NEW Disney World Attraction! Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy is NOW OPEN in Disney's Hollywood Studios!

KA-CHOW!

It’s time to step inside Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, which — as of today — is now open in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios!

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

Signs in the park leading to the attraction celebrate both the new Cars-themed offerings — which also include DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time! dance party — and the 30th Anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

New Cars 30th Anniversary banner

Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary sign

You’ll find Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Sunset Showcase.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

Welcome Racers!

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

Then it’s time to rev up for some high-octane fun with our pals from the Disney-Pixar Cars films! Lightning McQueen himself is ready to show YOU how to become a champion racer!

Stepping Inside Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

From this point on, it’s only fair to give you a SPOILER ALERT!

That’s right — when you step inside Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, you become a rookie racer.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

And how will your racing education begin? First up is a little pre-show trivia, followed by a song and introduction of Lightning McQueen by his pal Tow Mater!

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

As for the arrival of Lightning McQueen himself, it must be said… the animatronics on Lightning McQueen are pretty amazing as he moves and turns, with the expressions on his face being incredibly smooth.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

Lightning McQueen shows you what he’s learned in his time around the track through his state-of-the-art racing simulator complete with wraparound screen, which really helps us rookie racers feel like we’re racing ourselves! (What better way to learn, right?)

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

But, as it turns out, it’s not always a smooth trip around the course… the system gets hacked by Chick Hicks and Lightning finds himself challenged!

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

But with some help from his friends, including Cruz Ramirez and more, Lightning McQueen emerges victorious…

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

… and wins the race!

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

Note that, at press time for the this post, FastPass+ is not available for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. And, in speaking with Cast Members, we learned there is no plan for FastPass+ to be offered for this attraction for the foreseeable future.

Entering Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

But, even with Opening Day lines (as pictured above), the wait wasn’t too bad at all!

Opening Day Wait Time

So, don’t be discouraged if you enter Cars Courtyard to see oodles of people trying to get into the attraction. Seating in the theater is plentiful, and you may find yourself as a rookie racer before you know it!

But this isn’t the last you’ve heard from us from Cars Courtyard today… stay tuned right here for a visit to the new DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time! coming up next!