garden of automotive-inspired topiaries, before 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. A soundtrack of actor Tony Shalhoub singing Italian-American standards add to the festa Italia 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 passholders.

Luigi's will close forever February 17, 2015 to be reimagined in to a new flatride. The theme, including the Casa Della Tires building at the ride's entrance, will mostly remain intact. But the ride itself will be reworked in to a flatride using the same trackless ride system found in Aquatopia and Pooh's Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disney Resort.

Touring Tips

Luigi's is a slow-loading cycle ride under the best circumstances. Word must be out that Luigi's is less than life changing, since lines have died down substantially since the tires debuted. Still, this attraction is so slow loading that you are best off riding early in the day, especially if you want to ride more than once or are visiting on a peak day.

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.

Luigi's Flying Tires Wait Times

This chart shows you roughly how long you'll wait for Luigi's Flying Tires when you visit on a day with a given Disney California Adventure Park Crowd Level. The blue bars represent the average "peak" wait time (that is, how long the line will be at its busiest). The bottom and top black lines represent the range of peak wait times to expect (for you fellow nerds out there: it's the 5th percentile and 95th percentile of peak wait times). Please note that these are estimates, and for a better forecast for your travel dates, see Luigi's Flying Tires Wait Times.

Special Comments

• This attraction has a minimum-height requirement of 32 inches.

Must be 32" tall to ride; more fun to watch than ride.

Special Needs

• Physical Considerations
• Must Transfer From Wheelchair/ECV

Other Attractions in Cars Land

• Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters
• Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
• Radiator Springs Racers