Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Ride Guide
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is an entertainment offering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is the only attraction themed to the Cars movie franchise at Walt Disney World. Anyone who’s a fan of the films, we’ll likely enjoy taking the time to see 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.
![Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy](https://www.resortsgal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/LightningRacingAcademy-1.jpg)
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. |
Accessbility Info: Guests may remain in wheelchairs or ECVs to experience this attraction. Handheld captioning is available.
Make sure to check our one-stop Lightning Lane Guide to plan your attractions.
![](https://www.resortsgal.com/wp-content/uploads/disney-magic-kingdom-03.jpg)
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Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is located in the Sunset Showcase Theater at the very 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. Originally, they were meet-and-greets when Cars 3 debuted. Later, they were permanently moved near the entrance of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy when it opened in 2019.
![cars outside Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy](https://www.resortsgal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/LightningRacingAcademy-4.jpg)
This experience is approximately 10 minutes long. So the longest wait should be for the next show to begin.
![number 95 for Lightning McQueen inside the theater](https://www.resortsgal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LightningMcQueenRacingAcademy-30.jpg)
Inside, the screens wrap around the theater, similar to a circle-vision film.
![Lightning McQueen on stage](https://www.resortsgal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LightningMcQueenRacingAcademy-21.jpg)
When the show begins, Lightning McQueen takes the stage 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.
![DJ on display outside Lightning McQueens Racing Academy](https://www.resortsgal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LightningMcQueenRacingAcademy-34.jpg)
The Resorts Gal Spin on Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
We give this attraction the red light. It’s not something that we would go out of our way to do. But, if you have small children or anyone who loves Cars in your family, you probably won’t want to miss it!
Our Traffic Signal Guidelines
Green Light:
We give an attraction the green light if its something we consider a must-do regardless of the posted wait. Or it’s an attraction that we deem suitable to experience anytime because of high-load capacity.
Red Light:
We recommend checking the posted wait times for red light attractions and making a quick judgment call on whether to wait, skip it, or return later.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is best experienced in the afternoon or early evening. It is a nice spot to take a rest from the heat. If someone in your group is riding Rock ‘n’ Roller or Tower of Terror with rider switch, this is a good place to hang out while they are on the 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
Do you have plans to experience Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy on your next vacation? Leave us a comment below.